Ritual of Fire

Cesare Aldo #3

by D.V. Bishop

"A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour de force" - David Baldacci on City of Vengeance

'Aldo is a fascinating and charismatic character' ANTONIA HODGSON
Florence. Summer, 1538.

A night patrol finds a rich merchant hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main piazza. More than mere murder, this killing is intended to put the fear of God into Florence. Forty years earlier on this date, puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola was executed the same way in the same place. Does this new killing mean Savonarola’s vengeful spirit has risen again?

Or are his fanatical disciples plotting to revive the monk’s regime of holy terror? Cesare Aldo has his suspicions but is hunting thieves and fugitives in the Tuscan countryside, leaving Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the ritual killing. When another important merchant is slain even more publicly than the first, those rich enough to escape the summer heat are fleeing to their country estates. But the Tuscan hills can also be dangerous places.

Soon growing religious fervor combines with a scorching heatwave to drive the city ever closer to madness, while someone is stalking powerful men that forged lifelong alliances during the dark days of Savonarola and his brutal followers. Unless Aldo and Strocchi can work together to stop the killer, Florence could become a bonfire of the vanities once more . . .

Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Florence and is the sequel to City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Crime, Historical, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, LGBT

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2023

About the author

Grew up in Mt Roskill, Auckland, Aotearoa.

In July 2023 D.V. Bishop became the first New Zealand writer to win the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Historical Dagger Award with his novel The Darkest Sin.

Reviews

[Alex Cantone · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the Florentine way. Those with enough wealth or influence could endure what would destroy those less fortunate, those less privileged. The Medici were proof of that…more than once the family had been driven from power by rebellion and republicans, by assassins and insurrection…members of that bloodline always returned to restore themselves.

Florence in May 1538 is suffering from drought and potential famine as the temperature soars and crops fail. Amidst it all the phantom figure of the priest Savonarola – burned at the stake 40 years earlier – his supporters calling for vengeance: with a list of prominent merchants and bankers called to account for their sins. Law enforcement in the form of the Otto – run by the sleazebag segretario Bindi is trying to appease the Duc Cosimo Medici to retain his position, while investigator Cesare Aldo is in the dominions and young constable Strocchi promoted to officer.

Is it the rain or the whisky that allows Scotland to produce so many fine writers? Here the action is set in renaissance Italy with so many great characters – and as the body count rises, a masterpiece in misdirection. Complemented by a map of Florence from the time of the Medici, author DV Bishop’s books are a delight for readers of historic murder mysteries, though I recommend reading the series in order, starting with City of Vengeance.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, alluring, and suspenseful!

Ritual of Fire, the third novel in the Cesare Aldo series, takes us back to Renaissance Florence in the summer of 1538, where Cesare Aldo and Constable Stocchi find themselves having to finally confront the rift that’s been straining their relationship in order to work to together to catch a ruthless killer who seems to have a very specific target list and a penchant for reenacting a ritualistic killing from the past.

The prose is descriptive and tight. The characters are driven, fearless, and conscientious. And the plot is a complex, absorbing tale full of danger, deception, corruption, politics, religion, friendship, savagery, terror, and murder.

Overall, Ritual of Fire is an addictive, engrossing, thrilling addition to what has become a must-read series for me with its flawed characters, rich historical setting, and action-packed, gritty storylines.

Thank you to PGC Books for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good historical crime thriller and this series is one of my favourites. This is the third outing for the main character Cesere Aldo an officer of the Otto in 16th century Florence. Richly descriptive with great characters and always masterful storytelling. It can be easily read as a standalone but why not go back to the beginning I promise that you will not be disappointed. Atmospheric, gripping and almost five stars.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am delighted to add D. V. Bishop's Cesare Aldo series to the list of historical mystery titles I'm always looking for. While Ritual of Fire is the third volume in this series set in mid-16th Century Florence, it worked perfectly well as a first-read. The characters are fully fleshed out (Bishop gives us peeks into their thinking during the narrative), their relationships with one another clearly established, with justification for their various likings and resentments. Bishop doesn't drag readers through any of those awkward filling-in-the-backstory moments that come all too often in series mysteries.

Some general observations—
• I know next to nothing about 16th Century Italy, but so far as I can tell Bishop has done a sterling job choosing details and phrasings that evoke the period without becoming cumbersome.
• The moments when vocabulary of the time/region are used work: the feel neither pedantic nor pompous.
• The pacing is a bit gradual, but that's because Bishop is giving us details that support the central mystery and establish the setting, not because of any lack of narrative arc.
• Some important characters, Cesare Aldo in particular, are (what we would call) gay, and at first I had my doubts about whether this identity would be accepted by other characters as it (mostly) is. Over time, Bishop chipped away at my doubts. Cesare Aldo is an unusual character, but doesn't come across as 21st Century political correctness moved back five centuries or so.
• The plotting is rich. Historical mysteries (IMHO) generally fall into three categories: those that are not really mysteries at all, but romance novels; those that are built around a rather slim central puzzle that quickly wears thin; and those with enough complexity to allow readers the fun of being armchair detectives throughout the book. Ritual of Fire falls into this last category.

When you're looking for a new historical mystery series to work your way through, I strongly recommend Bishop's Cesare Aldo novels. They're substantive in a way that rewards steadily across the reading experience.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the locations in the novel here

This really is shaping up to be one of THE most immersive and compelling historical mystery series that I have ever read, I LOVED the first two novels and this was is my favourite I think. From the nunnery of book two, I found myself lost in the remote Tuscan hills, mansions on hills with vineyards all around. A thief is found lurking in the opening chapters and our hero Cesare Aldo is now working this area. He was in Florence’s police in the city but found himself demoted onto the sidelines.

Talkng of Florence, the action soon moves there. BAM the first scene is that of a burning man, hanging from a gibbet. Such a powerful and gut- wrenching scene. I could smell it, it was that realistic. Horrific but what a start to a story!

The story centres around a (true life) story which makes it all the more horrific. Heavily fictionlised of course but it makes me shiver when a story is inspired by real horror. There used to be a Monk by the name of Savonola who was burnt 40 years ago. With this latest act of violence, it is feared that someone or something is back t0 haunt the city.

There’s more horrific deaths to come – all rich men with dark secrets to hide. Carol Strocchi who Aldo used to work with is on the cas. However, Aldo realises that he can help as the case encroaches onto his patch, remote as it is. The two men are not friends anymore but I was pleased to see Strocchi’s wife having the common sense necessary to bring them back together in some way/

The relationship between Strocchi and Aldo is a great one to read about. So much depth to both of them. I still feel sorry for Aldo not being able to be with his lover – the two men are perfect for one another!

The complexity of politics and the legal system in Florence is nicely examined and explored. I thought the Tudor court was full of intrigue but Henry VIII could have learnt a thing or two from this lot. The rich men of the story – Ruggerio and others are awful characters but ones you can’t stop reading about. The castles, the Tuscan hills, the greed behind those walls! Utterly fascinating!

I have to say that the writing, pace and tone of this book is what I also admire about this series. It’s never heavy going, has a gripping series of events and just leaves you feeling as if you really have travelled back to 1530s Florence.

I’d go if I could stay with Aldo and Saul!

[Terrible Timy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum!

My binge-reading of the Cesare Aldo series brought me to the third book at last. Time flies when you spend it in good company. This review for Ritual of Fire might not be as long as the previous ones, as I feel like I’m a broken record, singing all the praises for both the series and the writing skills of D. V. Bishop. If my reading 3 books in as many months doesn’t tell you how I feel about Cesare Aldo, then I can’t help you.

I’ll try to make this review as spoiler free as possible, but mild spoilers for previous books still can happen, so please approach with caution.

It’s the summer of 1538, so we are a bit over a year after the events in The Dark Sin. Life goes on, Aldo moves outside of Florence to the dominions, while Strocchi works his way up the ladder. When a prominent merchant is found burned alive, Strocchi finally gets the promotion to an officer he’s been waiting for. But it comes with more responsibility and more pressure as well. Aldo on the other hand is somewhat a shadow of his old self as the country life doesn’t suit him.

I love how the Cesare Aldo books build on each other. In Ritual of Fire, we get to know a bit more about Savonarola, who was briefly mentioned in The Darkest Sin. Rebecca, from City of Vengeance also makes an appearance and I was glad to have that glimpse into what happened to her since. But back to Savonarola. The chant of “Savonarola lives” has lived rent-free in my head ever since, but that’s what you get when you are listening to an audiobook with a great narrator. Anyway. Savonarola has been dead for 40 years, and yet, a good number of people in Florence are easily led to believe he returned to dish out some punishments for certain merchants. It’s amazing, how easy to manipulate people if you give them what they believe they want. That was a joy to witness, how riled up they get.

There is a certain thrill about Ritual of Fire, because once the identity of the first victim is found out and the clues start to come together, Strocchi and Aldo (and we the readers) can anticipate who the next victim(s) might be. The thrill is whether they can get to them in time or not. This time we don’t know who the murderer might be, and although I had a couple of suspicions, I was sitting at the edge of my seat until the very end (well, actually I was lying in bed, because I listened until like 3 am, because who needs sleep, right?). The suspense was kept very well, and we only got as much information as we needed.

Maybe it would have been good to learn a bit more about Savonarola and his Fanciulli (men and boys in white robes who were his close followers and collected alms in his name), but again, I’m nitpicking, because I’m a History nerd, and I love learning about that stuff. And yes, Savonarola is based on a real historical person, so you might want to look him up. Fascinating person.

I also find Strocchi’s character arc fascinating. Aldo himself doesn’t change much over the books, but then he is older and he already knows who he is and what his beliefs are. Strocchi is young and life only just started to throw curveballs at him. He is confronted with things he didn’t have to consider before. His black-and-white view is challenged, and he is learning that because he was taught something, doesn’t mean that’s the only true way to live. He might not take things well at first, but he is willing to learn and accept and see people’s values no matter how their ideals might be different from his own.

Ritual of Fire is a crackling addition to the Cesare Aldo series. Bishop seemingly effortlessly keeps the quality very high indeed, and I’m all here for it. In some ways, Ritual of Fire feels like the end of a trilogy, as there are some endings or conclusions (can’t say more, spoilers, sorry), but I’m sure there are many more books where this came from. I, for one, can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings in Aldo and Strocchi’s life and how their relationship will go from here.

[Helen the Bassist · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this once again, and now I'm actually getting into a series, which is very rare. Every so often this was a little repetitive and I did want to point out that "we know already!" but still a great read...and a great plot. I'm now a big fan of Aldo and Co and a visit to Florence is now even higher on my wish list!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to the series! After the tension in the second book, discovering the killer of Cerchi, this book opens a few months later with Aldo in different circumstances. This was a very challenging case for the Otto, where prominent members of Florentine society meet unpleasant ends. It takes a combining of efforts to conclude the case.The writing evokes sixteenth century Florence in technicoloured and sensory detail. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

[charlotte, · Rating 3 out of 5]

On my blog.

Rep: gay mcs, Jewish gay li

CWs: gore, violence, past gang rape, immolation

Galley provided by publisher

The Cesare Aldo books are a series that has grown to become more compelling as I’ve continued it, and Ritual of Fire is culmination of that. Following on a few months after The Darkest Sin, Aldo is now in the dominion, banished as it were from Florence after Strocchi’s ultimatum in book two. Meanwhile, Strocchi finds himself wrapped up in a case of death by fire, that looks eerily like the death inflicted on the preacher Savonarola by the Church, forty years before.

The appeal of this series has never really been in its prose — not that it’s bad, but it’s really nothing special in particular. Instead, what draws you in is the characters and the absorbing nature of the mysteries they’re investigating. While in previous books, Aldo and Strocchi were uncovering different puzzles, in this, they’re working in concert (although not quite together, with the tension from the end of book two still very much prevalent), even if they don’t always realise it (Strocchi, at least).

In a sense, the mystery in this book is a continuation of the previous two or, at least, the second book’s. Once again, Ruggerio plays a central role, although this time it seems that he is more directly involved in things. Is he the culprit or the next victim? At times, it’s hard to say. But if, like me, you were waiting for Ruggerio to get his comeuppance, well… you’ll see.

As I said, the mystery aspect is probably the best part of this book. The characters are reasonably well fleshed out by now, the third book of the series, particularly those who are afforded POVs. That said, some of them, for example Bindi, can feel a little one-note at times. I guess that’s just the way Bindi is though. Others, like Strocchi and Aldo, only grow more interesting as the story progresses. In Strocchi’s case, it’s seeing the gradual disillusionment as he reckons with what justice means in Florence. In Aldo’s, he seems to have softened slightly since the first book, as he develops more and closer relationships with the people around him.

All of which to say, I’m really hoping this isn’t the final book of the series. It didn’t feel it to me, but I guess all I can do is wait to find out.

[Clbplym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having fallen out with Strocchi at the end of book 2, Aldo is working in the Tuscan area outside Florence. He arrests a thief and is bringing him back to Florence while wondering why the thief was checking out a property. Back in Florence, Strocchi is dealing with the murder of a businessman who has been burnt in the middle of the city. The murderer is rousing the crowd to believe that a priest who was executed 40 years ago is being avenged and coming back to rescue the city. These cases become intertwined and the politics in the background is fascinating. I was very keen to find out what would happen next in the case and whether the two characters would find some reconciliation. My only complaint is that the case seems to be solved a little by accident and after it is really of any value to have done so.

[Mark Redman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ritual of Fire is the third book to feature Cesare Aldo, an officer of the Otto. Set in Florence in 1538 whilst out on a night patrol, a constable finds the burning body of a man. Prior to being burnt, it appears that the victim was hung. The death is reminiscent of the one suffered by the fanatical monk Girolamo Savonarola forty years earlier. Duke Cosimo has to deal with rumour of the Monk Savonarola's resurrection. Meanwhile, Aldo's previous actions and his rigid position against Bindi result in Aldo now being told to leave Florence and only operate in the countryside, which is where Aldo apprehends a thief. Inside the city, newly promoted Carlo Strocchi finds being promoted a bittersweet experience. Now that he’s a married man and a father, desperately tired with a baby keeping him up nights, he has little experience in conducting a complex investigation. As Aldo finds himself caught up in the investigation of what is happening in the countryside, there is a suggestion that there might be more than one killer.

As with the previous books in this series, the plotting keeps you guessing till the very end. There is plenty of tension and a sense of danger throughout the story. I did find myself struggling for the first 40 pages, however, the story did eventually click. The historical aspect is well done and Renaissance Florence comes alive on the page. The characters have depth and you feel emotions, certainly for Carlo Strocchio. The pace is good throughout the story and the thriller aspect is well done. There was a nice twist at the end and talk about edge-of-your-seat read.

An excellent continuation of this series and I can only hope there are more investigations for Carlo Strocchio and Cesare Aldo in the future. My thanks to both NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forty years to the day after the execution of the puritanical monk Savonarola in Florence, another man is hanged and set on fire in the same place. At the same time, flyers begin to circulate indicating Savonarola's return - or at the very least, that of his oppressive ideas. Another brutal killing by means of fire follows soon after, and while Carlo Strocci investigates the burnings in the city, Aldo is out enforcing the law in the Tuscan countryside after his fallout with Strocci and encounters a fiery murder of his own clearly linked to the deaths in the city.

Relentlessly gripping, atmospheric, and with a great twist - another excellent entry in what has quickly become one of my favourite historical thriller series. Can't wait for the next one.

[Kimmy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again blending fact (Savonarola and his influence in Florence) and fiction (most of everything else), we delve back into 16th century Florence and our hero, Cesare Also, now trying to live a peaceful life out of the city due to events at the end of the last book, gradually becomes embroiled in an investigation to find who is killing the wealthy merchants of the city - what do they have in common and who will be next? Strocchi, his previous offsider is living in the city and is tasked with the investigation. Again, politics, long held grudges, and the precariousness of life back then all intertwine to give another fascinating and very readable story in the D V Bishop Aldo series. Can’t believe I let this one pass by, but the next one is on order.

[Marcus Hobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is quite a skill to blend historical accuracy with a tense thriller, but D V Bishop does it effortlessly.

I really like the character of Cesare Aldo, and the reader is definitely on his side as he battles both a series of mysterious deaths but also his seniors among the constables and investigators in Renaissance Florence.

Aldo has been forced to leave the city and put his skills to use away in the countryside. I liked the way that Bishop has captured the fact that news travels at different paces in the city and the countryside of the hills outside Florence. News that some would know in the city will take days to reach the remote villas up in the hills. This lends a nice double pacing to the story.

I'd certainly read some more of these Cesare Aldo stories.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As in the first two books, I got completely immersed in the dark and creepy atmosphere of Florence! The powerful start has not let down, followed by much action! The story has embedded real historical facts making this novel interesting and definitely worth reading. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Florence, its politics, its society. As to the characters, Aldo remains a favourite of mine! I hope he will further get involved in criminal cases!
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series is improving each book..a good yarn

[Phoebe Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this one had a lot of politics and a very reduced group of suspects. I usually don´t enjoy thrillers that much when the mystery is focused on so little people (perhaps because I feel it doesn´t leave much for imagination, especially if you have few suspects and begin killing them one by one). But still, as it happens with all Aldo´s books, it got me interested anyway.
I could still see the final plot twist on this one way before it happened (I began to suspect around half the book) but I think the characters are so well written it made up for it. Plus, I desperately needed to see what had become of Aldo once he was forced to leave the city in the previous book.

[D.P. Clarence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a massive fan of the first to Cesare Aldo books (City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin), so I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of the third book in the series. It did not disappoint.

The rich men of Florence are being systematically and horrifically burned to death and whomever is behind the killings is simultaneously whipping the good people of Florence into a frenzy with what you might politely call a propaganda campaign that's nostalgic for more puritanical times. (That is, the return of the mad monk Savonarola's reign of holy terror – a bloody interregnum in the rule of the Medici.)

This time we get go outside Florence itself, into the Tuscan countryside, which provides a nice change of scene. Some old villains return alongside our old heroes (Cesare, Strocchi, Saul). Ritual of Fire absolutely can be read as a standalone book, but I think the coda will be more satisfying if you've read the other two books first (plus, you'll have a great time reading them and it's a good way to get to know the characters). Speaking of which...

There are quite a few POV characters in this book, including one from the assassin, which is written in the second person. It means you bounce around a lot. It's almost like watching a TV show, switching from scene to scene, and if I have one criticism it's that you're never in one POV long enough to feel like you're getting close to the characters (there's also not much character development, as the story unfolds over a matter of days). It does, however, allow the story to build nicely and keep up the tension and the pace.

The historical aspects of the book are really well written. When I read the first book I knew very little about Renaissance Florence, beyond watching the Medici series on Netflix. Since then, I've listened to about forty hours of lectures on The Great Courses Plus, which hardly makes me an expert but it meant I knew all about the monk Savonarola and I was thrilled to see his spirit invoked in this third outing for Aldo. It provided really rich pickings. If you're not across your Florentine history though, don't worry. It's all spelled out for you.

Overall, this was a fast-paced page turner with suspense, thrills, a good twist. I think the pace is perhaps why, for me, it didn't quite have the heart of the other two books (more Saul and Cesare, please! #teamsauldo), but it is, nevertheless, a fantastic read and highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Verity Halliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ritual of Fire is the third instalment of the excellent Cesare Aldo novels, set in Medici-era Florence. Like the first two books, there is a high body count and lots of morally questionable and violent activity by all concerned, but it was an excellent romp and a great continuation of the wider story.

Recommended to lovers of historical fiction, but start with book 1 City of Vengeance to get the full character arcs.

[Mary Picken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating historical crime series is fast becoming a favourite and I was eager to read the third book in the series which features Cesare Aldo, an officer of the Otto in Renaissance Florence.

D.V. Bishop takes us into the sweltering dry summer heat of Florence, where the citizens are toiling under the harsh glare of the sun and tempers are running short. At the end of the last book, Cesare Aldo had agreed with Carlo Strocchi that following Strocchi’s inability to forgive what he sees as Aldo’s transgressions, he would take himself out of the city, leaving Strocchi to work Florence on his own.

He has been as good as his word and he now lives and works in the Tuscan countryside where rich citizens have their summer mansions and the peasants toil on the land. Aldo has, however, caught a thief and he therefore makes the journey back to the city where justice will be served on the man.

Returning to Florence, and looking forward to calling in on his friend Saul, he learns of the horrifying public immolation of a man in a way that conjures up memories of the Dominican friar and puritan fanatic Girolamo Savonarola who was hanged and then burned at the stake.

Carlo Strocchi meanwhile is struggling at home; he has a new baby and it is keeping him and his wife awake all night. The burning of this rich merchant, as the body turns out to be, has his superior, Bindi breathing down his neck to find the culprit. Bindi is an arch politician, determined to keep his place running the Otto the Otto di Guardia e Balia, the city’s most feared criminal court.


Florence is ruled by the young Duke Cosimo de Medici and Bindi is ever fearful that he will be replaced as the Duke’s adviser on matters of justice and criminality, so he is a hard taskmaster in a city where conspiracies are part of the life blood and Cosimo must be seen to be effective in the face of older and more experienced noblemen and rich merchants.

So when the first murder is quickly followed by a second and proclamations begin appearing suggesting that Savonarola has returned, there are those in Florence only too willing to give succour to such a suggestion.

Strocchi finds himself promoted, but expected to deliver results and deliver them quickly. There is, however, not a great deal to go on. While Aldo quickly realises that there is a link between the victims – who are known to him, Strocchi struggles to take his advice and Bindi, never Aldo’s greatest fan, takes the opportunity to humiliate him further.

But as another murder takes place, it becomes clear that the Aldo and Strocchi will have to work this case, albeit from different angles, as religious fervour sweeps the city and riots break out, seemingly spontaneously.

D.V. Bishop does an excellent job of steeping us in the politics and skulduggery of 16th Century Florence and his descriptions of the heat in the city and in the parched countryside leave us in no doubt of the size of the task that Cosimo has in ruling this part of Italy. Bindi is his usual conniving self, looking after No.1, and Ruggerio, one of the rich merchants, is as narcissistic as they come.

All of this firmly roots us in a place of intrigue and turmoil and the reader can feel the heat blazing as the sweltering city refuses to give up its murderer. With pace and an excellent sense of both place and time, Bishop spins a fascinating tale that engrosses and creates a heady brew of mystery, murder and political conniving.

Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable historical murder mystery that beautifully blends historical figures of the past with rich, descriptive detail and a scorchingly excellent plot. I’m really enjoying this series. I just hope Aldo finds a way back to Florence soon.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ritual of Fire is the third book in the Cesare Aldo series, and I thought the author continued to do an excellent job describing the difficulties of the time period. Because I love historical fiction and also mysteries, it is always great when I find a series that combines the two and does it really well. Very atmospheric, with great character development, the descriptions were definitely the highlight, and while I enjoyed the mystery, I did find this one a bit more predictable than the previous installments, if still highly enjoyable.

Cesare Aldo and Carlo Strocchi are the two main characters at the heart of this series. In this book, theie relationship is at the breaking point (for reasons I won't disclose here), but it has caused a huge rift in their friendship and I also feel it has caused Strocchi some pain as he is now realizing there is more to the people he loves than he at first perceives. Unable to cope with his discoveries, he decides to ignore his friendship, but what he knows could be very dangerous for Aldo. Because of this, Aldo works the Tuscan countryside instead of Florence, something I thought was very well done as the mystery in this book takes place in both the countryside as well as Florence. I really enjoyed the characters, their day-to-day struggles during the early reign of Duke Cosimo, and how they dealt with the ups and downs of living during this time period. Each character had its own unique voice and it was easy to get into their heads and feel empathy for what they were going through.

The author does a great job demonstrating the political situation of the time period, including the turmoil and tension that existed when these murders started happening. I could feel the madness of the crowds, the injustice of the earlier burnings rearing their heads, and the edge of something horrible happening throughout the story. There was so much political corruption during this time period, and I thought the author did a lot of research to show the difficulties of detective work during this period as well as the way they needed to work around Duke Cosimo's faction. Because Strocchi and Aldo were in two separate areas, the story was told in multiple POV, but this didn't detract from the story line and I waited with anticipation wondering how the dual story lines would eventually connect. While I did find this one a bit more predictable and easier to figure out, the descriptions were so well done that it didn't matter and I pretty much read it in one sitting.

Ritual of Fire is another great historical murder mystery that blends political intrigue, murder, mayhen, religious fervour, and historical figures and facts into one excellent plot. With rich details and excellent character development, I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves historical fiction with an interesting mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, A Divine Fury.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is third in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cesare Aldo and follows on from City of Vengeance and The Darkest Sin.


The first two were outstanding reads, this for me though is the best yet, a read which instantly grabs your attention, from then on I was drawn into the story line.

The plotting of the book was quite ingenious and the reveal at the end sublime in the that you questioned what had gone on before, I was as interested in the reasons behind the murder as the actual murder itself, this is where the author cleverly twisted things that kept me in suspense. The story brings together the investigations together from two differing viewpoints, Aldo has been banished to the Tuscan hills, however, even there no one is safe, meanwhile Strocchi is in the heart of Florence investigating, there is an interesting dynamic between the pair, you feel there is a mutual respect though Strocchi feels as though it is his time to lead and in someway resents Aldo’s presence.

The story flows at a pace which befits the times, but it always keeps up a high level of drama, there are also political machinations at work with Bindi keen to impress, he demands results even though there are none to be offered, there is a price to pay for failure so there is a game to be played to please all. It is also shows a time where greed, money and religion were rife

It is a story that builds in intensity and one not without its dramatic moments, you can feel the suspense.

The chapters are told from differing viewpoints, including that of the killer which adds a different and welcome dynamic to the book

There are returning and familiar characters, Aldo always strikes me as a man of honour and integrity one not always willing to follow the rules, not averse to speak his mind or try to get the under the skin of those he suspects, Strocchi on the other hand is only too willing to follow the rules with a determination to suceed, though his family come first and foremost, equally all the characters within have that air of believability

One area where the books shine though is in the times and locations, here the author portrays and paints a vivid and descriptive feel for the landscape, you get a reals sense of what it must have been like to live in such times, the writing is so atmospheric it heightens the senses, you can breathe in the sights, sounds and smells, there is a rawness that underlies the writing which gives the reader a sense of what life must have been like

Furthermore there is a brutality to the scored landscape which gives the book an added dimension, the author captures these details and brings them to the reader, as the people suffer, they are willing to follow what maybe a false prophecy in the hope of a new dawn, again the writing is so on point that it places the reader at the heart of the book

The book as a whole has a wonderful feel to it, the narrative throughout is strong, everything about the book has an air of authenticity, with a quality of writing which at times is beguiling in its storytelling, it never lets up, it all builds up, the ending is as dramatic as it is gripping in intensity

It is also a work of historical fiction and it is clear that the author has researched the times and period and bring this to the fore, for me as a reader this is a vital part of the book

There is a brutality not only to the heat and the scorched landscape which is depicted in a way that paints a picture in your mind, but also to the murders written in a way that you can sense and share the pain endured by the victims.

A classic page turner, you have to keep going, the writing demands your attention,

This for me is a contender for read of the year, it has the elements required to make it standout there is a richness to the quality of the writing, plot, character, landscape, it has award winner written all over it.

5* Historical crime fiction doesn’t get much better, D V Bishop is one of todays finest exponents of the genre, a read which I would highly recommend

One final thing to mention which can often be over looked, the cover design, the artist has captured and envokes the feel and landscape of the book

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Cesare Aldo series, and each book gets better. I would suggest reading this series in order, but then I am biased as I have read and loved each book.

In Florence, Cesare Aldo works outside the city under a dark cloud. He has been ostracised to a certain extent and the time he has spent out of the city is starting to show when he delivers a thief back to the cells. While in the city there is a murder, a man has been burned on a handcart and it is a similar situation to the execution 40 years previously. I had not come across Girolamo Savonarola, a Franciscan monk but luckily the author has. He has gone on to research and then create a brilliantly twisted and devilish story that concerns guild members.

As one murder is discovered, another one follows. While Aldo is trying his best to discover what is going on out of the city, his constable Strocchi is trying to discover what is happening with Florence. He is finding out that being promoted is not what he thought it would be. The pressure of a new baby and sleepless nights as well as trying to ruin an investigation are taking their toll as another body is added to the list!

This is such a brilliant series and I adore the way the author has brought another story to life and introduced me to another historical figure. Savonarola is quite an interesting character and using him as an influence in this story adds a dangerous mix to the politics of the time, that being religion. Mixing religion and politics is always something similar to having a lit match next to a bale of hay. You know something is going to happen but the question is when, and also how! The route the author took through this story is one that made this more of a crime thriller than just a mystery.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, mystery, crime and thriller novels then this is a series you really need to have a look at. It is a police procedural of the time and this book, as with the previous one, is one I would definitely recommend.

[Martin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life doesn't get easier for Aldo in this fast-paced adventure.

It's early Summer 1538, and following the events of "The Darkest Sin" we find Cesare Aldo serving the Otto outside Florence, in the Tuscan countryside, a result of the ultimatum handed to him by former friend and colleague Carlo Strocchi. Meanwhile within the walls, Strocci find himself immersed in a seeming resurgence of the cult of Savonarola , resulting in a series of public burnings and rising religious fervour. The bodies soon start to mount up, both inside and outside the walls of Florence and the growing unrest and a scorching heatwave drive the city ever closer to madness.

And so we launch into the third Cesare Aldo story, and a belter it is too. We soon meet up with most of the characters from the previous stories - Aldo's lover, Saul, continues to practise as a doctor, Bindi rules the Otto with a ruthless and ineffective hand, and young duke Cosimo struggles to lead the city, in the face of Ruggerio and his merchant brothers.

The city of Florence is painted bright, the smells and the heat come vividly to life, as does the parched countryside. It's easy to imagine the luxurious villas dotting the land. There are several threads picked up from the previous book, and it's a pleasure to see some of the answers to our questions appearing. The strained relationship between Aldo and Strocchi continues to dismay, but there's hope, as perhaps also that between Saul and Aldo. I suspect there's a lot more to learn about them all. We also learn about the real-life events which took place in Florence during this time, all of which adds to the richness of the story.

Fans of the previous Aldo books will love this one, and followers of SJ Parris and SW Perry will find a new hero to embrace. I was lucky to receive a Netgalley ARC to review, but as before, I'll be queuing up for a real copy upon its release. Heartily recommended.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book in the series featuring Cesare Aldo starts in dramatic style as a man is tied to a gibbet on a cart, wheeled into the central square of Florence and then set alight. This opening couldn’t fail to grab my attention and then I was hooked as always. D V Bishop has a an excellent way of conveying the feel of Renaissance Florence and I was quickly immersed in the setting and the story.
It is 1538, the young Cosimo Medici rules Florence but there are strange rumours that a fanatical monk, Savonarola, who was executed 40 years ago, is alive. The murdered man in the square proves to be a wealthy merchant and other murders quickly follow. Unusually, Aldo is not at the centre of things as he is representing the authorities in the nearby villages. Strange events are happening there too and Aldo becomes convinced that everything is linked together somehow.
I loved the character development in this book. We don’t just get to learn more about Aldo but also see Strocchi struggling with his ideas of right and wrong and gradually coming to see that sometimes things cannot be as he would like them to be. I also really liked the way that we saw more of Bindi’s character. He is just as pompous and irritating as before but we saw more of his inner feelings and his complete loyalty to the city.
My only minor issue was the points of view changed very rapidly and that seemed to interrupt the flow of the story especially early on in the book.
This is the third book in this series but I would think that the author provides enough background detail that this could be read as a stand alone. I would recommend that you read the entire series though to get the most out of this latest book. It’s a great read for any lover of historical fiction who enjoys crime laced with a heavy dose of Italian renaissance politics.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Pan Macmillan, for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Pan Macmillan for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Ritual of Fire’ by D. V. Bishop.

This is Book 3 in a series of historical mysteries set in 16th Century Florence, Italy. Its main protagonist is Cesare Aldo, an officer of the Otto di Guardia e Balia, the city’s most feared criminal court. Aside from his investigative work he leads a secret life that if discovered could cost him everything.

A year has passed since the events covered in ‘The Darkest Sin’. While Bishop does provide some background, I would suggest that due to ongoing storylines that this series is best read in order.

Florence. Summer, 1538. A night patrol discovers the body of a wealthy merchant, who has been hanged and set ablaze in the city’s main square. It is a shocking killing that reminds the residents of Florence of the execution in the same manner forty years earlier of the puritanical monk Girolamo Savonarola. Could this mean that his fanatical disciples are reviving the monk’s regime of terror?

As Cesare Aldo is no longer based in Florence and instead is engaged in hunting thieves in the Tuscan countryside, it falls to Constable Carlo Strocchi to investigate the killing. Then another merchant is burned alive in public and the rich and powerful of Florence begin to panic. No further details to avoid spoilers.

Bishop moves seamlessly between the perspectives of Aldo and Strocchi as they initially individually negotiate aspects of this complex case. During a scorching heatwave the city becomes increasingly gripped by fear and religious fervour.

As in the other books Bishop includes Historical Notes that provides details of the people and events that feature in ‘Ritual of Fire’, including suggestions for nonfiction further reading.

Overall, I found ‘Ritual of Fire’ another fascinating and highly engaging work of historical crime fiction that effectively transported me to 16th Century Florence and Tuscany. I highly recommend both it and the series as a whole.



[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third outing for Cesare Aldo, officer of the Otto in 16 th century Florence.
I liked the way that the author builds on the first two books, including familiar characters and relating to previous events but there is enough background detail I think to make it enjoyable without having read them. The historical detail is well researched and the characters continue to develop and mature, particularly young Strocchi, now with a wife and child to support and continually torn between the rigid beliefs of his upbringing and his growing understanding that life is never as cut and dried as he would like it to be. Aldo is a very likeable character, intelligent and dogged in his determination to get to the truth. I love the way he reasons things out , making sense of events and his understanding of the different personalities he comes into contact with. The plot is very satisfying, murders invoking the spirit of the monk Savonarola, not overly complex but as the heat rises in Florence building up the tension, Aldo and Strocchi find themselves in a race against time to track down the killer. I like the way that the author looks at the case from the viewpoint of different characters, drawing conclusions and teasing out the truth. Bindi is his usual pompous self but finds himself equally threatened by Cosimo d'Medici demanding action and results. The conclusion is thrilling, action packed and kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation.
I look forward to further books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Florence during the red-hot summer of 1538, Ritual of Fire is the third outing for Cesare Aldo.
On a night patrol, a constable finds the burning body of a man. Prior to being burnt, it appears that the victim was hung. The death is reminiscent of the one suffered by the fanatical monk Girolamo Savonarola forty years earlier. And then posters appear all over the city declaring that Savonarola lives.
No longer working within the city limits, Aldo now fights crime in the towns on villages in the Tuscan hills but when he has cause to bring a thief into the city for processing, he becomes aware of the case of the burning man. But it’s not his problem now so he returns to the hills. Except there is another death by fire, this time in a hillside palazzo and the victims have a connection.
Aldo and Strocchi must work together to solve the case but with the tensions between them still running high, can they put aside their differences to catch a killer?
A work of fiction interwoven with real characters and real events Ritual of Fire is a joy for lovers of Florence in general and the Renaissance period in particular. The author has a way of putting the reader there in the situation, allowing them to get a feel for how people lived.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Teresa Cornelius]

Ritual of Fire by D V Bishop
This is the third book to feature Ceasare Aldo and this on finds him in a village outside Florence where he has gone as it is impossible for him and Carlo Strocchi to work together any longer. In Florence a constable calls Strocchi from his bed to tell him that a man has been discovered tied to a cart and burnt. The manner of his death resembles that of Girolama Savaronola 30 years before. Then posters are placed around Florence stating that Savaronola has risen from the dead.
Aldo apprehends a thief in the countryside and discovers that he had been spying upon one of Aldo’s enemies from the past. Florence swelters in intolerable heat and as they do the body count begins to rise. Someone is taking revenge but what is they want revenge for. Aldo and strocchi are both striving for the same answers but find it impossible to work together.
A very good addition to the series of novels and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend the book to anyone and if you have yet to meet Cesare Aldo begin with City of Vengeance, the first book in the series. Many thanks to the author the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

[Mark taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ritual of Fire" is the third installment in D.V. Bishop’s Cesare Aldo series, set in 1536 Florence during the reign of the Medici family. Detective Cesare Aldo finds himself exiled to the countryside due to a dispute with a colleague, but returns to Florence when a one-armed criminal is arrested on the anniversary of Savonarola's death. As Aldo investigates, he grapples with personal conflicts and political intrigue.

Bishop skillfully immerses readers in Renaissance Florence, weaving a mystery that exploits the time and place of the novel. While the book can be read independently, familiarity with previous installments enhances the experience. Bishop strikes a balance between historical accuracy and narrative engagement, successfully portraying 16th-century Florence without overwhelming the story with extraneous detail.

Character development is a strong point, with Aldo and other characters exhibiting depth and complexity. Bishop avoids stagnation or inconsistency in character arcs, though the series' long-term trajectory remains to be seen.

Overall, "Ritual of Fire" delivers a compelling historical mystery with well-crafted characters and a vivid setting, promising an engaging read for fans of the genre.