Mistress of the Art of Death Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Order for Mistress of the Art of Death

The Mistress of the Art of Death series, written by Ariana Franklin (the pen name of Diana Norman) and later completed by her daughter Samantha Norman, follows a strict chronological path. Because the characters age, relationships evolve, and political situations in 12th-century England shift from one novel to the next, it is highly recommended that you read the books in order of publication.

Here is the complete reading path for the series, including both US and UK titles to help you avoid accidentally buying the same book twice:

1. Mistress of the Art of Death (2007)
2. The Serpent's Tale / The Death Maze (2008)
3. Grave Goods / Relics of the Dead (2009)
4. A Murderous Procession / The Assassin's Prayer (2010)
5. Death and the Maiden (2020) — Co-authored and completed by Samantha Norman.

Detailed Breakdown of the Books

1. Mistress of the Art of Death (2007)

The series opens in 1171. Several children have been brutally murdered in Cambridge, and the local populace is quick to blame the city's Jewish community. Seeking to prevent a riot and preserve the tax revenues generated by the Jewish merchants, King Henry II requests assistance from the King of Sicily, who sends a team of investigators. Among them is Adelia Aguilar, a graduate of the famous medical school in Salerno. Because a woman practicing medicine is viewed as witchcraft in medieval England, Adelia must keep her skills hidden, acting as the assistant to her companion, the Arab medical iconographer Mansur.

This debut novel won the prestigious CWA Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and introduces the core dynamics of the series, including Adelia's complex relationship with tax collector Rowley Picot.

2. The Serpent's Tale / The Death Maze (2008)

Set during the harsh winter of 1172, Adelia is called upon by King Henry II once again. This time, the victim is Rosamund Clifford, the King's infamous mistress, who has been poisoned. The primary suspect is Henry's fierce queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is already rallying her sons in rebellion against the crown. Adelia is sent to the snowbound estate where Rosamund died, only to find herself trapped in a labyrinth of family secrets, political rebellion, and cold-blooded murder.

3. Grave Goods / Relics of the Dead (2009)

Following a devastating fire at Glastonbury Abbey, monks claim to have discovered the tombs of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. King Henry II, eager to use the legendary discovery to crush the rebellious spirit of the Welsh, sends Adelia to verify the authenticity of the bones. However, Adelia quickly realizes that the bones are not the only things buried at the abbey. A modern murderer is operating under the cover of the ancient legend, and Adelia must navigate religious zealotry, superstition, and political intrigue to uncover the truth.

4. A Murderous Procession / The Assassin's Prayer (2010)

Adelia is coerced into joining a high-stakes escort mission. King Henry's daughter, Princess Joanna, is traveling across Europe to marry the King of Sicily. Because the route is plagued by a mysterious assassin known as the Falcon, Adelia is sent along to protect the princess and analyze any potential threats. The journey is fraught with danger, taking the procession through the Alps and into hostile territory. This book earned the CWA Dagger in the Library Award in 2010, cementing the series' reputation for brilliant pacing and historical atmosphere.

5. Death and the Maiden (2020)

Published a decade after the fourth book, this final installment carries a unique history. Following the death of Diana Norman (Ariana Franklin) in 2011, the manuscript remained unfinished. Her daughter, Samantha Norman, completed the novel using her mother's detailed outlines and drafts. The story is set in 1191, moving the timeline forward. Adelia is now living in quiet retirement in the fens of Ely, training her daughter Allie in the forensic arts. When young girls begin to go missing in the local area, Allie becomes entangled in the investigation, drawing the aging Adelia back into the dangerous world of criminal detection to hunt down a ruthless predator.

US vs. UK Title Differences: A Quick Reference

Due to different publishing decisions in North America and the United Kingdom, three of the five books in the series were released under completely different titles. If you are ordering physical copies or buying ebooks online, use this table to make sure you do not buy duplicate copies:

• Book 2: The Serpent's Tale (US) is the same book as The Death Maze (UK).
• Book 3: Grave Goods (US) is the same book as Relics of the Dead (UK).
• Book 4: A Murderous Procession (US) is the same book as The Assassin's Prayer (UK).

What to Know Before You Start

The series is celebrated for its balance of gritty realism and progressive themes. Ariana Franklin did not shy away from the harsh realities of the Middle Ages, portraying the mud, disease, systemic anti-Semitism, and extreme misogyny of 12th-century England with uncompromising detail. At the same time, the inclusion of Salerno—a real historical medical school that welcomed female students and boasted prominent female doctors like Trota of Salerno—grounds Adelia's advanced scientific mind in genuine history.

While the murder mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final pages, the character growth, political landscape of Henry II's reign, and Adelia's personal relationships form a continuous narrative. Reading the books out of order will spoil major developments, particularly regarding Adelia's status in England and her evolving family life.