Selected as the Historical Book of the Month in The Times: `This is a historical crime novel with soul, written with beauty and tenderness.' Antonia Senior, The Times 16th century Italy, deep in the Tuscan countryside a long-held feud between two aristocratic families ends in tragedy leaving only one young girl alive. Having barely escaped with her life, she vows to survive at all costs ... Years later, amidst the winding streets and majestic facades of Florence, two murders are not all they seem. As Onorio Celavini, commander of the Medici police force, investigates he is horrified to find a personal connection to the crimes, and a conspiracy lurking beyond. The secrets of his past threaten to spill out and Celavini is forced to revisit the traumatic memories hidden deep within him to lay the ghosts of history to rest. Poignant, brutal and compelling The Phoenix of Florence is a richly told and cleverly crafted tale of a struggle for identity and a battle for justice in an Italy besieged by war.