The queen's gambit

Leonardo da Vinci, the epitome of the Renaissance man, turns to solving mysteries in Stuckart's impressive debut. Ludovico Sforza, the duke of Milan, asks Leonardo to organize an elaborate live chess game to settle a dispute between the duke and the French ambassador to Milan. All goes well until the duke's ambassador to France, who was playing a white bishop, is found murdered by the duke's knife. Fearing severe political repercussions and possible threats from within the court, the paranoid duke commands Leonardo, one of the few outsiders he trusts, to investigate. The mystery unfolds with vivid details of 15th-century Milanese royal life, the political intrigues of the time and the elaborate preparations for Leonardo's frescos. Narrated by Dino, an apprentice who serves as a rather excitable Watson to Leonardo's coolly analytical Holmes, the mesmerizing plot moves swiftly to a dramatic conclusion that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next volume. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

The Renaissance man himself tries to solve a murderous puzzle in 1483 Milan. Stuckart lives in West Palm Beach, FL. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In 15th-century Milan, artist and court engineer Leonardo da Vinci adds sleuthing to his rsum. To celebrate the visit of the French Ambassador, the Duke of Milan, aka Il Moro, plans a dazzling array of festivities including a chess match with important local personages dressed as the various chess pieces. During an intermission, as guests and pieces have scattered, Leonardo's endlessly curious apprentice Dino discovers the corpse of the white bishop--the Conte di Ferrara, a cousin of the duke. Because of his service to the duke and his knowledge of anatomy, Leonardo is asked to examine the body and later considers it his duty to look further into the mystery. Meanwhile, the killing is kept under wraps. Dino nervously replaces the slain count in the game in hopes of ferreting out a likely suspect or two. His secret knowledge makes Dino an obvious Watson to da Vinci's Holmes in the lengthy investigation that ensues. He also makes a major confession to the reader, adding considerable dimension to the story but overshadowing the whodunit: Dino is a woman, living as a young man in order to work for "The Master." Protecting her identity goes hand in hand with solving the crime. Stuckart's debut is a baroque narrative with plenty of historical tidbits, and Dino's secret augurs well for further complex adventures. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.