The Book of Shadows

Kathyrn Swinbrooke, physician, herbalist, and leech, makes this period piece seem like a series of anachronisms, but it's well worth the time to delve into this exciting Medieval mystery by one of my favorite authors P.C. Dougherty writing as C.L. Grace. The author is able, due to his expertise in this period of English history (he holds a doctorate from Oxford), to make his tales sound genuine and forthcoming. It's interesting, too, to see him portray Edward IV and Queen so vividly and, with a keen sense of awareness, gives us an insight into the Future King, Richard Duke of Gloucester. Little does Edward realize his short lived tenure! A good read!

This series has an unusual protagonist and so introduces the reader to an almost unknown part of history - that of women doctors in the Middle Ages. This is sometimes more interesting than the plot. I wish Katherine and Colum would get together soon though!