Barbara Vines new novel is about blood blood in its metaphysical sense asthe conductor of an inherited title and blood in its physical sense as thetransmitter ... » 

Barbara Vines new novel is about blood blood in its metaphysical sense asthe conductor of an inherited title and blood in its physical sense as thetransmitter of disease. The current Lord Nanther experiencing the reform ofthe House of Lords embarks on a biography of his greatgrandfather the firstLord Nanther favoured physician to Queen Victoria expert on blood diseasesand particularly the royal disease of haemophilia. What he uncovers begins tohorrify him as he realizes that Nanther died a guilty man carrying a horrificsecret to the grave. The Blood Doctor weaves effortlessly between past andpresent public life and private life. The result is a superbly satisfyingnovel about ambition obsession and bad blood. «