Wings of the Falcon

by Barbara Michaels

Book Overview

Francesca's charmed existence in the home of her mother's noble Italian family is shadowed by the threatening activities of Garibaldi's Red Shirts and her own apparently unrequited love for a masked horseman.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425110451
• ISBN13: 9780425110454
• Release Date: September 1988
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 230 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Even Amelia Peabody would enjoy this one

This historical romance by 'Barbara Michaels' aka Elizabeth Peters, is set during the Italian Risorgimento of the mid nineteenth century. Francesca Fairbourn is the daughter of an impoverished English father and an aristocratic Italian mother. Her parents had eloped to England in a most romantic fashion, causing her to be disowned by her family. In true romance fashion the young woman died in childbirth leaving Francesca to be raised by her most impractical father. Shortly after leaving school at 18 Francesca's father dies leaving her totally alone in the world. At that dire moment a dashing young man comes to rescue her from a 'fate worst than death'. He turns out to be her half-cousin and has come to take her back to the family home in Italy. Once there Francesca finds herself embroiled in the Italian revolution, surrounded by anarchists, mercenary soldiers, spies, traitors and dashing romantic hero. The novel has all the standard cliches of historical fiction and could have easily been just one of the numerous trashy examples of the genre well deserving the title of 'bodice ripper', but for the skillful hand of Michaels. The characters transcend the usual two dimensional character found in romances, the twists and turns of the plot are clever even though the reader will quite possibly solve at least some of the mysteries before the last few pages. The historical background is well researched and presented in an entertaining manner. It is, however, lacking the wry humor found in other works by this author (the Amelia Peabody and Vicky Bliss series). For even an occasional reader of this type of fiction this one is a great find.

Why Couldn't Be MAde into A Movie? One of My All Time Faves!

I have collected and read many of Barbara Michaels' Books and this one is My favorite. Set during the Italian Revolution, it gives you a different perspective of Italian History, through English eyes. It was very well written, so much so, that you feel as if the excitement in the book, is very real!! The main characters are intelligent, witty, and daring. You cheer for them throughout the book. I wish this were made into a movie, so visual people, like myself, could indulge in it further. Whether you're a closet romantic, history student, or mystery buff --- you'll want to read it twice....like I did!!!

Historical Fiction -- A great work!

This book is a bit of a departure from the mystery/suspense that Barbara Michaels is best known for. It is more of a historical work of fiction. It does contain the suspense that Ms. Michaels' is known for. The book is well written and held my interest enough that I read it in one day! It was spooky and atmospheric with a haunted cave and a whole lot of suspenseful detail. It is one of my favorite Barbara Michaels books! It now has an honored place on my bookshelf. If you buy this one it'll gain keeper status on your shelf too.

Absolutely Loved It

I've been reading Barbara Micheals novels for years now (I'm pretty sure I've gone through all of them now) and Wings of the Falcon is my favorite. I love the characters, particularly Stefano and Francesca. It is a little predictable, but then again most of her novels are. The story of the revolution and the war is gripping. This book is definitely the "guilty pleasure" on my bookshelf -- I reread it frequently and simply love it. It has romance, mystery and adventure . . . if you like Barbara Micheals you will love this book, which I think is her best.

Mystery, Italy and romance -- this book has it all!!

For anyone who has read and enjoyed a Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters novel,you will love this book. After her father's death, Francesca travels to Italy to live with a family she has never met. While there, Francesca learns about a mysterious rider called the Falcon who is trying to raise a rebellion against the aristocracy and papal ruling. Frencesca finds herself enthralled by the Falcon and even aids him in his cause but his identity remains a mystery even to her. This book has mysery, adventure, romance, and humor all rolled into one.