Book review : Sent to the Devil by Laura Lebow

Sent to the Devil
by Laura Lebow
Lorenzo Da Ponte Mysteries Book 2
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very nice mystery to read: real historical figures as main characters, all the charm of the setting of the Opera at theater and of the city of Vienna in the late 18th century, no description of bloody scenes and lots of history skillfully intersected with the fiction of the plot.

__THE PLOT __ 1788, Vienna.
The court poet Lorenzo Da Ponte is working as a librettist on Mozart's Don Giovanni, already successfully performed in Prague.
Although the theater is still open, these are hard times because Emperor Joseph II has declared war on the Turks and protest riots often occur in the city. Added to this problem are strange and shocking murders of representatives of the aristocracy and clergy.

Among the victims is also a long-standing good friend of Lorenzo, who for this reason is summoned to the police station and instructed by the police chief to participate in the investigations together with Count Benda (linked to the victim of the first murder).
Determined to help find his friend's killer, Da Ponte agrees to help in the secret investigations and together with another old dear friend, Giacomo Casanova, will find himself entangled in the delusional and paranoid plots of a deranged man obsessed with Dante's verses in the Purgatory of the Divine Comedy.

__________________________
I loved everything about this book because it is a perfect match with my tastes, but it seems right to recommend it only to lovers of light mysteries (for example cozy mysteries and classic mysteries).
Despite the title and the serious cover ( which I approve of ), the mystery itself and the investigation are not suitable for those who love fast-paced thrillers, with dramatic implications and bloody scenes.
On the contrary, if you love mysteries with a welcoming setting, cheerful scenes where you can breathe an air of friendship and complicity, an investigation in small steps and a human protagonist in all his points of view (he is not the fearless hero with investigative and elaborate logical deductions) and continuous historical references, then it's for you!

__ ALL THINGS I LIKE IN THE BOOK and the reason why I will reread it again in the future __

1_ THE MAIN CHARACTERS :
3 figures who really existed and who really knew each other in life and who really shared moments of friendship and complicity.
History books only tell us the facts of their life, while fiction allows us to take part in their joking moments, while they work at the theater, while they have a drink together, while they exchange confidences... Moments of life which, despite being created by the writer, are plausible in the lives of every person at every time.

--- Lorenzo Da Ponte, nearing his 40s, is Mozart's librettist.
Born in Venice, he took his vows as a priest not out of vocation, but because at that time it was a way to study. In fact, in real life he loved several women and even in Lebow's books he never fails to succumb to feminine charm.
The character, cultured, polite and kind, does not investigate by his own will, but finds himself involved in situations despite himself and it is funny to see him awkwardly face dangerous moments against wicked and cunning killers.

--- Giacomo Casanova, also Venetian, actually participated in the insertion of some scenes from Mozart's Don Giovanni, even though in reality he was in Prague.
Here we see him now 60 years old, but still charming in his ways and with a certain inclination for beautiful women.
Perhaps not everyone knows that he was not just a libertine, but rather a cultured and intelligent man, who also wrote several books and was an Italian diplomat and secret agent (among other things!).

--- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart needs no introduction, at least superficially everyone knows who he was.
A great composer, a fascinating genius in many aspects. Like many geniuses he had a restless soul, lived an unruly life (women, gambling, parties, debts... and so on ) and died young and with many debts.
I liked to see him in the very romanticized role of faithful husband (he wasn't) in a daily-life at home with his children and his wife Constance, as if he were in a peaceful period of his life.
I liked to see him at the theater directing the actors and joking with his colleagues.
I liked to forget for a moment all the wildness that was part of him and just see the sunny side of the character.
That's the beauty of fiction.

At the same time, once you leave the "bubble of serenity" of fiction, it is nice to discover what the historical characters were really like and know more about their lives.
This is one of those historical mysteries that reports true facts of that time in many aspects ( characters, literature, opera, politics and of course the beauty of the city ) and encourage me to discover more about true history.

2 _ THE SETTING:
As I already said, the setting is warm and welcoming.
I loved the scenes in the theater, during the actors' rehearsals (there are all the names of the real actors of that time), with their insecurities, their hysterics, their joking jokes and creative moments.
I liked to see how the same opera, already performed in Prague, was adapted by the composer and the librettist, depending on the type of voice and the singing qualities of the actor-singers and the place where it was performed (it was also necessary to take into account of the political climate and the ethical and religious reforms brought by the emperor).

In addition to the opera theater and moments of social life, the writer offers us an overview of the beautiful Habsburg capital.
As Da Ponte moves around the city for work or for his investigations, the book mentions streets, buildings, monuments and places that are still salient and distinctive points of Vienna today and can be visited by travelers and tourists.
I was born in Vienna and have returned many times, but I enjoyed traveling with Lorenzo in the 18th century and searching the web for old lithographs to immerse myself even more in the atmosphere of the time!

_ THE STRONG HISTORICAL COMPONENT which presents itself in various aspects and is perfectly mixed with fiction.
There are so-called "historical" novels where the only historical data is a brief reference to the period in which the story takes place and then there are "true historical novels" where the fiction is perfectly integrated with the events of real history, thanks to profound research and studies by the author and where we readers can enjoy the charm of the past.

- In this murder mystery novel the author offers us a glimpse of life into the political events and feelings of the citizens in that period;
- the author tells us about the protagonist's literary passions, bringing us Dante's verses in the killer's messages and explaining their meaning through Da Ponte's words;
- Laura Lebow talks to us about monuments, buildings and historic cafés, still icons of the city of Vienna, telling us throughout history by who and why they were built (then broadening the discussion in the historical notes at the end of the book);
- the story tells us real life episodes of the 3 main characters;
- we can directly witness the rehearsals and scene changes of one of Mozart's most famous operas and mentions many others created in that same period by other composers in Vienna.

All this is in the plot of the book and it's presented in a light and pleasant way, but incisive enough to tickle the reader's curiosity to find out more.

An applause to the author, who I hope will one day decide to continue this series, telling us about other works on which Da Ponte worked, not only in Vienna, but also in the other cities in which he lived.

---> Clean language, 1 sex scene barely mentioned and without any description.
---> This mystery is also suitable for young adults, lovers of cozy mysteries or classic thrillers.
I recommend it if you are more interested in the overall story of the book and not strictly in the mystery and investigation, which is interesting, but does not offer great tension and pathos. The solution, however, is unexpected and surprising.

This is installment #2 in "Lorenzo Da Ponte series", if you are glad to read my review about book #1 ( The Figaro Murders), you'll find it here :

#BOOK 1 : THE FIGARO MURDERS "Lorenzo Da Ponte Series"

Thanks for reading my review and apologies for my English, it's not my native language.

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Book review : Shadow of the Alchemist by Jeri Westerson

Shadow of the Alchemist
Crispin Guest Book #6
Medieval noir by Jeri Westerton

My rating: ★★★★★
5 full stars ! 😃
Installment #6 in the Crispin Guest series and one more time was an exciting read!

__ THE PLOT IN SHORT__ 1387, London. This time Crispin Guest, a disgraced former knight, now known as the Tracker, the one who finds lost things (or people), is hired by a French master alchemist, secretly staying in London, to find his wife and missing assistant.
One of the two is immediately found dead and the other kidnapped.
No ransom money, but riddles, several strange characters and other crimes, seem to lead Crispin towards a single path...
No holy relic and no parchment is valuable, this time, the historical object at the heart of this story is a legendary object, which tickles the imagination and credulity of people: the "Philosopher's Stone", which can transform objects into gold and can give eternal life.

*************

It is a fast-paced mystery, with more than one crime to solve: a murder and a kidnapping, a mass poisoning, mysterious characters, misunderstandings and liars, against the backdrop of recent political plots.
A race against time to save the kidnapping victim, through puzzles to solve, by a villain full of hatred and skilled in disguises.

___ HISTORICAL EVENTS FORMING THE BACKDROP___ The end of the year 1387 in England was a turbulent time, as Jeri Westerton tells us in the final notes.
Along with the fictional characters, as in every book of this series, we find other characters who were real historical figures.

The king who banished Crispin Guest from court is Richard II and the house to which Crispin was linked when he was a knight is that of Lancaster.
---> While in the previous books we often meet John of Gaunt (father of the future King Henry IV), here, as in book #5, we meet his eldest son, the young Henry, Earl of Darby and future king of England.
While Crispin runs around half of London trying to solve strange riddles and capture the culprit, Henry, very dear to Crispin, participates in the "Lords Appellant" group, aristocrats who impeached five of the king's favorites, to curb what was seen as a tyrannical and capricious government.
Henry finds himself in the crosshairs of those who want to eliminate him as a possible candidate for the throne, but despite being a friend of Crispin, he never fully reveals the truth about his role in the various affairs, so our hero is continually torn between affection and suspicion.

---> Even the alchemist Nicholas Flamel (also present in Harry Potter) and his wife Perenelle, are figures who truly existed in the 14th century, although, as the writer explains in the notes, they were not alchemists.
Actually Flamel was a writer and seller of manuscripts who, thanks to his interest in the Philosopher's Stone and his studies on it, was thought as an alchemist in the following centuries.

Political events appear only marginally during the story of the book, while at the end many points and all developments are clarified.

I really like following Crispin's stories intertwined with the several historical real-life figures.
I use to love, while reading, exploring the true story of those really existed characters on the web and feeling like I am a participant in those historical events, thanks to the dialogues of the characters in the fiction.

___CRISPIN GUEST, THE MAIN CHARACTER ___
I love this character with all my heart!
He is young, courageous and full of ideals, but he doesn't always do or think the right thing... in fact the author also shows his flaws and this makes him feel more real and more human.

While the series begins with Crispin feeling sorry for himself, with each book and adventure, our ex-knight matures as a person, learning to have a more open view of people and facts and while remaining very proud, we discover that he has a very big heart.
Over the course of the books, he earned the appreciation and affection of the poor people and found some true friends at court.
I'm really happy that in this book, he also manages to have a semi-official demonstration of esteem and affection, which he would never have expected.

---> In addition to Crispin, the character of Jack, the little cut-purse, also grows, becoming Crispin's now honest assistant.
As a boy we see him slowly become a man and in each book his affection and loyalty (both reciprocated) for Crispin, manage to move me. I love him too.
Together they are the perfect duo.

NOT a "cozy" mystery : there are no gruesome scenes in this book, but it has happened in other books in the series.
No foul language, but every now and then a bad word can happen by villains (not here that I remember).
Also in this book, as in the others, there is a woman who manages to enchant Crispin and although it is not a serious love story, but more cuddles, sex and physical attraction, I am happy to see Crispin momentarily more satisfied and less "alone" than the moments in which he drowns the sorrows of love in wine.
--> Kisses and a non-explicit sex scene.

___ TO CONCLUSION___
Thank you for reading my review and please be lenient with my English: it is not my native language.
I'm not good at writing reviews, but I hope that my enthusiasm for this series does enough justice to "Crispin Guest" and its author, even if readers' taste is subjective.

I hope you can find the necessary guidance in choosing or not choosing the book.

------> Each book is readable as a standalone, but if you read them in order your enjoyment will be doubled !

If you want to know more about PREVIOUS BOOKS, you can read my reviews here :

BOOK #1 "Veil of Lies" :

BOOK #2 "Serpent in the Thorns" :

BOOK #3 "The Demon's Parchment" :

BOOK #4 "Troubled Bones" :

BOOK #5 "Blood Lance" :



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Book review : Dangerous to Know by Tasha Alexander

Dangerous to Know
by Tasha Alexander
Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries book #5
GENRE : #historical-cozy-mystery

My rating: ★★★★☆
Actually 3,7 stars rounded up to 4.

Another mystery very hard to solve, this time set in wonderful Normandy ( France ).

I love to read the "Lady Emily mystery series", because it leads me through the most beautiful places in Europe and through the history, art and real-life historical figures of its charming regions, cities and towns, in the late Victorian era and later in the series in the early 1900s.

__ PLOT IN BRIEF __ 1892. After a disastrous honeymoon in Constantinople, where Lady Emily risked her life and lost the child she was carrying, she is now convalescing, accompanied by her husband Colin, at her mother-in-law's residence in Normandy .
Here Emily not only meets characters of the caliber of Monet and Maurice Leblanc, but she meets the fascinating thief Sebastian and comes across a terrible murder and perhaps even a ghost.

___THINGS I LOVED ___

As you may have guessed from the plot, there's a lot of stuff in this installment #5.

The mystery begins immediately with the gruesome discovery of a corpse, in which the killer's modus operandi brings to mind London's famous Jack the Ripper.
The discoveries regarding the victim's past, however, lead to different paths and Lady Emily, still very sad and sensitive for the loss of the child, finds herself facing other difficult issues: mental disorders and the shame that family members often felt when someone he was affected by it in his family.
The etiquette of good society and the terrible pressure that women underwent at that time in not being able to show their feelings and suffering, the lack of freedom in expressing themselves and the absurd submission that was imposed on wives by their husbands... and despite Emily's modernity and the declared equality of the 2 spouses within the marriage declared by Colin, we will see that this couple in love will also have big problems in this regard.

In addition to the murder, from the beginning of the story, we meet the supporting characters, among which the famous Claude Monet, impressionist painter who had just married his lover of many years Alice Hoschedé and the writer Maurice Leblanc, father of Arsène Lupin and who was then still a young journalist.

Tasha Alexander, the author, allows us to have tea with the famous painter in his beautiful home in Giverny, and it is fantastic to find ourselves immersed in the beautiful gardens that Monet loved so much. We breathe in the enchanting atmosphere of the village of Giverny with its half-timbered houses and rolling hills.
No less enchanting is the atmosphere of the medieval towns of Rouen, in which Lady Emily recalls that Joan of Arc was burned.
Not much is said about personal life of Maurice Leblanc, but is good to watch him to take part from time to time in this investigation.
The author also makes the reader understand that Leblanc was inspired by the friendly and charming gentleman thief Sebastian Capet (fiction obviously, in fact Sebastian is a fictional character) to write the his future novels starring the legendary Arsène Lupin.

As I already said, each historical mystery in the Lady Emily series is a journey through history and different places, interesting to visit and that will make you want to travel right away!
The descriptions range from landscapes to city streets, from historical events to the traditional gastronomy of the place, from habits and customs to the fashion of the time and place.
This does not prevent the author from creating complicated puzzles in each book in which it is really difficult to guess the culprit.

__LITTLE THINGS I LIKED A LITTLE LESS ___

Perhaps the thing that made me lower my rating for the book was the prolonged argument between Emily and her husband Colin. Not because the discussion itself bothered me, on the contrary, I liked seeing the couple with problems of misunderstanding, more similar to reality than a perfect sappy relationship that doesn't exist in any couple in the world...

What bothered me was Colin's unexpected arrogance and his alternation: imposition and "I love you", imposition and prohibitions and then again "you know I love you"... Wow, it really made me nervous and it made me even more angry with Emily, who, despite being dissatisfied, was trying to submit to this... true at the time it was like that, but it really made me nervous and even if they finally made peace... I wasn't satisfied with the motivation.
I like Emily's independent spirit and wish she had done more to be respected.

Another thing that had a negative impact on my rating was the presence of what was believed to be a ghost... Tasha Alexander often includes fake ghosts in her short stories (I have read all those published in the series) and it is a topic which I don't like very much and if it can fascinate me once, if it is repeated in several books of the same series, it tires me.

___ SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE MORE IN THE SERIES ___

The only topic I would like to see more often and I could never get bored is actually a side character: Sebastian, the thief with refined taste... I love him!
He is charming, gallant, always ready with a joke and unpredictable, even if he may look predictable.
He appears for the first time in book #3 (A Fatal Waltz, set in Vienna), where it is impossible not to fall in love with him. He reappears here and will reappear in book #12 ( Death in St. Petersburg ), which I read last year and I highly recommend it, it's a great read.
I already know that Sebastian will not appear in more books than those named by me ( among those already published), but I hope to have the pleasure of his presence in future books in the series.

I've read many books in this series out of chronological order and although the stories are connected to each other by Lady Emily's personal life, they all are readable as a standalone.

Clean language, no sex or kissing scenes, no violence, no gruesome descriptions.
Therefore a historical mystery also suitable for the youngest and those who love cozies.
If you choose to read the book, I hope you will enjoy it the same as me.

Thank you for reading my review and please forgive my bad English, because it is not my native language.

If you want to know more about PREVIOUS BOOKS, you can read my reviews here :

BOOK #2 : A Poisoned Season

BOOK #3 : A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander

BOOK #4: Tears of Pearl

BOOK #13.5 : Upon the Midnight Clear ( Christmas novella ) BOOK #17 : A Cold Highland Wind




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Book review : Tears of Pearl by Tasha Alexander

Tears of Pearl
by Tasha Alexander
Lady Emily Ashton Mysteries book #4

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Actually 3,4 stars rounded to 3.

A very intricate mystery.

___ THE PLOT IN SHORT____ Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves, diplomats of the British Empire, are finally married and can't wait to enjoy a relaxing and magnificent honeymoon in an exotic place. Their choice falls on the wonderful Constantinople.
Of course as always, plans don't go as planned and on their first night in the city, a harem girl is found murdered, strangled in the courtyard of the Sultan’s lavish Topkapi Palace.

An Englishman who works at the embassy in Constantinople is present and recognizes the girl as his daughter, kidnapped twenty years earlier.
Emily and Colin promise the heartbroken man that they will find the girl's killer.
As a woman, Emily has access to the forbidden world of the harem and soon discovers that its mysterious, sheltered walls offer no protection from a ruthless killer.

As the death toll grows, Emily must rely on her sharp wits, putting her life at great risk and possibly with very serious consequences.

***************

The author is very good at deluding the reader that one can predict things, actually it is not.
More and more characters are entering the scene with each chapter and any hypothesis formulated by the reader in the end turns out to be unfounded.
You can't figure out how things went until the penultimate chapter.

Lady Emily's Adventures often take place outside her motherland (England) and I like this very much, even here the places, the most important buildings, uses and customs are described very well, so well that it seems to be there.

In each book (this is the fourth in the series, but I have already read others in no particular order) are mentioned some of her past adventures and several characters who are part of her life, some of whom are often involved in his investigations or appear in the book even sporadically maybe writing a letter or making a courtesy call, which makes Lady Emily's life and her character seem really real.

I'm giving this Lady Emily mystery 3 stars only for 2 reasons:

1)__the complicated mystery is enthralling, but when things get too long and never come to a solution it gets maddening and I get tired of reading the book...I've read the last few chapters quickly because for my taste it seemed to always go in circles without reaching the finish line and I was tired.

2)_ When I was little I was fascinated by the story of Aladdin's lamp and by Alibaba and the 40 thieves, by women dressed in colorful veils and by sultans with golden turbans.
Becoming an adult and seeing too many negative things on the TV news, those countries have lost their charm in my eyes and even if in the book the author tries to highlight the positive sides of that country and society, the middle east is not the place I would like to travel.
So the setting is well described and I don't doubt it was and still is fascinating, but it doesn't suit me and because of this the book didn't fully capture me as the other books I've read in this series did.

( As I always write : I'm Italian and my English is not the best, I hope I was able to explain what I meant. )




If you want to know more about PREVIOUS BOOKS, you can read my reviews here :

BOOK #2 : A Poisoned Season

BOOK #3 : A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander

book #5 : Dangerous to know

BOOK #13.5 : Upon the Midnight Clear ( Christmas novella )




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