Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons
 Roberta Gellis
 (Guest Reviewer - M. E. Cooper)
 2003 Forge
 ISBN: 0765300206

A Renaissance mystery in which twice widowed Lucrezia is targeted by whispers & rumors.

Guest Reviewer Mary Ellen (M.E.) Cooper writes:

In Lucrezia Borgia And The Mother Of Poisons a beautiful young woman, tired of being the brunt of evil gossip, is married off to the heir of the Duke of Ferrara. She is eager to start a new life among people who are more congenial. She is not there long when Donna Bianca is poisoned, & suspicion falls on Lucrezia. Believing she must clear her name from suspicion, Lucrezia determines to find the real killer.

At a masked ball hosted by The Duke to which all the court is in attendance, Palagio, the youth Lucrezia suspects of knowing more about the poisoner than he admits, is stabbed to death before the entire crowd. The killer, masked but dressed as the Duke's younger son, Sigismundo, flees from the palace window, while everyone is frozen in a state of shock.

The Duke, followed by the crowd rushes to Sigismundo's quarters where he is peacefully discussing ideas with Leonardo da Vinci. who affirms Sigismundo has not left the room.

Lucrezia follows her instincts to unveil the murderer in an exciting climax. The Duke is pleased & mentions that if there should be another murder in the palace, he would count on Lucrezia to solve it, leaving the reader to hope there will be a second book in the series.

The descriptions of clothing & the colorful events are delightful & historically accurate.

More from Roberta Gellis:
Bone of Contention: A Magdalene la Batarde Mystery
Bull God
Thrice Bound
A Mortal Bane & more!
(10/05/03)

Guest Reviewer - M. E. Cooper
2003©M. E. Cooper