In her latest novel for young people, Mary Hoffman pays more than a passing nod to the current vogue for period crime novels. Here the background is medieval Umbria. Silvano, accused of murdering the rich farmer Tommaso, must take sanctuary with the Franciscans in Gubbio. Here also comes Chiara, destined to become a nun. But there are more murders and now one of the friars is implicated. A stylish novel with a richly imagined background.
(Ferelith Hordon - bwl 41 August 2007 ) |
