Villa in Italy

Four very different people are named in a will. Delia, an opera singer robbed of her voice by illness; George, an idealistic scientist who cannot face what his skills have created; Marjorie, desperately poor and unable to dislodge her writer’s block; and Lucius, ostensibly in control but whose personal life is in chaos. All are summoned to the Villa Dante, home of the late Beatrice Malaspina. But who was she?While they wait to find out, the villa begins to work its seductive magic. With its faded frescoes, overgrown garden and magnificent medieval tower, it is unlike anywhere they have been before. Slowly, four characters who have gone to great lengths to hide their troubles find that change – and even hope – is possible after all. But the mysterious Beatrice has a devastating secret to reveal that will affect them all …A beautiful evocation of Italy in the aftermath of World War Two, the personal consequences of living through such a time, and a celebration of humankind’s ability to heal and learn to love again, this most absorbing novel will win Elizabeth Edmondson a host of new fans.

‘Deeply satisfying … rich and compelling.’ -- The Oxford Times
‘Enthralling … enchanting from start to finish.’ -- Woman
'... great for escaping the cold UK winter’ -- Closer Magazine

The daughter of a South American mother and English father, Elizabeth Edmondson was born in Chile, and educated in Calcutta and London before going to Oxford University, Elizabeth Edmondson now divides her time between the countryside north of Rome and the spires of Oxford. She is married to an art historian and has two children. Nicolette McKenzie was born and educated in New Zealand. Her television work includes the compilation and presentation of three programs of New Zealand poetry for BBC TV as well as comedy, revue and popular drama. Working extensively in recorded sound, she was the voice of the UK's first Talking Car and can be heard in numerous audiobooks, cartoon series, technical recordings and performing the role of Mrs Bennett for the World Service's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

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