THE CAMEO KEEPER by Deborah Swift @swiftstory

5 out of 5 stars

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On Goodreads

How I discovered this book: a favourite author

In a Nutshell: The election of a new Pope creates chaos in 17th Century Rome

Never a disappointment, a book by Deborah Swift.  I've read the others in the series and they're all stand-alone.  I know this because I have a terrible memory but I didn't have any unanswered questions.  The Cameo Keeper made me want to read the other books again; knowing what happens next makes everything that comes before mean so much more.

Now, to the book!  This one sees astrologer Mia living with stepmother Giulia and her new husband, in Rome.  Mia falls in with the wrong people, lured by glitter, which leads to the increasing distance between her and young chirurgion Jacopo. 

A powerful woman, a new Pope, a malevolent colleague of Jacopo's, money, murder and fear of the Inquisition provide splendid material for the plot to play with, with intrigue and ghastly secrets around every corner.  

As usual with the author's books, the research into the life and work of the people she portrays (many of the key players were based on actual people) is immaculate; in this book I felt as though I was heariing from an apothecary who lived in those days, so convincing was it.  Fascinating, too.  I loved reading about the practices of the day and how, already, natural remedies were being demonised in favour of scientific discovery/experiment, for the financial benefit of the latter.

Definitely recommend this one!