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Around the edge of the piazza the purveyors of predictions had ceased their trade. Mia had no clients; all business was in hiatus...
The Blurb
Rome 1644: A Novel of Love, Power, and Poison
Remember tonight... for it is the beginning of always ― Dante Alighieri
In the heart of Rome, the conclave is choosing a new Pope, and whoever wins will determine the fate of the Eternal City.
Astrologer Mia and her fiancé Jacopo, a physician at the Santo Spirito Hospital, plan to marry, but the election result is a shock and changes everything.
As Pope Innocent X takes the throne, he brings along his sister-in-law, the formidable Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, known as La Papessa – the female Pope. When Mia is offered a position as her personal astrologer, she and Jacopo find themselves on opposite sides of the most powerful family in Rome.
Mia is determined to protect her mother, Giulia Tofana, a renowned poisoner. But with La Papessa obsessed with bringing Giulia to justice, Mia and Jacopo's love is put to the ultimate test.
As the new dawn of Renaissance medicine emerges, Mia must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Rome while trying to protect her family and her heart. Will she be able to save her mother, or will she lose everything she holds dear?
For fans of "The Borgias" and "The Crown," this gripping tale of love, power, and poison will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
My Review
I am a huge fan of this author, and was delighted to be given the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication.
Although the book is the fourth in the series, sufficient of the back story was included in this novel to inform the reader of the gist of what had gone before. Although I have read several other books by this author, this was my first in this particular series.
The main characters, Mia and her betrothed Jacopo, are great characters. Both are principled and have integrity. Jacopo is a doctor who just wants to help people. Mia shares his views although she is an astrologer and she seeks to aid people in making wise decisions according to the stars.
Set in Rome during the mid 17th century the book is oozing with atmospheric details. The author clearly has researched her period thoroughly and that comes across very well in the book. I felt immersed in the setting and almost felt as though I was there.
I was gripped by the story and I was fully invested in the characters and the society in which they lived. The author uses a good blend of narrative and dialogue to move the story along and that balance made for excellent reading.
I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. I am confident that you will enjoy this book every bit as much as I did.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1739360467
Publisher: Quire Books
Formats: e-book and paperback
No. of Pages: 362 (paperback)
Series: Book 4 in the Giulia Tofana Series
Purchase Links
About the Author
Deborah Swift is the author of twenty novels of historical fiction. Her Renaissance novel in this series, The Poison Keeper, was recently voted Best Book of the Decade by the Wishing Shelf Readers Award. Her WW2 novel Past Encounters was the winner of the BookViral Millennium Award, and is one of seven books set in the WW2 era.
Deborah lives in the North of England close to the mountains and the sea.
You can also find Deborah at:
(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)
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