Tag: historical fiction

Book Review: The Phoenix of Florence by Philip Kazan

whatcathyreadnext4 Comments

The Phoenix of FlorenceAbout the Book

15th century Italy, deep in the Tuscan countryside, a long-held feud between two aristocratic families ends in tragedy, leaving only one young girl alive. Having barely escaped with her life, she vows to survive at all costs…

Years later, amidst the winding streets and majestic facades of Florence, two murders are not all they seem. As Onorio Celavini, commander of the Medici police force, investigates, he is horrified to find a personal connection to the crimes, and a conspiracy lurking beyond. The secrets of his past threaten to spill out and Celavini is forced to revisit the traumatic memories hidden deep within him to lay the ghosts of history to rest.

Format: Hardcover (pp.)    Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 21st February 2019      Genre: Historical Fiction

Pre-order/Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com  ǀ Hive.co.uk (supporting UK bookshops)
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find The Phoenix of Florence on Goodreads

My Review

I absolutely loved Philip Kazan’s The Black Earth (read my review here) and have his previous two books – Appetite and The Painter of Souls  – in my TBR pile. Therefore I approached The Phoenix of Florence with a sense of eager anticipation. I’m happy to report I was not disappointed. Far from it. I loved every compelling page of the book.

Based on the book description, you’d be right in expecting an intriguing historical mystery, an enigmatic central character and an evocative depiction of 15th century Tuscany. However it’s a fair bet that, like me, you won’t be expecting everything that unfolds.

As Onorio Celavini diligently and methodically embarks on the investigation into two deaths, a name is mentioned that triggers very personal and painful memories from the past. Suddenly the story is moving in an entirely different but totally enthralling direction. The reader gains an insight into many of the perplexing facets of Onorio’s character: the source of his disturbing “soldier’s dreams”, his remarkable expertise at fencing, the reason for his decision to live alone and the origin of the scars people cannot fail to notice.

It seems Onorio has much to hide, things he is fearful may be revealed. “Like all things, concealment becomes a habit.” In fact, concealment and imitation are themes that run through the book, whether by necessity, through treachery or by inclination.

The Phoenix of Florence is a compelling, powerful, multi-layered historical mystery that serves up one unexpected delight after another. There are action-packed scenes of battle, insights into the life of a mercenary and the politics of Florence, as well as evocative descriptions of landscape and details of everyday life that really immerse the reader in the period. I absolutely loved it. Historical fiction fans, this is one to look out for when it’s published on 21st February 2019.

My grateful thanks to Allison and Busby for my proof copy.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

In three words: Compelling, immersive, powerful

Try something similar…The Poison Bed by E. C. Fremantle (read my review here)

Philip Kazan GRAbout the Author

PHILIP KAZAN was born in London and grew-up on Dartmoor. He is the author of two previous novels set in fifteenth-century Florence and the Petroc series following a thirteenth-century adventurer. After living in New York and Vermont, Philip is back on the edge of Dartmoor with his wife and three children. (Photo credit: Goodreads author page)

Connect with Philip

Website  ǀ  Twitter  ǀ  Goodreads

Blog Tour/Book Review: The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie

whatcathyreadnext7 Comments

Sewing Machine Blog Tour Poster

It’s a great pleasure to be hosting today’s stop on the blog tour for The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie, which is published in paperback tomorrow (7th February) having sold over sold over 100k ebook copies to date.   Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part and to Unbound for my review copy.

Described by Herald Scotland as ‘A tapestry of strong characters and accomplished writing’, you can read my thoughts on The Sewing Machine below.  Do check out the tour banner to follow the other fabulous book bloggers taking part in the tour.

the sewing machine pbAbout the Book

It is 1911, and Jean is about to join the mass strike at the Singer factory. For her, nothing will be the same again.

Decades later, in Edinburgh, Connie sews coded moments of her life into a notebook, as her mother did before her.

More than 100 years after his grandmother’s sewing machine was made, Fred discovers a treasure trove of documents. His family history is laid out before him in a patchwork of unfamiliar handwriting and colourful seams.

He starts to unpick the secrets of four generations, one stitch at a time.

Format: Paperback (342 pp.)    Publisher: Unbound
Published: 7th February 2019       Genre: Historical Fiction

Purchase Links*
Amazon.co.uk  ǀ  Amazon.com
*links provided for convenience, not as part of any affiliate programme

Find The Sewing Machine on Goodreads

My Review

Focusing on the lives of three characters – Jean, Connie and Fred – along with the people close to them, The Sewing Machine transports the reader from 1911 to the modern day.  In telling the stories of the various characters, the author provides a wealth of domestic detail relevant to the specific period giving a real feeling of authenticity.  On the other hand, at times the narrative skips over significant periods of and momentous events in their lives, with the gaps only filled towards the end of the book.  I had a few “When did that happen?” moments. There were some events, such as the strike at the Singer factory, that I would actually have liked to learn more about.

There were details in the book that I absolutely loved such as the entries in the notebook recording garments made on the sewing machine that often told their own sad story. The introduction of a new character later in the book cleverly brings the various stories together.   I also liked how the sewing machine is shown to represent different things to different people: a solace, a distraction, a source of employment, a symbol of frugality, a key to friendship and a source of artistic inspiration.

The author possesses an obvious gift for creating realistic characters.  I loved Jean and Connie but I have to say I struggled a bit more with Fred initially.  I was even tempted to sympathise with his girlfriend, Samantha, at one point but that quickly passed!  And the author did eventually her work her magic on me.  As the book went on and Fred is gradually drawn out of himself, particularly with the help of the family next door, I began to warm to him.  In a way, he is the character who grows the most during this charming, heartwarming book.

I received a review copy courtesy of publishers, Unbound, and Random Things Tours.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

In three words: Gentle, emotional, intimate

Try something similar…Entanglement by Katy Mahood (read my review here)

Natalie Fergie Author PicAbout the Author

Natalie Fergie is a textile enthusiast, and has spent the last ten years running a one-woman dyeing business, sending parcels of unique yarn  and thread all over the world. Before this she had a career in nursing. She lives near Edinburgh.

Connect with Natalie

Website  ǀ  Twitter  ǀ  Instagram ǀ Goodreads