A heart-wrenching wartime story of courage and resistance, from bestseller Siobhan Daiko

1944

Bologna, Italy, and the streets are crawling with German soldiers. Nineteen-year-old Leila Venturi is shocked into joining the Resistance after her beloved best friend Rebecca, the daughter of a prominent Jewish businessman, is ruthlessly deported to a concentration camp.

1981

Exchange student Rhiannon Hughes arrives in Bologna and meets Leila, her landlady. Soon, Rhiannon finds herself being drawn into a web of intrigue. Leila’s nephew seems to be interested in a far-right group, but how is the nefarious leader connected to Leila?

As dark secrets emerge from the past, Rhiannon is faced with a terrible choice. Will she take her courage into both hands and risk everything?

Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy, and Victoria Hislop

Praise for Siobhan Daiko:

A beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down’ Ann Bennett

’I was completely absorbed by … all the characters and intrigue’ Angela Petch

'...like meeting an old, dear friend after a long absence. What a poignant, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable read this was! ... such beautiful prose and such a brilliant story that completely transported me.' Renita D'Silva

‘An exciting, impeccably-researched wartime adventure with lots of heart ... the perfect mixture of tragedy and happiness' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

A poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity and I was hooked from start to finish' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

'So much heartache but alongside this the love of the people who did so much in WWII' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘A powerful historical novel that I just could not put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review