Lucrezia Borgia as Nancy Drew, girl detective?! Believe it or not, this works startlingly well. Although this book presents a version of Lucrezia very different from anything else I've ever read about her, well, isn't that a privilege of fiction?

The murder is announced in the very first paragraph, so there's no delay. But as you read that first chapter, aren't you instantly intrigued by Lucrezia and her interactions with her husband and servants? I found myself almost losing interest in the mystery in my growing admiration for Lucrezia's quick wits and dialogue.

And then I realized I was also getting a fascinating, detailed look into life in the Italian Renaissance. My favorite part was the preparation for the masked ball, but all throughout the book there was a wealth of background material, painlessly woven into the story. In fact, in many cases it becomes part of various suspects' possible motives for murder. Ingenious, and lots of fun.

Media Mail this morning to Erishkigal, for bookstogive's International Mysteries VBB.

And even "media," it arrived quickly. It looks terrific, but it will probably be quite awhile before I get to it, as I'm trying really hard to work my way down the mountain, reading books that have been languishing rather than those that have just arrived.

thanks so much for sending it!

Sorry it took me so long to get to this JudySlump...I have a severe "out of sight, out of mind" problem, so sometimes (too often) books languish unintentionally. But I did read it a few weeks ago, and, for the most part, enjoyed it.

Lucrezia was not at all what I was expecting, and certainly much more likeable than I would have anticipated. I was intrigued by the historical detail, and quite taken with Lucrezia's smarts and her unusual empathy with those of lower classes. It was of course fun watching her investigate. What I actively disliked were what I think of as the Romance Book sections: when her husband came to her chamber and she was instantly and incredibly turned on by his rough behavior and treatment of her. I found those bits jarring, and they pulled me back from the story.

Thanks for sharing~~ I'm certainly glad I pulled this from your Medicine Chest. I had thought I'd offer it in the mystery /thriller vbb (a nice change of pace ), but have decided to rabck instead.

Sending this to bookstogive, who enjoys both mystery and historical fiction :)

I received this great sounding book as a RABCK offer from Erishkigal, thanks so much for thinking of me! It is just the type of book I enjoy and I know it won't be on the TBR pile very long.

This was an interesting book that featured Lucrezia Borgia as the heroine as she tries to solve a murder at the court of the Duke of Ferrara. Although the murder itself was not a mystery the guilty party was and there were a lot of details throughout the book that I enjoyed. I am glad I had the chance to read this one, thanks for sharing and it is now ready for a new reader!

Sending out as requested from Booklady331's ABC VBB, enjoy!

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I have this book now, thank you.

I found the book boring, although actually the history is interesting. The book is too wordy but says too little, it is tedious reading because it is both convoluted in its schemes and confusing in its details. I did like the information about the clothing, our clothes are so boring in comparison, even the current Royal's clothing is simple and boring compared to what royalty wore in the 1500's. Also, Lucrezia Borgia was a complex woman from a background that I feel needs more exploring. The book simplified her and made her a righteous person which I am not so sure that she was. Next time I want to read about Lucrezia Borgia I think I will pick a history book.
(It may be that I would have liked the book better if I felt well and my eyes were not bothering me, admittedly my concentration is impaired and the words are blurring on the page)

I left it in the LFL on 36th Ave NE at around NE 77th St. between Safeway and the post office, in Seattle.