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Author:

Miller, Derek B., 1970-, author.

Title:

The curse of Pietro Houdini : a novel / Derek B. Miller.

Edition:

First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition.

Publisher:

Avid Reader Pressan imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.,

Copyright Date:

2024

Description:

360 pages ; 24 cm.

Subject:

Orphans--Italy--Fiction.
World War, 1939-1945--Fiction.
Smugglers--Fiction.
Art--Fiction.
Italy--Fiction.
Historical fiction.

Summary:

"August, 1943. Fourteen-year-old Massimo is all alone. Newly orphaned and fleeing from Rome after surviving the American bombing raid that killed his parents, Massimo is attacked by thugs and finds himself bloodied at the base of the Montecassino. It is there in the Benedictine abbey's shadow that a charismatic and cryptic man calling himself Pietro Houdini, the self-proclaimed 'Master Artist and confidante of the Vatican,' rescues Massimo and brings him up the mountain to serve as his assistant in preserving the treasures that lay within the monastery walls. But can Massimo believe what Pietro is saying, particularly when Massimo has secrets too? Who is this extraordinary man? When it becomes evident that Montecassino will soon become the front line in the war, Pietro Houdini and Massimo execute a plan to smuggle three priceless Titian paintings to safety down the mountain. They are joined by a nurse concealing a nefarious past, a caf̌e owner turned murderer, a wounded but chipper German soldier, and a pair of lovers along with their injured mule, Ferrari. Together they will lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill, and sin their way through battlefields to survive, all while smuggling the Renaissance masterpieces and the bag full of ancient Greek gold they have rescued from the 'safe keeping' of the Germans"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

1668020882
9781668020883

OCLC:

(OCoLC)1384414493

Locations:

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