"Medieval historical mystery"

In Girona, blind physician Isaac, who lives in the Jewish Quarter and is the personal doctor of Berenquer De Cruilles, the Bishop of Genoa, has a particularly perplexing case. Raimon Foraster has been suffering from insomnia and when he does sleep, he has awful dreams. He begins having stomach cramps and starts vomiting. Isaac cures the symptoms, but he has yet to find the cause of the malady. Recently the addition of Raimon's heretofore unknown baseborn brother Guillem into the household is trying to insulate himself into their good graces.

While Isaac is dealing with Raimon's illness, his assistant Yusuf is called home to his family in Grenada when they find out he is alive. When he arrives there, he known as Lord Yusuf and is at the center of political intrigues until someone tries to poison him. The Emir of Granada thinks he should leave until they find out who is behind the attempts on his life. He makes his way to Girona and has some interesting information that sheds some light on Raimon's poisoning and eventual death.

This meticulous researched medieval historical mystery brings to life a bygone era thanks to Caroline Poe's visual descriptions of that era. Although Isaac is blind, he is still able to be an excellent physician as he has an astute mind that allows him to conduct a homicide investigation. The two sub-plots involving Yusuf and Raimon interact at one point and that leads to the truth about the homicide. CONSIDERATION FOR AN EXILE is what a great mystery is all about.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 15, 2004

Summary

The spring of 1355 brings unexpected changes in Girona. For Isaac the physician, it is time to bid farewell to his student Yusuf, who has become a well-loved member of the family. Yusuf heads to Grenada to meet his real family after they thought him dead for years. Leaving Girona and its problems behind, Yusuf faces challenges of his own as he tries to acquit himself appropriately at the court of his cousin in Grenada. Though he is overjoyed to see his family, two narrow escapes from danger lead him to believe that someone within the castle walls is less than happy about his return. Fleeing for his life, the boy heads for the only truly safe haven he knows. As political, religious, and familial intrigue once again converge on Girona, Isaac copes with the sudden passing of a patient. Now, Isaac must use all his skills and every clue at his disposal to untangle an elaborate web of lies, secrets, and ambition-before another victim is claimed.