Death of an Alchemist: A Bianca Goddard Mystery (Bianca Goddard Mysteries, Book 2)
by Mary Lawrence
Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Kensington Books
Hardcover & eBook; 304 Pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
In the mid sixteenth century, Henry VIII sits on the throne, and Bianca Goddard tends to the sick and suffering in London’s slums, where disease can take a life as quickly as murder…
For years, alchemist Ferris Stannum has devoted himself to developing the Elixir of Life, the reputed serum of immortality. Having tested his remedy successfully on an animal, Stannum intends to send his alchemy journal to a colleague in Cairo for confirmation. But the next day his body is found and the journal is gone.
Bianca, the daughter of an alchemist, is well acquainted with the mystical healing arts. When her husband John falls ill with the sweating sickness, she dares to hope Stannum’s journal could contain the secret to his recovery. But first she must solve the alchemist’s murder. As she ventures into a world of treachery and deceit, Stannum’s death is only the first in a series of murders—and Bianca’s quest becomes a matter of life and death, not only for her husband, but for herself…
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Praise for Death of an Alchemist by Mary Lawrence
“A realistic evocation of 16th century London’s underside. The various strands of the plot are so skillfully plaited together.” —Fiona Buckley
“Mystery and Tudor fans alike will raise a glass to this new series.” —Karen Harper
Thanks to Chemical Heritage Foundation for permission to post!
Guest Post by Mary Lawrence, Author of Death of an Alchemist
The Life of an Alchemist in the 16th Century
The Noble Art, or Alchemy, is as much a philosophical belief system as it is a
rudimentary science. Evolving over several centuries and across three continents, it encompassed the studies of chemistry, religion, mathematics, and mysticism. In the Bianca Goddard mysteries, I focus on alchemy in the 16th century during the time of Henry VIII. So how were alchemists viewed and what hardships did they endure in the pursuit of the elusive philosopher’s stone?
Paintings from the 17th century give clues to the men and their science. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of reference material to plumb from the 1500s, but it is safe to assume the science did not radically change from 1500-1600.
Alchemy’s most basic tenet is the creation of a philosopher’s stone which could transform base or imperfect metals into silver or gold. Alchemists also believed an elixir of life could be developed which would grant immortality.
Public attitudes toward alchemists ranged from adulation to skepticism. There were men who approached their science rationally, and there were those who hoped to stumble upon the secret in a haphazard and often dangerous manner. Most all alchemists spent their resources in the futile pursuit, and as a result, their families often suffered in poverty.
A successful alchemist would promote himself as a powerful manipulator of nature–
For a time, alchemists in London were required to have licenses to practice and were expected to report any progress to the King. Henry VIII employed several alchemists to work in the mint, but Henry was more interested in alchemy for the purpose of making medicines and the number of licenses went down under his reign.
In a time when being accused of heresy could quickly end one’s life, it was important that alchemists assumed a pious attitude. Reverence for God and their art was part of the ‘science’ and being accused of sorcery could end badly. Alchemists believed one must have the right destiny to succeed and failure was a fault of personal character. They were forever trying to prove to themselves and to God, that they were worthy of the great discovery. The impossibility of success creating the philosopher’s stone was assured, and in my mind, this certain disappointment makes for a provocative group of men forced to confront constant failure, poverty, and denial.
rudimentary science. Evolving over several centuries and across three continents, it encompassed the studies of chemistry, religion, mathematics, and mysticism. In the Bianca Goddard mysteries, I focus on alchemy in the 16th century during the time of Henry VIII. So how were alchemists viewed and what hardships did they endure in the pursuit of the elusive philosopher’s stone?
But alchemists accomplished more than just search for the secret of transmutation. Paracelsus, a well-known alchemist and physician (1493-1541), encouraged using “chymistry” to create medicines. As a result of his work, a controversy erupted between his followers and those who believed chemically prepared medicines were poisonous.
one whose pursuit would benefit mankind. Plenty of charlatans employed their knowledge of solvents and simple chemical reactions to perform tricks that awed. Plenty of patrons parted with their money believing the alchemist was on the brink of discovering the secret to transmutation. Indeed, Ben Jonson’s play in 1610, The Alchemist, was about how one alchemist succeeded in procuring more gold from wealthy patrons than he ever did extracting it from base metals.
About Mary Lawrence
Mary Lawrence studied biology and chemistry, graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Cytotechnology. Along with writing and farming, Lawrence works as a cytologist near Boston. She lives in Maine. The Alchemist’s Daughter is the first book in the Bianca Goddard Mystery series.
For more information please visit Mary’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Tour Death of an Alchemist by Mary Lawrence
Monday, March 21
Review at Broken Teepee
Tuesday, March 22
Review at With Her Nose Stuck In A Book
Guest Post at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More
Wednesday, March 23
Review at A Book Geek
Thursday, March 24
Interview at Books and Benches
Friday, March 25
Review at Book Nerd
Interview at The Book Connection
Monday, March 28
Review at Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne
Tuesday, March 29
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Wednesday, March 30
Review at A Holland Reads
Thursday, March 31
Interview at Author Dianne Ascroft’s Blog
Friday, April 1
Guest Post at Passages to the Past
Giveaway of Death of an Alchemist by Mary Lawrence
To enter the Death of an Alchemist giveaway, please use the GLEAM form below. Four winners will receive a signed copy and the Grand Prize Winner will receive a signed copy plus a $15 Amazon Gift Card!
Rules
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Death of an Alchemist Blog Tour
This sounds like a fascinating mystery. Thanks for the giveaway.
This book sounds really good. My kind of book.
This novel is intriguing and the story and era interests me greatly. Thanks.
This era is so interesting thanks for the giveaway.
I finally noticed and read this delightful little guest post about alchemists during the relevant time period (which I love to imagine and learn about through reading). Thanks for this fascinating background!
If you, Teddy, or any other fellow reader enjoyed this post but has not yet discovered the treasure trove of similar content available at The English Historical Fiction Authors blog, banish thy ignorance now: http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/
HTH.
Cheers, Kara S