Scan barcode
harishwriter's review against another edition
5.0
I read "The Alchemist's Apprentice" and I was pretty impressed with Tessa Harris' narration. The Dead Shall Not Be Dead is even better. Second book in Dr.Silkstone series surpasses the first book in every way.
deby's review against another edition
2.0
This series is a bit more graphic and gruesome than what I typically enjoy. There are also too many characters with bad motives and actions, so it all feels very dark. I liked the story, mostly, although it was somewhat convoluted. There's something gripping about it, though.
shavonbrown's review against another edition
2.0
I just found myself disappointed in then2nd book of Dr. Thomas Silkstone. There was just something missing and wrong about this story. To many losses ends and I know it's a series and some will do that on purpose. But indont think I will continue this series
skconaghan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Better character development and more complex plot in this one than the first. The addition of historical personalities of Charles Byrne and the anatomist John Hunter was fascinating—and compelled me to read up more about the ongoing petition for the skeletal remains of Byrne in the Hunter Museum to be released to the sea as per his wishes.
The question of ownership of body post-mortem is an interesting philosophical discussion; some manner of credence of the soul is required to engage, but if the soul is absent from the body, and the body is mere dust to be returned to dust—does the earth not own the corpse? And if the earth is ours (the living) to nourish and discover and investigate and replenish—does the soulless body not belong to discovery and science for the advancement of humanity? I certainly understand respecting the wishes of the living for their future corpse… but the whole discussion does raise interesting ideas about scientific & medical advancement, community responsibility, religious beliefs about the dead… and well, so much more.
Thought-provoking. A solid piece of educational entertainment.
omnibozo22's review against another edition
5.0
This heartbreaking story about the state of medicine and the courts in England at the end of the 18th century was based, loosely, on historical events. The competition by anatomy students for fresh corpses has long been a favorite topic for gothic writers (think Frankenstein, for example). Here it is spun even tighter and grimmer.
The Dr. Thomas Silkstone series engages the reader in nested carefully crafted forensic mysteries. The reader, as with the Brother Cadfael mysteries, will be constantly hoping that Dr. Silkstone will devise one of the CSI strategies we take for granted today.
I'm well into the third of the stories now. Note that it is a requirement that the books be read in order, as several story threads are continued through subsequent books.
The Dr. Thomas Silkstone series engages the reader in nested carefully crafted forensic mysteries. The reader, as with the Brother Cadfael mysteries, will be constantly hoping that Dr. Silkstone will devise one of the CSI strategies we take for granted today.
I'm well into the third of the stories now. Note that it is a requirement that the books be read in order, as several story threads are continued through subsequent books.
jessreadthis's review against another edition
1.0
I am being charitable with my rating... I truly loathe giving bad reviews. I read the first in the series and found it to be a pleasant enough book. Thinking the second in the series might be the same, I purchased it (sigh.. wish I hadn't) and read it in the course of a day. The storyline crossed the line into the fantasy genre on more than one occasion. By the middle of the book, the word ridiculous came to my mind on many occasions. I was tempted to stop the madness but figured I was halfway through... I might as well finish the book. The only positive thing that I found from the book was it made me want to research Dr Hunter and his contributions to science a little further.
Dr T. Silkstone returns and is secretly seeing his love Lydia until the time is appropriate for them to announce their engagement. Somehow (because Lydia has always loved the traveling sideshow that is allowed at the edge of her father's property??)Lydia becomes involved with Count Josef Boruwalski, a dwarf. The count convinces the headliner of the show, 8 foot tall Charles Byrne to come with him and Lydia. (I still don't know why/how this came about.) Anyway...Charles goes with them, is suffering from advanced tuberculosis, and doesn't want to die until his dead father's name is cleared. Lydia, the count, and Thomas all decide to help him (why.. I guess because we are to assume they are good people and are looking for a charitable project?)
Suddenly, Lydia breaks off their engagement and doesn't want to see Thomas. {spoiler- she even tries to kill herself it is so bad. Thomas is distraught but also involved in a murder investigation that includes the death of a castrato who has had his larynx surgically removed. An innocent man languishes in prison and Thomas is making every effort to use science to solve the case. Hindering his progress, is rival John Hunter who will stop at nothing to be the dissect the giant Charles Byrne on his death. Body snatching is not out of the question.
I will stop there.. because my own head is spinning at this review. So many story lines knotted together in an attempt that the eccentric, interesting characters will create an original tale. It is original, but so haphazardly thrown together. Probably one of the bigger disappointments for me this reading year.
phoenixemerald's review against another edition
3.0
I don't usual consider my sensibilities delicate, but some scenes in this book were a bit much for me. Definitely not for weak stomachs. The picture painted of old anatomists and treatments were very interesting as were the early forensic techniques. I was not a huge fan of the way characters were portrayed as they seemed wholly good or evil which created a somewhat unrealistic dichotomy. All that said, this was an entertaining book with a good dash of mystery and history.
kimmerp's review against another edition
4.0
Much better finish than Book 1 in the series. Enjoyable audiobook .
si0bhan's review against another edition
3.0
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t overly eager to read this one. Whilst the first book was okay, it wasn’t enough to leave me truly interested in seeing where the series was going. As I had books two and three sitting by my bed, I decided it couldn’t hurt to see what happened next. After all, there have been many times where the second book improved massively upon the first.
Such was the case with this one, as book two was so much better than book one. I know I gave them both three stars, yet the first book was rounded up to three stars whereas this one had a few moments where it threatened to pull out a four star rating. It didn’t quite manage it, but it did improve massively upon the first.
As with book one, I believe that it shouldn’t really be deemed a mystery. At least, not in the sense that I’m used to. I said in my review of the first book that this seemed to be more of a historical drama rather than a historical mystery, and such was the case again. In fact, this one was even more of a soap opera. We had all the things of the first book, and then some more. In all truth, I can see the BBC or ITV making a drama out of this – such is the way of the story.
Still, despite all of this, it was better than the first. Again, the mystery aspect was quite clear from the onset. You knew how certain things would end, and you weren’t surprised by who was involved. Nevertheless, it was enough to keep you interested in where things were heading. For those who enjoyed the characters from the first book, and wanted more of them, this book takes things to new levels. I would have liked more of the focus to be upon the mystery, but the development that occurred was interesting enough. Plus, things have been set up for the next book.
Overall, a vast improvement upon book one. I’ll be reading the third book as I own it, but as it currently stands I’m unsure as to whether or not I’ll continue with the entire series. It’s one of those where I would like to see where things are heading, yet I’m not going to go out of my way to find out.
Such was the case with this one, as book two was so much better than book one. I know I gave them both three stars, yet the first book was rounded up to three stars whereas this one had a few moments where it threatened to pull out a four star rating. It didn’t quite manage it, but it did improve massively upon the first.
As with book one, I believe that it shouldn’t really be deemed a mystery. At least, not in the sense that I’m used to. I said in my review of the first book that this seemed to be more of a historical drama rather than a historical mystery, and such was the case again. In fact, this one was even more of a soap opera. We had all the things of the first book, and then some more. In all truth, I can see the BBC or ITV making a drama out of this – such is the way of the story.
Still, despite all of this, it was better than the first. Again, the mystery aspect was quite clear from the onset. You knew how certain things would end, and you weren’t surprised by who was involved. Nevertheless, it was enough to keep you interested in where things were heading. For those who enjoyed the characters from the first book, and wanted more of them, this book takes things to new levels. I would have liked more of the focus to be upon the mystery, but the development that occurred was interesting enough. Plus, things have been set up for the next book.
Overall, a vast improvement upon book one. I’ll be reading the third book as I own it, but as it currently stands I’m unsure as to whether or not I’ll continue with the entire series. It’s one of those where I would like to see where things are heading, yet I’m not going to go out of my way to find out.
margardenlady's review against another edition
4.0
The continuing saga of Dr. Thomas Silkstone...physician and coroner in London, but originally from Philadelphia. Thomas gets himself entangled with some pretty unsavory characters in this story, which centers around protecting a giant from Ireland. The characters are engaging. It's interesting to have a window on cutting edge medicine in Revolutionary War times. This was well read, complete with voices and accents appropriate to each character.