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City of Woe
Enemies at every turn in this medieval mystery thriller perfect for fans of D. V. Bishop and S. J. Parris. Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos. Restored to favour at court, King's Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III’s chronic debt.
A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control. But the delegation has another to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.
But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes. When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the seething torrent of Florence’s cutthroat streets, and dangers greater than any he has ever faced before, if he is to survive.
A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control. But the delegation has another to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.
But one devastating betrayal will shatter their hopes. When disaster strikes, Merrivale finds himself alone, isolated and with a dozen different factions out for his blood. With no way to go but forward, he must plunge back into the seething torrent of Florence’s cutthroat streets, and dangers greater than any he has ever faced before, if he is to survive.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
384 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 3, 2024
New trials! Same story—the pursuit of power!
Oh my! I’m besotted with King’s Messanger Simon Merrivale and his quests. He’s ordered to Florence. He has a Florentine banking house in his sights. King Edward charges Simon to find the money missing from the treasury, and to place the english Bishop of Dorchester, Henry Stapleton, on the papal throne in Rome in direct opposition to the French Pope Clement VI in Avignon. It’s time for France’s power, including papal, to cease.
The main action is in Florence with the famous houses of history dropping from the lips like the Medici’s—the new men at this stage.
I must admit description of frescoes, art works, triptychs, pietas in Florence and Pisa stirred my blood. It all sounds wonderful.
Mackenzie takes you there! The mixing of paints from crushed precious stones, the colours and application—all stunning descriptions
There’s plots and counterplots, betrayals and love in unasked for places.
1340’s Italy is both magnificent and feral.
A riveting read!
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Oh my! I’m besotted with King’s Messanger Simon Merrivale and his quests. He’s ordered to Florence. He has a Florentine banking house in his sights. King Edward charges Simon to find the money missing from the treasury, and to place the english Bishop of Dorchester, Henry Stapleton, on the papal throne in Rome in direct opposition to the French Pope Clement VI in Avignon. It’s time for France’s power, including papal, to cease.
The main action is in Florence with the famous houses of history dropping from the lips like the Medici’s—the new men at this stage.
I must admit description of frescoes, art works, triptychs, pietas in Florence and Pisa stirred my blood. It all sounds wonderful.
Mackenzie takes you there! The mixing of paints from crushed precious stones, the colours and application—all stunning descriptions
There’s plots and counterplots, betrayals and love in unasked for places.
1340’s Italy is both magnificent and feral.
A riveting read!
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
March 8, 2025
Somehow, every historical fiction book I randomly grab at the library surprises me. This was a thoroughly enjoyable romp; a memorable cast, lots of delicious politics and underhanded dealings and half-lies and quarter-truths. It firmly lost me at the end, undermining some of its more interesting elements up to that point in the process, but that seems to be a running trend of late, and I still had a good time regardless.
July 31, 2024
History and mystery - very fun. Part 1 was a little confusing just due to the volume of characters, but once Part 2 began the story really picked up. There were lots of unexpected and expected twists and turns, and I really felt for all the characters. This was overall a very satisfying mystery and a really engaging historical read, once it got going. Excited for the next one!
October 17, 2024
Another brilliant historical novel from the team that is/was A J MacKenzie.
Florence in 1342 is in chaos as banks are teetering on bankruptcy and various factions are positioning themselves for a power grab. Edward III's messenger, Simon Merrivale, has been sent to negotiate a loan to pay off the King's staggeringly large debts.
There's also a plan to wrest power from the French-controlled pope in Avignon and establish an 'anti-pope' back in Rome under Henry Stapledon , and Englishman who expresses a desire to see the pope serve people rather than accumulate wealth and oppress the man or woman on the street.
As in the other (excellent) novels from this team there are layers of betrayal, a high body count and an enormous amount of pressure on Simon Merrivale to pull off the impossible. Employing all his diplomatic skills and trying to stay at least one step ahead of the powerful men around him, as well as some very clever women, this is a challenge to stretch him to his limits. By befriending a group of painters, the novel is grounded in time and place, vividly bringing to life fourteenth century Europe.
This deserves a five star rating but I've given four because of the sheer number of characters with Italian names that I found difficult to differentiate. The high body count requires a crowd of people who will be dispensable as the narrative unfolds and there is a helpful cast of characters given at the beginning, but reading this on a Kindle makes flipping back and forth tricky, as well as breaking the flow of the story. Some great dramatic moments and a couple of imaginative but gruesome deaths at least one of which is based on historical fact.
Sadly, one member of this team has passed away, so I'm not sure how, or if, further novels will be written, but I do hope they are.
Florence in 1342 is in chaos as banks are teetering on bankruptcy and various factions are positioning themselves for a power grab. Edward III's messenger, Simon Merrivale, has been sent to negotiate a loan to pay off the King's staggeringly large debts.
There's also a plan to wrest power from the French-controlled pope in Avignon and establish an 'anti-pope' back in Rome under Henry Stapledon , and Englishman who expresses a desire to see the pope serve people rather than accumulate wealth and oppress the man or woman on the street.
As in the other (excellent) novels from this team there are layers of betrayal, a high body count and an enormous amount of pressure on Simon Merrivale to pull off the impossible. Employing all his diplomatic skills and trying to stay at least one step ahead of the powerful men around him, as well as some very clever women, this is a challenge to stretch him to his limits. By befriending a group of painters, the novel is grounded in time and place, vividly bringing to life fourteenth century Europe.
This deserves a five star rating but I've given four because of the sheer number of characters with Italian names that I found difficult to differentiate. The high body count requires a crowd of people who will be dispensable as the narrative unfolds and there is a helpful cast of characters given at the beginning, but reading this on a Kindle makes flipping back and forth tricky, as well as breaking the flow of the story. Some great dramatic moments and a couple of imaginative but gruesome deaths at least one of which is based on historical fact.
Sadly, one member of this team has passed away, so I'm not sure how, or if, further novels will be written, but I do hope they are.
September 11, 2024
King's Messenger Simon Merrivale has travelled to Florence to secure a loan for the king from the rich bankers in that city. However there is an ulterior motive, to finance the crowning of an English pope in Rome and recover monies stolen previously. Florence is riven by factions and as Merrivale digs deeper he finds it hard to know who to trust. Disaster strikes as his men are slaughtered and Merrivale becomes a wanted man. However, the plot takes more turns before it is complete.
I hadn't read the first book in the series but the story is relatively easy to pick up. The plot is excellent, combining history of the Popes of Avignon, the antecedents of the power of Florence and medieval machinations. It is very twisty but also satisfying in that respect. Such a pity that tragedy has hit the writing team.
I hadn't read the first book in the series but the story is relatively easy to pick up. The plot is excellent, combining history of the Popes of Avignon, the antecedents of the power of Florence and medieval machinations. It is very twisty but also satisfying in that respect. Such a pity that tragedy has hit the writing team.
April 12, 2025
Another good read in the life of Simon Merrivale. I'm not sure this book was as good as the first one, but a very good read nevertheless. Trip to Florence and Pisa and ending in Rome. Lots of twists and turns and again the history of the day is well researched. It was when I read the closing piece that I began to feel differently about the book. As I read it I felt a real overwhelming sense of loss and sadness. The closing credits told me why.
Good book and took me right into Florence and its life in the 14th century.
Good book and took me right into Florence and its life in the 14th century.
June 20, 2024
A great novel!!!! Full of action, full of characters among whom few are to be trusted!!! Only the end will show! The complex is complex, very realistic and very informative as to the religious (or not!) side of the Pope, either in Avignon or in Rome. I have found this novel very interesting and thrilling. A great series!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
November 6, 2024
A good read but still enjoyed the first book more.
February 9, 2025
Absolutely brilliant!!
Yet another excellent story!
My heart goes out to Marilyn and Morgen. (and the rest of the team)
God love you and bless you always. X
Yet another excellent story!
My heart goes out to Marilyn and Morgen. (and the rest of the team)
God love you and bless you always. X
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March 2, 2025Many twists and turns. A fast read. Too many fortuitous events for my taste.
July 22, 2024
The fifth in the series so I do advise reading the first ones prior to this as there is some continuation of the narrative.
MacKenzie ensure that there is enough mystery, intrigue, jealousy, betrayal, political and religious machinations to keep the reader suitably engrossed. For those with a penchant for historical fiction set in the 14th Century, this will not fail to keep you satisfied.
Read complete review here @ Melisende's Library
MacKenzie ensure that there is enough mystery, intrigue, jealousy, betrayal, political and religious machinations to keep the reader suitably engrossed. For those with a penchant for historical fiction set in the 14th Century, this will not fail to keep you satisfied.
Read complete review here @ Melisende's Library
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews