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Goldsboro Books

9781398714304

The Book of Secrets

The Book of Secrets

by Anna Mazzola

Publisher Orion

Released:

  • Signed & Pre-publication Dated by the author
  • Hardback
  • UK First Edition, First Printing


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About the book

The thrilling and unputdownable new novel from bestselling author of The Clockwork Girl, Anna Mazzola!

'Vividly alive with menace, magic, and mystery' ESSIE FOX

'Exceptional. Anna Mazzola's finest work yet' ELODIE HARPER

Rome, 1659.

Months after the plague has ravaged Rome, men are still dying in unnatural numbers, and rumour has it that their corpses do not decay as they should. The Papal authorities commission prosecutor Stefano Bracchi to investigate, telling him he will need considerable mettle to reach the truth.

To the west of the Tiber, Girolama and her female friends are at work, helping other women with childbirths and foretelling their futures. Elsewhere in the city, a young wife, Anna, must find a way to escape her abusive husband. But in a city made by men for men, there are no easy paths out.

Stefano's investigation at the Tor di Nona prison will introduce him to horror, magic and an astonishing cast of characters. He will be left wondering if certain deeds should remain forever unpunished...

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

Praise for The Book of Secrets:

'Dark, viscerally-atmospheric and richly-imagined' TAMMY COHEN

'
Utterly compelling, brilliant and rage-inducingCAROLINE LEA

'
Deeply unsettling in all the best ways. Absolutely loved it!' JAMES OSWALD

'
Compelling and brilliantly atmospheric' ANDREW TAYLOR

'Rich and satisfying... another superb historical thriller from Anna Mazzola' CAROLINE GREEN

'
A hugely entertaining read but also an important one in an era when women's rights are being called into question. Magnificent' LIZ NUGENT

'A fascinating, evocative, darkly beautiful story. A compelling tale of female strength & ancient knowledge'
HELEN FIELDS

'A powerful, perceptive page turner. Feminist historical fiction that is chillingly timely. Bravo!'
D V BISHOP

'I couldn't put it down. A spectacular insight into life for women in 17th century Rome. I adored it' JULIE OWEN-MOYLAN

'A tense and pacy historical thriller that fans of Robert Harris will love. I inhaled this book' TARIQ ASHKANANI

'
Elegant and compelling writing from an author at the peak of her powers' AJ WEST

'
A compulsive deep-thinking read, with a message for modern times' CATE QUINN

'Passages so lyrical I read them twice. Compelling and poignant. Stunning' RACHEL WOLF

'Captivating, haunting and so beautifully wrought' FREYA BERRY

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About the Author

Anna Mazzola

Anna is the award-winning and bestselling author of five historical crime or Gothic novels. Her books explore the impact of crime and injustice and her influences include Daphne Du Maurier, Shirley Jackson and Sarah Waters.

Her debut novel, The Unseeing, won an Edgar Allan Poe award. Her third novel, The Clockwork Girl, was shortlisted for two CWA Dagger awards and a Fingerprint Award, and nominated for the Dublin Literary award. Her fourth novel, The House of Whispers, a ghost story set in Fascist Italy, is a Sunday Times historical novel of the year.

When not writing, Anna works as a human rights and criminal justice solicitor acting for victims of crime. She is also a volunteer for Doorstep Library, working with underprivileged children, and a board member for Red Dress, an arts organisation working with survivors.

She lives in South London, with one husband, two children, a black cat and a snake.

  • Professionally Packed

    All of our books that have a dust wrapper are covered in clear protective, removable film and are packed professionally in bubble wrap and a box for shipping so that they reach you in perfect condition.

  • Book Condition & Notes

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