King's Messenger Simon Merrivale has travelled to Florence to secure a loan for the king from the rich bankers in that city. However there is an ulterior motive, to finance the crowning of an English pope in Rome and recover monies stolen previously. Florence is riven by factions and as Merrivale digs deeper he finds it hard to know who to trust. Disaster strikes as his men are slaughtered and Merrivale becomes a wanted man. However, the plot takes more turns before it is complete.
I hadn't read the first book in the series but the story is relatively easy to pick up. The plot is excellent, combining history of the Popes of Avignon, the antecedents of the power of Florence and medieval machinations. It is very twisty but also satisfying in that respect. Such a pity that tragedy has hit the writing team.

A fun mix of history and mystery. Part 1 was a little confusing just due to the volume of characters, but once Part 2 began the story really picked up. There were lots of unexpected and expected twists and turns, and I really felt for all the characters. This was overall a very satisfying mystery and a really engaging historical read, once it got going. Excited for the next one!

New trials! Same story—the pursuit of power!

Oh my! I’m besotted with King’s Messanger Simon Merrivale and his quests. He’s ordered to Florence. He has a Florentine banking house in his sights. King Edward charges Simon to find the money missing from the treasury, and to place the english Bishop of Dorchester, Henry Stapleton, on the papal throne in Rome in direct opposition to the French Pope Clement VI in Avignon. It’s time for France’s power, including papal, to cease.
The main action is in Florence with the famous houses of history dropping from the lips like the Medici’s—the new men at this stage.
I must admit description of frescoes, art works, triptychs, pietas in Florence and Pisa stirred my blood. It all sounds wonderful.
Mackenzie takes you there! The mixing of paints from crushed precious stones, the colours and application—all stunning descriptions
There’s plots and counterplots, betrayals and love in unasked for places.
1340’s Italy is both magnificent and feral.
A riveting read!

A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

City of Woe by A . J . Mackenzie

Florence, 1342. A city on the brink of chaos.

Restored to favour at court, King's Messenger Simon Merrivale accompanies an English delegation to Florence, the powerful centre of European finance, to negotiate a loan to offset King Edward III’s chronic debt.

A top secret plot, one to decide the fate of European control.

But the delegation has another purpose: to set up an Englishman, Henry Stapledon, Bishop of Dorchester, as an anti-pope in Rome. If they can succeed, they will undermine the papacy and strike a hammer blow to French support across Europe.

Didn't realise this was the 2nd in a series . I enjoyed it but felt a little confused about a few parts . Nothing to do with the author but more about not reading the first.
I would read any other books by the author .

This is the second book in the Simon Merrivale series.
Simon and his hand picked trusted men at arms are sent to Rome, ostensibly to recover money stolen from the English treasury, but their hidden agenda involves a plot to put an English Pope upon the Catholic throne of the Vatican. This will hopefully confound the French in their plans for War against England, which will be very expensive.
Merrivale and his men are betrayed at almost every turn in this very detailed novel, and although the reader knows there must be a traitor, at times, this does read like the last man standing!
This author doesn’t wear his learning lightly, the story was packed with characters, locations, dates of battles, and political machinations, that wasn’t always an easy read, at times it did affect the flow of the story, when numerous visits to internet sites were required.
Once the story settled into more light hearted events, I’m thinking of the artists and the painters involved in creating religious sculptures and masterpieces, it became more enjoyable and informative without preaching.loved the artistic details and extensive knowledge of Renaissance Florence and Pisa.
There are some strong female characters in this novel, but they have to hide their ambitions and dreams of being of worthy.
A devious and crafty novel, full of mystery and intrigue, wordy but full of historical detail. Quite a guide book to those volatile times.
My thanks to Netgalley and Canelo, the publishers, for my advanced copy, freely given in return for my honest review. A three star read. I will leave a review to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

A great novel!!!! Full of action, full of characters among whom few are to be trusted!!! Only the end will show! The complex is complex, very realistic and very informative as to the religious (or not!) side of the Pope, either in Avignon or in Rome. I have found this novel very interesting on a historical level and thrilling. A great series!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.