Chelsea Quinn Yarbro States of Grace

States of Grace

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Tor, Sep 2005, $25.95

ISBN: 0765313901

In the early sixteenth century, Conte Franzicco Ragoczy di Santo-Germano lives a comfortable lifestyle in Venezia, but as the owner of Eclipse Press knows the Church and others spy on him and his mistress, composer Pier-Ariana Salier. However since he has strong connections to the papacy, the aristocracy and the money for bribes, he is for the most part left alone. Because of problems in the Spanish owned Netherlands, Saint-Germain, as he is known on the continent, travels there to protect his business interests, when his publishing firm and writer Erneste van Amsteljaxter, are accused of heresy.

To his surprise Ragoczy finds himself attracted to Erneste and vows to keep her safe, just like he does for his lover back in Venezia. However, a clever person learns the vampiric secret of Saint-Germain, and much more that enables this thief to embezzle the vampire's fortune. Upon coming home, he is accused of murder, so with his loyal servant Ruggier, the Conte seeks to uncover the identity of the agent who stole his fortune, and has set him up to take the fall.

STATES OF GRACE is as much a great historical novel as it is the usual fantastic Saint-Germain thriller, as the insightful storyline provides a vivid window on early sixteenth century Europe during a time of religious upheaval. Thus the "prime" plot involving the vampire trying to regain all he lost, takes a back seat to the vibrant look at the publishing industry, heresy proclamations, and religious assaults on the papacy. Still, this is a fine tale with more historical background than most of the author's back-list.