A review by jmatkinson1
The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

As Rome recovers from the plague outbreak in the mid-17th Century there are still men dying.  However, these men don't show the normal symptoms and their bodies don't decay as they should.  Young prosecutor Stefano is tasked to investigate and, keen to make his name, he makes enquiries.  These lead him to the 'aqua', a colourless, tasteless poison which originated in Sicily and to a group of women determined to escape from the cruelty of their menfolk.  
I really got engrossed in this novel as the writing is really spare and hypnotic.  There are aspects of the supernatural of which I am not a fan but not enough to make me dislike the story.  Reading the endnotes I was surprised to see that it is based on a true case with only a few minor alterations for plot enhancement and I have to praise Mazzola for weaving such an excellent story.