Michael Ennis

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! Centered around the infamous Borgias of the Italian Renaissance, Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) and his two illegitimate sons Juan and Cesare, this tale is told by two narrators, Niccolo Machiavelli and a courtesan (the mother of Juan's son). She is forced to try and solve the mystery of Juan’s murder when the Pope ruthlessly kidnaps her and holds her son hostage. Many historical figures make appearances, including Leonardo Da Vinci, each with their show more own reasons for getting their hands on evidence pointing to Juan’s murderer, who it seems may also be a psychotic serial killer responsible for several other brutal murders.

I must preface this review with the fact that I listened to the audio ebook version of this title, and while it was difficult at first to understand the heavy Italian accent of the female narrator, once I got used to her cadence and pronunciation, as well as the liberal smattering of Italian mixed in, I loved it! (The male narrator of the second part is much easier to understand.) I could actually hear the music of the their accents echoing in my head long after having turned it off. This is not one to listen to lightly, however, and I do think it requires more concentration and effort than the average audio selection, especially if one has difficulty with accents, but I felt it was well worth that effort!

That being said, I think the telling of this story from two different viewpoints helps give a more complete picture. I loved the clever, independent, and resourceful female lead character. I found the juxtaposition of Da Vinci’s reliance on empirical measurement and experimentation with Machiavelli’s budding theories regarding the art and science of psychological profiling very interesting, bringing a contemporary slant to the historical time period. Never sure of just who to trust and filled with many twists and turns, this tale definitely reflects the turgid times of the Italian Renaissance with its constant shifting of enemies and allies. show less

I have not read a piece of historical fiction that I have immersed myself completely into as I have The Malice of Fortune. The setting is Italy in early 1500's. All of the major players are already in place and at the seat of power sit the Borgias. Rodrigo is Pope, his son Juan who was head of the Vatican Army has just been murdered and his older brother, Cesare had been elevated from Cardinal to head of the Vatican Army. Cesare, Il Valentino, is trying to keep Rome the seat of power and is show more trying to find common ground amid the Condottiei (the ruling families of Italy). Nicollo Machiavelli is in Rome as a secretary sent to try to work out a deal with Cesare and becomes part of a group trying to solve a string of grisly serial killings. Juan's old mistress, Diamiata, has had her young son taken from her as hostage by Pope Borgia so that she will spy and solve who is responsible for Juan's murder and clear her name as accomplice. Leonardo Da Vinci is developing war craft for the Borgias and is also using the beginnings of forensic medicine to solve these murders. Masterful in the scope of the detail and imagery of the politics and life of the times. Violent and seductive, we want to be alongside these early scientists to separate the magic from science, stop the horrific killings and find the true murderers. Michael Ennis is an art professor who has the gift to breathe life into these fascinating characters. I truly did not want this book to end and was lucky enough to receive an advance copy.(less) show less

I loved Ennis' "Duchess of Milan," was not so blown away by his other novel "Byzantium." Reading "Malice of Fortune," I think that his forte is Renaissance Italy. I really enjoyed this historical mystery.

Furious over the mysterious death of his beloved son, Pope Alexander Borgia blackmails the murdered Juan's former mistress, Damiata, into going to investigate the circumstances of his death. With the Pope holding her son hostage, and under suspicion herself, she has no choice.

Niccolo show more Machiavelli teams up with her, and as more and more mutilated bodies turn up around the city, even Leonardo Da Vinci gets involved, suspecting that the killer or killers are taunting him with a mathematical puzzle.

The challenge for the would-be detectives is not figuring out which of the many suspects could have committed such brutal crimes - most, if not all of the brutal condottierri lords are well known to be capable of atrocities. As far as motivation? Well, Juan was nearly universally disliked, both personally and politically.

I'm deducting a star because the whole serial-killer-creates-geometric-patterns-with-dead-bodies, in-which-a-clue-can-be-found plot, has been done until it does not need to be done any more. However, both Niccolo and Damiata are well-drawn and entertaining characters, and the story proceeds with a nice amount of complexity and thoughtfulness. An enjoyable read. show less

Damiata, courtesan to the murdered Juan Borgia, favorite son of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) is being forced by the Pope, who is holding her 5-year-old son hostage at the Vatican, to find who ended his son’s life or be held ultimately responsible. Enlisting the help of Niccolo Machiavelli and Leonardo da Vinci, Damiata races against time to save her son from the clutches of the Borgias. Ennis weaves together an excellent puzzle, worthy of the infamous characters brought to life in show more The Malice of Fortune. More than half the story is narrated by Machiavelli, giving the reader an intricate look into the workings of his mind and that of Cesare Borgia (aka Valentino), the subject of the classic work The Prince. With the opulence and the brutality of Renaissance Italy as a backdrop, you’re bound to find yourself completely entranced.

This review was originally written for Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore. show less