Penned by the author of The Clockwork Girl and wreathed in period atmosphere, this spellbinding story set in seventeenth-century Rome finds a Papal investigator uncover all manner of sinister secrets after a spate of unnatural male deaths.
Rome, 1659.
Months after the plague has ravaged Rome, men are still dying in unnatural numbers, and rumour has it that their corpses do not decay as they should. The Papal authorities commission prosecutor Stefano Bracchi to investigate, telling him he will need considerable mettle to reach the truth.
To the west of the Tiber, Girolama and her female friends are at work, helping other women with childbirths and foretelling their futures. Elsewhere in the city, a young wife, Anna, must find a way to escape her abusive husband. But in a city made by men for men, there are no easy paths out.
Stefano's investigation at the Tor di Nona prison will introduce him to horror, magic and an astonishing cast of characters. He will be left wondering if certain deeds should remain forever unpunished...
The Book of Secrets is inspired by real events that took place in 17th century Italy.
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
ISBN: 9781398714304
Number of pages: 384
Weight: 610 g
Dimensions: 240 x 164 x 36 mm
Thank you to Anna and her publishers for this early review copy. Very pleased to report that his is an excellent read.
Rome 1659 - that's all I needed to know to ensure I picked this book up.
Men are dying,...
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The year is 1659, Rome.
Many months after the great plague ravaged and destroyed Rome, men are still dying in unnatural and shocking numbers, and if you should listen to gossip and rumour, their corpses are not simply...
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I assume this novel was inspired by the story of Giulia Tofana, a professional poisoner of XVI century who helped women to poison their abusive husbands.
It's a well plotted novel told by different POVs and that...
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