AN historical mystery with more than a touch of the Da Vinci Code about it and which mixes mayhem with arcane intrigue.

The Italian city of Lucca is at the mercy of Napoleon and a dramatic suicide in London leaves its fate in the uncertain hands of one Mabel Finchurst, witness to the death.

Death hovers on her shoulder as she is drawn into a conspiracy steeped deep in blood. It doesnt take long to get you hooked.