Tuscany, 1540, and Cesare Aldo and his partner Doctor Saul Orvieto are travelling to the Ospedale de Pazzi, a remote institution for the criminally insane, people locked away from their loved ones for the safety of all involved. The Ospedale was once a more normal infirmary where Aldo believes he was born – and just might hold a clue to the identity of his mother.

As they arrive, the snow begins to deepen and when the cart driver who took them there is found dead, it seems they are trapped there. Any thoughts of the first death being an accident are soon laid to rest once on the guards has their throat cut. Aldo and Saul are trapped with a killer – but is it one of the inmates or is one of the people who care for them even more dangerous?

A quick review today, as it’s a bit warm today in my office. This is the sixth book in the Cesare Aldo series, all of which I’ve reviewed on the blog, dealing as much with Aldo’s personal journey, both in finding his place in the world as well as the truth about his past, while dealing with a variety of murders and plots.

In some ways, this isn’t the best place to start in the series, as it has serious callbacks to at least two of the earlier books, and, not wishing to spoil anything, sets up an even more explicit sequel to one for Aldo’s next outing. I’d recommend not starting the series here.

All of the books are high quality – the multiple nominations for the CWA awards, both historical and overall, demonstrate that. So why not start at the beginning?

And then eventually you’ll get to this one. A more typical set-up for a mystery, the isolated location surrounded by snow, but this is, as ever, just as much about the characters as the threat in the ospitale. There’s some good work done looking at the patients as much as the guards, monks and nuns, giving some humanity beyond them just being insane. And, of course, at least one of them has a devastating secret.

Another first rate historical novel with an engrossing mystery, and yet more significant developments in Aldo’s life. Looking forward to Book Seven.

Shadow Of Madness is out today from Macmillan in hardback and ebook. Many thanks for the review e-copy via NetGalley.