When Contessa Caterina Sanseverino is widowed, her family’s reduced circumstances dictate that she find another husband quickly; preferably wealthy, probably as old as her first. Instead she jumps at the chance to join Bona Sforza’s household as Lady of the Queen’s Chamber when Bona marries King Zygmunt of Poland and Lithuania.
Donna Caterina’s primary responsibility is overseeing the queen’s Ladies in Waiting, a task comparable to chaperoning a group of teen-aged girls on a never-ending senior trip. While trying to maintain control of this gaggle of flirtatious girls, Donna Caterina falls into a romance of her own, with Sebastian Konarski, the king’s advisor.
These preoccupations pale when courtier Kasper Zamborski is murdered during a Christmas banquet. Horror gives way to rumors and speculation about motives for the murder: Was the killer a jealous husband, or wife? Was Chancellor Stempowski determined that Zamborski not marry his daughter? Were Jews protesting the higher taxes they were forced to pay? Or did someone suspect Zamborski of supporting religious reform? Before the mystery is solved, the queen’s secretary is murdered during the court New Year’s Eve celebration.
With Epiphany, the final holiday of the season, approaching, Donna Catarina fears a third death. She takes it upon herself to find the murderer, with Konarski’s aid. Of course, when one goes looking for danger, there’s a good chance of finding it. With powers of observation (honed by constant oversight of her charges?), along with ingenuity and daring, Donna Catarina tracks the killer in the castle.
Author P.K. Adams includes appealing details about early 16th century Polish culture, such as the tradition of sanna, a sleigh-riding event on the day before New Year’s Eve, or the mid-summer’s eve celebration with bonfires and floral wreaths drifting down the river. Donna Caterina and the ladies miss their Italian homeland, but fur-lined capes and an advanced plumbing system that allows for hot baths offset the constant cold.
Silent Water is an engrossing read, with a unique setting, suspects galore, and clever clues. Author P.K. Adams promises two more novels in this series, and I’m here for them.