CROSS MY HEART

by

SASHA GOULD

received from NetGalley for review

published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

available March 13,2012

Venice, 1585.

When 16-year-old Laura della Scala learns that her older sister, Beatrice, has drowned, she is given no time to grieve. Instead, Laura's father removes her from the convent where he forcibly sent her years earlier and orders her to marry Beatrice's fiancé, a repulsive old merchant named Vincenzo. Panicked, Laura betrays a powerful man to earn her way into the Segreta, a shadowy society of women who deal in only one currency—secrets. The Segreta seems like the answer to Laura's prayers. The day after she joins their ranks, Vincenzo is publicly humiliated and conveniently exiled. Soon, however, Laura begins to suspect that her sister's death was not a tragic accident but a cold-blooded murder—one that might involve the Segreta and the women she has come to trust.

MyREVIEW

1585 Venice, secret societies, a drowning that may have been murder rather than an accident. Sounds as if this book has everything one could wish in a historical thriller. 

I love Italy, especially Venice and it's history. It's my love of Venice that initially drew me to this book. 

The characters are not quite believable. Everyone is a bit too dramatic and over the top. Laura, the main character, is naive and child like, although she spent many years in a convent, perhaps her childlike personality it intentional.

This is a good historical fiction book. A bit slow, but still a good story. I think this book could have been so much more than it was, however, I did enjoy reading it and I would recommend this book to others who enjoy historical fiction.