Remedy for Treason (Chronicles of Issac of Girona) [Paperback]

Caroline Roe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Chronicles of Issac of Girona | Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Girona, Spain. 1353. Struggling to save his patients from the plague, and avoiding the even greater danger of his wife's temper, Isaac discovers that pestilence isn't the city's only killer. A nun dies in the public baths. Then it is revealed that she is not a nun at all, but an attendant to the queen in nun's disguise. The Bishop of Girona calls upon Isaac to help determine the strange circumstance of her death--and the purpose of her deception. But Isaac soon finds himself and his family caught in a tightening web of royal intrigue designed to destroy the Spanish monarchy--and whoever else gets in the way...

* First in an all new medieval mystery series
* Fans of The Name of the Rose will love it
* Fantastic advance praise from acclaimed authors Bruce Alexander and Candace Robb

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425162958
• ISBN-13: 978-0425162958
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,289,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An absorbing novel with endearing characters, January 9, 2001

By 

Torontocrimfan "matthewlight" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remedy for Treason (Chronicles of Issac of Girona) (Paperback)

Remedy for Treason manages to combine an engrossing plot and sympathetic characters with a fascinating historical setting. Roe definitely succeeded in making me want to learn more about medieval Spain and the complexities of Islamic, Christian, and Jewish coexistence there. To my mind, the book had only two weaknesses. First, like another reviewer, I was somewhat puzzled by the religious infractions committed by ostensibly pious Jewish characters, who (for example) not only consume non-kosher food and wine with gusto, but also violate the Sabbath day by writing. Second, I agree with other reviewers that the sinister villain was a little dorky. Still, I greatly enjoyed Roe's first Isaac of Girona novel, and I definitely plan to read more of her medieval mysteries.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid, inventive, unforgettable characters., October 13, 1999

By 

Night Owl Librarian (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Remedy for Treason (Chronicles of Issac of Girona) (Paperback)

A thoroughly engrossing page-turner, richly atmospheric, with dimensional characters ranging from a runaway Muslim boy to an old bishop. Each of her characters possesses a unique intelligence; as a group, and brought together by Isaac the physician, they unravel the mystery. I disagree with the deus ex machina comment of an earlier reviewer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Debut Deserves a Wide Audience, May 17, 2001

By 

P. Bigelow (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Remedy for Treason (Chronicles of Issac of Girona) (Paperback)

This debut is set in 1353 Girona, Spain, and feature Isaac, a blind Jewish physician. Isaac is trying to save his patients from the plague as the story opens. When a nun is found dead in the public baths, the Bishop of Girona calls on Isaac to investigate the death. The Bishop trusts Isaac's discretion, intelligence, and ability to move among Girona's populace. What Isaac discovers is that nothing is as it seems.

This debut by Roe is an excellent entry into the historical mystery genre. Isaac is a believable and likable character, Roe's characterizations of even the minor chararacters are well drawn. Roe does not overwhelm her readers with historical minutiae that impedes her story, but gives enough history to satisfy those of us who prefer our history wrapped in a mystery. This PBO is only the first in a planned series. It and the series deserve a wide audience.