Death of the duchess

the long version

In the first of a new series of mysteries set in Renaissance Italy, the enigmatic Sigismondo, at once courtier, mercenary, and detective, makes his debut and finds an invaluable assistant in his investigations in the supposed village idiot, Benno As the feud between two noble families threatens to turn the Dukedom of Rocca into a battlefield, a kidnapping leads to murder and the duchess herself is discovered stabbed at a wedding feast. All of the clues point in one direction, but Sigismondo sees beyond them. When he reports his findings to the Duke, however, he is abruptly told to withdraw from the case; it is solved, the murderer is already in a closely guarded cell and will soon be executed. Sigismondo and Benno must then risk their lives in a daring attempt to save an innocent man and trap the real villain. (from the back cover)