This novel is about an evil, immoral, greedy, vain woman, the Bella Donna of the title, who is past her prime in looks, and ostracized by London society. In London she meets and marries a young English heir to a Lordship for the sole purpose of gaining riches and societal stature - she does not love him, although he is totally mesmerized and infatuated with her and blind to her character failings. On their honeymoon shipboard voyage to Egypt where he lives and works as an Egyptologist, they meet a wealthy Egyptian businessman with whom she forms an immediate attraction, and whom she pursues later in the story. Her husband fails to inherit the Lordship and related estates - at this point she decides to slowly poison him with lead in his food over several months. Her goal being to get rid of him and become the Egyptian's lover. The author excels in creating most vivid pictures of Egypt's customs, natives, music, landscapes, and Egyptian relics/pyramids based on his personal travels to Egypt in his life time. The descriptions of the characters' thoughts and motivations are superb. I thought the book was rather long but riveting. Does Bella Donna succeed with her nefarious plans? Read the book to find out!

"Emma" was my first attempt at reading Jane Austen's works. Recognizing that she wrote Classics, I ventured forth enthusiastically. Sorry to say I never "got it" with this book. To me the characters were dull, the writing was tedious, and the plot was boring and not the least bit interesting to me. After 100 pages I gave up. Even the English of her time was unfamiliar and not easy to grasp. I won't give up and shall try her other books.