THE MALICE OF FORTUNE

Although the Borgia family holds the papacy and parts of Italy, the pope's son Juan is murdered in 1497. When suspicion falls on Damiata, a courtesan, she is forced to clear her name and find the true killer. Actress Carlotta Montanari narrates Damiata's story with a noticeable accent that is difficult to understand. In addition, her weak characterizations and odd pauses pull listeners from the plot, disrupting their concentration. Narrator Adrian Paul reads the second half of the novel, told from Machiavelli's viewpoint. The appearance of fascinating historical figures is not enough to keep listeners from being distracted by Paul's overly dramatic narration and his high-pitched vocalization of several male characters. The introduction, section openers, and epilogue are beautifully read by John Lee and Fred Sanders. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2012]