5 out of 5 stars
On Amazon (universal link)
On Goodreads
How I discovered this book: A favourite author, I've read the other two in the series.
In a Nutshell: Murder and astrology in Renaissance Italy.
Delightful book! The Fortune Keeper is the story of Mia Caiozzi, an aspiring astrologer in 17th century Venice (I was interested to read in the notes at the back that female Venetian astrologers were quite the thing at this time!). Mia is the step-daughter of the much talked about Giulia Tofana from the first two books of the series.
It's also the story of accomplished fraudster Imbroglio (definitely the most interesting character), revenge, secrets, spies, masks and murder, fear of the Inquisition, love and loss ... for me, though, it was, possibly more than anything, the story of Renaissance Venice. Not a place or a time I know much about at all, I just loved the intricate day to day detail that showed how people lived then. I'd swear Deborah Swift has her very own Tardis; her books are always written as though she has actually experienced that time and place.
The novel is a 'stand-alone' so it's not absolutely necessary to read Book #2, The Silkworm Keeper, before this one, though I would recommend doing so, not least of all because it's outstanding! I read it 18 months ago and was glad I did because it provides the backstory for this book. Or you could just start at Book #1, The Poison Keeper. That's the best idea! An immaculate series.
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