Here we go, my fourth review in the Cesare Aldo series this year. Wait a minute, what do you mean I have to wait a YEAR for the next one? What the hell am I supposed to do with myself until then?! I’d like to speak to the manager, please, this Queen is very displeased and that won’t do.

*Ahem*

So, I’ve been on a Cesare Aldo binge this year, as you might have noticed, and with each book, I’ve become increasingly more obsessed with the series. I read an ARC for A Divine Fury, but I still need to stress that you totally should get the audiobook versions (too) of these books. Seriously.

The year is 1539, Aldo is finally back in Florence, although he is stuck with night patrol duties while Strocchi is becoming one of the best investigators the Otto has. Obviously, Aldo is not happy with his status and so he is determined to become an officer once again. Finding a dead body next to the David statue in a position like Jesus on the cross, seem to provide that opportunity. While Strocchi and Aldo work on the case that’s becoming more and more tangled, they also work on their friendship. They still need to build up the trust lost between them, which is not easy as Aldo tends to follow his own ideas rather than follow instructions. On top of it all, Strocchi is also struggling with his role within the Otto. His strong sense of justice and his idealistic view of keeping the law clash with the reality of politics and a secretary who only cares about his own power and status. On one hand, the money he earns as an officer helps to provide for his growing family, but on the other, he feels trapped in a job that doesn’t meet with his morals and ideals. Which is pretty relatable, if you think about it. I like how these characters we’ve been following so far grow and evolve with each book.

“Strocchi grabbed Aldo’s arm. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Have I ever led you astray before?’
‘Frequently.’
Then you should be used to it by now,’ Aldo said with a smile.
‘This isn’t funny.’
‘Trust me, Carlo.'”

In A Divine Fury, Aldo and Strocchi investigate a series of murders that seemingly has no connection with each other, except for the way the bodies are treated – they are positioned like Jesus on the cross, their tongue is cut in half, and they appear to be strangled with something beaded. They also have ash on their forehead and a piece of paper in their pockets that seems to be from the book of an exorcist. One would say they investigate, in short, a serial murder case, but 1) the term is not known yet in this age and 2) technically you need 3 murders to be counted as a serial murder and there are only 2 here. Plus one and an attempt. Anyway. The only thing Aldo and Strocchi have to go with are the names of their victims – Zamora, a wealthy wool merchant who is well-liked in Florence, and Freccia, a thief who also used to sell his body, whom Aldo knows all too well as an officer.

This time we don’t know the killer or the motive, so we investigate along with Aldo and Strocchi, which I always find exciting, because I love collecting the clues and trying to figure out what happened. I mean, I read murder mysteries for a reason, duh. Bishop provides us with a couple of possible suspects, and handles them really well as I kept guessing until the reveal, because every time I thought “Okay, I think it was this person”, new information came up and made me doubt myself (damn you, Bishop for making me doubt myself, how very dare!).

As it happens with mystery books, we get a range of new side characters. First we have Father Negri, the exorcist, who has pretty, uh, “interesting” views on how the devil works and how demons appear to possess queer people (they are not called as such, of course, given the fact that the term wasn’t in use in the 16th century), and how an exorcism can make them change their ways. Which is pretty much an early version of conversion therapy and we all know how well that tends to go… Little surprise that he is not the most liked priest in town. Let’s take Vanni, who works in a tannery together with Freccia’s wife, who lost her brother not longer after Negri’s exorcism. And who is determined to go to anyone who might listen to her to complain about him and his church. There is also Father Zati, Negri’s assistant, who changed places quite a few times in the past, and whom we met already in The Darkest Sin, even if only fleetingly. I love how Bishop used events in that book to incorporate in Zati’s plotline. That was very smartly done, just as I love how Rebecca from City of Vengeance is still around, proving to be an intelligent and independent young woman. I really hope we’ll see more of her in the future.

And then, let’s say a few words about my new favorite character in this series – Contessa Coltello, who married a Venetian merchant, who was sent to Florence as a spy. Not that he himself did much spying, but you know how it is in male-dominated worlds – there is no way a woman could do a 100 times better job than an old privileged man. Obviously. And so when Venice has a new spymaster, the Contessa is facing the problem of being replaced. I was literally giddy with excitement to see what she’d figure out to literally hand the new guy his balls. It didn’t quite go as I hoped, but I shall give her credit for being smart about the whole business. I think that was probably my only disappointment with A Divine Fury. I wish I’d never have bigger problems, really. That said, I very much look forward to her future interactions with Aldo, because damn, those were highly entertaining.

I’m starting to feel like D. V. Bishop is unable to go wrong with this series, and A Divine Fury is another example of an excellent historical mystery novel. Please just hook me up and inject any further Cesare Aldo novels directly into my veins, because that’s how much I love them. Mr Bishop, if you ever find yourself in need of a beta reader, please remember me. Sincerely, an impatient fan who needs the next book right about now. *slinks off to wallow in despair until next time*

Diving into religious serial killer territory, the fourth in the Cesare Aldo series is an enjoyable, historical romp, even when it runs into the odd pacing issue and disappearing character.

A Divine Fury is another great entry in the Cesare Aldo series. Opening up a few months after the end of the third book, Aldo is back in Florence, no longer a constable but instead demoted to night patrol. It’s here that he stumbles across a conspiracy, but one that’s harder to uncover in the daylight.

As with previous books, this is a fast paced mystery, almost thriller-like at times, and that’s its biggest strength. I usually gravitate towards more in-depth historical fiction than this, but it’s the quick nature of it that I like most here. You’re never in want of the next thing happening and, quite often, it’s a move you don’t really expect.

Bishop is also not afraid of putting his characters into sticky situations — here, Aldo has been put on night patrol, a far cry from his position in previous books as he remains out of favour in the Otto. Added onto that, Strocchi has taken up the position that Aldo previously held and is not in the best of moods with his old friend/colleague. Which is hardly improved when Aldo starts to go lone wolf on the investigation that is, supposedly, run by Strocchi.

Overall, A Divine Fury is a fun new entry into the series, one that will have you on your toes, keeping you guessing throughout. And given that ending, one that leaves me excited for what’s to come.

DV Bishop once again returns us to Renaissance Italy, and Florence, with his latest well researched blend of fact and fiction with his vibrant, captivating historical mystery series featuring former criminal court officer, Cesare Aldo. It is more than a year later after the events from the previous book, 1539, a Florence operating under the young Duke de Cosimo, a time of curfews, cconflicts, and city states, when the Church wields immense power and influence. Aldo has returned from exile, serving as a constant night constable amidst the streets overflowing with roaming dangerous individuals, illegality, and drunks.

One particular night chase sees Aldo coming across a dead body at the base of Michelangelo's statue of David, appearing to be crucified. A slew of familiar characters return, including Saul, the Jewish doctor, Bindi from the criminal court, the struggling and fearful Carlo Strocchi with all the demands of a family, as Aldo investigates a complex mystery with more bodies turning up, whilst the Duke has another task for him. There is intrigue, a spying Contessa whose interactions with Aldo are a fabulous joy to glimpse. Perhaps aspects of the plot is a trifle too obvious, but I would have to say this is still an engaging and gripping addition to the series.

Bishop is wonderful in the sense of location he imparts, making this period of historical Florence come alive, I appreciated how he creates and develops his characters and the themes he chooses to focus on, and look forward with great anticipation to the next book in the series. A great historical series that I think will appeal to a wide range of readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

A Divine Fury by D V Bishop
Having read the previous 3 novels in this series I was eagerly anticipating another outing for Cesare Aldo. Having been forced to carry out night duty for the last 18 months Aldo is desperate to escape the tedium of the night watch and return to his investigative role. Then one night, after curfew, whilst chasing a person breaking the curfew Cesare comes across a body which has been murdered and then placed in the position of Christ on the cross.
The book reveals the power of the church in the Medici Florence of 1539. Those who stray from the norm are submitted to the priests who attempt to drive out their evil spirits through exorcism; but this can have a terrible impact upon the victim.
The author evokes the sights, smells and the sounds of Florence during the Renaissance period. We are immersed in a society of city states which are constantly spying upon one another and a population who are all in awe of the church. The description of Aldo’s meeting with the scheming Contessa was wonderful and it would be interesting to see what the Contessa gets up to in the next book.
Meanwhile Strocchi is coping with living with a young child and a wife who is suffering from terrible sickness due to her next pregnancy. Fortunately his mother arrives to ease the burden. The story is gripping, well written and an entertaining read for those new to Aldo and or for those who have encountered him before. I will be recommending this to my various book groups and would like to thank the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

I adored this novel, number four in this detective series set In Renaissance Italy.
The year is 1539, Florence is the setting. Duke Cosimo de Medici is the ruler of the city.
Cesare Aldo is a Police officer on night duty, there to enforce the curfew. He and officer Benedetto come across a body lying at the foot of a fountain in the Piazza della Signoria. This man has a red mark around his neck, suggestive of being garrotted, and the body has been posed like a crucifixion.
Dr Saul Orvieto, a Jewish doctor is called to the scene. We surmise that he and Aldo are probably lovers, this does add an interesting slant to a Police series , set in Rome, which is known as a bastion of Catholic religion and beliefs. Men are expected to get married in Florence, that is probably why Aldo lives in a Bordello to avoid speculation about his love life.
Why was the man murdered? Why was his body arranged so, and what message was being conveyed?
This leads to a fascinating romp through Renaissance Florence. Along the way, we learn more about the Catholic Church, special services offered by certain priests, spies, conspiracies, politics of Italy and other influential places, and various sexual practices and how to hide your true nature, not to mention the murders that follow.
I found this to be an enthralling murder mystery. This is the first book I have read in this series, so I am very late to the party. I found the story easy to follow and felt it could be just as enjoyable as a stand alone story. I loved the characters of Aldo and Saul, very well portrayed, each risking so much to be together.
My thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave a copy of this to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication. I gave this 5 stars.

I haven't read the previous books in the series, but the author brought me up to speed easily with well-placed references and backstory, so I never felt left behind. The worldbuilding is wonderfully immersive and the characters engaging. The writing feels historically and culturally accurate yet easy to read.

The plot was well paced, with rising tension that kept making me think 'one more chapter.' The entire set-up was great, but unfortunately, I felt rather let down by the revelation of the mystery - the character's motivations just didn't gel. Means and opportunity were well crafted, but motive fell flat.

So, I was left feeling a bit deflated, but I enjoyed 90% of the book and it won't put me off reading others in the series.

This is a fantastc series set in 16th century Florence. A great cast of characters and some excellent plots. This one deals with priests, exorcism and spying. Lots going on, as usual, with Strocchi and Aldo kept busy. I liked the ending and am looking forward to seeing how the series develops in the next book.

What’s not to like? A few hours in the virtual company of Cesare Aldo as he again works to foil the dark side in sixteenth century Florence was always going to be a pleasure, having enjoyed the first three books in this series. As always, there is much to be said from reading books in a series in order, but there is plenty here to entertain the first time reader of the adventures of Cesare Aldo. The author somehow manages to capture what seems to be an authentic atmosphere of the time and the pressures he faces from the political intrigues of the period in trying to solve a series of murders.

Another great read
Set in Renaissance Florence, Aldo a constable for the Otto attempts to solve a bizarre murder with the help of Strocchi against a backdrop of political intrigue and a superior who is full of his own importance and disregards the skills of his people.
Aldo gets dragged into the political machinations between Florence and Venice and is given limited time to solve the case whilst in fear for his life and job.
If you know Florence you will enjoy this book as you follow Aldo and Strocchi through the streets of Florence during the time of Cosimo Medici at the height of Medici power.

This is the fourth book in a series featuring Cesare Aldo. It works well as a standalone, but there is a lot of character development over the previous books which you miss if you haven’t read them.

D V Bishop creates Renaissance Florence and Italy to perfection. It was a country divided and regions were constantly under threat and the atmosphere if suspicion and intrigue us captured so well. I’ve never been to Florence, but reading these books has given me a sense of the opulence of the buildings, the narrow streets and the smells and taste of a city as it was over 500 years ago.

Aldo has returned after a period of exile but has been severely demoted to night patrol. An arduous and dangerous job in the dark streets when there’s danger at every corner. Needless to say he becomes involved with murder and we see the Aldo we’ve grown to love apply his knowledge and intellect, along with some cunning, to resolve the situation. For me, this is historical crime fiction at its best. I trust the research to be complex and comprehensive, and the period detail is sewn into every story seamlessly. There’s a real feel for the era and political connivings. Really enjoyed this and there are enough twists to keep the reader guessing.

A fascinating tale based in. Florence . Quite unusually written but it is definitely worth persevering with.

This is the 4th book in DV Bishop's hugely enjoyable historical crime thrillers, set in de Medici Florence. One of the things I really enjoy about these books is how well the author conjures up the sights, smells and sounds of Renaissance Florence, and how cleverly he integrates us into a very different society with very different morals, ways of living and fears. This is a city that lives under the eyes of the church, under curfew, ruled by a Duke who himself is constantly on the look out for enemies, in an Italy not united but fragmented into city states. The research is so beautifully woven in that it never feels out of place but as if Bishop is describing a place and time he himself inhabits.
The book opens with Aldo, the protagonist of the series, demoted to constable and placed on never ending night watch arresting curfew breakers until a mysterious murder sees his old assistant, Strocchi, now an officer in his place, requesting his help. The change in dynamic isn't easy for either man, especially when the Duke requests Aldo's help with another matter entirely, one unconnected to his work with the Otto, the law-enforcing arm of Florentine law. I didn't find the mystery itself quite as compelling as previous books, but enjoyed the character development, the new characters and the interplay between Aldo and his unpleasant boss Bindi, and with a glamorous, intelligent Contessa who is playing Aldo as much as he is playing her...
Dark, twisty and a lot of fun. Recommended.

This is a solid historical fiction novel from The Aldo scries set in Florence. Although it is not the first, not reading earlier novels isn’t vital.

The story is fast moving, complex and has a nice twist at the end. I enjoyed it.

I am enjoying this series and was pleased to receive a review copy of this fourth book (many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley). The plot had the traditional gruesome elements associated with a serial killer (tongues split in half for example) and it was good to spend time with Cesare Aldo again.

Whilst still enjoying this I did find that it dragged more than previous novels, I think in part because of the larger focus on Strocchi at the expense of Aldo, he is much less engaging, and I must admit that I found the seductive Venetian spy rather funny, more an 'Allo 'Allo character than a serious temptress. As the cast of characters is fairly small it didn't take long to identify the killer.

Having said this it was well-researched as ever, and the modern themes like being gay in an oppressive society are handled sensitively.

This is the fourth outing for Cesare Aldo of the Otto in Florence and very enjoyable it is too. There are familiar characters in Strocchi and his growing family and the rather slimy Bindi who does everything he can to make Aldo’s life difficult and ingratiate himself with Cosimo d’Medici. The interweaving of historical detail and a juicy murder mystery is immaculate and seamless and the storytelling is smooth and accomplished. But I missed the tension that Cecci added to the mix and the threat of danger from previous stories. Aldo’s life seems more settled and less adventurous, even his relationship with Saul is untroubled despite the presence of a femme fatale spy mistress. While the conclusion was not unexpected this was a satisfying read and I hope there is more to come.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

This is the fourth in a series of historical mysteries set in Renaissance Florence and centring around policeman Cesare Aldo. I haven’t read the first three but was interested in the setting and that was very well portrayed, with a real sense of time and place. The mystery itself was interesting but not too difficult to guess as there weren’t really many suspects, and it didn’t completely engage me. Some of the characters felt a little underdeveloped too but perhaps this is because I haven’t read the previous books. An interesting read though.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A Divine Fury is the fourth volume of the Cesare Aldo series of historical mysteries. Whilst it is technically possible to start here, you’d be missing out on much of the character action – not to mention three brilliant books. Go read City of Vengeance, you won’t regret it.

Book 4 finds Cesare Aldo back in Florence following a period of exile, but permanently banished to night patrol. The grisly discovery of a murder victim, posed as if crucified, offers him a chance to return to his previous life as an officer of the Otto.

I do enjoy this series. It has everything you would want from the historical crime genre. Convincing and compelling characters – Strocci, Bindi, Saul and Rebecca all appear within these pages, well written dialogue, a well-realised setting and a good plot. The series grows book by book and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Much recommended to fans of historical crime fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, Macmillan UK, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cesare Aldo is back in Florence. In this fourth book of the series, he has been assigned to the night watch but is desperately trying to get back to proper detecting. When a body is discovered in one of the piazzas, he joins forces with Strocchi to bring the guilty to justice. His investigation brings him into conflict with the Florentine church. In addition, Cosimo Medici also has plans for Aldo.
I enjoy the historical aspect of this series. Fifteenth century Florence is brought to life in vivid detail. With the earlier books, I found them slow to get into but there was usually excitement and an upping of the pace towards the end. With this book I felt it fell a bit flat. The story was not engrossing and the characters didn't engage as well as in previous books. Strocchi was a much stronger character than Aldo in this book. For me Aldo seemed rather two dimensional.
It was a reasonably entertaining read but I hope for better from the next book in the series.

From GoodReads:
Murder, Intrigue, Mayhem, Spys, Florence, Medici's, Forbidden Love .. and a dose of Religion
This is as good,if not better, than the previous books in series. Really enjoyed - what next for Aldo though