Poison: A Novel of the Renaissance (Poisoner Mysteries)

by Sara Poole

Book Overview

In the simmering hot summer of 1492, a monstrous evil is stirring within the Eternal City of Rome. The brutal murder of an alchemist sets off a desperate race to uncover the plot that threatens to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312609833
• Release Date: August 2010
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.1" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

fascinating early Renaissance era thriller

In 1492, Giordano is murdered on the streets of Rome. His daughter wants to know why and who, but no one not even his employer seems interested. To obtain the knowledge she seeks, Francesca knows she must replace her late father as the chief poisoner of Rodrigo Borgia. The only way to prove her capable of performing the position is to poison someone of importance; she kills her target and is hired by Borgia s his personal poisoner. When Pope Innocent II dies, her assignment becomes clear. She must murder any rival of Rodrigo who along with his family plans to see him become the next Pope. However, her efforts prove so successful that those who killed her father come after her. This is a fascinating early Renaissance era thriller starring a fabulous lead protagonist who brings to life the political intrigue of the times. Although the story line can turn slow as Sara Poole provides a powerful look at the Borgia dynasty through the female poisoner, fans will relish this strong historical as murder and mayhem mix in late fifteenth century Rome and Vatican City as competitors to replace the late Pope Innocent II kill off opponents. Harriet Klausner

intrigue at the Vatican

What a delightful, evil, treacherous little tale. "Poison", a novel of the Renaissance in Italy written with verve and an almost poetic turn by Sara Poole, draws the reader into the world of an obscure - but apparently very necessary - vocation, the art of the court poisoner; employed both to assure that the main court figure and his family remain unpoisoned and alive, and to conversely do in his opponents discreetly, via the use of herbology. The main character, Francesca Giordano, earns the title of poisoner to Rodrigo Borgia practically - by poisoning her competition. She comes by the trade, ahem, honestly, as her father had held the title before her. Circumstances - he knew too much about something - occurred that removed her father; someone beat him to death. In order to avenge him, Francesca needs to be the court poisoner, and she proves efficient at that craft; her father has taught her well. More intrigue leads the plot along; Borgia aspires to become Pope. The current Pope is a sickly old man, trying to extend his life by nefarious and horrible means; Borgia assigns Francesca the task of devising some method of getting rid of the old man. If she does, Borgia - a cardinal - stands in good stead to be declared Pope. As might be expected, there are any number of people opposed to this plan, mostly in the employ of Borgia's enemies. It's a job for someone of quick wit and fast feet, and Francesca is up to the challenge. Rodrigo Borgia, by all accounts in the history books an unmitigatedly evil character, is treated with humanity and some sympathy in this telling, allowed some degree of compassion, shown as devoted to his family - however extended - and a man of razor-sharp intellect. His children - it was a common thing of the time for men high in the Catholic church to support quite large broods, as well as wives and mistresses - are also shown as smart and knowledgeable about politics, which is pretty much what the Church amounted to at the time. At the point of this story, Lucretia, notorious later in life, is only 12. Francesca, while fictitious, is believeable and drawn as true-to-life, vividly portrayed and fascinating. This book is well-researched, excellently written, and completely compelling. I found myself thinking about it when I was not able to read it, and enjoyed every minute I spent with the colourful characters in the book. Very lyrical writing, with clear images in mind of both personnel and setting. Highly recommended.

A compelling introduction to renaissance Italy

I found this book to be a mesmerizing read. I couldn't put it down, because of how well the author brought the characters to life. The main character was notable for what she did, but I also liked how she introduced Rodrigo Borgia and the mad monk Savoronala (called Morrozi) in the book. Definitely a good read for anyone of any age, and compelling of what she has to say in regards to not just the historical periods, but also the prevalent issues of the times.

Renaissance Revenge

In 15th century Rome, when turbulent times of the Renaissance were rich in political and religious intrigue, Francesca Giordano's father was court poisoner to the House of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia before brutally being murdered. Trained by her father as a skilled alchemist in the arts of deadly poison, Francesca opens her story speaking directly to us the reader, detailing her plan of revenge to hunt down his killer. Needing to take her father's position at court, she secretly administers a deadly dose of poison to her father's replacement and then willingly confesses to the Cardinal what she has done. She explains that if it was so easy for her to poison the new Poisoner, the man didn't deserve the job. Amazed at Francesca's spunk, Cardinal Borgia thinks "touché", and admires her bravado. Appointing her the position however will come with a high price, she is to assist him with the necessary murder of Pope Innocent VIII. Borgia wants the papal seat, and due to an edict that the pope wishes enacted before his death that will slaughter an entire race of people, Borgia is not the only person wishing the old pope dead. Francesca's new duties are to ensure that the House of Borgia is safe from other assassins. She must be warden to all incoming market supplies, food dishes must be tested before they touch the Cardinal's lips, wine must be pre-sipped, even clothing can be tainted. In between these vigilant tasks to keep Borgia alive, and while she schemes of a plan to murder the pope, she begins in her spare time to investigate the mystery of her father's strange death. Borgia soon summons her with a barrage of questions. He too is interested in her father's demise and wants to know if Francesca was aware of projects her father might have been experimenting with. He insists that her father must have hidden his notes, and that they must be found. He gives her a head start on the investigation by steering her towards Rome's Jewish Quarter, and informs her he believes there are clues there that will help them bring light to her father's murder. Through the warren ghettos of the city's Jewish section, to the marble hallways of the Roman aristocracy, Francesca has two missions to accomplish. She is to find her father's killer, and become an assassin herself who can take down the post powerful leader in Rome. Rich in period detail, Sara Poole's outstanding historical novel breathes evocative ambience into the story of Francesca's life amidst the dangerous realm of Renaissance Italy. Riveting scenes of pain and sorrow, exciting page turning action and adventure with kidnapping, assaults, imprisonment, and daring rescues, keep the pages rapidly turning. A secret society of scientists and philosophers meet in secret discussing the wonders of creation, studies that could brand themselves heretics to the holy inquisition. Lies & spies, espionage of covert operation, surprising allies & shocking enemies, all keep Francesca and friends hopping as they da

Murder and Mayhem in Renaissance Rome

I loved this book! What an original heroine- Francesa is a murderess and the chief Poisoner to Rodrigo Borgia. Yet she comes across as sympathetic and engaging. She does what she has to do to both survive and find out who murdered her Father. The narrative is told in first person- a style that I really like The series of events that unfolds as she realizes the layers of conspiracy involved, makes for a real page turner. We get an peak into Papal politics in 15th Century Rome and characters like Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia play a role in Francesca's life. There are several potential love interests and the ending definitely implies that a sequel is in the works. There are insights into the persecution of Jews, the inquisition and apothecary medicine of the time. If you are interested in serious historical fiction, you may not enjoy this. I would say that this is historical fiction "lite", perhaps with a view to female readers both because of the multiple possible love interest, and the cover which has a romance novel feel to it.