Items related to The Second Duchess
This is a dazzling tale of love, sumptuous splendour and conspiracy in the Italian Renaissance court of Ferrara, from the brilliant author of The Flower Reader. Barbara of Austria is plain, quick-witted and sensible. She also desperately needs a husband, for unmarried at twenty-six, she is about to be packed off to a convent, like her sisters before her. So it is that she seizes what seems to be her last chance - a proposal of marriage from Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, Lucrezia Borgia's grandson, clever, handsome, powerful - and widely believed to have murdered his first wife, Lucrezia de Medici. Barbara goes into her marriage clear-eyed, fascinated by her dangerous, enigmatic new husband - and increasingly - recklessly - driven to discover the truth about the death of his first duchess.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"Think The Other Boleyn Girl meets Rebecca" (C.S. Harris, author of the Sebastian St Cyr mystery series)
"The Second Duchess is one of those rare books that have everything; an engaging plot, well drawn characters, luxurious locations and a thrilling final denouement. This book will delight fans of historical fiction and offers something a little different from other books of the genre." (Bookbag)
"The historical mystery at the heart of this excellent novel kept me turning pages late into the night, even as I admonished myself to slow down and savour the feast for the senses laid out on each page. The story was compelling and the voice utterly intriguing" (Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of The Heretic's Wife)
"She creates such a vivid sense of the magnificence of an Italian Renaissance court with her tissues of silver and braids of emeralds, silk stomachers and damascene daggers, candied angelica and rice pudding rolled in cinnamon; festivals, hunts and balls all the more splendid because of the poisons and thumbscrews and murder going on underneath. Alfonso is fascinating... but Barbara is the jewel here. Her courage and candour seduce the reader as well as her enigmatic new husband" (Cecelia Holland, author of The Secret Eleanor and Great Maria)
Book Description:
"The Second Duchess is one of those rare books that have everything; an engaging plot, well drawn characters, luxurious locations and a thrilling final denouement. This book will delight fans of historical fiction and offers something a little different from other books of the genre." (Bookbag)
"The historical mystery at the heart of this excellent novel kept me turning pages late into the night, even as I admonished myself to slow down and savour the feast for the senses laid out on each page. The story was compelling and the voice utterly intriguing" (Brenda Rickman Vantrease, author of The Heretic's Wife)
"She creates such a vivid sense of the magnificence of an Italian Renaissance court with her tissues of silver and braids of emeralds, silk stomachers and damascene daggers, candied angelica and rice pudding rolled in cinnamon; festivals, hunts and balls all the more splendid because of the poisons and thumbscrews and murder going on underneath. Alfonso is fascinating... but Barbara is the jewel here. Her courage and candour seduce the reader as well as her enigmatic new husband" (Cecelia Holland, author of The Secret Eleanor and Great Maria)
A dazzling tale of love, sumptuous splendour and conspiracy in the Italian Renaissance court of Ferrara, from the brilliant author of The Flower Reader.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPreface Publishing
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 1848093837
- ISBN 13 9781848093836
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages336
- Rating
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The Second Duchess
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ISBN 13: 9781848093836
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Second Duchess This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781848093836
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781848093836
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Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP77137500
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Book Description Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 1-1848093837-G
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