Customer Reviews

Key Deceptions

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While I am not normally a mystery fan, I found M. E. Cooper's Key Deceptions to be a terrific read. It had almost all the elements I like in a book: an interesting plot, well-drawn and unusual characters, and best of all, a setting in a fascinating historical period. The strong female protagonist and her unusual profession really intrigued me. I would have liked to see some romance in the book, but this is the first in a series, so perhaps I have that to look forward to. At any rate, I will certainly be reading the future volumnes. I strongly recommend this book to mystery lovers and those who enjoy learning about the past!

This wonderful period mystery unfolds like a rose, beautifully. Every SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) mystery reader should read this book. Mary Ellen Cooper's writing made me feel as though I was walking the streets of Bologna, Italy in 1489. Avisa, the female locksmith/sleuth has the exact qualities to mesmerize the reader and to connect the ensemble cast of characters that Mary Ellen has written into one story. Avisa is feminine, strong, kind, resourceful, and intelligent. Mary Ellen thank you for giving us this character, my words come nowhere near yours. Read this book!

In 1489 Avisa Baglatoni and her friend Lucia are the only female members of Bologna's prestigious locksmith and silversmith guild. Admittance of women into any guild would have been extremely rare; Cooper gives Avisa membership based on her widowhood and Lucia, one supposes, because her silversmith father is ill and she is unmarried.

Avisa's problems begin when she chooses to hide the fact that a young man she recently employed is half Jewish. Since Jews are forbidden to learn guild trained skills, her guild membership, possessions, and even life are at stake. When Bologna's silver treasure is stolen, the mayor's nephew, who repeatedly forces his unwanted attentions on the attractive young widow, suspects Avisa's deception and tries to link her and Bologna's Jewish Ghetto to the theft. After hearing stories of the persecution of Jews in Spain, Avisa realizes that her safety depends on her solving the mystery of the missing treasure.

Of historical interest is the physical description of Bologna, the unruly students who attend Europe's prestigious first university, the craft guilds, the reigning duke who employs mercenaries, or condottieri, to repel the advancing French armies, and the character of Dorotea, loosely based on the artist Sofonisba Anguissola. The story, however, is rather flat and the layout of the paperback version jarring with one repeated paragraph and many wide spaces between sentences. While Cooper acknowledges help from the Society for Creative Anachronism, an indication of other sources used is also needed.

M.E. Cooper has three published crime books to her credit: Unlikely Assassins, Blood & Pity, and Fatal Trust. She has also published two mysteries written in the cozy tradition: The Wright Special and Murder At The Locksmith Convention. Key Deceptions is her first historical mystery novel.

Set in the 15th Century Italian Renaissance, Key Deceptions features Aviva, an attractive young widow who is a member of the locksmith guild. Aviva has a heart of gold, and takes in a young Jewish boy, Bernardo, against all prohibitions against Jews. When Aviva, her friend Lucia, and Bernardo attend a feast at the Duke's palazzo, the theft of donated silver intended for use for new bells for the city places them in direct danger, since the authorities suspect Jewish involvement. To make matters worse, Ippolito, the Mayor's nephew, has been using threats and intimidation to gain sexual favors from Aviva. Ippolito tricks Aviva into a bad section of town using subterfuge, forcing Aviva to kill him by shutting him in a trunk. His subsequent death by suffocation presents a big problem of how to dispose of the body for Aviva and her friends:

"Avisa thought of her friend, the mendicant friar. `What is we went openly to the cemetery. Very early in the morning, before most people are up. If we had Brother lead a group in prayer?' Avisa paused. She twisted a strand of her hair, while thinking aloud at the possibilities. `If we had several brothers chanting loudly, the noise would cover the sound of our digging, and they could stand in a circle, concealing our actions."

Key Deceptions isn't exactly a whodunit. It is more of an adventure story that eventually winds its way towards a murder. M.E. Cooper does a nice job of creating a sense of tension throughout the story, using historical conventions. 15th Century Italy is a dangerous place indeed for women, especially a young widow with an unusual craft.

Cooper weaves a few subplots into the matrix, incorporating the story of a beautiful young aspiring artist who has come from the village to participate in court politics. She is determined not to be "shackled" by a marriage. Her story parallels Aviva's, and at times their paths intersect, creating even more danger and tension. Key Deceptions is a sweetly written entertainment.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

Key Deceptions is the first in a cleverly created historical mystery series set during the 15th century Italian Renaissance Period. The place is Bologna, Italy. The year is 1489. Avisa Boylatoni and Lucia Colascco, the only female locksmiths the Street of Guilds, are the main characters. Together they attend meetings at the Guild Hall, work their crafts, and solve mysteries. Others who join in the mystery are Avisa's apprentice and an injured solider.

The Duke and Duchess arrive back in town with some extra company. The Duchess brings with her a poor relation who pursues not a man, but a professional skill for her future. The Duke allows a gentleman, who will cast the perfect bells for Bologna, collect the silver from the people. When the Duke's best solider is killed and the silver is taken, Avisa's fear of being sucked into the intrigue of the rulers is brought to life. She and her locksmith skills maybe the only way to protect those she cares most about.

It takes all kinds to make a fascinating sub-genre and Ms. Cooper is doing her part in historical mysteries. I found the historical atmosphere intriguing and simple, and the characters perfectly imperfect, which makes them more believable. As the characters are introduced and settle into their places, I am captivated by the subject matter and settle myself into the fact that this is a winning new series with a very interesting amateur sleuth as lead character. I liked the way the story ended with "and this is just the beginning feeling". Look for Key Confrontations and Key Confessions coming soon from M.E. Cooper and Padlock Mystery Press.