Vendetta

by C. De Melo

Under the guise of "Beto," seventeen-year-old Isabetta Bastian runs her father's successful shipping business. Her older brother sails their commercial galley between Venice and Lisbon, exporting luxury textiles and importing exotic spices obtained by the Portuguese. A heinous crime shatters her ideal life, and a risky attempt to save the family business ends in failure. Now, she is forced to live with the harsh consequences. Resentment brews until she finally seeks the advice of her sophisticated neighbor, Veronica Franco. With the savvy courtesan's help, Isabetta devises a scheme to avenge her loved ones but will her fall from grace be worth a brilliant vendetta? Set amid sumptuous palazzos and lurking decay, this Renaissance mystery exposes the dark side of humanity.

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2020

About the author

I perform CPR on history & breathe life into the past...

Hello and welcome! After obtaining my Art History degree from UMASS Dartmouth in 2000, I was hired by an American university to coordinate educational programs throughout Italy. In 2007, I settled in Florence to work as a museum guide. I've been a full-time author since my first book (SABINA) hit #1 in 2014.

My specialty is historical fiction set in Italy, although I do write different genres. I'm a globetrotter and do my utmost to visit every city and historical site mentioned in my novels in order to provide readers with vibrant descriptions.

NOTE: Unfortunately, goodreads does not update book covers, so some of these here are outdated. Please visit my Amazon page by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/C.-De-Melo/e/B...

Reviews

[Abchap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book blurb doesn’t do justice to the wonderful book that ‘Vendetta’ really is.
Historically accurate and very remising of ‘The honest Courtisane’ made into the fame movie ‘A dangerous Beauty’ this account tells the story of Veronica Franco’s fictional neighbor Isabetta Bastian.
Christine de Melo is extremely gifted in situational description. One doesn’t read a book but lives a story alongside the well developped characters.
In ‘Vendetta’, she describes a 1570 Venice, period in history when women’s condition was intrinsically connected to the men in their life , father, brother, uncle … A time when being a strong women often meant you either lost your reputation or ended a spinster.

This book is in a complex genre of mystery romantic historical fiction and the four sides of the genre are all very well developed.
A perfect mix of life despair, love, revenge and unexpected surprises all the way to the end.

I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it.
Melissa Durbin did a strong job narrating this surprising tale.

[DrMatina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, well-written, and loaded with history. I was amazed to learn that the Bevilacqua textile store is still in existence in Venice to this day. I read this book in one rainy day. Could not put it down. Love the surprise ending too.

[Michelle Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet revenge

Really good story! Issabetta is so driven to go to any lengths to right the wrongs done to her family. The story takes you on a path you never saw coming. And just when you think all is done....surprise!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a setting so vivid that one can almost see the sumptuousness of Venetian life in 1570, this is Isabetta Bastian's story, and the revenge she takes on the men who stole the ship and killed her brother and father. Isabetta Bastian is an enigma in Venetian society. She cares not what women are expected to do, she wants to sail her father's ship, the Tramonto. Zanetto Bastian already has his daughter doing the ordering, accounting and correspondence for his business because she's so good with numbers. She goes by the name of Betto, the masculine form of Betta, so she can pass herself off as a male. But when a spice and textile vendor sets his prices unreasonably high they are forced to make some changes. Their partner, Alfonso, sends his son Silvio to work things out with Isabetta's brother, Rocco. Silvio and Isabetta form a bond and, when he is sent in search of textiles, he promises to write to her and come back, but all is not as it seems. Isabetta and her family are unaware that someone is conspiring to take away their ship and it results in the deaths of the Roco and Zanetto. Isabetta makes a plan for revenge which turns into a story of twists, turns, joy and sorrow. There are surprises with doublecross, sexual deviancy, desire and sin, but there's a deep sadness for Isabetta. There is decay beneath the shiny veneer of success, and the sins of their debauchery are about to be discovered. Her revenge is complete, but at what cost.
Melissa Durbin does a tremendous job with the narration. Her dynamic voice brings each of the characters to life.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover and blurb do not do this audible justice - it was so addictive, with crime, passion, intrigue, false turns but also some historical facts (which seem to be very well researched).

I just had to keep listening to see what was going to happen and loved the ending and other bits, cant say any more due to spoilers.
The narration also suited it - I didn't find it too American like other reviewers.

I am so glad that I went out of my comfort zone to listen to this - so worth my time.

I was given a free copy by the author and the book club audible listeners but the review is entirely my own.

[S. Nomakeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing To The End
I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. Our heroine, Isabetta Bastian adopts an alter-identity to justify her role in the family business. She creates a third identity when seeking those who tragically changed her life forever. After a careful build up of the character and her surroundings, the 'Vendetta' begins and she skillfully begins the takedown. The ending was unexpected but conclusive. I couldn't put the book down. The narration was good. I recommend this book to any lovers of historical fiction.

[Callie McCreery · Rating 5 out of 5]

love & revenge

I really enjoyed this one! It had plenty of twist and did not end at all as expected! Isabetta’s story has plenty of “I am woman, hear me roar” with some mystery, sex, and of course, revenge! Definitely recommend to fans of historical fiction/drama.

[Allison R. Hutchison]

The ratings star system appears to be broken. It will not let me enter more than one star. A pity, since I would have given this book 4 or 5 stars. Love books by de Melo.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should really be 3.5. Not really my thing. There's a full review on Amazon.

[Alan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars 🌟 excellent

[Brittany Elizabeth Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Just wow. What a book to read that was refreshing and before it’s time! I feel empowered reading it but also, excitingly rooting on Isabetta. Bravo!

[Monique Corbeil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into the story.
The plot is more predictable than it normally is in the other books of de Melo. However she can still create this atmosphere of being there. Finally loved the book.