Lord of the Night

Rating:
Summary: MYSTERIOUS, MYSTERY!!
Review: I just read this and thought it was one of the best mystery romance books ever. I figured out a little of it as I went along but was amazed at the surprise right at the end. How wonderful to write such a different type of story involving a marvelous man in a May to December romance. I loved her Raven and the Rose as well. Am about to start on her Lily and the Leopard. She is a wonderful writer. If you like good romance, a great mystery, and some very unusual characters get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Venitian mystery and romance
Review: In a genre that is famous (infamous) for 1)doing certain settings over and over and over; and 2)insisting that one of the protagonists be an American or British; it's a refreshing change to find a book that breaks both "rules." It's even more fun when it's a genuinely good book.

"Lord of the Night" is set in 16th century Venice and follows the romance of Laura and Sandro, both natives of that city. Laura is an aspiring painter (training with Titian) who is planning to finance her studio by becoming a courtesan. Sandro is a forty-something nobleman who heads up the police. They meet when the Doge's assistant is killed just after visiting Laura's bordello. Shortly thereafter ruffians assault Laura and the mystery begins....

In someways this is a May to December romance. Indeed, the obstacles to their joining are obvious from the start - he's twice her age and would lose his status as a noble if he marries a commoner. She, in turn, has genuine artistic talent if she can just get admitted to the all-male Academy. He, of course, is not too wild about her finacing plans.

The mystery works well in this romance and has a genuinely surprising ending. I also really enjoyed the insights on life in 16th Century Venice.