This novel set in Italy in the 1340s enticed me early on, but lost me a little during the final chapters.

It’s one of those books that are better in parts than on the whole. While the author’s descriptive passages are vivid when focused on the surroundings of a scene, they’re less visual a couple of times when she describes action between characters, especially during a violent episode towards the end.

Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that a crucial violent incident was not portrayed well. In fact, the way she goes about it is confusing.

While the characters are believable, they can be too melodramatic at times. This is often because of the choice of language the author decided to use for dialogue. Here’s an example:

'Go, and take thy fool with thee, and keep from my sight.'

This old form of speech is irritating. No need to be so authentic. Sentences like the above and 'Thinkest thou he will get the horses?' tend to slow the narrative down.

Worse still is Ms Bowen’s inclination to mix the syntax up to add to the old way of speaking. Several times I was forced to re-read something to grasp its meaning. Here’s an example:

'Answer! Where got the fool this?'

But apart from the above criticisms, “The Viper of Milan” is not a bad read, and at times it's quite compelling. ( )

A terrific novel of intrigue in old Milan. Especially remarkable considering the author was a teenager when she wrote it ( )

Nice cover by Vernon Soper, strange red head with green gloves and stained-glass window.