Richard Ashley is a journalist who cares about the truth, and he's about to break the greatest story of his career.

Italy's ruling clique is rotten to the core. A scandal centred around Vittorio, Duke of Orgagna, points to a web of corruption and deceit emanating from his estate in the south.

But Ashley finds that the truth is not all it seems when he falls in love with Orgagna's wife. Everything is more complicated, more passionate, than before-and tainted by death. Suddenly Ashley's greatest story threatens to be his last.

'A gripping tale . . . tense climax.' Evening Standard

'Exciting and disconcerting.' The Glasgow Herald

'Mr West lights his work with the sharp, hard sunlight of Italy . . . his characterisations are superb.' Los Angeles Times