Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Paperback & ebook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Synopsis
Paris, 1856. In a world ruled by men, one woman holds the fate of a nation in her hands.
When Livia leaves behind the bronzed hills of Italy for the rain-soaked streets of Paris, she feels lost and alone. Trapped in an icy marriage, she longs to return to her life as a doctor’s daughter. To a simpler time when she could use her healing skills to help people. But her husband’s diplomatic work launches her into French high society. And soon she befriends Elisabetta, Napoleon III's clever and beautiful mistress.
Elisabetta may be the most glamorous woman in France, but she is isolated too. With jealousy and political conspiracies surrounding her, she is drawn to Livia’s honesty and intelligence. And when Livia saves Elisabetta’s life, the two women become inseparable.
Soon Livia’s life is an exciting whirlwind of masked balls, theatre and fashion, and at last she feels happy. She even finds the courage to open her heart, learning to love her new husband. But just as she begins to let her guard down, Livia discovers that her worst enemy has followed her all the way from Italy…
While danger lurks in the shadows, an assassination attempt is made on Napoleon. And Livia’s husband is wrongly accused of treason. The future of France is in peril, and Livia must work with Elisabetta to save the lives of those they love. With Livia’s keen knowledge of medicine and deadly poisons, and Elisabetta’s many connections, the women are a formidable partnership. But can they really trust each other? And how far are they prepared to go?
A totally gripping, richly imagined historical novel about the power held by women in a world run by men. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Kate Morton and Marie Benedict will be absolutely hooked from the very first page until the final, breath-taking conclusion
My Thoughts
Livia Valenti accompanies her husband, Niccolo, to Paris when he is sent there by the prime minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, Conte Cavour, to liaise with the Contessa di Castiglione. The Contessa has become Napoleon III's mistress in an attempt to gain his support for Cavour's plans for the unification of Italy.
Livia is missing her family and life in Turin, where she helped her father, a doctor, and indulged her passion as a herbalist. She is also finding it difficult to adjust to married life with Niccolo, who is virtually a stranger to her. She hopes their marriage will develop into a warm and loving relationship and that in time Niccolo's aloofness will disappear, although he is solicitous towards her.
When there is an attempt on the life of Napoleon III, Niccolo is implicated and arrested. Livia vows to prove his innocence. With the help of the Contessa, she sets in motion a plan that will bring danger to her home with tragic results.
The Paris Wife starts off slowly, focussing on Livia's adjustment to life in Paris, her developing friendship with the Contessa and the political situation regarding the movement for Italy's unification. At times, the story delves into Livia's past and the reasons for her hasty marriage to Niccolo. Gradually, the drama begins to build as attempts to poison are thwarted and a murder is revealed. And then, comes the action-packed denouement that was totally unexpected and not how I envisaged the story to proceed at all.
The Paris Wife satisfied on all levels. I'm looking forward to reading more from Meghan Masterson.
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