THE DARK HEART OF FLORENCE

Lady Emily Hargreaves, Alexander’s durable heroine, returns to Italy in 1903 in a tale of murder, espionage, and hidden treasure.

Colin Hargreaves, Lady Emily’s husband, recently discovered a daughter, Katharina von Lang, whose existence had been unknown to him. As tensions with Germany increase, Colin, an agent of the British crown, is assigned to a case in Florence, where Katharina owns a villa inherited from her mother. Visiting her provides cover for Colin as he, Emily, and her friend Cécile du Lac meet with Colin’s colleague Darius Benton-Smith. The villa is well guarded by faithful servants, but its peace is shattered by the murder of one of Benton-Smith’s sources. A maid reveals that the house holds secrets going back 400 years to the time of Savonarola, who railed against the rich and destroyed many artworks. Emily and Cécile are intrigued by both the murder and the many clues written on the walls of the villa, which purport to lead to a mysterious treasure. Even though Colin can’t confide in her, Emily resolves to investigate. Her first step is to learn more about the villa and its former inhabitants. Alternating chapters explore the life of Mina Portinari, one of these tenants, whose grandfather exposed her to radical ideas and more education than most young women could dream of in 1480. Her story becomes deeply intertwined with the hidden treasure as Emily and Cécile put their lives in danger searching for clues.

Historical background adds depth to a complex, exciting mystery.