BEATRICE AND BENEDICK is not a retelling of William Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing. What author Marina Fiorato has done is imagine a sixteenth century world where a man and woman with those names could have inspired the Bard to write his famous comedy. This, you might say, is the fictional "true story" behind that play—and several others.

Beatrice is a 19-year-old from northern Italy, visiting her mother's sister and her family in Sicily. Very near the beginning, Benedick arrives in the company of Don Pedro, a Spanish prince. At that time, Sicily was under Spanish rule, and the Don is seeking contributions of ships and men for the Spanish Armada. Beatrice and Benedick spar verbally— and occasionally physically; they enjoy their dust-ups but always seem to take it just a bit too far for comfort's sake.

If you're familiar with the play, you'll recognize most of the characters and some of the lines. Fiorato's visual descriptions of the settings often mirror the Kenneth Branagh film (which the author acknowledges provided great inspiration). I was also surprised and delighted to recognize characters and situations from several of the Bard's Italian plays, including The Comedy of Errors, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello.

Fiorato studied Shakespeare's plays in their historical context, and she puts that education to good use, showcasing the political atmosphere of the time in a way that helps us, the readers, understand the forces at work on these beloved characters.

I highly recommend BEATRICE AND BENEDICK to anyone who enjoys historical drama, romance, or the works of William Shakespeare.