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State of Lies
State of Lies
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Let’s just start with the first chapter in this book. Can I say WOW?. Siri Mitchell gives us one of the best first chapters I have ever read before. It grabbed my attention as nothing else has in a long time. I picked it up to read when I only had a few minutes and boy was that a mistake. I could not stop thinking about the story and what was going to happen next.

In the first chapter, I got introduced to some of the intrigue, relationships, and mystery that Siri Mitchell weaves with great skill. It made me think in what-if scenarios (i.e. what if I was in Georgie’s or Sean's shoes?). As I picked it up to finish the story, the book continued to unfold much like that first chapter. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. It was such a thrilling ride to figure out how all the clues fit together and seeing the ending. I mean Wow. This book left me giddy smiling to the point my husband asked me what was wrong. I, of course, had to explain the plot and told him he really would only understand if he read the book.

The whole book flowed at a believable rate, not rushing, but letting you get a feel for the thoughts and emotions of the characters. After reading the first chapter I was hooked. The rest of the book kept that same momentum for me, and I highly recommend reading this book. I give this book a 5 out of 5 Stars (If I could give more I would), for the great attention-grabbing first chapter, how Siri Mitchell weaved in a military/political/mystery/romance with such easy, and for the strength of the characters in not giving up in the face of overwhelming odds. Thanks for the wonderful read.

I received this book from Celebration Lit in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
  
City of Vengeance
City of Vengeance
D. V. Bishop | 2021 | Crime, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
City of Vengeance is set in 16th century Florence during the Renaissance, a time when cities in Italy were run by Dukes. Florence’s Duke was Alessandro de’ Medici.
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.