The Book of Secrets

by Anna Mazzola
The Book of Secrets cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technical:
  • ID: 190
  • Added: 2025-09-04
  • Updated: 2025-09-04
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
What Cathy Read Next... · 2024-03-30
intriguing 3.75

The book offers an engaging narrative through three viewpoints, skillfully blending historical detail with a gripping mystery. It is praised for its vivid atmosphere and complex characters, though some find the pacing uneven.

The reviewer appreciates how the story unfolds from the perspectives of three different characters, which enriches the historical setting of 17th century Rome and the mysterious events surrounding the plague's aftermath. They highlight the author's ability to create a dark, immersive atmosphere that brings the era to life, making the mystery both believable and compelling. However, there is some critique regarding the pacing, as certain sections feel slower compared to the more intense parts of the narrative. Despite this, the depth of character development and the interplay between superstition and rational inquiry are noted as strong points that keep readers invested throughout the book.

Quick quotes

    The Book of Secrets alternates between three points of view, adding depth to the historical mystery.

    The vivid atmosphere skillfully captures the tension of post-plague Rome.

    Some parts of the story pace slower but the complex characters maintain engagement.

Historia Magazine · 2024-03-21
haunting 4.25

This review praises the novel for its historical authenticity and atmospheric writing, emphasizing the moral ambiguity explored in the story. It notes the book’s effective blending of crime and Gothic elements to create a haunting reading experience.

The reviewer admires Anna Mazzola's meticulous attention to historical detail, which grounds the story firmly in 17th century Rome and adds authenticity to the eerie narrative. They find the Gothic tone enhanced by the exploration of justice and secrecy, which leaves the protagonist—and readers—questioning the nature of punishment and truth. The mix of crime investigation with supernatural undertones creates a compelling tension that sustains interest throughout. The moral complexities faced by the characters are highlighted as a strength, as they reflect broader themes of power, belief, and the consequences of uncovering hidden truths.

Quick quotes

    A powerful, perceptive page turner.

    The novel’s moral ambiguity lingers long after the last page.

    Mazzola’s historical detail enriches the Gothic atmosphere.

Anne Corlett · Anne Corlett · 2024-03-21
thoughtful 4.00

The novel is appreciated for its blend of superstition and rationalism within a Gothic framework, offering a rich thematic exploration. The review highlights the atmospheric writing and the tension between belief systems as central to the story’s impact.

Anne Corlett finds 'The Book of Secrets' compelling for its nuanced collision between science and superstition, a theme that resonates deeply within Gothic fiction. She notes that this tension drives much of the book’s intrigue and shapes the characters’ motivations and conflicts. The atmospheric writing brings 17th century Rome vividly to life, and the interplay between rational investigation and supernatural rumor heightens the suspense. Corlett appreciates how these elements combine to create a layered narrative that challenges readers to consider the boundaries between truth and belief.

Quick quotes

    There is a collision of science and superstition, belief and rationality.

    The atmospheric writing vividly evokes 17th century Rome.

    A recurring theme in Gothic fiction that shapes this rich narrative.

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