Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Second Duchess
Author: Elizabeth Loupas
Publisher: NAL
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-23215-1
Release Date: March 2011
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Year/Setting: 1565/Ferrara
Overall Rating: 4.0
Sexual Content Rating: Subtle/Sensual
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None/Mild
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Elizabeth's Website/Blog: www.elizabethloupas.com
Dear Readers:
This is a remarkable historical mystery surrounding Barbara of Austria, the second Duchess of Alfonso II. There is little written about Barbara in the history books, but this author has done an absolutely incredible job of creating a heroine that is strong, powerful, and superbly crafty in order to stay alive and get the life she's always dreamed of.
In the city-state of Ferrara, Alfonso d'Este is the Duke of all he surveys. The city, itself, is well-known for housing some of the most prolific painters, poets and creative zealots that have ever walked the earth. It is also a place that houses the whispers of a crime that took place...the murder of the first duchess.
When Barbara comes into the city she hears the remarks and whispers abound, telling her that her soon-to-be husband is the murderer - the man who took out his first wife, the fifteen-year-old Lucrezia, daughter of the Medici, Duke of Florence. Lucrezia was loved by her hand-maidens, and the men inside the palace not only loved the gorgeous blond girl, but made love to her practically day and night right under Alfonso's nose. However, Barbara will not take the bait that is offered to her by the women who frequent Ferrara - not even the accusations made by Alfonso's younger sisters who hold their own hate for him inside their hearts. Barbara wants the life at Court and the power that comes along with her station even though she knows in her heart that although Ferrara looks like an alluring apple...there is poison inside.
As she is beguiled by the silks, velvet, crystals, and pearls - not to mention the dinner salon that is decorated to reflect Neptune's own underwater kingdom - Barbara slowly begins to realize that the rumors could possibly be true about her husband. Even his old wet nurse, who offers Barbara potions in order to get her with child, remarks constantly on the odd death of Lucrezia. But not until her husband gives her a beating does Barbara decide that she best go through Ferrara and find out the truth so that she will have something to hold over his head in case he decides that she must meet the same fate as his first wife.
Uncovering the lies of actual nuns, to speaking with leering painters who seem to have known the first duchess intimately, Barbara tries with all her might to gain the knowledge that she needs...never knowing that she will become a team with her betrothed and find out things that neither had ever known.
The author offers a brilliant mystery with outstanding characters, and even gives the reader more in-depth information as we see the story unravel through Lucrezia's eyes, as well. As a ghost who can see what is going on now that she is gone, she is interwoven in the story so that readers can watch and learn how she will perhaps exact her revenge from beyond the grave. A plot to savor! Enjoy!
Until next time,
Amy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Amy know.
Top
Reviews
Featured Reviews
Archived Reviews