Consolation for an Exile

by Caroline Roe

Book Overview

As political, religious, and familial intrigue once again converge on Girona, danger and deceit infiltrate two very different families--and only the blind Isaac can bring the truth to light.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425201813
• ISBN13: 9780425201817
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
• Length: 303 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

a wonderfully riveting read

This latest Isaac of Girona mystery novel proved to be a perplexing and intriguing one from start to finish, and one that I found really hard to put down once I had started it. Raimon Forestar, a well-to-do land owner, has been having some very vivid nightmares almost every night. The nightmares, while they vary slightly in locale and people, always involve the burning death of a woman who seems to know Raimon and who seems to expect Raimon to save her. The nightmares are really affecting Raimon's health, and he decides to consult Isaac (a much respected physician) for his advice and help. Isaac believes that Raimon's nightmares may have a psychological root -- some suppressed memory from Raimon's past that has recently resurfaced and that is causing him a lot of discomfit. A suspicion that is further bolstered when Isaac discovers that a man claiming to be Raimon's long lost half brother has suddenly turned up, and has insinuated himself into Raimon's life, causing a lot of resentment within Raimon's family and servants. At the same time, the Emir of the Kingdom of Granada, a bloodkin of Yusuf Ibn Hasan, Isaac's assistant, courteously requests that Yusuf return home so that he can be reunited with his family. But upon returning to Granada, Yusuf discovers that while his family is happy to have him home again, someone would rather that he remained presumed dead and in Girona. As Yusuf tries to distinguish between foe and friend, and Isaac tries to untangle the source of Raimon's nightmares, two separate and impeccable killers with agendas of their own move to remove the two very vulnerable humans who stand in their way... Fast paced, thrilling and riveting, "Consolation For An Exile" was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I really glad that I spent my Sunday afternoon with such an absorbing and rewarding read. Not only was the storyline a really good one (the subplot involving Yusuf and his dangerous journey back to Girona from Granada, was a really thrilling one), but so too were the character portrayals and historical bits as the author sketched out the political intricacies at the court of Granada and brought to life the dangers and difficulties that the surviving Cathars faced. On the whole, I've never been disappointed in any of Isaac of Girona mystery novels: each one has proved to have been an excellent read. Caroline Roe's agent and publishers really need to make a bigger deal of her series -- it's every bit as good as the Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series. So why isn't there more fanfare for Isaac of Girona?

Excellent medieval historical mystery

In Girona, blind physician Isaac, who lives in the Jewish Quarter and is the personal doctor of Berenquer De Cruilles, the Bishop of Genoa, has a particularly perplexing case. Raimon Foraster has been suffering from insomnia and when he does sleep, he has awful dreams. He begins having stomach cramps and starts vomiting. Isaac cures the symptoms, but he has yet to find the cause of the malady. Recently the addition of Raimon's heretofore unknown baseborn brother Guillem into the household is trying to insulate himself into their good graces. While Isaac is dealing with Raimon's illness, his assistant Yusuf is called home to his family in Grenada when they find out he is alive. When he arrives there, he known as Lord Yusuf and is at the center of political intrigues until someone tries to poison him. The Emir of Granada thinks he should leave until they find out who is behind the attempts on his life. He makes his way to Girona and has some interesting information that sheds some light on Raimon's poisoning and eventual death. This meticulous researched medieval historical mystery brings to life a bygone era thanks to Caroline Poe's visual descriptions of that era. Although Isaac is blind, he is still able to be an excellent physician as he has an astute mind that allows him to conduct a homicide investigation. The two sub-plots involving Yusuf and Raimon interact at one point and that leads to the truth about the homicide. CONSIDERATION FOR AN EXILE is what a great mystery is all about. Harriet Klausner