Marg, it is out in ebook form. Can you get that in Australia or do you prefer the paper variety? I'm not sure I like that other title either but as you say it has about as much to do with the story as “The Serpent's Tale” does, IMO.

Err…um…I haven’t made the jump towards e-books just yet Jayne. I think it is out at the end of this month, and then it will take a while to appear on the library shelves. As long as it does eventually I will be happy. In the meantime I keep on checking the catalogue to see if it has appeared yet. Every day isn’t too often is it?

Rather than anachronistic, it seemed to me as though those word choices, descriptive passages, etc. drew me in to the time period much more than the Ye Olde Englishe approach would have, because I didn't feel as though the author used those words out of ignorance, but to translate the concept efficiently into a term we, as modern readers, would understand. Not sure if that makes sense, but it's the best I can do on only 2 cups of tea

I’m not a big fan of audio books let me state that up front but what Aoife just said is what Ms. Franklin actually mentions in her author’s note. She doesn’t do anything out of ignorance and that’s why I found the term anachronistic somewhat unfairly applied because Ms. Franklin tries to find some way to marry modern and medieval language together so that readers can enjoy the story better. But in the end, if she wasn’t successful in doing that for you, then she didn’t. I sound like her PR person or something but I’m not, far from it. I just really enjoy her work and hope she continues to be successful in writing for years to come. I hope maybe you’ll give her another try.

I got stuck on things like “bloody” used as a curse about 500 years too soon, words like “professional” and “cosmopolitan” which are ridiculously modern concepts to pass for 12th century conversation, walls lined with books a couple of centuries before Gutenberg – quite honestly I didn't get very far. I gave up at “Cambridge is very cosmopolitan.” Hadn't had enough chocolate that week, I suppose.

Is there such a thing as enough chocolate?

I understand why those things bothered you. I noticed the “modern” tone of some of the the descriptions and language, and those are usually hot buttons for me. For some reason I totally bought in to them in Mistress of the Art of Death. Rather than anachronistic, it seemed to me as though those word choices, descriptive passages, etc. drew me in to the time period much more than the Ye Olde Englishe approach would have, because I didn’t feel as though the author used those words out of ignorance, but to translate the concept efficiently into a term we, as modern readers, would understand. Not sure if that makes sense, but it’s the best I can do on only 2 cups of tea.

Can you cite some examples

It’s not even plot, I can deal with a bit of historical shifting to accommodate that (particularly when the author actually knows she’s doing it!) I got stuck on things like “bloody” used as a curse about 500 years too soon, words like “professional” and “cosmopolitan” which are ridiculously modern concepts to pass for 12th century conversation, walls lined with books a couple of centuries before Gutenberg – quite honestly I didn’t get very far. I gave up at “Cambridge is very cosmopolitan.” Hadn’t had enough chocolate that week, I suppose.

I found the anachronisms so jarring I couldn't finish it. I keep seeing people talking about Franklin's wonderful sense of history and I honestly don't get it.)

There’s never universal agreement on anything, otherwise, we’d be bored. Can you cite some examples Belinda? Ms. Franklin does do author notes where she admits to tweaking facts and such in her historical mysteries for plotting purposes. Sorry to hear you find her work jarring.

I will watch out for that interview as well!

Amazon just bought Audible so I hope this means a better selection.

This STILL hasn’t hit the bookshelves here. I am very impatient I can tell you! The other thing is that it is being published under the title The Death Mask. I have no idea which title fits the story best, but regardless, I really hate it when books are published under different titles in different places.

Diana is at least thinking about a fourth book in the series. I hope she does write it.

Also, I’m going to have a follow up interview with her late this week or early next.

Personally, I would be perfectly happy if the Rowley connection disappeared from the books, and the focus remained on Adelia, who I find to be an interesting character, and one who doesn't need a relationship with a man to make her so.

On that we are agreed.

Yes but in most of her other books (or the ones I've read so far) the book always ends with a couple togther even if the emphasis of the book wasn't on their romantic relationship. So knowing how much these two love each other and seeing them apart is hard. And you know I'm sorta yanking your crank!

Yes her books do end happily, thank goodness for that.

You know who I really enjoyed in this book? The Abbot of Eynsham and I won’t say anymore for fear of spoilers.

If you are familiar with her work, you’ll notice that the romantic relationships are hardly the focus and doesn’t conform to the HEA formula.

Yes but in most of her other books (or the ones I’ve read so far) the book always ends with a couple togther even if the emphasis of the book wasn’t on their romantic relationship. So knowing how much these two love each other and seeing them apart is hard. And you know I’m sorta yanking your crank!

Aoife – I also wonder if there isn’t some way ‘out’ for Rowley and Adelia as Henry pointed out the loophole in Rowley’s pledge. I recall that the church was somewhat more flexible in those days than was later the case so maybe….but then there’re Rowley’s thoughts on what Adelia does even as he makes use of her skills so on the other hand…who knows.

Keishon has gotten word from Mrs. Norman that she’s already finished the next book though it looks like we’ll have to wait a while for it.