Omens of Death (Basilica Diaries Medieval Mysteries)
Kurti has chosen 1497 Rome in which to base the first of his Basilica Diaries Medieval Mysteries, which incorporate major historical events. In the late 15th century, the church is stewed in the corruption of the Borgia pope, Alexander VI (Sextus), who is a well-drawn rogue. Cristina, a brilliant scholar, and her brother Domenico, in charge of Vatican security, are a well-matched sleuthing duo, although Cristina’s intellect is far superior and easier to admire. She has what we might call a form of autism today, and an antisocial propensity for closeting herself away in her library. Momentum picks up quickly as the perpetrator of a grisly reverse-crucifixion of a known debauchee, mimicking the death of St. Peter, must be quickly apprehended. Two unusual crimes follow, both faith-related. Alexander is sure he is out of favour with God for his proposed rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica. The cardinals think God is punishing them for electing Rodrigo Borgia in the first place.
Renaissance Italy is a riveting period, resplendent with painters, sculptors, writers, and poets burning with a thirst for knowledge and enlightenment. Part two of the novel stalls, with events and dialogue out of sync with part one. Inconvenient interruptions in Cristina’s and her servant Isra’s journey to the Benedictine monastery feel like an info-dump, and the narrative might benefit from being just that―a journey to a monastery for the purpose of information-gathering. The latter part of the book returns to breakneck speed as Cristina seeks out new angles. One concern: it isn’t clear what Cristina’s credentials are in allowing her to question the cardinals and enter the morgue to perform dissections and autopsies seemingly without sanction. That said, the series has intriguing potential, and I hope will reveal more about Cristina as it progresses.
