His Last Duchess - Softcover

Kimm, Gabrielle

3.73

2,457 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1402261519 ISBN 13: 9781402261510

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark, 2011

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That's my last duchess painted on the wall...

Seduced by the hot sun and blinding passions of Renaissance Italy, sixteen-year-old Lucrezia de' Medici sees a gilded life stretching ahead. Her wealthy new husband handpicked her to be his bride, and his great castle in Ferrara will be her playground. But Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara quickly proves to be just as dangerous and mysterious as he is dark and handsome, and the stone walls of the castle seem to trap Lucrezia like a prison.

Only the duke's lover Francesca seems able to tame his increasing fury, as his desperate need to produce an heir drives him deep into precarious obsession. With her head full of heartbroken dreams, Lucrezia flees from him down a dangerous path that may cost her everything.

Step into the elegant world of the Robert Browning poem "My Last Duchess," as imagined by Gabrielle Kimm, where she brings to life the passions and people of sixteenth-century Tuscany and Ferrara. It is a chilling story of forbidden love and dark decadence that will haunt you.

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About the Author:

Gabrielle Kimm is a graduate of the creative writing master's program at the University of Chichester. She is writing her second novel, The Courtesan's Lover, which features one of the characters of His Last Duchess as the heroine. www.gabriellekimm.co.uk

Review:

"A saucy account of Lucrezia de' Medici's ill-fated marriage, inspired by Robert Browning's poem "My Last Duchess." " - Kirkus

"Kimm neatly ties up all the loose ends while cleverly setting the stage for a spin-off. Poetry enthusiasts will be intrigued and historical fiction fans will appreciate the authentic Renaissance-era detailing.
" - Booklist

"This strong first novel is marked by well-developed, memorable protagonists and a pacing that quickens and builds readers' anxiety as the story progresses. " - Library Journal

" I, personally, cannot wait to see what Gabrielle Kimm has next to offer." - Luxury Reading

"It had lovely prose and was full of romance and suspense.
" - Readin and Dreamin

"The book is well researched, well written with subtlety blended plot lines that will have you routing for Lucrezia as the book nears the end. It's a compelling read that I certainly think can't fail to please. I thoroughly recommend this as a very readable, enjoyable, and illustrative book about this famous family." - Books by the Willow Tree

"There are so many twists and turns that the reader will have a hard time figuring out how this one will end." - Debbie's Book Bag

"His Last Duchess will grab you and be prepared for the twisted moments artfully crafted by Gabrielle Kimm. Trust me you don't want to miss this chilling tale from Renaissance Italy. The strokes of darkness and love combined make this a MUST READ!

" - Aisle B

"Passion, heartbreak, illicit affairs and sorrow makes this a must read – fabulous!

" - Lou Graham's Blog

"Gabrielle Kimm rivals authors like Philippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy with her descriptive historical romantic style-especially where intrigue lies. " - Boulder Books Examiner

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