"More a Thriller Than a Mystery"

This is the sixth volume in the Chronicles of Isaac of Girona, a recently-established (1998) series in the ever- burgeoning subgenre of historical mystery, which scarcely existed before the introduction of Brother Cadfael 25 years ago.

Isaac, a blind Jewish physician, and his daughter and assistant, Raquel, are residents of Girona, in Aragon, in 1354. They accompany their family friend, banker Astruch Afaman, and his son and daughter to Perpignan, now in France but then a Spanish possession, where the daughter, Bonafilla, is to marry the younger brother of a man with whom Isaac studied. Their host, Jacob Bonjuhes, is eager for Isaac to attend, not only for old times' sake, but because there is a patient lodging in his home whom he wishes Isaac to examine. What we guess early on, and Isaac and his friends don't realize, is that the patient is a Christian nobleman, Aranau Marca, who was imprisoned and slated for execution when his wife arranged his escape, but was ambushed and severely injured in the process, and might have died if not for the kindness of a prostitute who sheltered him until he could be carried to Jacob's home.

Murder is, for the most part, conspicuously absent from this novel, but intrigue abounds. Can Aranau's wife convince the Princess to intercede with the King to spare his life? Who is watching her and why? Will Jacob's household be punished for opening its home to a Christian-- and a fugitive? Just what is the truth about the commercial venture that led to Aranau's arrest? Why is Astruch's daughter Bonafilla behaving so strangely? Who is the man the party meets on the road, and what is his interest in her?

Roe has clearly done her research and gives an interesting picture of life in the "call," or Jewish ghetto. Her concentration on a Jewish main character allows for a fresh look at the Medieval environment which has become familiar to many mystery readers. There are flashes of wry humor and moments of beautiful description. Occasionally the plot becomes slightly obscure, but given the various secrets and maneuverings going on around the characters, that's probably inevitable.

Readers who enjoy other Medieval European mysteries, like Catherine LeVendeur, Matthew Bartholomew, William Falconer, and Brother Cadfael, may find A DRAUGHT FOR A DEAD MAN and other books in the series (all currently available in paperback) worth their attention.

Reviewed by Christine Jeffords
Posted October 2, 2002

Summary

Blind Jewish physician Isaac of Girona travels to northern Catalonia to heal an injured man. But the real cure requires uncovering the danger that surrounds him. Isaac has been invited to Perpignan for two reasons: to attend a wedding of his friend Davi's son and to heal Arnau Marça, a Christian knight and patient of Davi's who was badly injured during an attack. But as Arnau struggles to identify his enemy, an innocent apprentice is murdered. Now, Isaac's uncanny ability to discern foul from fair, and Arnau's relentless will to survive, are their only armor against the possibility of more tragedy...