A Comedy of Murders: An Italian Renaissance Mystery

Twenty-Seven Ways to Commit Murder. It is 1498 and in the castle of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, there have been a number of assassination attempts made on his life. The latest happens when the Duke and his court visit the Certosa Monastery after a hunting trip. A young man living at the Monastery, Niccolo da Pavia, intercepts the would-be assassins, saving the Duke’s life. In gratitude the Duke offers Niccolo a place in his court. Niccolo dreams of experiencing the world outside the Monastery so he readily accepts. Leonardo da Vinci is Artist-in-residence to the Duke where he paints, arranges entertainments and designs war machines and is allowed to dissect bodies. Niccolo’s insatiable curiosity leads him to the tower where Leonardo has his studio. A strong friendship is established and as the bodies pile up, Niccolo and Leonardo work together to uncover the identity of the assassin. This mysterious “Griffin”, as the assassin is known, continues to plague the court with a series of murders that include: cardinals, members of the court, and even castle workers. Leonardo, using his forensic skills to dissect the bodies of the victims, uncovers the truth behind the murders just before the French and Cesare Borgia invade the castle. Leonardo and Niccolo must flee for their lives. The Italian Renaissance is a period of artistic brilliance, sexual decadence, political intrigue and religious fanaticism. Does that world sound familiar? It would appear that history does indeed repeat itself. George Herman captures all of this with humor in his first mystery novel, “A Comedy of Murders.”

George Herman is primarily a playwright who also is an actor, director, composer, poet, short story writer and novelist. For twelve years he was a college professor and "artist-in-residence" at various colleges and universities. During this period his play A Company of Wayward Saints won the McKnight Foundation Humanities Award in drama in 1963. It has remained in print and has been continually produced for more than 50 years. In 1967 George moved to Hawaii where he continued to write and won two international playwrighting competitions co-sponsored by the University of Southern Illinois for his play on Lincoln, Mr. Highpockets (1968) and his play on Gandhi, A stone for either hand. While in Hawaii he established and served as artistic director of The Commedia Theatre and acted and directed in numerous plays in various community theatres. He also can be seen in 19 Hawaii 5-0 episodes of the original series. George has written over 140 plays, 15 novels, numerous poems and short stories. He has written and composed music for both full length and childrens plays. All too numerous to mention here but much of his work can be found on Amazon. Worn out and having severely diminished the liquor supply of the Kaamaina Room bar, he retired in 1983, whereupon the Hawaii State House of Representatives passed resolution 834 commending him for "16 years of enhancing the quality of theatre through his skillful efforts as an actor, director, playwright and as a perceptive, candid drama critic." They then held a three-day luau to celebrate his finally leaving the islands. He moved with his family to Portland, Oregon, in order to remind himself what seasons were, and in 1994 wrote his first novel, Carnival of Saints, published by Ballantine. A Comedy of Murders was published by Carroll and Graff also in 1994 followed by Tears of the Madonna. Nine Dragons an anti-war story for children of all ages was published by Tuttle and is beautifully illustrated by Kit Seaton. Now in his mid 80's he continues to write every day in a house tucked away amid old-growth firs, pines, maples and cedars. He is surrounded by 12 children, 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Life is good!