Poison in the Blood: The Memoirs of Lucrezia Borgia

by M.G. Scarsbrook

1497, Renaissance in their ruthless quest for power, the powerful Borgia family are terrorizing the city, poisoning their enemies. But when Lucrezia Borgia learns that her new husband is next to die, she struggles to help him escape from Rome before the assassins strike. However, as tragedy looms ever closer, she finds herself confronting enemies far more sinister than she ever imagined...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Italy, Fiction, 15th Century, Historical, Renaissance, Art

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2010

About the author

M. G. Scarsbrook is the author of four novels and the editor of four literary collections. Since 2011 his books have sold more than 20,000 copies worldwide and been translated into five languages. English editions of his work are sold in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats at all major online bookstores. A member of the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association and the Society of Authors, he lives in the UK and is working as a manuscript editor while also writing his next novel.

To learn more, please visit:

https://thecwa.co.uk/find-an-author/s...

https://www.societyofauthors.org/writ...

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the name Borgia is well known for their power hungry and decadent lifestyle, little is known of Lucrezia, the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI. She was certainly a pawn in her father’s quest for power, in that he married her off to three different members of European nobility in order to advance his political ambitions. She was also thought to have had an illegitimate child by a lover. However, the extent of her complicity in the political machinations of her father and brothers is unclear.

Contemporary accounts say Lucrezia had heavy blonde hair which fell past her knees, a beautiful complexion, hazel eyes which constantly changed colour, a full, high bosom, and a natural grace. Although I doubt anyone in 15th century Italy would have dared describe the Pope’s only daughter as ‘homely’.

History says Cesare Borgia suffered from syphilis and to cover his scars wore a mask and dressed in black. Insanely jealous of her second husband, Alfonso of Aragon (Duke of Bisceglie) when the Prince visited them in Rome, Cesare's men attacked him during the night. To retaliate, Alfonso's men shot arrows at Cesare while he strolled in the garden. This infuriated Cesare, and he had his servant strangle Alfonso while in the recovery room. Lucrezia and Alfonso had an infant, Rodrigo, who predeceased his mother in August 1512 at the age of 12.

It is this marriage and Cesare’s hatred of Alfonso that Matthew Scarsbrook’s Poison In The Blood deals with in a fast paced and very readable way. His Lucrezia is a young and relatively innocent girl with a conscience, whose father rejected her mother when she was small, and whom she is forbidden to see. Lucrezia's betrothal to Alfonso of Aragon is arranged by her family, but she determines to be a good wife. To her horror, Lucrezia discovers her brother Cesare, is not the loving sibling she believes him to be.

When Pope Alexander and Cesare go on campaign to defeat their enemies, Lucrezia is tasked with keeping the cardinals of the Vatican in order. Lucrezia seeks advice from Nicollo Machiavelli, the philosopher and poet, and performs well, but she is also aware that when her men return, Alfonso’s days are numbered.

Just when I was at the point of deciding this Lucrezia was a little too virtuous, her Borgia ancestry emerges and she persuades Cesare to spare her husband’s life by giving him what he most wants.

I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of an ancient story and anyone who enjoys Medieval Italy, love, betrayal and a strong, resourceful heroine on a knife edge, will enjoy this well researched and well written book.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Historical accuracy? Forget it.
Too much of this book bears too little resemblance to actual fact and the characters, devoid of depth and complexity, amount to little more than caricatures - saintly innocent Lucrezia and the scheming, murderous archvillains Cesare and Alexander VI. As for the last part of the book, all I have to say is: What in the name of fuckery is this heap of complete and utter BS?
Either Scarsbrook neglected to do any research and spun this tale out of little more than half-remembered factoids and vicious rumours, peppered with quite a bit of invention, or he merely cherrypicked a few bits and pieces to jumble into this plot that turned into ever more of a ridiculously nonsensical mess towards the end - either way, this piece of historical fiction was certainly a lot more fictional than historical.

[Petya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Непретенциозна книга с динамично действие, недостоверна исторически, но с интересно изградени образи и любопитен поглед не само върху Борджиите, но върху Макиавели. От известно време ме интригува Лукреция Борджия, ще търся и други книги за нея.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

/ reread 16 sierpień - 16 październik

[Rissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

An easy read however, poorly written. it reminds me of a play written by a highschool student where the flow and vocabulary are not artistically done nor complex enough.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Until fairly recently the only historical novels I read on any sort of regular basis were those of Philippa Gregory but thanks to LindyLouMac's Book Reviews and the opportunity to review some other historical writers my horizons have been expanded. I have always considered my tastes very eclectic but am nowadays more likely to consider reading this genre, than I have been for years. With the themes of the stories based on real life characters it can be an interesting way to learn a little history. I admit to knowing very little about the historical background surrounding Lucrezia Borgia before reading this novel, so this easy and quick read was a pleasurable way to learn a little more about her.
Set in Renaissance Rome in 1497 it also was a good choice for my May entry for the Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011 The daughter of Pope Alexander VI, Lucrezia Borgia leads a sheltered life amongst the glamour of the Vatican City. Yet after a brutal killing shocks the city, she learns that all is not as it seems and that her father’s court holds dark secrets. She discovers that her own brother, Cesare and father are willing to commit murder to protect their own lifestyle and love of power.
Written as a memoir narrated by Lucrezia in the first person the blend of fiction and historical fact makes her come alive on the pages as she relates to us the intrigue and tragedy of her fathers court. There is no doubt in my mind that Pope Alexander VI was a nasty and brutal man, I disliked his character immensely. Even I knew of the historical connections of the Borgia family to poison, plus the title of the book so it was no surprise that the poison aspect brings the suspense to a story which I recommend to fans of historical novels looking for a quick read.


For the post in full please visit LindyLouMac's Book Reviews
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment for me. The story of Lucrezia and the Borgias is very loosely linked to this novel. The inaccuracies were great. The timeline was wrong, there was no mention of key people, eg: Caterina Sforza or Lucrezia's first or third husband. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, Cesare is stereotype bad guy, Alexander is a cold, unloving, cruel father, Lucrezia is a little bit Mary-Sue. The ending was ridiculous. I won't spoil it for anyone that actually wants to read the book but let's just say it's pretty far from the historical record. The one good thing was that there wasn't a hint of incest.

[Elizabeth Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken as a novel, lots of fun. Taken as a historical novel, lots of "huh?". Key facts from the life of the real Lucrezia Borgia are omitted, dates are rearranged, and events central to the telling of Scarsbrook's story veer so far from the known record, that it's sometimes a leap to stay in the narrative. Enjoy the tale, but don't take it as the gospel truth.

[Hermien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining but she is way off the mark with actual dates and events (according to Mr Google). This was quite confusing after having read other books about the Borgias and watched the tv series.

[Melanie's · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely fascinating!! A very different view from the TV series but totally addicting. I hated putting it down!!! Anyone who has any interest in historical novels should give it a read.

[Katie Gronsbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written
fast paced
not all of history is told in this book
enjoyable read nonetheless

[e. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Idiotyczna; język rodem z podrzędnego fanfiction. Obok prawdziwej historii Borgiów to to nawet nie leżało.

[Joanna Zofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Płytko zarysowane postacie, dość mocno papierowe. Był potencjał w historii ale nie zostały dobrze wykorzystany

[Lucy Bertoldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t know quite what to expect when I began reading Scarsbrook’s new novel: Poison in The Blood. How was this historical novel going to be any different from the one (by a different author) I just recently read on Lucrezia? Honestly, I often find it difficult to read same subject- character books, one right after the other. So, needless to say, my excitement was not that great- but, I was on for the ride.
Well, I couldn’t have been more surprised! Not only did I get a novel filled with more than the basic history as I know it (perfect timeframe, setting and figures) but this one is also a memoir. Written in the first person, Poison in the Blood brilliantly portrays Lucrezia’s smarts, her compassion, love, strength of character and wit; something that is not always easily achieved when writing in this perspective.
But really, the thing that I found most interesting in this novel was the poison twist. Historically, the Borgias have always been suspected of dabbling in this area- so why not a novel exposing this? Scarsbrook is brilliant in weaving a plot that ties fiction and history together. Granted, the ending (which I will not give away!) is different from the real history; nevertheless, it could have been quite plausible, with the outcome of Lucrezia definitely being a less-maligned historical heroine.
I particularly enjoyed scenes involving Lucrezia’s estranged mother, as well as the famous Machiavelli himself. These touches within the book brought Lucrezia to life for me. Her thoughts, emotions and actions made her so real that I began to empathize with her. Her father, the grand schemer of things was as brutal and conniving as we know. But, Cesare shows another side of his, as well (Though don’t get fooled he’s still bad!). Living such a twisted life, Lucrezia, who is usually portrayed as a pawn, was clever and strong in reversing her fate. And, that’s what I loved most.
Brilliantly crafted, Poison in the Blood is a quick and engaging read that does not feign its way through the history. Rather, it brings an element of ‘what if’ that is splendidly interpreted into something more than just plain history. Scarsbrook has re-invented the past in this work of fiction by bringing in suspense with a twist to create a book that is well worth reading.
Category: YA
Loved it!

[L'aura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm torn. The book is little less than just plain awful and hands down one of the most unaccurate I've ever read. I'm not sure who Scarsbrook is, but I definitely thought, while reading, that she (he?) has to be an early 20th century writer trying to romanticize things by playing with the very much historical characters she (he?) could dispose of. Maybe, I told myself, she/he even only had unreliable, corrupted sources. Well, I didn't really google her (him?) afterwards, I preferred to keep myself in doubt. Anyway: spoilers! The book starts in 1497, but Lucrezia has never been married so far. She is devastated by her not-even-so-beloved brother Juan's death, and goes murder-she-wrote-ing to find out who killed him. Of course she very soon begin to suspect Cesare. She is, however, married to Alfonso at some point, and the two befriend the Florentine ambassador Machiavelli (!!!) while he's writing The Prince in the Biblioteca Vaticana (!!!!). Lucrezia is very happy with Alfonso but she soon finds out that Cesare is a talented poisoner keeping a list of people to kill in his rooms. Of course the list doesn't even have nicknames on it so that everyone that's brave enough to go catwomaning in his bedroom (as Lucrezia is) can learn about his bad intentions--however, having seen that both the late Juan and Alfonso are on the list she runs away with her husband (!!!!!), but Cesare doesn't stop threatening the happy couple (and Machiavelli!!!!!)'s lives, and so on. The funny thing about this book is that it's so bad I almost liked it: its unwilling humour sometimes made my day... But other times it just made me roll my eyes, so you see, I really am torn. I should probably add that I liked Lucrezia's thing for anagrams (though it doesn't make sense for her to make them in English) and Alfonso's for syllables' misplacing (English again, but that's more understandable). I guess it's my favourite among the bad books. There.
(Also, THE TYPOS.)

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the characterizations, some of the dialogue felt unrealistic, and I couldn’t get passed some of the major historical inaccuracies (which I realize were intentional). I don’t consider myself a huge stickler for accuracy (some changes can be understandable) but this just went too far. I read historical fiction to get a dramatized idea of how actual historical events may have gone down or how actual historical figures may have felt and behaved - so when you change as much about history as this novel did, it’s no longer even plausible.

The character development was also very poor. I do have to give the author credit for Lucrezia’s acceptance of her arranged marriage. I’m sick of novels with women in history who object with shock to an arranged marriage as though it weren’t common place. But that alone was not enough. Alfonso is weak and cowardly so I don’t really understand why Lucrezia loves him. He’s not corrupt but I found him annoying. For example, at one point, he actually kicks a piece of furniture and pouts "I won't do it! I won't!" Likewise, Cesare once stamps his foot in frustration like a child.

Alexander is cold and disrespectful of Lucrezia from the start yet she’s later shocked by his heartlessness. Why? And why would she name her son after a father who constantly snaps at her for being too loud or asking a stupid question?

Of all the novels on Lucrezia out there, I wouldn’t recommend this one, especially if you’re looking for plausible historical fiction.

[Krisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK book. Loved the history. I knew little of the Borgias aside from the poisonings. I feel like I've missed a lot because so much time was spent on the interpersonal relationships between Lucrezia, her father the pope and her brother, Cesare. The author could have opened up the reader's world a little bit and spent less time, pages and pages less, analyzing Lucrezia's every decision. Information was repeated, which wastes time, and I don't like books that try to waste my time. I gave this three stars because there were a couple genuinely funny spots (far more misses), solid descriptive writing, one or two truisms illustrated through the actions of the characters and at least a good attempt at historical context. However, Lucrezia truly seemed like a 21st century woman in a 15th century world. A lot of writers of historical fiction do that. It bugs the hell out of me. So, three stars. Grudgingly.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don't think the kings and queens of England have anything on the ruling families of Italy.

The Borgia's were the top family in Rome, the father was the Pope...the most powerful man (I could say the world, but lets leave it as Europe at the time)

Of course power and corruption are going to intercede into their lives. This book was good, perhaps a little slow, and I am not really sure if Lucrezia is as innocent as she sounded in this book. I have some others books about this family I want to read so I can compare and contrast on that opinion.

I didn't like Alfonso...he was more the whiny one then his wife, which again raises my suspicions about Lucrezia.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, I don't really know much of anything about the Borgias. I always meant to read up on them, but have never gotten around to it. So I can only speak to this book as a work of fiction. It was rather awful. Are we supposed to be sympathetic to Lucrezia? Because I didn't like her at all. Her husband seemed borderline mentally handicapped. Her brother and father were like cardboard cutouts of villains. And all the events that happened in the end happened a little too closely together to be believable. Blech.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Lucrezia Borgia and her husband Alfonso of Aragon covering the years 1497-1500.
There is no mention of her first marriage (or her third).

An interesting story with a strong emphasis on "fiction". Many of the events reported in the book
are not supported by history. The most positive fact--Pope Alexander VI (head of the House of Borgia) was
a horrible person.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a little while to get started but once it did, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the story immensely, but only give it three stars because there were some writing errors. Also, while I love historical fiction this strays a little too far from the actual story for my undergrad history major's comfort.

[Irka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muszę przyznać, że początek był całkiem ciekawy, niestety pod koniec byłam rozczarowana i zirytowana postacią głównej bohaterki - z inteligentnej kobiety o dużych wpływach i mecenaski sztuki zrobiono tu naiwną, ślepo zakochaną blondyneczkę. Nie polecam tym, dla których historia Borgiów jest "konikiem".

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not that great.

[Amanda Burri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a lot of facts here, but fun to read.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not find this version very historically accurate, nor did I think the character development was that great.

[Trinette · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of typos in this book...a lot of bad similies too. And don't expect historical accuracy in any measure, it's wildly off the historic track.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much in the way of historical fact, but very engaging and entertaining.

[Reed]

e book

[Georgi Iliev · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a good and accurate historical novel, this is not for you. But if you want a story about rainbows and ponnies but trough historical view, well then is for you.