A compelling story of intrigue, passion, and murder in the Medici Court, from the author of The Flower Reader and The Second Duchess. Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Sarah Dunant.

“Elizabeth Loupas just gets better and better. Renaissance Florence springs to life in all its gorgeous, treacherous glory when a brave street urchin finds herself neck deep in Medici blood-lust. A dash of magic, a maze of murder, a heroine to root for, and a villain who needs to die – this is historical fiction at its most compelling.” (Kate Quinn, author of The Serpent and the Pearl and The Lion and the Rose)

“Elizabeth Loupas works her own particular alchemy on her readers as she brings the heady elements of the Medici court to life – fascinating!” (Marina Fiorato, bestselling author of The Botticelli Secret)

“The ingenious little touches don’t stop at the historical detail or the character formation though; Elizabeth has writing tricks to share too. At one point Ruan is vehemently accused of his past, permitting the narrative to cleverly conversationally-inform us of his background without that awkward appearance of telling him what he already knows. Smooth! Ladies, if you’re looking for that elusive holiday read that punches above its apparent weight here it is: satisfying with romance in proportion and deaths by poisoning and garrotting thrown in… What more could we ask?” (The Bookbag)