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twiggy77's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heather_j_fitt's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
jen_meds_book_reviews's review
4.25
There is evidence throughout history of people being scared of anything which could be perceived to be different or 'unnatural'. Factor in any situation that might challenge either agreed science of religion and you have a double whammy. Make the perpetrator of this unnatural and dark arts female, and you are well on your way to a proclamation of witchcraft. Afterall, it couldn't be that women just had a talent for healing, could it? Put all of that into the context of seventeenth century Italy, where a woman's lot was to merely serve her husband, and any independence of thought or behaviour is immediately quashed, by violent means if necessary, and it is no wonder that, on occasion, a woman may decide to seek an alternative future.
That's my polite way of saying 'murdering their husbands', which, in a round about and somewhat diluted fashion, is the premise of Anna Mazzola's new novel, The Book of Secrets. Men across Rome, some of significant status, others less so, are dying in suspicious circumstances. easy to dismiss as the plague, there is something unusual about their bodies. Something unexpected and unnatural. They do not suffer the usual passage of rigor and decay, leading those in power to suspect a touch of foul play. But suspecting it is one thing, proving it another, and prosecutor Stefano Bracchi is given the unenviable task to finding out what really happens. It brings him into the world of Girolama, owner of the eponymous 'Book of Secrets', and her friends, a band of women who seek to support each other through their many 'challenges'. Whether or not this involves murder, remains to be proven.
This was a fascinating story. This is not a period of history I know much about. I think we have all heard of the Spanish Inquisition, but this persecution, condemnation and slaughter of women, some innocent, some less so, has certainly not come to my attention before. Strangely, the fact that women were treated as little more than possessions in a society dominated by the patriarchy of the church is far less shocking than I might have expected, and the facts of how Girolama and her friends are treated, perhaps equally so. They are subjected to torture, isolation and near starvation. Left in conditions that are dank, damp and deemed too rotten for even your average prisoner to endure. Although not entirely comfortable with the task, it falls to Stefano to deliver this dark punishment, and the methods used to extract the truth, whilst not played out on the page, are dark and effective, making for an occasionally uncomfortable and enraging reading experience.
I had mixed feelings about both Stefano and Girolama. Stefano was trying to make his way in a world in which his father showed him little more than disdain which, if you consider time and place, would be a hard life to endure. Not as hard as it was for Girolama and her women by any stretch, but in context, there was perhaps a very small touch of humanity about him at times which made me not entirely condemn him. Girolama, although clearly guilty of some of the things she had been accused, was coming from a place of good, and ill, intent. Good towards the women whose lives she was ultimately saving, ill to those who would fall victim. I liked her, liked her resolve and her ferocity in the face of her would be torturer, but there were some aspects of her character which were questionable, and it was perhaps her complacency over the use of her gifts which was to lead her towards her downfall.
As always, the author writes with a fluidity and eloquence which delivers us right into the heart of the story. I was delivered a real sense of place and time, feeling the cold and damp that surrounded the imprisoned women and the stark contrast to the opulence of the lives lived by their accusers. She provides context to the crimes, narrating the backstory of many of the women who were affected by the investigation, leaving me with a kind of feeling of sorrow as they moved towards their inevitable fate. And yet there was that feeling of spirit and kinship that acknowledged that any sacrifice they made was done for noble reasons. The ending was tragic and yet right, in as much as the torture and persecution of a group of people ever could. The author may have employed a touch of artistic licence to her portrayal of this moment in Rome's dark past, but she has, yet again, delivered a story which captivates and entertains, enlightening me on a part of history I had been ignorant of. Readers of historical crime fiction will love it.
That's my polite way of saying 'murdering their husbands', which, in a round about and somewhat diluted fashion, is the premise of Anna Mazzola's new novel, The Book of Secrets. Men across Rome, some of significant status, others less so, are dying in suspicious circumstances. easy to dismiss as the plague, there is something unusual about their bodies. Something unexpected and unnatural. They do not suffer the usual passage of rigor and decay, leading those in power to suspect a touch of foul play. But suspecting it is one thing, proving it another, and prosecutor Stefano Bracchi is given the unenviable task to finding out what really happens. It brings him into the world of Girolama, owner of the eponymous 'Book of Secrets', and her friends, a band of women who seek to support each other through their many 'challenges'. Whether or not this involves murder, remains to be proven.
This was a fascinating story. This is not a period of history I know much about. I think we have all heard of the Spanish Inquisition, but this persecution, condemnation and slaughter of women, some innocent, some less so, has certainly not come to my attention before. Strangely, the fact that women were treated as little more than possessions in a society dominated by the patriarchy of the church is far less shocking than I might have expected, and the facts of how Girolama and her friends are treated, perhaps equally so. They are subjected to torture, isolation and near starvation. Left in conditions that are dank, damp and deemed too rotten for even your average prisoner to endure. Although not entirely comfortable with the task, it falls to Stefano to deliver this dark punishment, and the methods used to extract the truth, whilst not played out on the page, are dark and effective, making for an occasionally uncomfortable and enraging reading experience.
I had mixed feelings about both Stefano and Girolama. Stefano was trying to make his way in a world in which his father showed him little more than disdain which, if you consider time and place, would be a hard life to endure. Not as hard as it was for Girolama and her women by any stretch, but in context, there was perhaps a very small touch of humanity about him at times which made me not entirely condemn him. Girolama, although clearly guilty of some of the things she had been accused, was coming from a place of good, and ill, intent. Good towards the women whose lives she was ultimately saving, ill to those who would fall victim. I liked her, liked her resolve and her ferocity in the face of her would be torturer, but there were some aspects of her character which were questionable, and it was perhaps her complacency over the use of her gifts which was to lead her towards her downfall.
As always, the author writes with a fluidity and eloquence which delivers us right into the heart of the story. I was delivered a real sense of place and time, feeling the cold and damp that surrounded the imprisoned women and the stark contrast to the opulence of the lives lived by their accusers. She provides context to the crimes, narrating the backstory of many of the women who were affected by the investigation, leaving me with a kind of feeling of sorrow as they moved towards their inevitable fate. And yet there was that feeling of spirit and kinship that acknowledged that any sacrifice they made was done for noble reasons. The ending was tragic and yet right, in as much as the torture and persecution of a group of people ever could. The author may have employed a touch of artistic licence to her portrayal of this moment in Rome's dark past, but she has, yet again, delivered a story which captivates and entertains, enlightening me on a part of history I had been ignorant of. Readers of historical crime fiction will love it.
books_by_your_bedside's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aliceplant2505's review
4.0
After recently visiting Rome I really enjoyed the setting of this book, especially the time period when the landmarks are in use. The multiple POV was very well done with each narrator having a distinct voice and the storyline was very engaging would highly recommend.
I was gifted this book from the published via Net Gallery with no obligation to review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was gifted this book from the published via Net Gallery with no obligation to review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
vpatis's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
The Book of Secrets is what you come to expect from Anna Mazzola: a dark, mesmerising story, full of compelling characters and plenty of heart. When I found out Mazzola was writing this story, I knew it would be absolutely perfect, and it really is.
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