Perspectives

Few authors captivate me with their new releases as much as Laurent Binet, whose work always promises a captivating experience. In "Perspectives," set in Florence in 1557, the city awakens to the shocking discovery of a painter found dead on the church floor, a dagger piercing his heart. The scene is set under the artworks he spent over ten years creating. Meanwhile, a scandalous, hidden portrait of Maria de Medici as Venus is uncovered. The questions on everyone’s lips: Who committed the murder? Who crafted the audacious painting? Amidst the turmoil, the renowned art historian Giorgio Vasari is tasked with unraveling the mystery. Letters abound, filled with intrigue and suspicions, exchanged between Maria de Medici, her aunt Catherine de’ Medici—the queen of France—and a network of secret agents and allies, including Michelangelo. The revelation, when it finally emerges, proves to be as startling as the art shaking up Florence and placing it at Europe’s cultural forefront. This richly woven narrative teems with vivid characters and settings, presenting a unique mystery that brings Renaissance Florence to life with flair. Described as an exhilarating and inventive novel, "Perspectives" delivers a thrilling blend of courtly intrigue, murder, and art, winning praise from the likes of the Sunday Telegraph, The Times, the Guardian, and the Financial Times.