The official poisoner to Cardinal Borgia is murdered in Rome in 1492, and his daughter steps up to take his place in Poison (#14), the first book of this intriguing series by Sara Poole. Papal politics, Ferdinand & Isabella's expulsion of the Jews from Spain, a fallen priest and of course, poison, all play a role in this fascinating book. Francesca's principal duty is to protect Il Cardinale and his family from rivals seeking to bring down the Spanish prelate. In this book, Cesare Borgia at 16 is Francesca's sometime lover, and Lucrezia at 12 amazes her with her ability to gather and analyze information since she's not yet out in society. Francesca leads us through the landscape of late 15th century Rome with aplomb, but it's a dark and crumbling world as the various factions plot to raise themselves at the expense of others.
This was a page turner told from a different perspective. It's Sara Poole's first published work of fiction. I've got to love someone who tells her interviewer that her all time favorite novel of historical fiction is The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My co-worker who went on the solo safari to Kenya introduced me to The Killer Angels, and I agree with her assessment of it as the finest work of historical fiction ever written. With such high standards in place, it's no wonder I enjoyed Poison so much. I look forward to reading Ms. Poole's next book Serpent, and her third which is already in the works, Malice.
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