Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Mary Warren has returned to Florence, Italy after a two year absence. Having survived a vicious attack that left her scarred and her husband dead, it’s a wonder this art student can face the history, charm and haunts of this ancient city.

New friends question her secretiveness and the man she loved before and after her attack, doesn’t understand why Mary is drawn to other crimes her attacker committed. As she digs into the deaths other victims, she begins to feel he is still in her midst. Yet, the police say he died in prison.

Lucretia Grindle proves that writing is truly an art. The scenes she creates, Michelangelo style, are dramatic, compelling and emotionally charged. Her breathtaking strokes give you more than a terrace view of Florence. You’ll stroll through the piazzas, climb the steps of centuries-old buildings and smell the rush of olives and wine from the trattorias where protagonist Mary-Maria dines with her friends. If you haven’t been to Florence, Grindle will convince you it is a must-do.

Grindle writes with grace, yet her prose warns you not to take anything for granted. Eyes wide open, her art draws you closer and closer to the heart of a city where murder and ancient art blend into the crowd and you feel the cold blooded murderer’s breath on your shoulder. This fascinating book explores the wonders of yesterday, the anxieties of modern day, the tribulations of the Catholic Church, questions global politics, and yet causes you to shiver like every great mystery should.

An award winner for sure. Don’t miss Lucretia Grindle’s masterpiece.
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Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem (December 16, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-1934609866