Midnight Fire (A Jagiellon Mystery Book 2)

IMPORTANT, Do NOT read “Midnight Fire” until AFTER you have read the preceding book, the first book in the series, “Silent Water.” The mysteries are written with the same fluid style, the same authenticity for the period, countries, and customs, but this sequel differs in style from its predecessor. With “Midnight Fire,” Adams adds her unique voice to the genre of mysteries associated most with Agatha Christie. In “Midnight Fire,” you’ll hear the same personally resonant voice of our protagonist, the Countess Sanseverrino, now married again. While “Midnight Fire” takes place around 25 years after the events described in its predecessor, the murders and their aftermath still haunt our protagonist, and, in turn, embroil her in solving another series of murders in the court, this time in the Duchy of Lithuania, placing her in even more dangerous situations. “Midnight Fire,” while still rich in authenticity and the imagery to transport you fully at Caterina’s side, this book is stream-lined by comparison. Caterina has matured and has grave concerns for her family, and her maturity is reflected in the lack of angst, insecurity, and anxiety that so plagued her when she’d first come to court. Perhaps because of the maturity of Caterina, and the evolution of P.K. Adam’s style, you’ll not find here the same lyrical prose and introspection that characterizes Caterina’s first narrative. “Midnight Fire” moves at a brisk pace, with greater action, heavier nuances of tension and danger, and with a more polished grit in this mystery that unfolds like a country ride that turns into a sustained cantor to an all-out race to the finish. Definitely worth reading! Just heed my warning that the entire mystery of the first book will be spoiled for you if you don’t read these unique and authentic mysteries in the order of the series.

Although the sixteenth century attracts considerable attention among readers of historical fiction, few novels in English take place outside the axis of Borgia Italy, Medici France, and Tudor England. P.K. Adams’ Jagiellonian Mystery series is a welcome exception. Set at the glittering Italianate court of King Zygmunt I of Poland/Lithuania and his son, Zygmunt August, these novels map fictional plots onto real historical incidents to create fast-paced, fluid stories that are as much about the tensions of a culture in transition as what drives a person to commit murder.In Midnight Fire, the heroine, Caterina Konarska (formerly Sanseverino) returns to Zygmunt’s court twenty-five years after the events of Silent Water, the first book in the series and a previous Books We Loved pick of mine. Caterina and her husband undertake the long journey from Italy in search of a cure for their young son, Giulio, who suffers from mysterious fevers that have stumped the doctors in Bari.In Kraków Caterina discovers a court far different from the one she left a quarter-century before. The old king is dying; his wife, Bona Sforza of Milan and Bari, struggles to hold on to power; and their son, Zygmunt August, threatens to cause an international scandal by marrying his beautiful but disreputable Lithuanian mistress, Barbara Radziwiłł. Queen Bona offers Caterina a deal: persuade Zygmunt August to give up Barbara, and Bona will arrange an appointment for Giulio with Poland’s premier physician. Seeing no alternative, Caterina accepts. But as she sets off for Vilnius with her son, she has no idea of the danger she faces or the layers of treachery she will encounter in Zygmunt August’s Renaissance palace.

What I did like was the subject: Bona Sforza. The Queen of Poland who, outside of history books, is almost never written about or seen as a topic. I also liked the use of pagan religion/mythology via the introduction of the Lithuanian/Polish or otherwise Slavic god for fire, oak, thunder, and fertility: Pekunas/Pekun (Lithuanian) or Piorun/Perun (Polish). It would have been nice to also see other references to mythology -- worshiping of the deceased and/or wizardry. Alas, this may appear in other stories. What I didn't like was her use of assumed peasant slang, which made my skin crawl and ripple. Also, I disagree with her pronunciation guide. Szlachta, to me, should be Shlachk tah (with the lach as in the word "lock" except with a soft "a"). Otherwise, it was nice to see the use of Polish names and places correctly spelled. BTW, Vilnius is Wilno in Polish.

Midnight Fire, Book 2 of the Jagiellon Mystery series, marks the suspenseful return of Caterina Konarska to Poland, where she goes seeking medical care for her ailing son. Queen Bona Sforza is delighted to see Caterina again and agrees to arrange the requested medical care, but in return she demands that Caterina travel to the Duchy of Lithuania to dissuade the heir to the throne from undertaking a disastrous marriage.Faced with this near-impossible task, Caterina arrives in Lithuania just as a puzzling series of murders strikes the ducal court. Can she find the murderer before the heir's consort is killed? Will the murderer kill Caterina to stop her investigation?Fans of Tudor-era and European historical fiction will love this book. I highly recommend Midnight Fire.

This second in a series of murder mysteries featuring Caterina, A former ladies maid to Queen Bona of Poland finds a middle aged Catalina roped into investigating several poisonings when she goes on a quest to find medical help for her sickly ten year old son. The.plot, historical setting and characters are easy to follow. The mystery as it unfolds makes sense and the few loose threads are fully admitted and sensible.

This book has a good mystery that would work in any era but uses 16th century Poland and Lithuania as the backdrop for the tale. It is quick read and the mystery isn't obvious but at the same time explicable and satisfying.While this is Book 2 you do not need to read Silent Water to appreciate this book, although you should. It was interesting to catch up with the heroine thirty years later.