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Title: A Name in Blood

Author: Matt Rees

Narrator: Rula Lenska

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-06-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Italy, 1605: For the ruling Borgia family, Rome is a place of grand palazzos and frescoed cathedrals. For the lowly artist Caravaggio, it is a place of rough bars, knife fights, and grubby whores. Until he is commissioned to paint the Pope... Soon, Caravaggio has gained entry into the Borgia's inner circle, and becomes the most celebrated artist in Rome. But when he falls for Lena, a lowborn fruit-seller, and paints her into his Madonna series, Italian society is outraged.

Discredited as an artist, but unwilling to retract his vision of the woman he loves, Caravaggio is forced into a duel - and murders a nobleman. His powerful patrons cannot protect him from a death sentence. So Caravaggio flees to Malta, where, before he can be pardoned, he must undergo the rigorous training of the Knights of Malta. His paintings continue to speak of his love for Lena. But before he can return to her, as a Knight and noble, Caravaggio disappears....

Members Reviews:

The sounds, smells and rats of Rome in the 17th century

Matt Rees delivers another great page turner! The reader finds himself in Rome of the seventeenth century with all its glories, intrigues and art. Matt Rees brings the art of the period to life and paints a canvas rich in detail of the morals and daily realities of every day life. His language is so convincing that you may find yourself checking for lice or taking cover from the violence.

Caravaggio in the flesh

Matt Rees merges crime with historical fiction to create an astonishing outcome, of a new novel that is a must read for any fan of compelling writing. This beautiful, striking hardback book stands out on any bookshelf with its intriguing cover and fascinating blurb, which cannot fail to capture ones imagination. Set in 1605 within the exquisite country of Italy that captures all your senses with the grand Palazzos, Frescoed cathedrals and historical art that makes up Rome, you feel as if you are there. Atmospheric and realistic I was transported into a world of harsh roughness, knife crime and whores that the author makes so alive. Following Caravaggio's journey as he is commissioned to paint the Pope and invited into the Borghese family's inner circle, you are able to grasp how someone coming from nothing ends up as something by not only talent but connections. In a sometimes dangerous and rough existence, one can see how it matters who you know and how you have to push forwards being quite forthright to become noticed.

Love can be a weakness hence with Lena this great painter's reputation and life is at stake, as everything he cares about could all be lost. Standing on a knife edge I sat rigidly to the edge of my seat in suspense, as the intensity increased and the tension heightened as the plot thickened. I did not find it surprising that because he had fallen in love with a penniless young woman that he would not only be frowned upon and shunned, but that it would be a difficult relationship to maintain and keep his promise to without controversy. Even powerful patrons and those of high social status are not always willing to be cooperative and helpful when it comes to such dishonorable and quite scandalous actions, hence I could not help but sympathize with him in the hopes that things would become easier for him. As a great artist he painted from life and of the one whom he loved, with much sadness whilst being shunned.