Best Served Cold

Best Served Cold is a standalone novel set in the same world as Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy, so it can be read independently. However, some characters from the trilogy appear or are referenced, and understanding the broader political landscape will enhance the experience. The novel is set primarily in Styria, a region only briefly touched on in the original trilogy.

The protagonist is Monzcarro Murcatto, known as Monza, a mercenary captain who is betrayed and left for dead by her employer, Duke Orso of Styria. The novel follows her methodical quest for revenge against the seven men responsible for her betrayal and her brother's murder. Monza is widely considered one of Abercrombie's most compelling and morally complex characters.

Yes, several characters from Best Served Cold, including Monza Murcatto, are referenced or appear in the Age of Madness trilogy (A Little Hatred, The Trouble with Peace, The Wisdom of the Crowds), published between 2019 and 2021. The events of Best Served Cold significantly shaped the political landscape of Styria that becomes important in the later books. Reading Best Served Cold before the Age of Madness adds meaningful context.

The novel is set primarily in Styria, an Italy-inspired region of warring city-states and mercenary companies that was only briefly mentioned in the original First Law trilogy. The setting draws heavy inspiration from Renaissance Italy, with its political intrigue, banking families, and condottieri-style warfare. This Mediterranean-flavored backdrop distinguishes it from the Union-focused setting of the main trilogy.