Tears of the Madonna: An Italian Renaissance Mystery - Paperback

by Kit Seaton (Illustrator), George Adam Herman (Author)

A Missing Necklace * A decadent court in Renaissance Italy * A Reluctant Detective "Yes, this man is sent to kill me." The courier, transporting a fabulous necklace, wisely decides to break his journey at an Inn to assess the situation. Indeed he is being followed and reasons he is safer here than on the open road. However he and his mission are doomed and the necklace is lost. The "Tears of the Madonna" is a historical mystery novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci as a reluctant detective in the vein of Sherlock Holmes. The setting of the novel is Mantua Italy in the court of Isabella d'Este who has invited Leonardo to paint her portrait. The Mantuan court is famous for moral depravity, political intrigue and extreme decadence (well it is Italy in the Renaissance) and Leonardo is hesitant but ultimately accepts the commission. When Leonardo and Niccolo arrive they learn a fabulous necklace, "Tears of the Madonna" has mysteriously disappeared. The Marquesa had sent the necklace to Venice as payment for a loan. Both the necklace and the courier have vanished. Isabella is furious and suspects a conspiracy among her agents. Isabella's pet dwarfs, act as spies in the castle and they are directed to discover which of her agents may have kept the necklace. One of the agents is found dead, a supposed suicide; another has apparently "fallen" from a tower window; and a third Ser Ottaviano Cristani, Isabella's Janus assassin, is stricken with fever and a terrible cough. Ottaviano comes to Leonardo for help and is given herbs to help the cough. When he doesn't get better Leonardo discovers that the herbs he gave to Ottaviano had been poisoned. Someone searched his rooms and knew exactly what poison to use and which herb to add it to. Leonardo is now under suspicion. But this is a court of lavish entertainments and a very special amusement is planned to welcome new members to the court. It soon becomes apparent that two new arrivals; Ser Johannes Vendramm, and Madonna Maddalena d'Oggiono are targeted for ridicule. The amusement is lewd and embarrassing for the young courtier and the lady. Leonardo is puzzled by this vicious display and ponders how they could have drawn such attention. In the meantime, Niccolo has befriended the female dwarf, Lizette, and is enjoying amusements of his own. Ser Johannes and Madonna Maddalena, still reeling from their embarrassment during the recent "amusement" and a near mortal "accident" while hunting, notice their rooms had been searched. Not knowing who to trust the couple turns to Leonardo. He acknowledges that the incidents are definitely troublesome. Leonardo asks how they came to be at court and their answers confirm his suspicions. When a decomposed head is found buried in the Mantuan gardens, Leonardo uses his forensic skills to rebuild it and make a sketch. Piecing together clues gathered in the court and armed with the sketch, Leonardo journeys to Venice to visit a banker, who was to have received the necklace, and who identifies the victim as his courier. In Murano Leonardo discovers how and why the necklace disappeared and verifies the connection of Ser Johannes and Madonna Maddelena. This knowledge implicates the Marquesa and threatens to embarrass and ruin her. She must rid herself of anyone who could destroy all she holds dear - money and power. Her pet assassin is directed to kill both Leonardo and Niccolo. Escape seems impossible until... The second book in this historical mystery series continues the biographical sketch of Leonardo's life which began in Milan with the first book, "A Comedy of Murders." Mr. Herman will continue to follow the life of Leonardo da Vinci in the next six books. If you are fascinated by historical novels based in factual events and showcased in a good story, this series is for you. Kirkus Review: "Herman's prose glitters with wit, his knowledge of the period seems impeccable...a delight in what we hope will be an ongoing seri

Author Biography

George Herman a funny man George Herman has been entertaining people on Stage as a playwright, actor and director; on film in Hawaii 5-0 (the original), in the classroom as a favorite teacher who always made the subject live and be relevant with humor; in living rooms for family, friends and strays and at 88 he is still writing and making us all laugh. Herman weaves his real and imaginary characters together with rollicking humor. Beneath the comedy, Herman is pondering some deep questions of morality, responsibility, spirit. What is the difference between religion and spirituality? How can a state be both honest and practical? For instance his Musical for children Fraidy Cat deals with fear and bravery. Rumpelstiltskin takes an unusual turn dealing with discrimination and loneliness and a surprise ending. To learn more about George Herman visit his website: www.georgeherman.com where you can sign up for a newsletter and receive information on new releases and promotions.