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    Grave Goods
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    Grave Goods
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    Grave Goods
    Audiobook10 hours

    Grave Goods

    Written by Ariana Franklin

    Narrated by Kate Reading

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The "richly detailed, almost indecently thrilling" (New York Times) follow up to The Serpent's Tale

    When a fire at Glastonbury Abbey reveals two skeletons, rumor has it they may belong to King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. King Henry II hopes so, for it would help him put down a rebellion in Wales, where the legend of Celtic savior Arthur is strong. To make certain, he sends Adelia Aguilar, his Mistress of the Art of Death, to Glastonbury to examine the skeletons.

    At the same time, the investigation into the abbey fire will be overseen by the Bishop of St. Albans, father of Adelia's daughter. Trouble is, someone at Glastonbury doesn't want either mystery solved, and is prepared to kill to prevent it...


    From the Trade Paperback edition.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMar 19, 2009
    ISBN9781101029602
    Unavailable
    Grave Goods
    Author

    Ariana Franklin

    Ariana Franklin was the award-winning author of Mistress of the Art of Death and the critically acclaimed, bestselling medieval thriller series of the same name, as well as the twentieth-century thriller City of Shadows. She died in 2011, while writing The Siege Winter.

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    Reviews for Grave Goods

    4/5

    467 ratings48 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Review from Badelynge.Having really liked the previous books in the Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin, I was a little underwhelmed by Relics of the Dead. As with the other two books the story is set in England at the latter end of the 12th century during the reign of Henry II, the Plantagenet king who despite his many achievements and strong leadership will always be known as 'that one who did for Thomas Becket'. The majority of the action takes place around Glastonbury Abbey amidst rumours that the skeletons of King Arthur and Guinevere have been found. Henry sends Adelia and her little entourage off to discover the truth of the matter in the hopes that proving that 'The Once and Future King' is well and truly dead would help him with his dealings with the rebellious Celts. Most of the characters seem somewhat diluted from their previous portrayals. I do still like Henry though, even if the author does tend to emphasize his sense of humour maybe a little too much. The book is strongest when exploring some of the historical themes e.g. Henry's judicial reforms in a land where such things had previously been decided by Trial by Combat. There are some interesting musings on the way legends and myths evolve and you can't really find anything more legendary or mythical than good old King Arthur. The horrendously psychopathic Wolf and Scarry surely couldn't be the germ that sparked Robin Hood... could they *shudder*. Where the book really disappoints though is with the softening of Adelia's character and the lack of any real mystery for her to be challenged by. Instead there are a handful of smaller mysteries that practically resolve themselves. Still a very readable book but it didn't quite evoke a sense of place as Mistress of the Art of Death did with its 12th Century Cambridge or The Death Maze with its bitterly cold towers, mazes and landscape.
    • 3/5
      Not my favourite of the Mistress of the Art of Death books although still a well thought out story rich with historical detail. In this tale Adelia and her motely group are sent to Glastonbury to help the King prove that King Arthur is dead and will not walk again. Along the way there are a number of smaller slightly distracting storylines - the fire at Glastonbury Abbey, the dissapearance of Adelia's friend Emma and as ever the appearance of the Bishop of St Albans. In this all fo the characters seem a little weaker and less vibrant than in the earlier novels - I'd like to see more of all of the side characters as well as some more clarity about Adelia's apparent change of heart about her lifelong plans. I'll certainly look for the next in the series but hope it is a stronger story than this one.
    • 5/5
      This series is fantastic, and this book does not disappoint. Adelia gets mixed up in an Arthur-and-Guinevere mystery at Glastonbury involving dishonest clergy, slightly more trustworthy petty criminals, Henry Plantagenet and a host of other familiar faces. Highly recommended.
    • 3/5
      It might be me, but I didn't think this book was as good as the previous two....

      All the main characters are the same, but one would think that for someone as intelligent as Adelia is....when there is a known threat that she would ask Mansur for help and hatch some plan....I mean that is why he is there and she uses his help for everything else.

      So this book is about an earthquake at the Abbey of Glastonbury (formerly Avalon), a fissure in the ground between two pyramids in the graveyard, a vision of a burial within the fissure and the closure of it. The hunt for Arthur....the identification of two skeletons (one without a pelvis) believed to be Arthur & Guenevere. the disappearance of Adelia's friend Lady Emma & her entourage, and the fire of Glastonbury Abbey.

      I do like the dialog in this series for me that's what makes it believable & holds my interest....some of the description bored me....and I did find myself skimming.

      All in all I did like the story.
    • 4/5
      A very good read
    • 4/5
      It is 1176, and Glastonbury Abbey has just burned almost to the ground. Who burned the abbey, and why? And do the pair of unearthed skeletons buried together really belong to the legendary King Arthur and Guinevere? King Henry II sends his favorite "Mistress of the Art of Death", Adelia Aguilar, to confirm their identity. And (the King joyfully points out) the Bishop of St. Albans will be visiting the abbey as well on a peacekeeping mission. This story was fun to read; I love this series. Although this particular story was probably the weakest of the three books so far, it was still very good. I also learn a lot because every other page had me turning to Wikipedia to find out some history about Glastonbury, King Arthur, leprosy, or a million other little details.
    • 3/5
      A light but fun summer read.
    • 5/5
      I love the way this series is written. Arthurian legend comes to life in such a way that leaves us wondering and pondering many things we may have taken for granted even though we know it is legend.
    • 5/5
      I didn't realize this was third in a series when I picked it up. Series annoy me more the older I get. This book transcended my middle aged cynicism sufficiently that I already got the first one from the library. Which is just about the highest compliment I can give.
    • 3/5
      I'd say this is my least favorite book of the series. It's not that I didn't like it, it's just one of those with a crazy person in it and he talks to the reader entirely too much.
    • 4/5
      very nice medieval mystery, third in a series, about Henry II, a woman doctor, Glastonbury, and the whereabouts of King Arthur's grave.
    • 5/5
      I love the way this series is written. Arthurian legend comes to life in such a way that leaves us wondering and pondering many things we may have taken for granted even though we know it is legend.
    • 3/5
      Not quite as good as the first two, but I enjoyed it. She writes a ripping yarn.
    • 3/5
      Grave Goods, the latest in The Mistress in the Art of Death Series by Ariana Franklin, is another wonderful historical fiction mystery set during the reign of Henry II. Although I enjoyed this audiobook from the first track to the last, I didn't think it was as strong as the first 2 in the series. It can be hard to follow 2 great hits, especially since the 2nd book in the series The Serpent's Tale made it to my 'best of 2008' list. The book is wonderfully narrated by Kate Reading.
    • 5/5
      I think I missed the second book!

      Love this - about a woman trained as a physician in Spain who relocates to England where she cannot practice openly. She acts as a c.s.i. for King Henry II - more or less.

      This one is all tied up in Arthurian legend and Glastonbury.
    • 4/5
      This book is better than the previous! I give it 4 1/2 stars, only a few minor problems with the reading of it, or I would have given 5 stars. This series well worth reading.
    • 3/5
      The latest in the Adelia - Mistress in the Art of Death series. Adelia is commanded by Henry II to determine whether remains found at Glastonbury are those of Arthur and Guinevere. Good read, I enjoyed it more than the second of the series.
    • 3/5
      Maybe it's that six years have passed since I read the last one, but I didn't find this third installment in the "Mistress of the Art of Death" series quite as interesting or well-written as I remember finding the first two. The anachronisms bothered me more, and even though the book is certainly a compulsive read (I barely put it down), and the plot is reasonably interesting, I don't know that I feel compelled to go after any future books in the series.
    • 4/5
      This was a good companion to the first episode of the tv series Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty that I watched recently. When a pair of skeletons were discovered at Glastonbury, Adelia Aguilar is charged by Henry II with the task of determining if they are Arthur and Guinevere. In doing so she uncovers other related mysteries. Franklin's story illustrates some the legal changes Henry II made that were the basis for English Common Law. Some interesting information about forensic research of the 12th century added to the interest of the novel.
    • 3/5
      Grave Goods
      3.5 Stars

      The historical background is fascinating despite one or two glaring inconsistencies (that are ultimately explained in the author's note), but the investigation into the corpses believed to be those of Arthur and Guinevere is not as engrossing as in the previous books.

      There are a number of mysteries interspersed throughout the book: Who are the unidentified corpses in the Glastonbury graveyard? Who set fire to the abbey? What happened to Adelia's friend Emma and her child? Everything is ultimately resolved but it is all very anti-climactic.

      There is also very little character development in this one. Adelia and Rowley come to terms with their on again, off again romance but other than that the characters are extremely one dimensional, although Henry II does have his moments.

      All in all, not a bad mystery and the book is worth reading for the history and for the insight into Arthurian legend.
    • 4/5
      Even reading this out of order, it was a very interesting and informative book. The details, the characters; they were all great.
    • 3/5
      Fairly typical medieval mystery. Enjoyable, I had no complaints; no totally glaring anachronisms. I found the justifications for an intelligent woman to be working as an investigator in the middle ages to be acceptable. However, I can't say that the plot was truly remarkable or memorable. I'd read more in this series if they happen my way; but won't go out of my way to find them.
    • 3/5
      A light but fun summer read.
    • 5/5
      The third in the "Mistress of the Art of Death" series, this novel brings Adelia, the Mistress of the Art of Death (a kind of medieval forensic pathologist trained at Salerno), into the King Arthur & Avalon myth and history. A fire at Glastonbury Abbey reveals two skeletons, rumor to be King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. King Henry II hopes so, because he believes that if the Welsh believe that Arthur is truly dead (the Welsh believe that he will rise and save them) it will help him put down a rebellion in Wales. To make certain, he sends Adelia Aguilar, his Mistress of the Art of Death, to Glastonbury to examine the bones—and prove they really are Arthur and Guinevere. At the same time, the investigation into the abbey fire will be overseen by the Bishop of St. Albans, father of Adelia's daughter. Trouble is, someone at Glastonbury doesn't want either mystery solved, and is prepared to kill to prevent it. In addition, a subplot is introduced involving Adelia’s friend Emma and her disappearance. I really enjoy this historical mystery series. The characters are wonderful. Adelia is smart, strong and caring. I also enjoy the history lesson, this time it included inheritance, King Henry’s introduction of the beginnings of the English legal system, the Arthur mythology and the treatment of leprosy. Can’t wait for the next in the series. A 4 ½ out of 5 stars.
    • 5/5
      Incredible. Maybe the best of the three so far. I adore Adelia, and I love the way Ariana Franklin writes - her books are funny, informative, and articulate. And her Henry II makes me proud to be English (even though he wasn't) in a way that recent history doesn't.

      I read this in one sitting - I can't wait for the next Adelia book.
    • 5/5
      This series is fantastic, and this book does not disappoint. Adelia gets mixed up in an Arthur-and-Guinevere mystery at Glastonbury involving dishonest clergy, slightly more trustworthy petty criminals, Henry Plantagenet and a host of other familiar faces. Highly recommended.
    • 3/5
      I liked the basic premise of this 3rd book in the Mistress of the Art of Death series but at times, Adelia's behaviour struck me as improbable. It has been a while since I read the first 2 books in this series so I don't remember if this was how she behaved earlier...

      Kate Reading did a good narration.
    • 4/5
      The book opens in 1154 as an earthquake engulfs Glastonbury Abbey and a dying monk sees people lowering a coffin into a fissure created in the earth. Did the coffin contain the body of the legendary King Arthur, long-thought to be merely sleeping in the nearby hills until his people need him again? Twenty-two years later the monk’s nephew, who was present as his uncle died, shares the information with King Henry II who has just quashed one Welsh rebellion and is desperate to rid himself of the legend of Arthur lying in wait to rise again. There has been a fire at Glastonbury Abbey and Henry orders the coffin to be dug up. He then commands the one person in his kingdom who has the skills to authenticate the bones as Arthur’s. Adelia Aguilar, the doctor who can ‘read bones’, reluctantly agrees to attempt to determine the age of the bones. With her daughter and faithful attendants she travels to Glastonbury, travelling part of the way with Lady Emma Wolvercote and her party who are on their way to lay claim to Lady Emma’s estate. Later, Adelia discovers she did not make it to her destination. Or did she?

      As with the previous two books in this series, Relics of the Dead is first and foremost a good old-fashioned adventure full of brave Knights performing feats of derring-do while less noble souls engage in more prosaic acts. The legend of Arthur and Guinevere is woven artfully into the story unfolding around Adelia in the present day and there’s barely a moment for the reader to catch her breath with several action-packed threads playing out at once.

      All of this is accompanied by engrossing information about the historical period, so you feel like you’re learning something while being thoroughly entertained. Under her real name (Diana Norman) Franklin has researched and written extensively about Henry II and her affection for the man is evident in this book. His faults are talked about, but Franklin generally tends to highlight his foresight and modern thinking by introducing such things as trial-by-jury and other innovations. Having read three of these books now, I’m beginning to develop my own crush on Henry Plantagenet.

      Although some people argue that Adelia is an unbelievable character for her time, Franklin makes a a good case that women in her situation would have had more scope to fend for themselves than the true upper class women that Adelia sometimes mixes with. And even if she is not entirely credible for her time, she’s wonderful: strong, loving, loyal and smart. Her loyal attendants from the previous books, Mansur and Gyltha, are again excellent in their supporting roles and of course the Bishop of St Albans, the father of Adelia’s child, makes another trouble-filled appearance. There are some unforgettable new characters in this tale too, not least of which is the old woman who runs the Pilgrim’s Inn at which Adelia and her party stay while in Glastonbury. Franklin is a dab hand at developing very strong, memorable characters quite quickly.

      Sadly Diana Norman passed away earlier this year and I have not heard of any unpublished manuscripts lying about so I only have one last book in this series to read, which I think I shall save for some time. I thoroughly recommend this installment of the series to anyone who loves getting absorbed in well-written adventures full of memorable characters.
    • 4/5
      If you are looking for a representative example of the historical murder mystery genre, well you might want to keep looking. You know, the book where someone is killed in the first chapter, the clues are gathered, the tension (and possibly the body count) rises until the murderer is caught in the last or second to last chapter, after which the detective explains the mystery, and then some secondary characters get to do something happy.

      Don’t get me wrong, I quite like that book too, but if that is what you are looking for you are going to be frustrated by this one. The murderer is going to get revealed way too early, and there are going to be all these minor characters who wont stay in the background, the detective is going to make some foolish mistakes and get distracted by curiosity about things that don’t lead to uncovering the perpetrators… its just going to be odd.

      So, enough about what this book isn’t. Now for what it is. It is about 40% mystery and 60% really good historical novel about the high middle ages, with a protagonist who struggles with how to be an educated woman outside of a nunnery (yes they did exist) and doesn’t always get it right. Personally I love it. I think this series is just getting better and better.

      Also it contains paragraphs like this one, which I find truly wonderful;
      Time resumed. There was warmth and the smell of wildflowers and above, a sky as blue as sailors’ trousers, the hum of bees, and –oh God how strange – the sound of plainsong coming from the ruins of a church where, unknowing, impervious holy men still celebrated the third hour of daylight, allowing the six note hexagons of their song to bring order back to a universe in which, for her, there had been chaos.


      Nicely done Ms. Franklin, thank you for some really pleasurable hours of reading.
    • 5/5
      This is the third volume in the Mistress of the Art of Death series. King Henry II again requires Adelia Aguilar’s forensic expertise. Along with Gyltha, daughter Ellie, and her Arab bodyguard Mansur whose assistant she must pretend to be, Adelia travels to the monastery of Glastonbury where a coffin containing two bodies has been found after a devastating fire. Rumour has it that the bodies may be those of Arthur and Guinevere. If evidence could be found to support this, King Henry believes it would help him put an end to continued Welsh uprisings. And there are other mysteries to solve including the disappearance of Adelia’s friend Emma and her entourage.I've never been to Glastonbury but I've read about it quite a bit mostly because of the Glastonbury Festival at which some of my favourite musicians have played. I've also heard some about it being a site of supernatural significance. Adelia has the same attitude I have to such claims; I'm sceptical but willing to acknowledge that some places have a different feel to them although I don't think they are omphalos.It was also interesting to read about the various herbal remedies employed by Adelia. Even the donkey was treated with herbs!