“A Divine Fury” by D.V. Bishop is the fourth novel in the Cesare Aldo series, people who have read this blog before may note I reviewed the third book Ritual of fire here.  I am a big fan of the character and of the writer – he only grows in my estimation as fairly recently he schooled Elon Musk on why he was not Judge Dredd, and as ex-editor of both Judge Dredd and 2000AD DV Bishop should know!

Set in 1539, “A Divine Fury” finds Cesare Aldo, once an officer of the Otto di Guardia e Balia (Florence’s criminal court), back in the city after a period of exile. However, his return is not triumphant; he’s demoted to the night patrol, dealing with the city’s underbelly. The discovery of a crucified body beneath Michelangelo’s David sets the stage for a chilling investigation into a religious serial killer stalking Florence. Aldo, with his old colleague Carlo Strocchi, must navigate the dark alleys of the city, and the City’s political machinations in order to solve the murder and hopefully prevent more.

Cesare Aldo remains one of the most intriguing and complex protagonists in historical fiction. His sharp intellect and unwavering sense of duty are balanced by his vulnerabilities, and the risks that come with being a gay man in the 16th century, making him a deeply relatable and multifaceted character. Strocchi, brings a different aspect of humanity to the narrative, with his family issues, and desire to do the right thing as his religion dictates whilst remaining as loyal as he can to his colleague, who he frequently disapproves off and sometimes does not like or trust.

Like in the previous novels the setting of Florence is portrayed with such detail that it becomes a character in its own right. Bishop’s love for the city shines through, and his research and interest in the layout of the city really helps.  As always the historical details are meticulously researched and the religious overtones of the murders force both us and Aldo to confront the spiritual and moral complexities of his time, reflecting broader societal tensions. Bishop’s knack for intertwining personal narratives with historical context brings us into a world and probably makes me think I now know far more about that time period and city than I actually do!

“A Divine Fury” is not just a must-read for fans of historical crime fiction but for anyone who appreciates a strong story with strong characters. If you haven’t read any of his books I would recommend starting at the beginning with City of Vengeance, if you have read the previous books then definitely worth getting this book and take a journey through the heart of Florence with Cesare Aldo as your guide.

Author Rating

  • overall
    9.2
  • writing style
    9.1
  • plot/information
    9.4
  • enjoyment
    9.1

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