Leonardo is tired. The tremor in his hand inhibits his ability to paint. His eyesight is failing. **The ravages of age depress him.**For more than a decade, villages have been crushed under the heel of Cesare Borgia and the Vatican, but the death of Pope Alexander VI has given hope to the villagers that the new pope will bring a period of peace.Their hopes are immediately dashed when the newly elected Pope, Julius II, wastes no time in declaring war on the vast city states of the Romagna.But Pope Julius has many enemies and an attempt is made on his life using a poison that cannot be identified. Who among the warring families and conspiring cardinals are planning to assassinate him? Until the source of the poison can be discovered finding the perpetrators will be difficult.Suspects are rounded up, tortured and murdered by order of the Pope and suspicion and mistrust among the conspirators means more innocents are targeted. Because of his knowledge of poisons Leonardo is suspected to be a co-conspirator in the attempt on the Pope’s life. To clear his name he searches for the identity of the poison which he discovers in an ancient text. This leads him to who is responsible and the motive behind the treachery.Once again the mystery is solved and once again Leonardo is in need of sanctuary from those looking to destroy himItaly has become too dangerous for him but where can he go to find peace in his final years.Another thrilling adventure with insight into the humanity and vulnerability of a genius.Enjoy this second to last book in a series based on the life of Leonardo.
