A Rustle of Silk

Starred review from November 1, 2016
After the success of her Aelf Fen and Hawkenlye books, Clare turns her talents to a new historical mystery series, this one set in rural Devon, England, in the early seventeenth century. Former ship's doctor turned country physician Gabriel Taverner is called to investigate a brutal death, which at first looks like suicide. There are few clues to the dead man's identity, and it's only coincidence that leads Gabriel to the first loose thread that will eventually unravel the twisted truth. As he and local coroner Theophilus Davey work together to try to solve the case, they find what at first seem to be tenuous links to the area's silk trade. As those links become ever stronger, Gabriel and Theo eventually begin to suspect the tragic, which will have frightening implications for Gabriel and his family. But what is most shocking is that even those closest to him have been hiding dark and dangerous secrets. As always, Clare has carefully researched the period she is writing about and offers authentic, engaging historical detail, but her real gift is as a superb storyteller whose clever, twisty plots; believable characters; and skillful writing will engross the reader from first page to last.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

October 31, 2016
Set in 1603, Clare’s gripping series launch introduces Gabriel Taverner, a former ship’s surgeon who’s having difficulties building a medical practice in his home county of Devon. The local coroner, Theophilus Davey, asks Gabriel to examine a decomposing body discovered at an abandoned hovel by the Tavy River. There’s no doubt about the cause of death. The corpse was run through the gut with a blade, and since the hands are gripping the weapon’s shaft, Gabriel believes that the death is a suicide. He’s later shaken to learn that the dead man was Jeromy Palfrey, an agent for wealthy silk merchant Nicolaus Quinlie and the husband of Gabriel’s beloved sister, Celia. When further investigation proves that Jeromy was murdered, Gabriel must prove Celia innocent of the deed. Clare (The Night Wanderer and six other Aelf Fen medieval mysteries) vividly evokes 17th-century Devon. Characters who are complex individuals complement the well-paced and pleasantly twisty plot.