Plot Summary of Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons
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Forge, Sept 2003, 24.95, 336 pp.
ISBN 0765300206
She is the daughter of Pope Alexander VI and the sister of Cesare Borgia, a ruthless and powerful person, who lives to make war and add land to his empire. Respect of his power and fear of his anger keeps his sister safe at the royal court of Ferrara where she is married to the Duke's heir Alfonso. Their marital state is no love match, but a political alliance that furthers Cesare's goals.
After six weeks of marriage, Alfonso publicly accuses his wife of killing his mistress and her lady-in-waiting Bianca Tedaldo. Lucrezia is angry that her husband would say such things in public after she was making a place for herself in Ferrara. She intends to stop the rumors that are now swirling about her in court by finding the real killer. Just when it looks like she has figured out who the poisoner is, someone impersonating Alfonso's brother murders her suspect at a masked gala. Positive that the two killings are linked, she, her two closest friends, and her maid embark upon a search for a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again.
Robert Gellis is one of the best writers of historical mysteries (especially medieval and renaissance Europe) in the last decade. Her stories are exciting and enthralling because her research works its way in support of the plot so that the reader feels as if he or she is actually visiting Renaissance Italy. Cameo appearance by Leonardo De Vinci is a nice touch that gives the audience a sense of place and time. Hopefully this will be the start of a new series of mysteries starring Lucrezia Borgia.
Review Analysis of Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- elizabethan era
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 70%
Kind of investigator
- amateur citizen investigator
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- life in that culture
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
Age:
- 20's-30's
How much violence does he/she use?
- none
Ethnicity/Race
- Hispanic
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- Prince/Nobleman/King
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- jealousy
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- Italy
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 2
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
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