One murder ignites the powder keg that threatens to consume the Medici's Florence. Amidst the chaos, five women and one legendary artist weave together a plot that could bring peace, or get them all killed. Seeking to wrest power from the Medici family in 15th Century Florence, members of the Pazzi family drew their blades in a church and slew Giuliano. But Lorenzo de Medici survives, and seeks revenge on everyone involved, plunging the city into a murderous chaos that takes dozens of lives. Bodies are dragged through the streets, and no one is safe. Five women steal away to a church to ply their craft in secret. Viviana, Fiammetta, Isabetta, Natasia, and Mattea are painters, not allowed to be public with their skill, but freed from the restrictions in their lives by their art. When a sixth member of their group, Lapaccia, goes missing and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting as she vanished, the women must venture out into the dangerous streets to find their friend and see her safe. They will have help from one of the most renowned painters of their era the peaceful and kind Leonardo Da Vinci. It is under his tutelage that they will flourish as artists, and with his access that they will infiltrate some of the highest, most secretive places in Florence, unraveling one conspiracy as they build another in its place. Historical fiction at its finest, Donna Russo Morin begins a series of Da Vinci s disciples with a novel both vibrant and absorbing, perfect for the readers of Sarah Dunant."
Donna Russo Morin is the award winning of author of historical fiction. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, she lives near the shore with her partner, Carl. Her two sons, Devon and Dylan--an opera singer and chef--are still her greatest works in progress.
Donna enjoys meeting with book groups in person and via Skype chat. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com;
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My Thoughts
A plot is afoot to murder the Medici's, members of the Pazzi (a banking family) family plot a conspiracy to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano to oust the Medici family as rulers of Florence. One of the Medici's survives and exacts revenge on the Pazzi family. Lorenzo survives and is out for revenge. Most of the conspirators were soon caught and executed; five, including Francesco de' Pazzi, were hanged from the windows of the Palazzo della Signoria.
Five women, all friends, and artists, have to paint in secret and when one of the women disappears, supposedly also stealing a picture, they need to figure out what happened to her. They find out that the picture that is missing is a painting of the conspiracy and who was involved. To protect their friend, they set out to paint another painting like the first one. They all have sketches and with the help of Leonardo da Vinci, they create this painting. The women have to paint in secret as it is against the law for a woman to paint.
Renaissance Florence is a conflicted place to live as the Medici's are large and in charge. As Portrait of Conspiracy continues the reader learns more about each of the women and how the strength of all of them, bring the men involved in the conspiracy to justice, all without the Medici's knowledge. A passage at the end of the book caught my eye and it is "Together, there is not a greater power than the strength of women bound to each other." A very true statement and one that these women firmly believe.
I enjoy this time period in history in Europe, a time when women's worth depended on their dowry and whether they can give their husband's heirs. I love a story with a strong woman as the protagonist, but in this historical novel, there were five. Plus it was interesting learning about Leonardo da Vinci who played a big part also.
This novel was very well researched and told about an actual conspiracy that took place in Medici's Florence.
I received a copy of this book for review and my honest thoughts.
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