The Anatomist's Apprentice

November 21, 2011
Set in 1780, Harris’s absorbing debut introduces anatomist Thomas Silkstone, an American living in London, whom the author credits with a number of firsts, including recording the stages of decomposition of corpses and observing insects on a cadaver to determine time of death. When the sudden demise in Oxfordshire of Lord Edward Crick, after violent convulsions, arouses the suspicions of his brother-in-law, Capt. Michael Farrell, Crick’s sister and Farrell’s wife, Lady Lydia, asks Silkstone to determine the truth. Silkstone’s attraction to Lady Lydia motivates him to go beyond merely identifying the possible poison responsible for the nobleman’s end and to explore the viability of various suspects. He proves a dogged investigator, even after several attempts to warn him off the case. Harris has more than a few tricks up her sleeve, and even veteran armchair puzzle solvers are likely to be surprised. Agent: Melissa Jeglinski.

Simon Vance gives this mystery the same treatment he would give to a towering work of world literature. His performance is scrupulously prepared, each character is recognizable the moment he or she speaks, and the pacing, whether measured or feverish, is perfectly appropriate to the needs of the drama. And drama there is, most of it melo-. Most turns of the corkscrew plot have to do with the nascent science of forensics in Georgian England. Think CSI meets Poldark meets Barbara Cartland--but more forensics and less plot for plot's sake would have been welcome here. No bodices are actually harmed in the course of this folderol, but reason and the most rudimentary psychology or plausibility are hit pretty hard. Nevertheless, Vance's performance shines. B.G. (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine