I really enjoyed Sinners. I had absolutely no knowledge about Beatrice Cenci's life so I truly went in without spoilers. It was great to experience her journey with her, I think the author really got into her head in an interesting way. Loved the insight into life in this era.

Elizabeth Fremantle is an author I’ve been following since her first book, Queen’s Gambit, was published in 2013. I’ve enjoyed all of her novels, to varying degrees, but I think her latest one, Sinners, is the best so far. It’s the story of the Italian noblewoman, Beatrice Cenci, and is a very dark and powerful read.

The book begins in Rome in 1598 with Beatrice discovering the dead body of her brother Rocco, a victim of one of her father’s long-running feuds. To avoid any further retaliations, the family flee to La Rocca, a hunting lodge in the mountains, but this proves not to be a place of safety for Beatrice as her father, Francesco Cenci, becomes increasingly cruel and unpredictable, abusing her physically, verbally and sexually. Her stepmother, Lucrezia, and younger half-brother, Bernardo, are also targets for his brutal violence and abuse, while her other brother, Giacomo, who is gay, remains estranged from the family, forced to communicate with Beatrice in secret.

As life behind the walls of La Rocca becomes more and more unbearable, Beatrice finds some solace in her growing friendship with Olimpio Calvetti, one of her father’s servants. When she becomes pregnant with Olimpio’s child, Beatrice fears for their lives if her father learns the truth – especially if he also learns that Beatrice has been reporting him to the authorities for his abusive behaviour! And so Beatrice comes up with a plan which, if it works, could set them all free, but if it fails could leave them in even more danger than before.

As you’ll be able to tell, Sinners is not an easy or comfortable book to read. Francesco Cenci is one of the most wicked, depraved characters you’re likely to come across in fiction and the way he treats his wife and children is unimaginably cruel. Knowing that he was a real person and that his family really did suffer at his hands makes it even more horrible to read about. It also makes it easy for the reader to have sympathy for Beatrice when she decides to take action, although Fremantle explains in her author’s note that her intention in writing the book was to portray Beatrice as a complex woman who is both innocent and guilty, saint and sinner, something which I think she achieves.

Fremantle also uses her author’s note to clarify where the book sticks to historical fact and where she uses her imagination to produce a compelling work of fiction. I found it particularly fascinating to read about the famous portrait of Beatrice Cenci, attributed to Guido Reni, which is now thought to be by Ginevra Cantofoli and maybe not even a portrait of Beatrice at all. Fremantle works the painting of the portrait into the plot in an interesting way, showing how it was used to evoke sympathy for Beatrice from the public.

I love the way Fremantle recreates the feel of late-16th century Italy and although it’s set a decade or two earlier, Sinners makes a good companion novel to Disobedient, her book about Artemisia Gentileschi. Artemisia’s story even overlaps with Beatrice’s in the first chapter. I’m looking forward to seeing who and what Fremantle decides to write about next!

The Cenci family are notorious in Rome. Conte Cenci has had numerous feuds and two of his sons have been murdered in revenge so the family escapes to a mountain fortress for safety. There Beatrice falls in love with Olimpio, her father's steward, but when she falls pregnant her father believes that the child is his. Beatrice realises that her father has to die to stop him killing every one of them. However, when the deed is done, the family is suspected.
This novel is based on the story of Beatrice Cenci who was executed for the murder of her father in the late 16th century. Fremantle is an experienced writer of historical fiction and here she has woven the scant knowledge of the story into a sad tale about a family subject to domestic violence and who see death as the only way out. The romance bits are a little unconvincing but the rest is excellent.

This tells the true story of Beatrice Cenci ,an Italian noblewoman who was accused, along with her stepmother and two brothers, of murdering her abusive father in the late 16th century.It’s a very dark tale which highlights the harsh treatment of women at that time,and the power held by men over their female relatives.
The family were virtually imprisoned in a remote castle by their father because of a feud in which another of their brothers was murdered.At that time,Beatrice became the lover of Olympio,,who worked for her father and who became an accomplice to the crime.
I found the pace of the book a bit slow at times,and some of the prose verged on the ‘purple’,but ultimately I was sympathetic to the position in which Beatrice found herself.I was interested in the notes at the end which gave more of the actual history.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

A dark story from history but one with an addictive quality that pulls the reader into this beautifully fashioned world. Sinners tells the tale of Beatrice Cenci, a young noble woman in late 1500s Rome. A world of opulence under the cruel oversight of her wealthy father is all she knows. How to navigate his vile moods and vicious temper has become an art form to Bea. But, sadly for her, she is beautiful and draws the worst kind of attention from this dangerous man. Not only is he a threat to her but their entire family is in danger as her father has many enemies. Off to the safety of their country family estate, Bea, her father, stepmother and stepbrother seek sanctuary and reunite with Olimpio, the estate keeper. Olimpio is all that her father is not - kind, considerate and gentle. A risky game ensues where there is much to gamble for a life of love and happiness without the fear that is her daily companion.

I ate this novel up. The rich descriptive element painted a vivid picture of their life, surroundings, this Renaissance world. The creeping sinister atmosphere was tantalising and made me think often of the real life Beatrice and what she encountered. If she was anything like the force of soft power implied within this text she must have been quite a young woman. As our narrator she is well crafted, equally so all the characters in Sinners. The balancing act of keeping Bea's father from anger was a real tightrope act. Yes, there's the budding attraction between Bea and Olimpio but it isn't a soppy romance as the fear of discovery keeps the romantic level in check. Though there's plenty of girlish pondering over their mutual infatuation.

Sinners was a gripping read that has lingered with me. I find myself thinking on the story days after finishing and googling the facts of the case. Sinners is a perfect blend of history, murder mystery, court room drama woven into a rich tapestry of love, deceit, fear and quest for survival. Intoxicating.

Intriguing premise and interesting characters, however for me it didn’t hit the mark.

As someone who was not read much set in this time I liked the small glimpses of the world we got when the story unfolding in Rome, however the rets of the plot felt like it could have been any historical setting.
The pacing of the book felt quite slow, and I was surprised that the blurb of the book did not come to fruition until nearing the end of the book. I struggled with Beatrice as a character and didn’t root for her, however I found her strength and resolve can across better towards the second half of the book.

Overall I liked the concept of this book, however for me it just didn’t come together.

In 1598 Italian noblewoman Beatrice Cenci has just discovered the body of her brother Rocco, collateral damage from one of her father's feuds. Francesco Cenci therefore decides to move his family, daughter Beatrice, her stepmother Lucrezia, her half-brother Bernardo, and himself to his country house against their will. His estranged son Giacomo does not join them. But rather than a loving, protective act, Francesco is possessive, controlling, violent and abusive. And when Beatrice finds love with servant Olimpio, she knows that they will all have to do something appalling to escape. Be warned, this will not end well.

This book is about a real family, a real event, and a real trial and outcome. Over the centuries Beatrice Cenci has inspired art, operas, books and plays, but she has always been portrayed as a victim. There is a lot of myth and mystery that surrounds her. What Fremantle does is finally give Beatrice some agency. Nobody knows the full truth, so this is very much an imagined version of events, but it's done so beautifully and heartbreakingly. Some events and characters are made up, but much of it is real.

I knew this wouldn't end how I would want it to going in, but I didn't expect to be so affected by this book, I was tearing up at the end. I loved it, I would absolutely recommend it, and since it publishes 3rd July I might buy a copy later this year for my mum for her birthday.

I absolutely adored this. This is how historical fiction should be done. A heroine who is strong-willed, afraid, in love, determined, steely... She was the driving force of this novel and I was with her through every chapter. I can't believe how evocative this historical setting was. A masterpiece. Thank you for this early review copy.

This is the story of Beatrice Cenci. A woman who is accused of murder and awaits her execution.
The year is 1599, and she is being held prisoner in a remote castle by her cruel father, but she is determined to prove she is no wallflower, she will show the world she a strong and determined woman who will not be bullied by strong, violent and powerful men. Beatrice will hold her head up and fight for herself and the baby growing inside of her.
I’ve read a lot of powerful stories, but this one took my breath away.
Elizabeth Fremantle is an exceptional writer and this novel is a wonderful piece of literature.
It’s one of those books I love to read, the atmosphere and emotion, along with the setting is to die for. Also the main character is portrayed perfectly.
No one writes this kind of historical fiction better than Elizabeth Fremantle, she is truly very good at what she does.
A fantastic book, and one I highly recommend.

4.5
This is a tale of white hot female rage and the power and resilience of a remarkable woman who fought back against male violence in a deeply Patriarchal, 16th century Rome.

Based on a real case in 1599, this is a fictionalised account of Beatrice Cenci; a noblewoman who was tried for conspiring to murder her abusive father.
16th century Rome and the Catholic patriarchy are made vivid through richly atmospheric storytelling. The brutal realities for women are laid bare-be warned you will simmer with feminist rage reading this!
I loved Beatrice and admired her strength and pragmatism. She wasn’t a passive victim either but took action in her attempts to protect everyone. The author weaves the moral complexity of the case very well: you as the reader are left to decide who is the sinner and who is sinned against. The forbidden love story at the heart of it was beautifully done too.

A chilling, heartbreaking end, wonderfully told.

Thanks to NetGalley & Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC. Really recommend!

Such a unique historical fiction that explores Beatrice Cenci's life and what happened to lead her to murder. The blend of history and fiction makes you believe it all happened, and you feel like you are in the 1500s experiencing the events.

I would recommend this book for historical fiction fans, especially those who enjoy true historical events being woven into fiction!

A powerful and searing story that is let down a little by some patchy pacing.

Telling the story of Beatrice Cenci and her family, this is a historic retelling of a dark and dangerous moment in Italy. It wasn't anything I'd heard of before, and going into it blind was 100% the right decision. It was heart pounding, dramatic tale of a family and the evil that lurks behind normality, how a smile and a supposed 'safe' person can be so much more threatening than anything outwardly evil.

It started so strong, a great setting, a very dramatic couple of set pieces, really grounding the story and creating strong emotions in the reader for almost all the characters that you encounter. And then, once they have returned to Rome, the pace picked up again and it sped towards the end, so much was covered in that last 100 pages, there was barely any chance to catch a breath. It was the middle that was the weak spot, which is a shame because that is where the softer moments are, where there are brief moments of peace within the horror. It was just so slow at times that I kept loosing interest and having to press forward. I would have loved more time in Rome, both the good and bad moments.

A powerful story nevertheless and one worth the read - just make sure you're in the right mood for a dark tale.

The story is set in and around Rome during the late 16th century and based on the true and tragic story of Beatrice Cenci who, with the aid of her siblings and stepmother, bludgeoned her abusive father Francesco to death and then threw him off a balcony to make it look like an accident. The narrator is Beatrice herself which to me was a little bizarre considering the outcome! Sadly for me the tale lacked historical detail and became a little tedious lacking any real depth and emotion - I was skipping pages towards the conclusion. Sorry - not for me I’m afraid.

I have to say that I did not finish this novel by Elizabeth Fremantle. The premise of the story interested me but I was frustrated by the overblown descriptions of Olimpio. I felt there was too much emphasis on these interludes and it detrimental to the story.

A 16th century tale taken from life, about a young noble woman in a vulnerable situation with an abusive father, becoming part of something much darker. She has a much loved companion, who is replaced by a young girl who wishes to become a nun, and is seen as untrustworthy. They are uprooted to an inhospitable country house with her stepmother and half brother who is neurodivergent. There are, despite these circumstances, some beautiful passages of her love of nature and animals, when she gets to temporarily escape with horse and dog, and a burgeoning love for one of their party. I was totally engrossed in this beautiful story, and was surprised how close it came to the reality of those times. The author deals very sensitively with the language of Roman Italy, and I felt it evoked the spirit and injustices of that period.

A very different pick for me, I wouldn't normally lean into historical fiction but I'm so glad that I did.

Wonderfully written, it was easy to become engrossed in the story of Bea and her terrible father.

I would love to see this book made into a TV series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the privilege of reading this ARC, I am not sure I would have purchased it but I'm so glad I did.

A young noblewoman, poised and defiant, awaits her fate. Within the walls of the Corte Savella, she has stirred the hearts and captured the imaginations of all Rome…

This is the powerful and poignant story of Beatrice Cenci.

Too often history has flattened her—portraying her either as a fragile victim of cruelty or a cold architect of revenge. But this Beatrice is far more than the roles imposed upon her. A woman in love, imprisoned in a distant castle by a tyrannical father, she burns not with helplessness, but with unyielding spirit.

She is both light and shadow, innocence and defiance—a complex soul who dares to rise in a world ruled by violence and men.

And rise she will, with unshakable grace, no matter the price.

Stunning writing, description in detail on page after page. Page turner.

True story based in 16 century in Rome. The abuse a family all suffered at the hands of their father. Abuse that did not bode well for any of the family right to the end.

Thank you Net galley for letting me read this book.

I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book. The author really has a gift for making you feel the danger that the characters are in in every chapter. It is a tense, emotional roller coaster that will have you holding your breath and hoping that things will turn out okay. Beatrice was a brilliant, strong character and her love story was urgent and believable. All the characters were well written and well rounded, and Fremantle really does have a gift for writing a villain!

I just loved this. I hadn’t heard of the true story that this was based on and made a point to not do any research before finishing. The re-telling is written beautifully, bringing you through all of the emotions and frustration with the characters. I enjoyed the concept and felt like the modernisation dealt with difficult topics really well. I couldn’t put this book down, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend. I’ll be going to find other books by Elizabeth Fremantle and will keep an eye out for future books, too!