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Sinners
Brough to you by Penguin.
A young noblewoman accused of murder, awaits execution. Imprisoned in the Corte Savella, she has captured the hearts and sympathy of all Rome. . .
This is the true and tragic tale of Beatrice Cenci.
Murder most foul or vengeance most just?
Helpless victim or resolute heroine?
Rome, 1599.
Beatrice yearns to escape the clutches of her abusive father and determined to find a way back to Rome, enlists the help of Olimpio, the castle’s keeper. Soon the love that grows between them will transform Beatrice’s fortunes, for better and for worse. . .
History has sold her short. She is no doe-eyed victim of her father’s brutality, nor the cunning murderer who plotted her father’s demise. No, this Beatrice - a woman pregnant by her lover, incarcerated in a remote castle by her father, and brim-full of white-hot rage - is both innocent and guilty, saint and sinner.
And she will stand tall in the face of the violence of men, no matter the cost.
Elizabeth Fremantle 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
A young noblewoman accused of murder, awaits execution. Imprisoned in the Corte Savella, she has captured the hearts and sympathy of all Rome. . .
This is the true and tragic tale of Beatrice Cenci.
Murder most foul or vengeance most just?
Helpless victim or resolute heroine?
Rome, 1599.
Beatrice yearns to escape the clutches of her abusive father and determined to find a way back to Rome, enlists the help of Olimpio, the castle’s keeper. Soon the love that grows between them will transform Beatrice’s fortunes, for better and for worse. . .
History has sold her short. She is no doe-eyed victim of her father’s brutality, nor the cunning murderer who plotted her father’s demise. No, this Beatrice - a woman pregnant by her lover, incarcerated in a remote castle by her father, and brim-full of white-hot rage - is both innocent and guilty, saint and sinner.
And she will stand tall in the face of the violence of men, no matter the cost.
Elizabeth Fremantle 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Audible Audio
Published July 3, 2025
8 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Fremantle
12 books559 followersElizabeth Fremantle is the critically acclaimed author of Tudor and Elizabethan set novels: Queen's Gambit, Sisters of Treason, Watch the Lady and Times Books of the Year: The Girl in the Glass Tower and The Poison Bed, a historical thriller written under the name EC Fremantle described as 'a Jacobean Gone Girl.'
Her latest novel is The Honey and the Sting, published August 6th 2020 as EC Fremantle
She lives in London
Her latest novel is The Honey and the Sting, published August 6th 2020 as EC Fremantle
She lives in London
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 23, 2025
Oh Beatrice, you were so doomed by the narrative. An intense look into an incredibly tragic young woman’s life. While this is a work of fiction, this book still gives Beatrice Cenci a voice. Fremantle does this by producing a highly researched and sensitive story of survival, love, and death. In this book, Beatrice is given a sense of agency that the historical records do not.
This is a heavy book; Beatrice’s life is tragic and filled with dark themes. At times, I felt truly unwell reading. But there were little bursts of light in the forms of Beatrice’s relationship with her stepmother, her lover and her friends.
This story is also full of classical references that I enjoyed. Women in the past are often portrayed as uneducated or ignorant due to the lower literacy rates. However, for a woman of Beatrice’s background, it made perfect sense for her to be well read and academically versed. I think it added a wonderful layer to her character that people forget.
This book is wonderfully and sensitively researched; it presents a darker picture of 16th century Italy. This period of European history was full of tumultuous moments and Beatrice was one of them.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc. All thoughts are my own.
This is a heavy book; Beatrice’s life is tragic and filled with dark themes. At times, I felt truly unwell reading. But there were little bursts of light in the forms of Beatrice’s relationship with her stepmother, her lover and her friends.
This story is also full of classical references that I enjoyed. Women in the past are often portrayed as uneducated or ignorant due to the lower literacy rates. However, for a woman of Beatrice’s background, it made perfect sense for her to be well read and academically versed. I think it added a wonderful layer to her character that people forget.
This book is wonderfully and sensitively researched; it presents a darker picture of 16th century Italy. This period of European history was full of tumultuous moments and Beatrice was one of them.
Thank you to the publisher for this arc. All thoughts are my own.
July 4, 2025
This is the true and tragic tale of Beatrice Centi. A voice that has every right to be heard, to be understood, and to be judged? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Rome, 1599.
Beatrice yearns to finally step out of the haunting, ruthless, abusive shadow that her father casts not only upon herself but all those she loves, and more besides, and after tragedy strikes, her father decides he must swiftly spirit them away in order to lay low from the enemies he continues to make.
It is within the confines of her new prison that Olympio, the castles keeper, becomes not only her lifeline but also something much more dear to her as love starts to grow around the pair like creeping ivy, pulling them together, altering Beatrice’s future for better and for worse.
Yet as she struggles to hide her adoration for Olympio from her brutish, monstrous father, Beatrice comes to the realisation that he cannot continue his relentless control of her whole being, and it is then Beatrice orchestrates his demise, for it is truly time for judgement to be passed on a soul so dark it is far beyond redemption.
And it will be without mercy or guilt. For he has done things to her that would make the devil himself question his own morals.
But is it murder most foul or vengeance most just?
Was she a helpless victim or resolute heroine?
That is up to you to decide…
An evocatively ambitious read that will leave you gasping for breath all the way through to its stunning conclusion! A must-read!
Rome, 1599.
Beatrice yearns to finally step out of the haunting, ruthless, abusive shadow that her father casts not only upon herself but all those she loves, and more besides, and after tragedy strikes, her father decides he must swiftly spirit them away in order to lay low from the enemies he continues to make.
It is within the confines of her new prison that Olympio, the castles keeper, becomes not only her lifeline but also something much more dear to her as love starts to grow around the pair like creeping ivy, pulling them together, altering Beatrice’s future for better and for worse.
Yet as she struggles to hide her adoration for Olympio from her brutish, monstrous father, Beatrice comes to the realisation that he cannot continue his relentless control of her whole being, and it is then Beatrice orchestrates his demise, for it is truly time for judgement to be passed on a soul so dark it is far beyond redemption.
And it will be without mercy or guilt. For he has done things to her that would make the devil himself question his own morals.
But is it murder most foul or vengeance most just?
Was she a helpless victim or resolute heroine?
That is up to you to decide…
An evocatively ambitious read that will leave you gasping for breath all the way through to its stunning conclusion! A must-read!
August 10, 2025
In Beatrice Cenci, the city of Rome had someone to believe in, someone who felt more humane than a justice system holding them captive by criminal tyrants excused by wealth and power, whose assets were surrendered by the Papal State if foul play could be determined through illegitimate means.
In Beatrice Cenci, Rome found a voice. One of rising fury and vengeance against poisonous propaganda.
In Beatrice Cenci, Rome saw a sparkle of hope. A speck of an alternative power. One that continues to strengthen with each passing day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In Beatrice Cenci, Rome found a voice. One of rising fury and vengeance against poisonous propaganda.
In Beatrice Cenci, Rome saw a sparkle of hope. A speck of an alternative power. One that continues to strengthen with each passing day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 25, 2025
Elizabeth Fremantle is an author I’ve been following since her first book, Queen’s Gambit, was published in 2013. I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, to varying degrees, but I think her latest one, Sinners, is the best so far. It’s the story of the Italian noblewoman, Beatrice Cenci, and is a very dark and powerful read.
The book begins in Rome in 1598 with Beatrice discovering the dead body of her brother Rocco, a victim of one of her father’s long-running feuds. To avoid any further retaliations, the family flee to La Rocca, a hunting lodge in the mountains, but this proves not to be a place of safety for Beatrice as her father, Francesco Cenci, becomes increasingly cruel and unpredictable, abusing her physically, verbally and sexually. Her stepmother, Lucrezia, and younger half-brother, Bernardo, are also targets for his brutal violence and abuse, while her other brother, Giacomo, who is gay, remains estranged from the family, forced to communicate with Beatrice in secret.
As life behind the walls of La Rocca becomes more and more unbearable, Beatrice finds some solace in her growing friendship with Olimpio Calvetti, one of her father’s servants. When she becomes pregnant with Olimpio’s child, Beatrice fears for their lives if her father learns the truth – especially if he also learns that Beatrice has been reporting him to the authorities for his abusive behaviour! And so Beatrice comes up with a plan which, if it works, could set them all free, but if it fails could leave them in even more danger than before.
As you’ll be able to tell, Sinners is not an easy or comfortable book to read. Francesco Cenci is one of the most wicked, depraved characters you’re likely to come across in fiction and the way he treats his wife and children is unimaginably cruel. Knowing that he was a real person and that his family really did suffer at his hands makes it even more horrible to read about. It also makes it easy for the reader to have sympathy for Beatrice when she decides to take action, although Fremantle explains in her author’s note that her intention in writing the book was to portray Beatrice as a complex woman who is both innocent and guilty, saint and sinner, something which I think she achieves.
Fremantle also uses her author’s note to clarify where the book sticks to historical fact and where she uses her imagination to produce a compelling work of fiction. I found it particularly fascinating to read about the famous portrait of Beatrice Cenci, attributed to Guido Reni, which is now thought to be by Ginevra Cantofoli and maybe not even a portrait of Beatrice at all. Fremantle works the painting of the portrait into the plot in an interesting way, showing how it was used to evoke sympathy for Beatrice from the public.
I love the way Fremantle recreates the feel of late-16th century Italy and although it’s set a decade or two earlier, Sinners makes a good companion novel to Disobedient, her book about Artemisia Gentileschi. Artemisia’s story even overlaps with Beatrice’s in the first chapter. I’m looking forward to seeing who and what Fremantle decides to write about next!
The book begins in Rome in 1598 with Beatrice discovering the dead body of her brother Rocco, a victim of one of her father’s long-running feuds. To avoid any further retaliations, the family flee to La Rocca, a hunting lodge in the mountains, but this proves not to be a place of safety for Beatrice as her father, Francesco Cenci, becomes increasingly cruel and unpredictable, abusing her physically, verbally and sexually. Her stepmother, Lucrezia, and younger half-brother, Bernardo, are also targets for his brutal violence and abuse, while her other brother, Giacomo, who is gay, remains estranged from the family, forced to communicate with Beatrice in secret.
As life behind the walls of La Rocca becomes more and more unbearable, Beatrice finds some solace in her growing friendship with Olimpio Calvetti, one of her father’s servants. When she becomes pregnant with Olimpio’s child, Beatrice fears for their lives if her father learns the truth – especially if he also learns that Beatrice has been reporting him to the authorities for his abusive behaviour! And so Beatrice comes up with a plan which, if it works, could set them all free, but if it fails could leave them in even more danger than before.
As you’ll be able to tell, Sinners is not an easy or comfortable book to read. Francesco Cenci is one of the most wicked, depraved characters you’re likely to come across in fiction and the way he treats his wife and children is unimaginably cruel. Knowing that he was a real person and that his family really did suffer at his hands makes it even more horrible to read about. It also makes it easy for the reader to have sympathy for Beatrice when she decides to take action, although Fremantle explains in her author’s note that her intention in writing the book was to portray Beatrice as a complex woman who is both innocent and guilty, saint and sinner, something which I think she achieves.
Fremantle also uses her author’s note to clarify where the book sticks to historical fact and where she uses her imagination to produce a compelling work of fiction. I found it particularly fascinating to read about the famous portrait of Beatrice Cenci, attributed to Guido Reni, which is now thought to be by Ginevra Cantofoli and maybe not even a portrait of Beatrice at all. Fremantle works the painting of the portrait into the plot in an interesting way, showing how it was used to evoke sympathy for Beatrice from the public.
I love the way Fremantle recreates the feel of late-16th century Italy and although it’s set a decade or two earlier, Sinners makes a good companion novel to Disobedient, her book about Artemisia Gentileschi. Artemisia’s story even overlaps with Beatrice’s in the first chapter. I’m looking forward to seeing who and what Fremantle decides to write about next!
May 15, 2025
This is the first book by Elizabeth fremantle that I have read but will certainly not be my last. I had never heard of Beatrice Cenci prior to reading this novel but the authors descriptions bring her story to life to the point you feel the emotions that Beatrice is.
The novel is so well written that you can picture every scene. I highly recommend this to everyone.
The novel is so well written that you can picture every scene. I highly recommend this to everyone.
August 29, 2025
Sinners by Elizabeth Fremantle, tells the story of Beatrice Cenci, an aristocrat whose defiance of her tyrannical father shook 16th century Rome. I went in to this novel expecting Beatrice Cenci the martyr, the icon of doomed female resistance. What I found was something more intimate, a first-person narrative that forces us to live inside her defiance, her fear, her fury and I was surprised at how family-centred the novel was. Bernardo, Beatrice’s autistic brother, Lucrezia her step-mother, the idea of some many innocent people caught in the crossfire of Francesco Cenci’s cruelty.
Like in Disobedient and The Queen’s Gambit, Fremantle writes proto-feminist history, refusing the virgin/whore binary, refusing neat moral narratives. Instead, she gives us women whose resistance is punished because it disrupts the patriarchal status quo. That’s what makes this book and her previous works so compelling. It acknowledges the brutal limits of female agency while leaving space for rage, survival, and shadow. Where to exist outside of submission meant inevitable retribution, Beatrice’s rebellion against her father is never romanticised; it is necessary, human and unbearably costly.
Fremantle’s prose is addictive, her rhythm and atmosphere capturing Renaissance Rome in a way that feels lived rather than described. That’s why she’s an automatic grab for me when it comes to historical fiction that is as thoughtful as it is beautifully written.
Sinners is a dark, resonant exploration of resistance, punishment and survival. I will read whatever Elizabeth Fremantle writes because her voice is one of the few in historical fiction that makes the past feel both beautifully alive and uncomfortably relevant.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and MichaelJBooks for this ARC
Like in Disobedient and The Queen’s Gambit, Fremantle writes proto-feminist history, refusing the virgin/whore binary, refusing neat moral narratives. Instead, she gives us women whose resistance is punished because it disrupts the patriarchal status quo. That’s what makes this book and her previous works so compelling. It acknowledges the brutal limits of female agency while leaving space for rage, survival, and shadow. Where to exist outside of submission meant inevitable retribution, Beatrice’s rebellion against her father is never romanticised; it is necessary, human and unbearably costly.
Fremantle’s prose is addictive, her rhythm and atmosphere capturing Renaissance Rome in a way that feels lived rather than described. That’s why she’s an automatic grab for me when it comes to historical fiction that is as thoughtful as it is beautifully written.
Sinners is a dark, resonant exploration of resistance, punishment and survival. I will read whatever Elizabeth Fremantle writes because her voice is one of the few in historical fiction that makes the past feel both beautifully alive and uncomfortably relevant.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and MichaelJBooks for this ARC
September 6, 2025
** 4.75 stars** I really enjoyed this book, despite its very dark subject matter- the dramatised events of the life of Beatrice Cenci- it was engaging and powerful. It was fascinating to hear of her story, from her imagined perspective showing that living in 16th century Europe as a woman was not a life to be envied.
August 18, 2025
review to come but oh my god
July 6, 2025
A masterpiece. A dark, harrowing, and emotional read, that gives light to the darkness of the lives of this family and those of that period of history. It is truly appalling and hard to read what went on at this time. But the writing so expertly draws you into the lives of the characters, painting them so vividly, giving possible motivations and nuance. No one is truly saint, no one is truly sinner, they are all simply human. The balance of good and sin just sway more strongly in one direction or another for each of them.
I was moved to tears by this story. I know I will not stop thinking about them for a long time. It makes you question morality, what is sin, and forgiveness.
This was my first book of the author, and it certainly will not be the last.
I was moved to tears by this story. I know I will not stop thinking about them for a long time. It makes you question morality, what is sin, and forgiveness.
This was my first book of the author, and it certainly will not be the last.
December 19, 2025
Ugh why did I not take in the “bold feminist retelling part” 🥱😴
June 19, 2025
First and foremost, thank you so much to Penguin Michael Joseph for this ARC. I really appreciate it.
Oh. My. God.
This book details the story of what happens when a girl, and her family, are pushed beyond breaking point by a vicious, domineering, evil man, who does things unto people that should never be done. It is a heartbreaking, emotional, and complex story, which was made even more devastating by the fact that it was inspired by the case of Beatrice Cenci in 1599, who was executed for the murder of her father, who was, by all accounts, a monster.
Fremantle manages to weave a complex narrative through Beatrice's eyes; Beatrice, who is presented as a multidimensional figure. She is not just a victim of her father's cruel actions, but she is also not just a murderer; she took control in the only way she - and the rest of her family, including her stepmother, brothers, and servant - could, taking happiness where she can find it. Namely, in her father's servant, Olimpio.
Though Beatrice does have an affair with Olimpio, which results in a baby, which in turn brings the story to its crescendo, it is not a love story. Don't expect to find much romance in this story. This story, as I said earlier, is a story about what happens when a family is pushed to its' breaking point.
(SPOILER WARNING HERE)
Beyond her portrayal of Beatrice, Fremantle manages to illicit sympathy for all of the victims of Beatrice's father. For much of the story, the narrative has us believe that Beatrice's servant Ilaria told her father of her pregnancy, but despite Beatrice being the POV character, you still feel sympathy for her, because Fremantle has made it clear that Beatrice's father, who is never named from what I can recall, is an evil man.
It is also revealed that her father sent men to try and kill her brother Giacomo and his lover Domizio. He regularly mocks and beats Bernardo, her younger brother, who is disabled, and abuses her stepmother Lucrezia. We are told he is a truly decrepit man, and I believe it.
The way the end is framed, you are almost able to hold out for a happy ending, but this is no fictional story, even if some elements have been changed and embellished. She and her family are imprisoned, found guilty of their father's murder and are due to be executed. You are told they are appealing to the pope, the people of Rome are clamoring for their release, and you almost believe they will be. But they're not, and are executed so that an 'example can be made' of them.
Beatrice, Lucrezia, and Giacomo were executed. Bernardo was spared, commanded to watch his family be executed, before being forced to become a galley slave before being released.
(END OF SPOILER WARNING)
I found this to be an incredibly emotional, heartbreaking, devastating read. At times I found it quite difficult because of how truly emotional I found it, and how enraging I found Beatrice's father to be. And the response to his crimes against his family. I'll be thinking of this book for a while.
Oh. My. God.
This book details the story of what happens when a girl, and her family, are pushed beyond breaking point by a vicious, domineering, evil man, who does things unto people that should never be done. It is a heartbreaking, emotional, and complex story, which was made even more devastating by the fact that it was inspired by the case of Beatrice Cenci in 1599, who was executed for the murder of her father, who was, by all accounts, a monster.
Fremantle manages to weave a complex narrative through Beatrice's eyes; Beatrice, who is presented as a multidimensional figure. She is not just a victim of her father's cruel actions, but she is also not just a murderer; she took control in the only way she - and the rest of her family, including her stepmother, brothers, and servant - could, taking happiness where she can find it. Namely, in her father's servant, Olimpio.
Though Beatrice does have an affair with Olimpio, which results in a baby, which in turn brings the story to its crescendo, it is not a love story. Don't expect to find much romance in this story. This story, as I said earlier, is a story about what happens when a family is pushed to its' breaking point.
(SPOILER WARNING HERE)
Beyond her portrayal of Beatrice, Fremantle manages to illicit sympathy for all of the victims of Beatrice's father. For much of the story, the narrative has us believe that Beatrice's servant Ilaria told her father of her pregnancy, but despite Beatrice being the POV character, you still feel sympathy for her, because Fremantle has made it clear that Beatrice's father, who is never named from what I can recall, is an evil man.
It is also revealed that her father sent men to try and kill her brother Giacomo and his lover Domizio. He regularly mocks and beats Bernardo, her younger brother, who is disabled, and abuses her stepmother Lucrezia. We are told he is a truly decrepit man, and I believe it.
The way the end is framed, you are almost able to hold out for a happy ending, but this is no fictional story, even if some elements have been changed and embellished. She and her family are imprisoned, found guilty of their father's murder and are due to be executed. You are told they are appealing to the pope, the people of Rome are clamoring for their release, and you almost believe they will be. But they're not, and are executed so that an 'example can be made' of them.
Beatrice, Lucrezia, and Giacomo were executed. Bernardo was spared, commanded to watch his family be executed, before being forced to become a galley slave before being released.
(END OF SPOILER WARNING)
I found this to be an incredibly emotional, heartbreaking, devastating read. At times I found it quite difficult because of how truly emotional I found it, and how enraging I found Beatrice's father to be. And the response to his crimes against his family. I'll be thinking of this book for a while.
July 24, 2025
The year is 1599 in Rome, Italy. A young rich woman stands in front of an executioner’s block. She is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a lover, and a killer. Her victim was her father, a man who made her life and the lives of her family members a living hell. When she falls in love with one of her father’s spies, she believes that it is a way out. However, the path she chooses to embark on will bring deadly consequences. What is the truth surrounding this case, and is Beatrice Cenci a cold-blooded murderer or a victim looking for her freedom? Elizabeth Fremantle explores the life of Beatrice Cenci and the circumstances of this crime in her latest novel, “Sinners.”
When I heard that Elizabeth Fremantle had a new novel coming out soon, I jumped at the chance to read it. I loved “Disobedient” and “Queen’s Gambit,” so I was excited to see what story she would tell in this novel. I had never heard of Beatrice Cenci before reading this novel, which was a thrilling prospect, as it allowed me to discover a new historical figure.
We begin with Beatrice as a young girl being forced to leave the convent where she received her education. Her father, Francesco Cenci, had just remarried, and Beatrice had a new stepmother named Lucrezia. We then jump forward twelve years to the Palazzo Cenci in Rome. Beatrice found the body of her brother Rocco, who was killed by the Orestesi, the mortal enemy of the Cenci. After the funeral, Francesco decides to move to La Rocca, a fortress which is more of a prison than a home.
Francesco becomes paranoid and even more possessive of his family, especially Beatrice, who should have been married by now. Instead, Beatrice is trapped in her grief and fears her father. But, there is a glimmer of hope for Beatrice as she finds her soul mate in the castle keeper and spy for her father, Olimpio. Unfortunately, the glimmer can only last for a moment as Francesco’s paranoia reaches a fever pitch and a plan is hatched to rid the family of Francesco forever. Even with the death of Francesco, the family is not out of danger as they must deal with the consequences of their plan.
This is another grippingly beautiful and tragic novel written by Elizabeth Fremantle. Beatrice Cenci’s story was heartbreaking and heavy, but it was a stunning read. I found myself feeling so sympathetic towards Beatrice and Olimpio, even though she did commit a heinous crime. “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle is a binge-worthy read that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time and will give you a better understanding of the treacherous time and Beatrice Cenci, a woman trapped in an impossible situation. An absolute must-read for any fan of historical fiction.
When I heard that Elizabeth Fremantle had a new novel coming out soon, I jumped at the chance to read it. I loved “Disobedient” and “Queen’s Gambit,” so I was excited to see what story she would tell in this novel. I had never heard of Beatrice Cenci before reading this novel, which was a thrilling prospect, as it allowed me to discover a new historical figure.
We begin with Beatrice as a young girl being forced to leave the convent where she received her education. Her father, Francesco Cenci, had just remarried, and Beatrice had a new stepmother named Lucrezia. We then jump forward twelve years to the Palazzo Cenci in Rome. Beatrice found the body of her brother Rocco, who was killed by the Orestesi, the mortal enemy of the Cenci. After the funeral, Francesco decides to move to La Rocca, a fortress which is more of a prison than a home.
Francesco becomes paranoid and even more possessive of his family, especially Beatrice, who should have been married by now. Instead, Beatrice is trapped in her grief and fears her father. But, there is a glimmer of hope for Beatrice as she finds her soul mate in the castle keeper and spy for her father, Olimpio. Unfortunately, the glimmer can only last for a moment as Francesco’s paranoia reaches a fever pitch and a plan is hatched to rid the family of Francesco forever. Even with the death of Francesco, the family is not out of danger as they must deal with the consequences of their plan.
This is another grippingly beautiful and tragic novel written by Elizabeth Fremantle. Beatrice Cenci’s story was heartbreaking and heavy, but it was a stunning read. I found myself feeling so sympathetic towards Beatrice and Olimpio, even though she did commit a heinous crime. “Sinners” by Elizabeth Fremantle is a binge-worthy read that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time and will give you a better understanding of the treacherous time and Beatrice Cenci, a woman trapped in an impossible situation. An absolute must-read for any fan of historical fiction.
July 15, 2025
A dark story from history but one with an addictive quality that pulls the reader into this beautifully fashioned world. Sinners tells the tale of Beatrice Cenci, a young noble woman in late 1500s Rome. A world of opulence under the cruel oversight of her wealthy father is all she knows. How to navigate his vile moods and vicious temper has become an art form to Bea. But, sadly for her, she is beautiful and draws the worst kind of attention from this dangerous man. Not only is he a threat to her but their entire family is in danger as her father has many enemies. Off to the safety of their country family estate, Bea, her father, stepmother and stepbrother seek sanctuary and reunite with Olimpio, the estate keeper. Olimpio is all that her father is not - kind, considerate and gentle. A risky game ensues where there is much to gamble for a life of love and happiness without the fear that is her daily companion.
I ate this novel up. The rich descriptive element painted a vivid picture of their life, surroundings, this Renaissance world. The creeping sinister atmosphere was tantalising and made me think often of the real life Beatrice and what she encountered. If she was anything like the force of soft power implied within this text she must have been quite a young woman. As our narrator she is well crafted, equally so all the characters in Sinners. The balancing act of keeping Bea's father from anger was a real tightrope act. Yes, there's the budding attraction between Bea and Olimpio but it isn't a soppy romance as the fear of discovery keeps the romantic level in check. Though there's plenty of girlish pondering over their mutual infatuation.
Sinners was a gripping read that has lingered with me. I find myself thinking on the story days after finishing and googling the facts of the case. Sinners is a perfect blend of history, murder mystery, court room drama woven into a rich tapestry of love, deceit, fear and quest for survival. Intoxicating.
I ate this novel up. The rich descriptive element painted a vivid picture of their life, surroundings, this Renaissance world. The creeping sinister atmosphere was tantalising and made me think often of the real life Beatrice and what she encountered. If she was anything like the force of soft power implied within this text she must have been quite a young woman. As our narrator she is well crafted, equally so all the characters in Sinners. The balancing act of keeping Bea's father from anger was a real tightrope act. Yes, there's the budding attraction between Bea and Olimpio but it isn't a soppy romance as the fear of discovery keeps the romantic level in check. Though there's plenty of girlish pondering over their mutual infatuation.
Sinners was a gripping read that has lingered with me. I find myself thinking on the story days after finishing and googling the facts of the case. Sinners is a perfect blend of history, murder mystery, court room drama woven into a rich tapestry of love, deceit, fear and quest for survival. Intoxicating.
June 25, 2025
A powerful and searing story that is let down a little by some patchy pacing.
Telling the story of Beatrice Cenci and her family, this is a historic retelling of a dark and dangerous moment in Italy. It wasn't anything I'd heard of before, and going into it blind was 100% the right decision. It was heart pounding, dramatic tale of a family and the evil that lurks behind normality, how a smile and a supposed 'safe' person can be so much more threatening than anything outwardly evil.
It started so strong, a great setting, a very dramatic couple of set pieces, really grounding the story and creating strong emotions in the reader for almost all the characters that you encounter. And then, once they have returned to Rome, the pace picked up again and it sped towards the end, so much was covered in that last 100 pages, there was barely any chance to catch a breath. It was the middle that was the weak spot, which is a shame because that is where the softer moments are, where there are brief moments of peace within the horror. It was just so slow at times that I kept loosing interest and having to press forward. I would have loved more time in Rome, both the good and bad moments.
A powerful story nevertheless and one worth the read - just make sure you're in the right mood for a dark tale.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Telling the story of Beatrice Cenci and her family, this is a historic retelling of a dark and dangerous moment in Italy. It wasn't anything I'd heard of before, and going into it blind was 100% the right decision. It was heart pounding, dramatic tale of a family and the evil that lurks behind normality, how a smile and a supposed 'safe' person can be so much more threatening than anything outwardly evil.
It started so strong, a great setting, a very dramatic couple of set pieces, really grounding the story and creating strong emotions in the reader for almost all the characters that you encounter. And then, once they have returned to Rome, the pace picked up again and it sped towards the end, so much was covered in that last 100 pages, there was barely any chance to catch a breath. It was the middle that was the weak spot, which is a shame because that is where the softer moments are, where there are brief moments of peace within the horror. It was just so slow at times that I kept loosing interest and having to press forward. I would have loved more time in Rome, both the good and bad moments.
A powerful story nevertheless and one worth the read - just make sure you're in the right mood for a dark tale.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
June 22, 2025
I went into this knowing it was based on real events, but nothing could prepare me for the emotional brutality and brilliance of Fremantle’s portrayal of Beatrice Cenci.
Sinners isn't just a story…..it’s a reclamation.
Fremantle rips Beatrice from the cold pages of history and breathes visceral, furious life into her.
This Beatrice is no passive footnote in a tragic legend. She’s fierce, intelligent, undone by cruelty, and yet still standing, bloodied but unbroken. Her voice pulses with defiance, her choices sear with moral ambiguity. She's a sinner and a martyr, a victim and a rebel. That complexity is where this novel shines.
Fremantle doesn’t sanitise the violence, the misogyny, or the horror of being a woman in 16th-century Rome, but she does centre the female gaze. It’s haunting, feminist, and devastatingly human.
More than a retelling, Sinners is a reclamation of a woman’s truth from the clutches of history and myth.
If you like your historical fiction sharp, dark, and unapologetically feminist, Beatrice’s voice will echo in you long after the final page.
Sinners isn't just a story…..it’s a reclamation.
Fremantle rips Beatrice from the cold pages of history and breathes visceral, furious life into her.
This Beatrice is no passive footnote in a tragic legend. She’s fierce, intelligent, undone by cruelty, and yet still standing, bloodied but unbroken. Her voice pulses with defiance, her choices sear with moral ambiguity. She's a sinner and a martyr, a victim and a rebel. That complexity is where this novel shines.
Fremantle doesn’t sanitise the violence, the misogyny, or the horror of being a woman in 16th-century Rome, but she does centre the female gaze. It’s haunting, feminist, and devastatingly human.
More than a retelling, Sinners is a reclamation of a woman’s truth from the clutches of history and myth.
If you like your historical fiction sharp, dark, and unapologetically feminist, Beatrice’s voice will echo in you long after the final page.
June 29, 2025
4.5
This is a tale of white hot female rage and the power and resilience of a remarkable woman who fought back against male violence in a deeply Patriarchal, 16th century Rome.
Based on a real case in 1599, this is a fictionalised account of Beatrice Cenci; a noblewoman who was tried for conspiring to murder her abusive father.
16th century Rome and the Catholic patriarchy are made vivid through richly atmospheric storytelling. The brutal realities for women are laid bare-be warned you will simmer with feminist rage reading this!
I loved Beatrice and admired her strength and pragmatism. She wasn’t a passive victim either but took action in her attempts to protect everyone. The author weaves the moral complexity of the case very well: you as the reader are left to decide who is the sinner and who is sinned against. The forbidden love story at the heart of it was beautifully done too.
A chilling, heartbreaking end, wonderfully told.
Thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC. Really recommend!
This is a tale of white hot female rage and the power and resilience of a remarkable woman who fought back against male violence in a deeply Patriarchal, 16th century Rome.
Based on a real case in 1599, this is a fictionalised account of Beatrice Cenci; a noblewoman who was tried for conspiring to murder her abusive father.
16th century Rome and the Catholic patriarchy are made vivid through richly atmospheric storytelling. The brutal realities for women are laid bare-be warned you will simmer with feminist rage reading this!
I loved Beatrice and admired her strength and pragmatism. She wasn’t a passive victim either but took action in her attempts to protect everyone. The author weaves the moral complexity of the case very well: you as the reader are left to decide who is the sinner and who is sinned against. The forbidden love story at the heart of it was beautifully done too.
A chilling, heartbreaking end, wonderfully told.
Thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC. Really recommend!
July 1, 2025
This is the story of Beatrice Cenci. A woman who is accused of murder and awaits her execution.
The year is 1599, and she is being held prisoner in a remote castle by her cruel father, but she is determined to prove she is no wallflower, she will show the world she a strong and determined woman who will not be bullied by strong, violent and powerful men. Beatrice will hold her head up and fight for herself and the baby growing inside of her.
I’ve read a lot of powerful stories, but this one took my breath away.
Elizabeth Fremantle is an exceptional writer and this novel is a wonderful piece of literature.
It’s one of those books I love to read, the atmosphere and emotion, along with the setting is to die for. Also the main character is portrayed perfectly.
No one writes this kind of historical fiction better than Elizabeth Fremantle, she is truly very good at what she does.
A fantastic book, and one I highly recommend.
The year is 1599, and she is being held prisoner in a remote castle by her cruel father, but she is determined to prove she is no wallflower, she will show the world she a strong and determined woman who will not be bullied by strong, violent and powerful men. Beatrice will hold her head up and fight for herself and the baby growing inside of her.
I’ve read a lot of powerful stories, but this one took my breath away.
Elizabeth Fremantle is an exceptional writer and this novel is a wonderful piece of literature.
It’s one of those books I love to read, the atmosphere and emotion, along with the setting is to die for. Also the main character is portrayed perfectly.
No one writes this kind of historical fiction better than Elizabeth Fremantle, she is truly very good at what she does.
A fantastic book, and one I highly recommend.
March 26, 2025
Beatrice Cenci had often been portrayed as a victim of a horrifying action.
If you are familiar with her story, you will be surprised by the accountings of this book.
Fremantle masterfully portrays Cenci as a complex, determined, resilient character who is hard to fully grasp.
This was one of the most powerful writing I have read in a historical novel in a while.
I understand Fremantle's perspective on evidence and I was not able to predict Cenci's trajectory.
Though, if the myth is not a myth, and if the evidence is incorrect, I am glad that side was told by artists such as Percy Shelley.
Why not hear another perspective?
Craft; 5 and more stars. It is so wonderful that I cannot stop thinking about it.
Plot and characterisation: 4.5 stars.
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
If you are familiar with her story, you will be surprised by the accountings of this book.
Fremantle masterfully portrays Cenci as a complex, determined, resilient character who is hard to fully grasp.
This was one of the most powerful writing I have read in a historical novel in a while.
I understand Fremantle's perspective on evidence and I was not able to predict Cenci's trajectory.
Though, if the myth is not a myth, and if the evidence is incorrect, I am glad that side was told by artists such as Percy Shelley.
Why not hear another perspective?
Craft; 5 and more stars. It is so wonderful that I cannot stop thinking about it.
Plot and characterisation: 4.5 stars.
Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
July 22, 2025
The Cenci family are notorious in Rome. Conte Cenci has had numerous feuds and two of his sons have been murdered in revenge so the family escapes to a mountain fortress for safety. There Beatrice falls in love with Olimpio, her father's steward, but when she falls pregnant her father believes that the child is his. Beatrice realises that her father has to die to stop him killing every one of them. However, when the deed is done, the family is suspected.
This novel is based on the story of Beatrice Cenci who was executed for the murder of her father in the late 16th century. Fremantle is an experienced writer of historical fiction and here she has woven the scant knowledge of the story into a sad tale about a family subject to domestic violence and who see death as the only way out. The romance bits are a little unconvincing but the rest is excellent.
This novel is based on the story of Beatrice Cenci who was executed for the murder of her father in the late 16th century. Fremantle is an experienced writer of historical fiction and here she has woven the scant knowledge of the story into a sad tale about a family subject to domestic violence and who see death as the only way out. The romance bits are a little unconvincing but the rest is excellent.
July 19, 2025
Fate really wasn’t on Beatrice’s side.
A harrowing revelation of a young women’s life in 1598 Rome. An abusive home, a prison like castle and a star crossed love story all contribute to Beatrice’s story.
I would definitely check the trigger warnings on this book before beginning this book, as like most historical books this does include the more disturbing elements.
I was really rooting for Beatrice and really hoped things would have turned out better for her, but I feel like the ending was a true reflective of the legal system during the time period.
If you love historical based fiction and books such as Circe I would definitely pick up this book. The Greek and Roman elements combine so nicely with the historical setting.
A harrowing revelation of a young women’s life in 1598 Rome. An abusive home, a prison like castle and a star crossed love story all contribute to Beatrice’s story.
I would definitely check the trigger warnings on this book before beginning this book, as like most historical books this does include the more disturbing elements.
I was really rooting for Beatrice and really hoped things would have turned out better for her, but I feel like the ending was a true reflective of the legal system during the time period.
If you love historical based fiction and books such as Circe I would definitely pick up this book. The Greek and Roman elements combine so nicely with the historical setting.
December 13, 2025
DNF at 90 pages.
This may well be as compelling as story as the blurb promises, but the 21st century language bounced me out on every page.
The problem for me is that if the author doesn't even try to moderate her modern language (rifles, bruisers, earshot etc) and constantly puts her heroine in situations which simply wouldn't have happened (high born Roman woman casually chatting with the housekeeper about her brutal authoritarian father's childhood), then I feel like I have lost all trust that she (the author) has put any effort into writing an authentic historical novel.
I hate to be so harsh, but what I read had so much promise and I feel terribly let down by the laziness of the writing.
This may well be as compelling as story as the blurb promises, but the 21st century language bounced me out on every page.
The problem for me is that if the author doesn't even try to moderate her modern language (rifles, bruisers, earshot etc) and constantly puts her heroine in situations which simply wouldn't have happened (high born Roman woman casually chatting with the housekeeper about her brutal authoritarian father's childhood), then I feel like I have lost all trust that she (the author) has put any effort into writing an authentic historical novel.
I hate to be so harsh, but what I read had so much promise and I feel terribly let down by the laziness of the writing.
August 11, 2025
This is my Elizabeth Fremantle book, and I was seriously impressed. Set in C16th Rome, it tells the real-life story of Beatrice Cenci.
The book is very well-researched and well-written. You feel you can see and almost smell the brutal world of violence and corruption that made up the world Beatrice was born into.
But the real skill of this writer is in showing us a character who is both victim and sinner, innocent and guilty. It's not always an easy read, but I was captivated throughout and would recommend it to anyone who loves quality historical novels.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC
The book is very well-researched and well-written. You feel you can see and almost smell the brutal world of violence and corruption that made up the world Beatrice was born into.
But the real skill of this writer is in showing us a character who is both victim and sinner, innocent and guilty. It's not always an easy read, but I was captivated throughout and would recommend it to anyone who loves quality historical novels.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC
April 29, 2025
A great look into morality and religion. Elizabeth Fremantle has created such deep, nuanced characters with such different reactions to the situations they find themselves in. Bea, the protagonist, is fantastically thoughtful and lyrical. Her story is so tragic and we are allowed to live it with her through her fear, love, hatred, hopes and ultimately her loss.
I will definitely seek out more works by Elizabeth Fremantle as I thoroughly enjoyed her style of writing and how it makes you think and feel for the characters.
I will definitely seek out more works by Elizabeth Fremantle as I thoroughly enjoyed her style of writing and how it makes you think and feel for the characters.
May 22, 2025
I just loved this. I hadn’t heard of the true story that this was based on and made a point to not do any research before finishing. The re-telling is written beautifully, bringing you through all of the emotions and frustration with the characters. I enjoyed the concept and felt like the modernisation dealt with difficult topics really well. I couldn’t put this book down, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend. I’ll be going to find other books by Elizabeth Fremantle and will keep an eye out for future books, too!
August 14, 2025
The trouble was I knew where this book was going from the outset, because it said it was based on an historical character. Now I’ve read plenty of historical novels so I’m not sure why this one ran out of steam for me. The writing is quite good, pacing ok, but somehow at page 125 I couldn’t get any further because I knew the whole storyline.
Beatrice violently oppressed and abused by her malignant father, falls in love with Olympio his retainer (a love that can never be), gets pregnant, loses Olympio, kills her father and then is judged and condemned.
Beatrice violently oppressed and abused by her malignant father, falls in love with Olympio his retainer (a love that can never be), gets pregnant, loses Olympio, kills her father and then is judged and condemned.
May 23, 2025
I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book. The author really has a gift for making you feel the danger that the characters are in in every chapter. It is a tense, emotional roller coaster that will have you holding your breath and hoping that things will turn out okay. Beatrice was a brilliant, strong character and her love story was urgent and believable. All the characters were well written and well rounded, and Fremantle really does have a gift for writing a villain!
December 22, 2025
This was read in one sitting and i was gripped from start to finish. I loved the whole cast of characters (excluding the obvious one) and even though the outcome was kind of expected, i was still on the edge of my seat even in the final chapter. Beatrice Cenci was such an interesting character to follow and Elizabeth Fremantle did not disappoint in the writing of her. This was an excellent read and it's one i'd recommend everyone read!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
May 13, 2025
History is a very dark topic but fascinating non the less. This is the bones of a true story which has been fleshed out and embellishments added. A really tragic and emotional read. Very captivating and emotive. Highly recommend
August 19, 2025
A really interesting and informative book. It was slow paced but incredibly well written.
I didn't know anything about this before reading, so it was fascinating to read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't know anything about this before reading, so it was fascinating to read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2025
This was SOOO good!! Thank you to Penguin Michael Joseph for sending me an ARC copy - full review to come
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