Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Anatomist’s Apprentice | 2011 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
| 2 | The Dead Shall Not Rest | 2012 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
| 3 | The Devil’s Breath | 2013 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
| 4 | The Lazarus Curse | 2014 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
| 5 | Shadow of the Raven | 2015 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
| 6 | Secrets in the Stones | 2016 | Tessa Harris | Buy |
The Dr. Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris follows an American-trained anatomist who settles in 18th-century England, where his scientific expertise keeps drawing him into murder investigations. The Anatomist’s Apprentice (2011) introduces Silkstone as he uses early forensic methods to determine the cause of a suspicious death.
Across six books, Harris puts real medical knowledge of the era at the center of the mysteries. Silkstone performs autopsies, examines toxins, and applies what was then cutting-edge science to solve crimes. The Dead Shall Not Rest, The Devil’s Breath, The Lazarus Curse, Shadow of the Raven, and Secrets in the Stones continue the series through 2016, each presenting a new case while advancing Silkstone’s personal story.
The books are a good match for readers who enjoy historical mysteries with strong period detail and a protagonist who relies on brains over brawn.