They Deserved It

They Deserved It â€" On the consequences of the foolishness and arrogance of old men, by Aaron Aalborg What is in the mysterious Egyptian casket that links murderers over a thousand years? Our thriller begins as a historical novel set in 17th Century Italy, a time of superstition, plagues and cynical exploitation of young women. This ripping yarn of illicit love, hundreds of poisonings, the Inquisition, torture and witch burnings is built around true events. Characters include, beautiful young girls oppressed by dynastic marriages to aged husbands, a handsome and tormented young priest, Machiavellian cardinals and a scheming, atheist pope. In the second part of our story, the descendents of some of the original characters are driven to fulfill their ancestral destiny in modern day New York. The results include grisly killings, global pursuit, international espionage and a thrilling climax of mass murder, authorized by the President of the United States. It is up to you to decide which of the victims deserved their fate.