I think the author did a fine job toeing the line between a woman's place in society during the sixteenth century and creating an interesting, strong character in Barbara of Austria.

The mystery was fun to unravel and the addition of Lucrezia as a ghost-like figure opposite Barbara's discoveries was a good way to introduce new information without making it seem like overt exposition. Even though she was dead, she seemed to mature as a character with each surprising (to her) revelation Alfonso and Barbara came upon.