Review of The Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman

The subtitle of this book says it all: A Story of Friars, Flirtation and Foul Play. The author of this book wrote one of my favorite fantasy series, Stravaganza. In Stravaganza, part of the story is set in modern-day London, and the other part in a fictionalized version of 14th century Venice. In The Falconer's Knot, Hoffman uses her extensive knowledge of history to set the entire tale in medieval Italy. I wasn't sure I would enjoy a historical story of intrigue, but it pretty much reads like the part of Stravaganza set in Talia (the parallel world of medieval Venice). There's a long list of characters, and as the story progresses, it's a delight to see how their lives intersect, even when you see it coming. Silvano da Montacuto is young, handsome and rich. He is infatuated with the beautiful wife of a sheep farmer, and when her husband is killed with Silvano's dagger, suspicion naturally falls on Silvano. His father sends him away to a monastery to keep him safe until the real murderer can be found. Meanwhile, the young and beautiful Chiara is delivered by her brother to the neighboring nunnery, as there is no money for a dowry for her. Of course, Silvano and Chiara meet and then watch each other from afar. There is a murder at the monastery, and then another murder. The truth about Silvano's situation becomes known, and, of course, he is suspected. There are many more plot twists and turns which I won't begin to try to explain. The ending satisfyingly wraps up all the loose ends. Review by Stacy Church