Terri McMillan

Venice is a city of secrets, where Sandrina and Marcello are ensnared in a tangled web that pushes them together. A battle rages within Sandrina as she struggles to hold true to her vows, Marcello fights to keep her safe.

Even after the death of Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, murder and intrigue abound at the Vatican. Marcello Di Amante has been summoned to uncover who has been stealing the relics from the Vatican storeroom. His reputation as a sleuth is put to the test when two murders are discovered on the day of his meeting with Pope Pius III. Marcello vows to bring the culprits to justice.

Death haunts Sandrina MacPhearson, who believes her relationship is built on a foundation of fear and dishonesty. Duncan Langstaff her betrothed, is gone on the day of her wedding. Every night she sees her brother's wife, her crumpled body laying in a pool of blood. In her dreams, it is Duncan killing her.

The masquerade at the Doge's Palace should lead to the unmasking of a murderer, instead the headstrong Sandrina is kidnapped and Marcello must find her before she is also murdered.