As I think Anna Mazzola is one of the best historical fiction writers around, I was thrilled to be sent a hardback copy (with the cover above) of her latest novel, The Book of Secrets. My enormous thanks to Frankie Banks (previously at Orion) for that copy. With paperback release day on 11th July fast approaching, it’s my absolute pleasure to share my review of The Book of Secrets today.

You’ll find my reviews of Anna’s The Clockwork Girls and The Story Keeper here.

The Book of Secrets is published by Orion and is available for purchase through the links here.

The Book of Secrets

Rome, 1659.

Some secrets are worth dying for…

Girolama Spana lives west of the river Tiber in a house marked by a lily and a garden full of herbs. Many women in Rome seek her help – although they would never admit it – eager for her mysterious balms, her love potions, and her ability to predict their futures.

Even against the splendour of the Eternal City, Giroloma’s secret recipes are the women’s most precious possessions – and their husbands’ most feared. So when men are reported dying in unnatural numbers, the gaze of Stefano Bracchi, prosecutor for the papal authorities, falls quickly on Girolama and her suspected sorcery.

Soon she will face the greatest danger she has ever known – but Girolama has always vowed that in life there are secrets we write down, secrets we pass on, and some that we carry to our deaths…

The Book of Secrets is inspired by real events that took place in 17th century Italy.

My Review of The Book of Secrets

Stefano Bracchi is investigating a series of deaths.

The Book of Secrets is brilliant. The quality of Anna Mazzola’s writing is incredibly impressive; partly due to the fact that her narrative is based in meticulously researched real events, partly because of the perfect plotting, short, gripping chapters and the mix of realism with possible witchcraft, and partly as a result of the faultless narrative tone which is accessible and yet just right for the 1600s era. Combined, these elements mean that The Book of Secrets becomes far greater than the sum of its parts and is a fascinating, mesmerising and enthralling story.

There are engaging and entertaining twists and turns in an exciting plot that is historical, magical and has mystery at its heart so that it appeals to lovers of many genres. However, it was the themes of the story that I found so fascinating. Anna Mazzola tells an eternal story of man’s inhumanity to women with a freshness that doesn’t moralise bluntly, but rather educates and informs with such clarity that I found myself enraged every bit as much as entertained. The role of women in society, the fine balance between right and wrong, the concept of the end justifying the means, and the way perception and self-delusion can distort our behaviour and morality are intelligent, compelling and relevant to the modern reader, every bit as much as they are to the characters of the story.

Indeed, the characterisation is complex and thought provoking. At the opposite ends of events, Stefano and Girolama have far more in common than they may imagine, though you need to read the book to understand why as I’m not going to spoil the story. The impact of gender and social class, and the reasons why we become what we become are aspects underpinning all the characters, and these are illustrated with sensitivity and conviction, making for such a fabulous story. I particularly loved the Shakespearean Marcello. He is the voice of reason, a kind of touchstone against whom we can measure and judge the likes of Baranzone. There’s quite a cast of characters and each is distinct, layered and believable – indeed some are all too authentic and elicit a range of violent and emotional responses in the reader because they are so impactful.

I absolutely loved The Book of Secrets. It’s so hard to review without giving away too much of the plot, but it’s hard to imagine a better depiction of the poison inquisition in Rome in 1656. It’s one of those books that calls to the reader when they aren’t actually reading it and it reverberates in the mind after it is finished because it is immersive, entertaining and completely superb. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

About Anna Mazzola

Anna Mazzola is an award-winning and critically acclaimed novelist. Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Allan Poe Award, and her third novel, The Clockwork Girl, was a Sunday Times historical fiction pick for 2022.

You can follow Anna on Twitter/X @Anna_Mazz and visit her website for more information. You’ll also find her on Instagram and Facebook.