British Nautical Melodramas, 1820-1850
Book
During the 1820s and 30s nautical melodramas "reigned supreme" on London stages, entertaining the...
First of the Year: v. 3: 2010
Book
This is the third volume of the 'First of the Year' annual series. Contributors such as Armond...
George Ripley's Compound of Alchymy (1591)
Book
This title was first published in 2001. Biographical details for George Ripley (c.1415-c.1490), one...
A Rage for Order: The Middle East in Turmoil, from Tahrir Square to Isis
Book
In 2011, a wave of revolution spread through the Middle East as protesters demanded an end to...
In Search of Criminal Responsibility: Ideas, Interests, and Institutions
Book
What makes someone responsible for a crime and therefore liable to punishment under the criminal...
ClareR (6067 KP) rated City of Vengeance in Books
Mar 30, 2021
Cesare Aldo is an officer of the criminal court and a former soldier, and when we first meet him, he is riding home to Florence from Bologna with the Jewish moneylender he’s protecting. This is where we learn just how good Also is at this part of his job. His charge reaches his home safely, despite an encounter with bandits.
Thinking he has finished his job well, Also leaves the moneylender at his home and thinks nothing more of it - until the moneylender is murdered.
Also is tasked with finding the murderer within four days, which seems impossible. Especially when you factor in all the trouble that Aldo manages to get himself in to!
Meanwhile another constable of the criminal court, Strocchi, is investigating the death of a young man. The only problem, is that he was murdered whilst wearing a dress, and homosexuality is illegal. Finding his murderer isn’t high on the courts list of priorities - in fact, there are those who work there who believe that he has got exactly what he deserves.
There’s loads of mystery and intrigue in this book, as well as heaps of historical detail. It’s fast-paced and totally unputdownable. It shows the seedier, more difficult side of life at this time, especially when we get a look in to La Stinche - a notorious prison hellhole.
Both Also and Strocchi are characters that I’m looking forward to finding out more about - especially Aldo. There’s a lot more to him than we see in this, what I hope is, the first of a series (I’m totally guessing here - but it’s not a terrible idea!).
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan for providing me with an e-copy of this book to read and review through NetGalley.
Death Road to Canada
Games and Entertainment
App
Big new update, featuring a lot of new content! Includes new music, weapons, locations, characters,...
Street of Eternal Happiness
Book
An unforgettable portrait of individuals who hope, struggle, and grow along a single street cutting...
Travel
Cane
Book
Originally published in 1923, Jean Toomer's Cane remains an innovative literary work-part drama,...
The Princes of Florence
Tabletop Game
A new game for all great strategists! Experience the golden age of the Renaissance! Assume the role...
Boardgames AuctionGames

