"The Serpent's Tale" is a novel by the best-selling author of "Mistress of the Art of Death", Ariana Frank. The story follows the main character, Vesuvia Adelia Rachel Ortese Aguilar, as a doctor that conducts autopsies and forensics. When Rosamund, King Henry II's beloved mistress is murdered, the king requires Adelia to investigate the murder and bring her killer to justice. Adelia, who has a baby out of wedlock with her former lover that is now a bishop, puts her own life, her baby's life and the lives of her stepparents in danger as she uncovers clue after clue.

Because women doctors are not allowed during this time period, Mansur, an Arab man, poses as the doctor. During the investigation, Adelia acts as if she is his translator. Otherwise, the people of England will think she is a witch and she could possibly be burned at the stake before Henry can save her. During the investigation, bodies keep piling up, and the hint of a civil war is always on the horizon.

By the end of the novel, the civil war threat has been put to rest. The mistress's murder has been solved. While Adelia years to return home to Sicily, the king assures her that her place is in England, where he can call upon her to investigate and solve any matters of the dead that he needs her to take care of for him.