The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola
Rome, 1659
Months after the plague has ravaged Rome, men are still dying in unnatural numbers, and rumour has it that their corpses do not decay as they should. The Papal authorities commission prosecutor Stefano Bracchi to investigate, telling him he will need considerable mettle to reach the truth.
To the west of the Tiber, Girolama and her female friends are at work, helping other women with childbirths and foretelling their futures. Elsewhere in the city, a young wife, Anna, must find a way to escape her abusive husband. But in a city made by men for men, there are no easy paths out.
Stefano’s investigation at the Tor di Nona prison will introduce him to horror, magic and an astonishing cast of characters. He will be left wondering if certain deeds should remain forever unpunished…
The Book of Secrets is inspired by the real-life Spana Prosecution regarding so-called Aqua Tofana poison that took place in 17th century Italy.
Anna is an award-winning writer of historical, Gothic and crime fiction. She also writes thrillers under the pen name Anna Sharpe.
Anna regularly appears at literary festivals and events and gives talks and teaches workshops on creative writing. She has previously tutored at The Novelry and The Arvon Foundation.
Her most recent historical novel, THE BOOK OF SECRETS, was awarded the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year in 2025. Her debut novel, THE UNSEEING, won an Edgar Allan Poe award in the US. Her fourth novel, THE HOUSE OF WHISPERS, won a Fingerprint Award for Best Historical Crime. Her bestselling third novel, THE CLOCKWORK GIRL, was shortlisted for two CWA Dagger awards and a Fingerprint Award, and nominated for the Dublin Literary award.
The first Anna Sharpe thriller NOTES ON A DROWNING was named as a thriller of the month in The Times, Daily Mail, i-Paper and Express.
When not writing, Anna works as a human rights and criminal justice solicitor acting for survivors of crime. She is also a volunteer for Doorstep Library, working with underprivileged children.
She lives in South London, with one husband, two children, a black cat and a snake.
