'Lorenzo' is a fictionalised version of a conspiracy to assassinate Florence's untitled prince, Lorenzo de Medici. The site is the city's cathedral during Sunday Mass: the date is 26 April 1478. The backdrop is High Renaissance when the city-state stands unchallenged as the intellectual and cultural centre of western civilisation. Superimposed on that time and place is Lorenzo, scholar, art patron, poet, falconer, soldier, banker, diplomat and lover. There are other fascinating characters as well including the spell-binding preacher Savonarol and the brilliant Sixtus IV. What they say and do is based on what is known of them. As an example, it is from Savonarola's prophetic and thunderous sermons that the author derives his words, his sentiments and his fire. Researched with scholarly meticulousness, 'Lorenzo' reads like a mystery novel.