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14th out of 38 books
—
58 voters
The Borgia Mistress (The Poisoner Mysteries #3)
by
Sara Poole (Goodreads Author)
From the author of Poison and The Borgia Betrayal, comes a new historical thriller, featuring the same intriguing and beautiful heroine: Borgia court poisoner, Francesca Giordano
Mistress of death Francesca Giordano—court poisoner to the House of Borgia—returns to confront an ancient atrocity that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance and plunge the world int...more
Mistress of death Francesca Giordano—court poisoner to the House of Borgia—returns to confront an ancient atrocity that threatens to extinguish the light of the Renaissance and plunge the world int...more
Paperback, 416 pages
Published
May 22nd 2012
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published January 1st 2012)
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Author Sara Poole continues her Borgia novels in The Borgia Mistress, the continued adventures of Borgia family poisoner Francesca Giordano. These days, the Borgias are quickly becoming the hot new property in the historical fiction world. Propelled by the Showtime series The Borgias, it seems like more and more novels try to work the Borgia name in to their titles of the sake of a perceived connection (that especially seemed to be the case with this series when it jumped from Poison to Borgia B...more
ma chronique sur mon blog
Ce livre n’a juste rien à voir avec les autres, l’auteur a choisi de jouer la carte de l’originalité en tournant son histoire beaucoup plus sur Francesca et sa vie chaotique. Bref, tout ça pour une histoire intrigante et qui termine cette saga avec un point d’honneur.
Pour le deuxième tome, j’avais dit que l’action ne m’avait pas contenté, qu’il y avait un truc de pas fini, un peu répétitif du premier aussi ; l’auteur, comme si elle avait entendu mon reproche, nous fait i...more
Ce livre n’a juste rien à voir avec les autres, l’auteur a choisi de jouer la carte de l’originalité en tournant son histoire beaucoup plus sur Francesca et sa vie chaotique. Bref, tout ça pour une histoire intrigante et qui termine cette saga avec un point d’honneur.
Pour le deuxième tome, j’avais dit que l’action ne m’avait pas contenté, qu’il y avait un truc de pas fini, un peu répétitif du premier aussi ; l’auteur, comme si elle avait entendu mon reproche, nous fait i...more
As the enemies of the new Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) close in, he is forced to flee Rome. His poisoner, Francesca Giordano, goes with him. Her Jewish friend, David, tags along in the disguise of a court jester. He has informed her that his spy network has discovered that there is a new (and highly sophisticated) assassin on his way to kill the Pope. Such an event would throw all of Europe into chaos as the various power struggles ensue. It would also allow Savonarola--a religious fanatic...more
“The Borgia Mistress: A Novel” by Sara Poole is a historical fiction story that takes place in Rome around the year 1493. The lead character, Francesca Giordano, is the court poisoner to House of Borgia and Rodrigo Borgia who becomes Pope Alexander VI. Francesca’s father was a prisoner to the House of she was raised in the household along with Borgia’s son, Cesare Borgia, who eventually becomes Francesca’s lover. Francesca has to unravel a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart Pope Alexander’s...more
I picked this book up on a whim in the library because I thought it looked interesting. Although it is a clearly a novel, at least some of the characters were real. I wish I could give it a 3.5 because I thought it was well-written and entertaining. I just thought the ending was a little too far-fetched for me. It was interesting to read about the power struggle between Pope Alexander VI and Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, "Their most Catholic Majesties". It was also interesting to read how the...more
I am continuing to enjoy the Poisoner Mysteries series, although this third one is my least favorite of the three so far. What I love about the series is: Francesca with her dark side always fighting with her good side; the characters that I have come to love reading about; and the mystery steeped in some sort of ancient religious historical significance, although the mystery part in this one was somewhat predictable. We learn more in this book about Francesca's past and how it has shaped her in...more
Another gripping installment in the Poisoner novels--I'm starting to really get into this historical thriller genre.
In this novel Francesca's decent into what she considers to be madness is seemingly more realistic than previously, perhaps because we are finally given some background information as to why she is the way she is. The revelation of what happened to her mother has opened up a whole new mystery for the reader, and once again I find myself looking forward to the next novel. It's fun...more
In this novel Francesca's decent into what she considers to be madness is seemingly more realistic than previously, perhaps because we are finally given some background information as to why she is the way she is. The revelation of what happened to her mother has opened up a whole new mystery for the reader, and once again I find myself looking forward to the next novel. It's fun...more
I love this story, but this was my least favorite of the three to date. I really like the fact that the main character Francesca is flawed, but this book actually felt like the point was flagrant and pointless sex scenes. This book was set outside of Rome and was absent of many of the characters that show the "redeeming" parts of Francesca. I thought the story was interesting but, as mentioned already, was greatly lacking the depth that the other two books have. I'm really hoping the next is bet...more
This was overall an enjoyable read that left me wanting more.
Compared to the previous two books in this series, I wasn't terribly impressed; the adventure plot was rather too predictable (especially for those that prefer the Chekhov's Gun school of plot-writing), and I felt there was too much wishy-washy "oh my life is hard, I am such a bad person, wah wah PTSD and family and relationship dramaz!!" on Francesca's part. The supporting characters that Poole developed so well over the last couple...more
Compared to the previous two books in this series, I wasn't terribly impressed; the adventure plot was rather too predictable (especially for those that prefer the Chekhov's Gun school of plot-writing), and I felt there was too much wishy-washy "oh my life is hard, I am such a bad person, wah wah PTSD and family and relationship dramaz!!" on Francesca's part. The supporting characters that Poole developed so well over the last couple...more
I was looking forward to reading this because of the previous books in the series, but this one disappointed a bit.
The story was predictable. For me I lost the excitement and anticipation I feel with a good thriller. I never got to the point where I couldn't put the book down because I had to know what happens next. With this book I felt like I knew how it would end so it was just a matter of finishing the book. That's not how I like my books. I want suspense but never got that here.
The story was predictable. For me I lost the excitement and anticipation I feel with a good thriller. I never got to the point where I couldn't put the book down because I had to know what happens next. With this book I felt like I knew how it would end so it was just a matter of finishing the book. That's not how I like my books. I want suspense but never got that here.
I always enjoy books about those wicked Borgias and The Borgia Mistress is no exception. Sara Poole handles the court intrigue like an expert and we are witness to the dirty politics, spies and allegiances
between the power hungry Spain, France and Pope Borgia's unlimited ego. The main character in all this is Francesca who is the Vatican's poisoner, sometimes lover to Cesare Borgia and court confidant. Her task is not only to taste all of the Pope's food and keep everyday objects clean of hidden...more
between the power hungry Spain, France and Pope Borgia's unlimited ego. The main character in all this is Francesca who is the Vatican's poisoner, sometimes lover to Cesare Borgia and court confidant. Her task is not only to taste all of the Pope's food and keep everyday objects clean of hidden...more
Aug 20, 2012
Judy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
historical-fiction
I want to start this off by saying that while I was reading most of this book, I was falling asleep...not by any fault of the author, I'm just extremely pregnant, and as soon as I lay down, it seems that my mind doesn't want me to stay awake to read!
That being said, I thought this was another excellent installation in Poole's Poisoner Mysteries. In this book, Francesca befriends an abbess who has information about her mother's death, but things aren't what they seem. Francesca's sexual relations...more
That being said, I thought this was another excellent installation in Poole's Poisoner Mysteries. In this book, Francesca befriends an abbess who has information about her mother's death, but things aren't what they seem. Francesca's sexual relations...more
I absolutely adored this volume of The Poisoner Mysteries and would recommend it to anyone who likes some mystery AND romance thrown into their historical fiction. The characters, to me, are well-developed and even in their weakest moments, strong. They are utterly human, and in that respect, they are extremely believable. The story is paced appropriately, and it's so interesting and twisty that I honestly found it difficult to put the book down. For anyone who can get into it, it will be an EXT...more
This has been a great series.
There is something interesting in the way our author puts together a sentence. The plot is great, the characters interesting, the whole Borgia period is interesting but what makes me recommend this is the sentences and paragraphs. They are almost distracting in the way you observe in really great books.
Not that this book is really great but there it is.
There is something interesting in the way our author puts together a sentence. The plot is great, the characters interesting, the whole Borgia period is interesting but what makes me recommend this is the sentences and paragraphs. They are almost distracting in the way you observe in really great books.
Not that this book is really great but there it is.
I enjoyed this book as a light fun summer read. Some of the issues I had with the first two books (too much description of clothes and food, boring narrative, etc) are better. Francesca is becoming a much more interesting and multi-dimensional character, although her constant rambling about her dark nature or whatever is a little annoying (and where I have a seen her back story before . . . hm). I was really enjoying the book until I completely called the ending about half-way through and spent...more
Overall this series was a surprise. I had expected it to have the Borgia's as the central characters and everything revolve around them. However, the stories revolved around the Pope's poisoner and the uncovering of plots to either oust Pope Alexander or destroy the Church.
All in all an interesting series and the way appears open for further books ...
All in all an interesting series and the way appears open for further books ...
This is book 3 in the series. Read the Borgia Poisoner, then the Poisoner: the Borgia Betrayal. I read book 3 second but it didn't impact my understanding of the story. Just would've made the reading of the second book more enjoyable.
Book 3
Somewhat convoluted plot about a Cathar Assasin trying to kill the Pope.
Well researched.
Several of the plot twists were pretty easy to see coming.
I did not enjoy this book as much as the predecessors.
Somewhat convoluted plot about a Cathar Assasin trying to kill the Pope.
Well researched.
Several of the plot twists were pretty easy to see coming.
I did not enjoy this book as much as the predecessors.
I loved this book, just like I loved the first two in the series. Francesca is a flawed, likable heroine, as is the young Cesare Borgia. All the main characters are multi-dimensional, and the story moves along at a lightening pace.
I adore this series. Currently I have a little obsession with all things Borgia and this fits right in with it. Hoping to read more in the "Poisoner" mysteries in the future! *Note I would definitely recommend at least watching a trailer for the tv show as whilst the book is very different the characters form perfectly in my head the way they are in the show .. most unusual for me* V""V
I enjoyed the mystery of the who-dun-it or more appropriately... who-was-gonna-do it. Poole is talented and I admire her creation of a strong, capable female protagonist.
This is a more than worthwhile series. Less touchy feely than Pink Carnation, less heavy than Phillipa Gregory. (maybe) Start with Poison.
Jun 07, 2012
Gail
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any who likes fantasy and mystery
Shelves:
done-reading
good mystery but a little out there. In some spots very interesting others a little mind boggling. Some chapters were very page turning to find out what happened. It held my interest.
loved tiger historical facts and Franciscans job as poisioner facinating
not quite as good as the first 2, but still a fun historical novel
I love this series! I just hate that it's over ... I want more!
I just could not get into this book...I kept reading the same paragraph over and over again...
Can't wait to finish this! I hope the end has closure; I'd hate for her nemesis to escape!
Started strong but ending so-so
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Sara Poole is the pen name of a NY Times bestselling author who is branching out to write historical novels.
Her long-time fascination with Renaissance Italy and with the Borgias in particular has led her in this new direction. It corresponds nicely with her interest in botany as especially regards the poisonous plants flourishing all around us. Sara lives in the Northeast with her husband and a m...more
More about Sara Poole...
Her long-time fascination with Renaissance Italy and with the Borgias in particular has led her in this new direction. It corresponds nicely with her interest in botany as especially regards the poisonous plants flourishing all around us. Sara lives in the Northeast with her husband and a m...more
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Jan 05, 2013 03:42pm