What do you think?
Rate this book
Guardia: A Novel of Renaissance Italy
Florence, 1423 - A city of wealth, art, and danger. When a mysterious body turns up on the banks of the Arno in the seedy Ognissanti district, it is up to Mercurio Capolupo, investigator for the Bargello and officer of the Otto di Guardia e Balia, to determine the victim's identity and solve the riddle of its fate. What he uncovers is a conspiracy that could shake the Republic of Florence to its very foundations. Guardia is a tale that weaves from the palaces of the Florentine elite to the hidden cells of the criminal underbelly, from urban markets, taverns and brothels, through the forlorn recesses of ancient ruins and across the verdant Tuscan countryside.
- GenresMystery
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2014
About the author
Michael Crews
2 books3 followersMichael Crews is the author of two books, a non-fiction historical study called Heretical Usurers, Magnificent Statesmen and recently his first novel, Guardia. Currently he is doing research for an upcoming collection of short stories featuring the main protagonist in Guardia, Mercurio Capolupo.
Michael grew up in California and currently lives in San Diego. He graduated from UCSB, majoring in Economics and French. Later, he received his MA from SDSU in History with an emphasis in economic history of the Renaissance.
Michael enjoys hiking and the outdoors, and getting away from civilization helps him to keep the creative juices flowing. He also loves traveling and studying languages.
Michael grew up in California and currently lives in San Diego. He graduated from UCSB, majoring in Economics and French. Later, he received his MA from SDSU in History with an emphasis in economic history of the Renaissance.
Michael enjoys hiking and the outdoors, and getting away from civilization helps him to keep the creative juices flowing. He also loves traveling and studying languages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 22, 2014
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this book. I am a history major, and have taken a few university level courses on the Renaissance, but I have never taken a class that dealt with the history of Renaissance Italy in such depth, so I was excited to read this book. For the first few chapters I looked up the historical references to make sure they were accurate. Every reference I checked was correct so after chapter five I stopped and just let myself enjoy the book. It is so nice to relax into a historical fiction novel and know that you are learning about history, rather than just reading an author’s interpretation of history. There is nothing wrong with pure fiction or fantasy, but when I read historical fiction I like for it to be accurate.
If anything, GUARDIA suffers from too much accuracy. It gets bogged down in the beginning by all of the Italian words and place names. However, you get used to this after a while.
This is the type of book that you might want to read with a dictionary handy, unless you are the kind of person who knows exactly what a “trepanner’s auger” is without looking it up. I actually like learning new words when I read, but some people might find it frustrating that the author always seems to choose the most complex or obscure words. This book is not a mindless read.
I found the mystery engaging, but could have used a bit more character development. I never felt connected to any of the main characters. Also, for every sentence I loved there seemed to be another sentence that was clumsy. However, some of the imagery was very skillfully crafted.
I would recommend this book for people who have more than a passing interest in history and want to lose themselves in a mystery. After reading this book you will feel like you spent some time in Florence in the year 1423.
Full Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
If anything, GUARDIA suffers from too much accuracy. It gets bogged down in the beginning by all of the Italian words and place names. However, you get used to this after a while.
This is the type of book that you might want to read with a dictionary handy, unless you are the kind of person who knows exactly what a “trepanner’s auger” is without looking it up. I actually like learning new words when I read, but some people might find it frustrating that the author always seems to choose the most complex or obscure words. This book is not a mindless read.
I found the mystery engaging, but could have used a bit more character development. I never felt connected to any of the main characters. Also, for every sentence I loved there seemed to be another sentence that was clumsy. However, some of the imagery was very skillfully crafted.
I would recommend this book for people who have more than a passing interest in history and want to lose themselves in a mystery. After reading this book you will feel like you spent some time in Florence in the year 1423.
Full Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
November 10, 2015
3/1423, Florence & its 4 main gates: the Porta alla Croce, Porta al Prato, Porta Romana & Porta San Gallo were a quite a sight to behold.
Capo Mercurio di Matteo Capolupo (narrator, Commander/Investigator of the Bargello, Otto di Guardia Italy’s governmental agent) & Pietro (partner/protégé, Otto di Guardia agent) are investigating the drowned victim that just washed ashore at the Ponte alla Carraia.
Lucca (Benedictine clergy), Martin (Benedictine clergy, Lucca’s woolworker) & Friar Raffaele Bendonati (Benedictine Ognissanti) greeted Mercurio & Pietro as they came to look at the murdered body resting at the Chiesa di Ognissanti (church).
The 2 were headed back to Bargello (town) where their headquarters is located to file their reports.
Lauro (Otto di Guardia agent) & Francesco (Otto di Guardia agent) were helping out on the case also.
All 4 reported to Comandatore Jacopo Orsini (Otto di Guardia, Oltrarno section).
On the investigation Bartolomeo Neri (goldsmith, Ponte Vecchio) was interviewed by chance.
His brother Ugo Neri had not returned home.
Bartolomeo was escorted back to the Chiesa di Ognissanti.
It was his deceased brother Ugo.
Now to find the killer(s).
Tino (Corsican, Carlo’s thug) was killed.
Next, Carlo Il Coltello (aka The Knife, gangster, loan shark) was killed in the local brothel.
2 suspects were now eliminated.
Will Mercurio & his cohorts solve this crime?
If so who will be brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written Italian 14th. Century Renaissance era historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. History was 1 of my many undergrads. This could also make another great 14th. Century Renaissance era crime movie, or mini TV series. Just like the Godfather. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Capo Mercurio di Matteo Capolupo (narrator, Commander/Investigator of the Bargello, Otto di Guardia Italy’s governmental agent) & Pietro (partner/protégé, Otto di Guardia agent) are investigating the drowned victim that just washed ashore at the Ponte alla Carraia.
Lucca (Benedictine clergy), Martin (Benedictine clergy, Lucca’s woolworker) & Friar Raffaele Bendonati (Benedictine Ognissanti) greeted Mercurio & Pietro as they came to look at the murdered body resting at the Chiesa di Ognissanti (church).
The 2 were headed back to Bargello (town) where their headquarters is located to file their reports.
Lauro (Otto di Guardia agent) & Francesco (Otto di Guardia agent) were helping out on the case also.
All 4 reported to Comandatore Jacopo Orsini (Otto di Guardia, Oltrarno section).
On the investigation Bartolomeo Neri (goldsmith, Ponte Vecchio) was interviewed by chance.
His brother Ugo Neri had not returned home.
Bartolomeo was escorted back to the Chiesa di Ognissanti.
It was his deceased brother Ugo.
Now to find the killer(s).
Tino (Corsican, Carlo’s thug) was killed.
Next, Carlo Il Coltello (aka The Knife, gangster, loan shark) was killed in the local brothel.
2 suspects were now eliminated.
Will Mercurio & his cohorts solve this crime?
If so who will be brought to justice?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written Italian 14th. Century Renaissance era historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. History was 1 of my many undergrads. This could also make another great 14th. Century Renaissance era crime movie, or mini TV series. Just like the Godfather. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Story Cartel; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
October 9, 2014
The book offers the right material as expected but and there is always a but because that's my opinion. I think the writer should be less cryptic about his writings.
March 14, 2015
Didn't finish.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews