Reviews

Rizzio by Denise Mina

marlisenicole's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

heather_boo's review against another edition

3.0

3.5. This is a boldly written novella, but I do wish it had been longer. I wanted even more buildup, and I can see it would be easy to do with such a powerful story.

whatzoreads's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

saraslats's review against another edition

dark informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tacanderson's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

4.0

Really brings to life this horrific event in Scottish history. 

thefolklorefaery's review

adventurous challenging dark informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

symph_adventures's review against another edition

dark informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ladylegerwood's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Brutal, but funny, but tragic

arizonas's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

celtic67's review against another edition

4.0

One of my favourite writers Denise Mina is primely known as crime writer and though this is historical fiction it is based on true events. The murder of David Rizzio, Mary Queen of Scots secretary and confident.

Set just after the reformation in Scotland; where a Catholic Queen is seen both as a threat and feeling threatened. Her Catholic consort Darnley feels emasculated and powerless as Mary refuses to acknowledge him as King. He easily allows himself to fall into the schemes of the nobles who prey upon Darnley's jealousy of Rizzio as a rival for Mary's affections. But was Darnley merely a pawn in this murder. A murder that could have easily become regicide and infanticide.

Seen through a modern lens this is a cautionary tale when you mix jealousy,religious intolerance and lust for power into a combustible mix.