Dr. Thomas Silkstone Mystery Series

In this eighteenth-century historical mystery series opener, an English lady looks to an American anatomist’s forensic skills to clear her husband’s name. The death of Sir Edward Crick has unleashed a torrent of gossip through the seedy taverns and elegant ballrooms of Oxfordshire. Few mourn the dissolute young man—except his sister, the beautiful Lady Lydia Farrell. When her husband comes under suspicion of murder, she seeks expert help from Dr. Thomas Silkstone, a young anatomist from Philadelphia. Thomas arrived in England to study under its foremost surgeon, where his unconventional methods only add to his outsider status. Against his better judgment he agrees to examine Sir Edward’s corpse. But it is not only the dead, but also the living, to whom he must apply the keen blade of his intellect. And the deeper the doctor’s investigations go, the greater the risk that he will be consigned to the ranks of the corpses he studies . . . Praise for The Anatomist’s Apprentice “Smart misdirection and time-period appropriate medical details make for a promising start to a new series. A strong choice for readers of Ariana Franklin and Caleb Carr.” —Library Journal “Densely plotted . . . We await—indeed, demand—the sequel.” —The New York Times Book Review “An absorbing debut . . . Harris has more than a few tricks up her sleeve and even veteran armchair puzzle solvers are likely to be surprised.” —Publishers Weekly

A terrifying fog and a brutal murder are quite the case for an American anatomist in this historical mystery for fans of Caleb Carr. In 1783, a man staggers out of his cottage into the streets of Oxfordshire, shattering an otherwise peaceful evening with the terrible sight of his body shaking and heaving, eyes wild with horror. Many of the villagers believe the Devil himself has entered Joseph Makepeace, the latest victim of a “great fog” that darkens the skies over England like a Biblical plague. When Joseph’s son and daughter are found murdered—heads bashed in by a shovel—the town’s worst suspicions are confirmed: Evil is abroad and needs to be banished. A brilliant man of science, Dr. Thomas Silkstone is not one to heed superstition. But when he arrives at the estate of the lovely widow Lady Lydia Farrell, he finds that it’s not just her grain and livestock at risk. A shroud of mystery surrounds Lydia’s lost child, who may still be alive in a workhouse. A natural disaster fills the skies with smoke and ash, clogging the lungs of all who breathe it in. And the grisly details of a father’s crime compel Dr. Silkstone to look for answers beyond his medical books—between the Devil and the deep blue sea… Praise for The Devil’s Breath   “Excellent…. Both literally and figuratively atmospheric, this will appeal to fans of Imogen Robertson’s series set during the same period.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review “A fascinating series…Harris is at her vivid best describing in precise, fearsome detail the “Great Fogg.””—The New York Times Book Review

An American anatomist contends with body snatchers plaguing 1782 London in this historical mystery for fans of Caleb Carr. It is not just the living who are prey to London's criminals and cutpurses. Corpses, too, are fair game—dug up from fresh graves and sold to unscrupulous men of science. Dr. Thomas Silkstone abhors such methods, but his leading rival, Dr. John Hunter, has learned of the imminent death of eight-foot-tall Charles Byrne, known as the “Irish Giant,” and will go to any lengths to obtain the body for his research. Thomas intends to see that Byrne is allowed to rest in peace. Yet his efforts are complicated by concern for his betrothed, Lady Lydia Farrell, who breaks off their engagement without explanation. When Dr. Hunter is implicated in the horrific murder of a young castrato, Thomas must determine how far the increasingly erratic surgeon will go in the name of knowledge. For as Thomas knows too well, the blackest hearts sometimes go undetected—and even an unblemished façade can hide terrifying secrets… Praise for The Dead Shall Not Rest   “Outstanding…. Well-rounded characters, cleverly concealed evidence, and an assured prose style point to a long run for this historical series.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review   “Populated with real historical characters and admirably researched, Harris's novel features a complex and engrossing plot. A touch of romance makes this sophomore outing even more enticing. Savvy readers will also recall Hilary Mantel’s The Giant, O’Brien.”—Library Journal

An American anatomist plunges into a case of sorcery, slavery, and cold-blooded murder in this historical mystery for fans of Caleb Carr. When the sole survivor of an ill-fated scientific expedition to Jamaica goes missing upon his return to London, Dr. Thomas Silkstone—entrusted with cataloging the expedition’s New World specimens—feels compelled to investigate. There are rumors of a potion that has the power to raise the dead—and the formula is suspected to be in the private journal that has disappeared along with the young botanist. As Dr. Silkstone searches for clues to the man’s whereabouts, he is drawn deeper into a dark and dangerous world of vengeance, infidelity, murder, and the trafficking of corpses for profit. Without the support of his beloved Lady Lydia Farrell—from whom he has been forcibly separated by law—he must confront the horrors of slavery, as well the very depths of human wickedness. And after a headless corpse is discovered, Dr. Silkstone begins to uncover the sinister motives of those in power who would stop at nothing to possess the Lazarus potion… Praise for The Lazarus Curse   “Stellar…Harris’s prose and characterizations have only become more assured.”—Publishers Weekly   “An American physician in post-Revolutionary War England takes on a potent drug, a baffling murder and a determined rival…Harris successfully balances history, homicide, science, sorcery, and social justice in her idealistic hero’s fourth case.”—Kirkus Reviews “Impossible to put down…. With each book, the mysteries have become stronger…. Silkstone is an admirable character and he captures readers' emotional interest.”—RT Book Reviews, Top Pick

An eighteenth-century American anatomist contends with a madness, murder, and social upheaval in this historical mystery for fans of Caleb Carr. In the notorious mental hospital in rural England known as Bedlam, Dr. Thomas Silkstone seeks out a patient with whom he is on intimate terms. But he is unprepared for the state in which he finds Lady Lydia Farrell. Shocked into action, Thomas vows to help free Lydia by appealing to the custodian of her affairs, Mr. Nicholas Lupton. But when Silkstone arrives at the Boughton Estate to speak to Lupton, he finds that another form of madness has taken over the village . . . Sweeping changes to the Boughton Estate threaten to leave many villagers, who are rightfully angry, destitute. After a single shot rings out and a man dies in the woods, it appears that the desperate villagers have turned to murder to avenge their cause. But for Thomas, a post-mortem on the victim raises more questions than answers. Although he manages to save an innocent man from the gallows, a second murder warns him of his potentially fatal situation. Soon he discovers a conspiracy far more sinister than anything he has ever faced. But who it leads to is the last person he suspects . . . Praise for The Devil’s Breath “Excellent . . . Both literally and figuratively atmospheric, this will appeal to fans of Imogen Robertson's series during the same period.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Stunning . . . perfect book club fodder.” —Library Journal “A fascinating series . . . Harris is at her vivid best describing in precise, fearsome detail the “Great Fogg.”“ —The New York Times Book Review

A slain lawyer and a stolen diamond compose quite a puzzle for an eighteenth-century anatomist in this historical mystery for fans of Caleb Carr. Newly released from the notorious asylum known as Bedlam, Lady Lydia Farrell finds herself in an equally terrifying position—as a murder suspect—when she stumbles upon the mutilated body of Sir Montagu Malthus in his study at Boughton Hall. Meanwhile American Dr. Thomas Silkstone has been injured in a duel with a man who may or may not have committed the grisly deed of which Lydia is accused. Despite his injury, Thomas hopes to clear his beloved’s good name by conducting a postmortem on the victim. With a bit of detective work, he learns that Montagu’s throat was slit by no ordinary blade, but a ceremonial Sikh dagger from India—a clue that may be connected to the fabled lost mines of Golconda. From the mysterious disappearance of a cursed diamond buried with Lydia’s dead husband, to the undying legend of a hidden treasure map, Thomas must follow a trail of foreign dignitaries, royal agents—and even more victims—to unveil the sinister and shocking secrets in the stones . . . Praise for Secrets in the Stones “Satisfying . . . . Harris’s rich portrayal of Indian influences on Britain, along with fresh twists in the protagonists’ romance, adds appeal.” —Publishers Weekly