This series just gets better and better.

It's Autumn 1539, and some eighteen months have passed since the events of "Ritual of Fire". Cesare Aldo has returned from the wilderness, and is back in Florence, albeit still as a constable and on permanent night patrol. A curfew is in force, so his work mainly involves picking up drunks and other persons whose night-time activities aren't fully legal. Once such individual leads Aldo and his companion a chase through the city until they reach Michelangelo’s statue of David, at the base of which lies a corpse, posed as if crucified. When a further body turns up the next day, Aldo realises there's more to this than meets the eye.

Soon, Aldo and his associate Strocci are deep in a mystery which includes the merchants of the city, the church and the de Medici family. What is it that links the murders and what is the meaning of the positioning of the bodies? Once again, the author has woven together a complex, yet plausible series of events which unfold nicely, while developing the characters fans of the series have come to enjoy. And again, the city of Florence appears as a colourful, aromatic and noisy backdrop.

Readers of the series will be glad to know that familiar characters appear in this book, as well as a few new ones. Aldo's relationship with Saul continues, despite fate getting in the way. The pitiful Bindi, segretario of the Otto, continues to be, well, Bindi. Strocchi, now a Captain, but beset by doubts about the job, and desperate to keep his family safe, continues to be at Aldo's side. The complex relationship between him and Aldo still delights, as they strive to balance frustrations with friendship.

There's a very nice thread, concerning the Contessa Valetine Coltello, who, despite the death of her husband, continues to act as spymaster for Venice, and whose verbal and mental sparring with Aldo is a delight to watch. Her affect on Aldo is surprising, and hints at more events to follow. The final denouement might or might not come as a surprise to diehard fans, but it doesn't matter. Aldo has seen through the lies, the sleight-of-hand and the red-herrings and on the way has realised what it is that makes his life interesting. The final pages of the book certainly set up a whole new direction for him, and I cannot wait to see where the next book finds him.

"A Divine Fury" gets top marks from me, and I definitely recommend it to fans of the series and of historical thrillers.



Fans of the Ceaser Aldo series are going to love this

I love this series of books by DV Bishop. It is best to read them in sequence as there is reference to the previous books running through the story. The characters are compelling in their deviousness andAldos private life is a constant threat . Excellent just like the previous books.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I imagine I’m not the only person who has read/will read this series in a desperate effort to fill the void left by the absence of CJ Sansom’s Shardlake series. I’m pleased to say that it does just that! Having discovered that I was picking up a series at book 4 I was skeptic all that I was going to find any interest in the characters, and I’ll admit that they didn’t feel as fleshed out as I’d like, but I did engage entirely with them. Given that, for the average reader of the series, they’ll have experienced 3 more stories, I would say that these characters are totally formed, engaging and entertaining. The addition of some new characters seems to have kept the book fresh as well.

Initially, I found the shift in character focus to be a little jarring, but as you progress through the book these do become very seamless and your brain forgets to notice: a sure fire way to tell that something is done well. The story and situation, as well as the historical context was easy to adapt to and understand even if you hadn’t read the novel’s predecessors.

I did feel as though some of the sexual content was a little superfluous and gratuitous lip service to the mainstream but I really enjoy the modern issues such as homosexuality and diversity being seamlessly thread through this piece of historical fiction. The integration of accuracy with universal thematic concepts was really refreshing, without banging it over your head.

In terms of the plot, I did predict the ending and felt as though, for a mystery, our suspect pool was limited from the off. Whilst still enjoyable, it did dampen the tension a little. When the final killer was revealed, I can’t say I was entirely convinced/clear on his motive but it remained believable nonetheless.

It is safe to say that I have a new series to delve into and enjoy in place of the much loved and seemingly finished Shardlake series.

I absolutely loved this book. I picked it to read without realising that it was part of a series but I didn’t find it an issue not to have read the previous books. I definitely plan to go back and read them now that I have finished A Divine Fury.

It has taken me a long time to find a historical fiction book that has caught my attention in the way that both CJ Sansom and SJ Parris did but this is a major contender. The setting was great. The plot was interesting. The characters were engaging. Lots of ticks all around.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc.

I enjoyed this so much! The plot was again thrilling and the characters engaging. I loved reading about Florence and its numerous corrupted inhabitants, including the Church as well! The end was surprising and I wonder what the next book will be like... I can't wait for it!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am so voluntarily an honest review.

DNF @ 10%

I really enjoyed the storyline of the book. I unfortunately had to DNF the book. I struggled to keep up with it, and it is mostly due to the fact I have not read the first three books of the series. i was unaware this was a series though…