THE SHEEN ON THE SILK by Anne Perry, 2010

Arriving in the ancient Byzantine city in the year 1273, Anna Zarides has only one mission: to prove the innocence of her twin brother, Justinian, who has been exiled to the desert for conspiring to kill Bessarion, a nobleman . . . Trying to clear her brother’s name, Anna learns more about Justinian’s life and reputation—including his peculiar ties to Bessarion’s beautiful widow and his possible role in a plot to overthrow the emperor. This leaves Anna with more questions than answer, and time is running out. For an even greater threat lies on the horizon: Another Crusade to capture the Holy Land is brewing, and leaders in Rome and Venice have set their sights on Constantinople for what is sure to be a brutal invasion. Anna’s discoveries draw her inextricably closer to the dangers of the emperor’s treacherous court—where it seems that no one is exactly who he or she appears to be.

Review by Rachel Birch, Secret Chef

This historical fiction takes place in Byzantium in the the 13th century.  It is a story of a city trying to recover after the 1204 invasion that essentially destroyed the entire city emotionally, religiously and physically.  The story begins with a young female physician who disguises herself as a Eunech so that she may descover why her brother has been banished to exile.

Her journey is dramatic, heart rending, and so engaging that you will have a hard time setting the book down.  I became lost in the exotically sophisticated story Perry weaves in this far gone place.

Highly recommended to anyone needing an adventure in a foreign place.

Market: Adult Fiction
Language: Moderate

Sensuality: Moderate

Violence: Moderate

Mature Themes: War, death

Book formats:
The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel (hardcover - out now)

The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel (paperback - released January, 2011)
The Sheen on the Silk: A Novel (Kindle)

To learn more about the author, visit: Anne Perry