The Book of Secrets

Paperback Published on: 11/07/2024
Price: £10.99
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Bookseller Reviews

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The Book of Secrets
What will you uncover?
The year is 1659, Rome. Many months after the great plague ravaged and destroyed Rome, men are still dying in unnatural and shocking numbers, and if you sh... READ MORE
Dan - Clifton, Bristol.

Synopsis

Rome, 1659.

Some secrets are worth dying for...

Girolama Spana lives west of the river Tiber in a house marked by a lily and a garden full of herbs. Many women in Rome seek her help - although they would never admit it - eager for her mysterious balms, her love potions, and her ability to predict their futures.

Even against the splendour of the Eternal City, Giroloma's secret recipes are the women's most precious possessions - and their husbands' most feared. So when men are reported dying in unnatural numbers, the gaze of Stefano Bracchi, prosecutor for the papal authorities, falls quickly on Girolama and her suspected sorcery.

Soon she will face the greatest danger she has ever known - but Girolama has always vowed that in life there are secrets we write down, secrets we pass on, and some that we carry to our deaths...

The Book of Secrets is inspired by real events that took place in 17th century Italy.

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
  • ISBN: 9781398714328
  • Number of pages: 384
  • Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 26 mm
  • Weight: 269g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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The Book of Secrets
Anna Mazzola is a master storyteller and this novel is strongly recommended.
I assume this novel was inspired by the story of Giulia Tofana, a professional poisoner of XVI century who helped women to poison their abusive husbands. ... READ MORE
AMG
The Book of Secrets
Unsettling and wonderfully atmospheric
As Rome recovers from the plague outbreak in the mid-17th Century there are still men dying. However, these men don't show the normal symptoms and their b... READ MORE
Jo-anne Atkinson
The Book of Secrets
Excellent Read
Thank you to Anna and her publishers for this early review copy. Very pleased to report that his is an excellent read. Rome 1659 - that's all I needed to ... READ MORE
Fiona Sharp
The Book of Secrets
Fascinating read
Set in seventeenth century Rome, the year 1659 home of the Catholic Church and Papacy. The city has just come through terrible times of pestilence and the ... READ MORE
AHR
The Book of Secrets
Quite enjoyable
I think is the first time I read an historical mystery book set in Italy and it was quite enjoyable. I found it a bit slow at the beginning but then the... READ MORE
june.reads
The Book of Secrets
Dark, vivid, visceral and utterly compelling
Set in Rome in 1659 and told from multiple points of view, it is the story of how Stefano Bracchi, the youngest son of a merchant and a hard working though... READ MORE
Mary Picken
The Book of Secrets
As hard as it is to believe, this is based on a true story, which makes it all that more fascinating.
I do love an Anna Mazzola book. None have quite hit the heights that The Clockwork Girl met, for me, but they're all still very enjoyable. She can do histo... READ MORE
Victoria Bucknell
The Book of Secrets
Fascinating dark story
4.5 stars This is a fascinating story of strong women and their fight in such a patriarchal world. The lives of Girolama and the women were so tough - it... READ MORE
wendy Robey
The Book of Secrets
After a bit of a slow start the story really came alive
I almost gave up reading "The Book of Secrets" as the beginning was really slow and I had to put it down and read something else for a while. However, onc... READ MORE
Mel Pretorius
The Book of Secrets
The book of secrets by Anna Mazzola
Fantastic read, gripping, spellbinding and with a great twist at the end. Would highly recommend.
Rosa Gilham