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These Wicked Devices: An extraordinary literary historical novel, perfect for fans of Hilary Mantel or Sarah Perry
Not yet published
Expected 3 Jul 25THE HOLY CITY IS NO PLACE FOR MERCY'Matthew Plampin should rank with the best' Sunday Times
'Plampin is heartbreakingly good' The Times
'Gripping, immersive, at times very funny and beautifully written, this is historical fiction of the highest quality' Elizabeth Fremantle
Rome, 1650.
The streets are teeming as thousands of pilgrims flood in for the Holy Jubilee, but behind the gilded façade of the Vatican, power is unravelling.
Donna Olimpia Maidalchini has long kept Pope Innocent X under her thumb, but as loyalties shift, her enemies close in. And her most dangerous opponents may be those she deems too weak to matter.
Two destitute nuns arrive, fleeing the ruined city of Castro and each carrying secrets that could destroy them.
Meanwhile, the assistant to the famed Spanish artist Diego Velázquez is drawn into a perilous conspiracy � one that could bring Italy to its knees, and against which his own desperate ambitions seem to count for nothing.
As the sweltering summer heat rises, survival, not salvation, becomes the ultimate goal � and in this world of sin, saints almost never survive.
'Plampin is heartbreakingly good' The Times
'Gripping, immersive, at times very funny and beautifully written, this is historical fiction of the highest quality' Elizabeth Fremantle
Rome, 1650.
The streets are teeming as thousands of pilgrims flood in for the Holy Jubilee, but behind the gilded façade of the Vatican, power is unravelling.
Donna Olimpia Maidalchini has long kept Pope Innocent X under her thumb, but as loyalties shift, her enemies close in. And her most dangerous opponents may be those she deems too weak to matter.
Two destitute nuns arrive, fleeing the ruined city of Castro and each carrying secrets that could destroy them.
Meanwhile, the assistant to the famed Spanish artist Diego Velázquez is drawn into a perilous conspiracy � one that could bring Italy to its knees, and against which his own desperate ambitions seem to count for nothing.
As the sweltering summer heat rises, survival, not salvation, becomes the ultimate goal � and in this world of sin, saints almost never survive.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 3, 2025
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About the author
Matthew Plampin
8Ìýbooks18ÌýfollowersMatthew Plampin was born in 1975 and grew up in Essex. He read English and History of Art at the University of Birmingham and then completed a PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. He now lectures on nineteenth-century art and architecture.
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March 20, 2025
Excellent! A very impressive novel, cleverly written. Rome around 1650 was a world not only reeking of intrigues but also full of loneliness. Yes, loneliness: even though noone was ever alone, rich or poor in those Jubelee celebrations, loneliness seemed to prevail. Indeed, they were only looking out for themselves: either wanting even more money and power, or looking for means of surviving. Very sad and very dangerous! Cruelty, betrayal at all levels! Only one person ended up being herself.....
Based on real characters, such as Velasquez, Pope Innocent X and the machiavellic Donna Olimpia, this novel shows a malefic world within the Church. I am always amazed to read the corruption which seemed inane to those times in Rome. Fascinating! I highly recommend this novel for its richness of artistic detail thanks to Velasquez's genius and naturally thanks to the author's picturesque descriptions.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
Based on real characters, such as Velasquez, Pope Innocent X and the machiavellic Donna Olimpia, this novel shows a malefic world within the Church. I am always amazed to read the corruption which seemed inane to those times in Rome. Fascinating! I highly recommend this novel for its richness of artistic detail thanks to Velasquez's genius and naturally thanks to the author's picturesque descriptions.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
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