Bella Donna: A Renaissance Mystery Novel (Renaissance Mysteries)

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Summary: Bella Donna
Review:     Who killed Emilia? This book is a great mystery because it keeps you in suspense. There are many hidden clues in the book which makes is thrilling to read.

     Not only is the book Bella Donna exciting but as you read it you learned a little about the Renaissance. For instance did you no that servants have curfews, have leftovers and are rarely ever asked for opinions? According to Guiditta, the Novella's servant, "No one wanted to know what she thought," questions are asked to well educated men instead.
Men in the Renaissance also did the dirty work. Women were used for producing heirs. Women also moved in with the men. During their free time men would also go visit their market. For engagement dinners, "There will be dancing between the courses," said Caterina, the head of the Novella family. For meals there are three to four courses.

As you can see, by reading Bella Donna, you will not only get a thrilling mystery novel, you will also get a sense of what the Renaissance life was like.

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Summary: This Mystery Cooks!
Review: If you want a relaxing afternoon read, this one is for you. Put yourself in the hammock, or curl up in your favorite chair and transport yourself to Renaissance Italy.

I tell you, after a multitude of women as coroners, feisty private eyes, 24/7 career types, Giuditta, the sleuthing cook is refreshing. Emilia, daughter-in-law of the matriarch, Caterina, is murdered. Bella, the other daughter-in-law, who never got along with Emilia, is arrested for the murder. Giuditta vows to prove the innocence of Bella with whom she has a warm and respectful relationship.

It is more what is missing from this mystery novel that makes it appealing. There is no real blood and gore. Action without plot is missing. And we don't have to pine over the ups and downs of the intimate relationships of the heroine. Giuditta does develop an intimate relationship along the way with Angelo the artist, but it is a warm and easy going intimacy that adds to the story.

This mystery is different. Different in the immense attention to detail, and the use of superb prose to set the scenes. One is transported to the time and place. You feel the heat, dust and dirt in a palazzo. You sweat with Giduitta as she travels miles on foot to gather information. The characters are many and the Italian names a bit confusing. It reminds me a bit of P.D. James. You do have to work some brain cells on this one, and that too is a refreshing difference from many of the popular mysteries of today.

The author has woven a tale of mystery that gives pleasure, and a reassurance that there really are still mystery writers that can write above the 10th grade reading level.

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Summary: Who did it the Renassaince way?
Review: This book is so thrilling that you will never want to put it down! If you have it for school reading, you won't want to stop a the appointed boundaries! Just when you think that you know who killed Emilia Novella, you are dead wrong. This book takes so many interesting turns that it will boggle your mind for days. This book stays with you as a great novel and great history book as you peak into the lives of a Renassaince family!