Portrait of Lady: a Leonardo da Vinci Mystery
by: Diane A.S. Stuckart
Published by: Berkley Prime Crime
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
Stuckart’s second in the Leonardo da Vinci mysteries is fascinating (Queen’s Gambit, 2008). It is 1483 and Leonardo is working for the Duke of Milan at Castle Sforza, painting, designing huge bronze sculptures, and creating all sorts of wonderful and amazing inventions that the Duke hopes to use in warfare (like an unfolding bridge!).
Dino, one of the many apprentices in Leonardo’s workshop, narrates this book and is one of the most fascinating characters in literature I have come across. Dino is actually Delfina, a young woman passing herself off as a boy to be able to work with Leonardo. One day Dino and a fellow apprentice come across the body of young woman, Bellanca, at the foot of one of the Castle towers. Was she pushed? Did she commit suicide? Leonardo surreptitiously takes on solving this crime, as he sees bruises on her body, and knows she had struggled.
Bellanca was a serving woman to the young Contessa Caterina, a ward of the Duke. Next Caterina’s servant Lidia is found poisoned! Dino again helps Leonardo with his investigation, but finds she is attracted to the new Captain of the Guard, Gregorio. He has ties to Caterina–a possible lover, and he is Lidia’s son. He does seem to be a strong suspect, but Dino can not be objective.
Leonardo has compounded the situation by asking Dino to dress as a woman, and become a new servant to Caterina. Dino’s confidant, the tailor Luigi, takes perverse pleasure in creating beautiful gowns for Dino to wear in his new “role.” Dino admires Leonardo–but who will she choose? Will Gregorio win her over with his sensual and charming ways? Caterina has taken to foretelling the future with her tarocchi cards, and the same four cards keep coming up, cards that predict betrayal and dark secrets.
Armchair Interviews says: You will get a great sense of life in a painter’s workshop and an Italian castle with this enjoyable series.
Author’s Web site: http://www.DianeStuckart.com
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