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Publisher: Padlock
Mystery Press |
Release
Date: May 1, 2003 |
ISBN:
0966202066 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Trade Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
History Mystery |
Reviewed:
2003 |
Reviewer:
Brenda Weeaks |
Reviewer
Notes:
Click here for her web site. |
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Key
Confrontations
Italian Renaissance Mystery, No. 2
By M.E.
Cooper
One
thing I enjoy about history mysteries is being plunged into a historical
milieu while playing armchair sleuth. The most recent Italian Renaissance
Mystery, Key Confrontations, takes one back to a well-known
era to solve the murder of someone close to widowed locksmith Avisa
Baglatoni. Immediately, Avisa is suspect and she prudently heads
to a convent to await the conclusion of the investigation. She has
her own theories and so will readers. Avisa and the blind solider
married to her cherished friend leave nothing in the dust. When
the air clears, there are plenty of suspects and the ending is absolutely
shocking.
Ms.
Cooper is clever at plotting a mystery. She's an impressive storytelling
and skilled in historical placement. She seems to be quite knowledgeable
in the Italian Renaissance period. Historically, the atmosphere,
the mystery, the characters, and the dialogue were all notable.
Not once did I fall out of the era, which is often the case when
an author comes up short in historical setting or slips into common
dialogue.
The
Italian Renaissance series is one those small press works that shouldn't
be underestimated. The series can hold its own against any of the
bigger publishers. Highly recommended.
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