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Rizzio
£4.99
A razor‑sharp, breathlessly tense retelling of the brutal murder that shook the court of Mary, Queen of Scots — from one of Scotland’s most acclaimed crime writers.
Denise Mina transforms a single night in 1566 into a gripping, claustrophobic and brilliantly observed Darkland Tales novella about power, sex, betrayal and survival.
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About the Ebook
Rizzio plunges readers into the terrifying events of 9 March 1566. Mary, Queen of Scots — six months pregnant — is hosting a private supper in her chambers. She has no idea that her palace is surrounded, and that an armed mob is climbing the stairs to murder her friend and secretary, David Rizzio.
Her husband, Lord Darnley, wants the killing done in front of her. He wants her to watch.
Denise Mina masterfully reconstructs this infamous night, capturing the sexual politics, shifting alliances and raw power struggles that defined Mary’s court. The writing is taut, vivid and psychologically incisive, with characters drawn in quick, devastating strokes.
Longlisted for the 2022 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and named “a tour de force work of art” by The Wall Street Journal, this Darkland Tales novella is a blistering exploration of sex, secrets, lies and the brutal lengths people will go to for power.
Critical Praise
"A tour de force work of art."
— The Wall Street Journal, Best Books of the Year
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- A gripping Darkland Tales entry retelling a pivotal moment in Scottish history.
- Masterful psychological insight into power, sex and political manipulation.
- Fast, tense and immersive — a novella you read in one breath.
- Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a dark, contemporary edge.
- Written by Denise Mina, one of Scotland’s most decorated crime writers.
About the Author
Denise Mina was born in East Kilbride in 1966. Her debut novel Garnethill won the CWA Dagger for Best First Crime Novel, and she has twice won both the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and the MacIlvanney Prize. A regular presence on TV and radio, she is one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary writers.
Publication Details
Publisher: Birlinn Ltd
Imprint: Polygon
Publication Date: 2 September 2021
Print Length: 128 pages
ISBN (Ebook): 9781788853477
Format: Ebook
Language: English
Categories: Fiction / Historical Fiction
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