Mary P. (mary2029) - , reviewed on 1/22/2018 + 35 more book reviews

This book has plots set in centuries 600 years apart. Janie Crewe is a former surgeon who, in 2005, travels to England to finish up degree work to be a forensic archaeologist. Alejandro Chanches, a Jewish physician in 14th century Spain, is caught with the body of a Christian he had dug up to autopsy. Each of them will become involved with bubonic plague. It's a great premise, but doesn't quite fulfill on the promise. I would have given the book 4 stars instead of 3 based solely on the historic portion of the book. But the modern story detracted from the book's overall appeal. Benson should have set it in 2050 instead of 2005 because there are futuristic elements that really strain credulity for early 21st century. Each of the plots also has a love story. I felt the historic romance worked. Usually, when one talks about chemistry it's in regard to characters in a movie. This was the first time I felt characters in a book lacked chemistry. At 670 pages the book was way too long. Banson's editor should have suggested she jettison the modern story; since the stories are told in alternating chapters, this would have been easy, and it would have had a much better book. I had previously read Benson's book Thief of Souls, again with two plots in medieval and modern times, about young boys at the mercy of sexual predators. It's a much better book.

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