What We're Reading: Cathy

A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin

King Henry II is sending his 10-year-old daughter to marry King William II of Sicily. Adelia Aguilar and Mansur are told they are to accompany her as a physician. Adelia doesn't want to go - it means being parted from her daughter for a year - but those around her all insist. What she finds out later is that there have been several attempts on her life and her friends hope that she'll be safer out of England. The "accidents" continue as the princess' procession winds its way through France and they are forced to conclude that the would-be murder is one of the party - but who? They must fight through accusations of witchcraft and Catharism as well as the more usual prejudices against women doctors and the dangers of travel in the Middle Ages. The ending is a cliff hanger - the life of one of the party is very uncertain and we'll have to wait for the next book to see if they survive the attack. This is the fourth novel in the series.