1899. Pre-Dawn.
Ridley, a Scottish governess, breathes in the air as her ferry nears the coastline of Corsica. The pungent scent of the ‘Maquis’, a tangled maze of primeval forest, overgrown vines and fragrant brushwood, is overwhelming. Deep inside the scrubland, three brothers stalk their prey, a cousin of their enemy family. Later, through an accident of fate, Ridley meets Pasquale, the moody, difficult, middle son. As a Quaker, she is repelled by “Mother Violence” - the Vendetta. But, for him, Justice and the Vendetta are one and the same. Three overlapping worlds, the Maquis, the feuding families, and the Grand Hotel, converge.
Part 1 of a series.
A unique, enchanting story that whisks you away to 19th century Corsica, where long-standing vendettas hold sway, honour is everything and a dangerous romance is in the air. Deeply evocative, with a tightly woven plot, this is a beautiful book to treasure.
Beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Francisco Centofanti, all hand drawn with pen & ink and watercolour.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Publisher: MAQUIS WORLD
Publication date: 9 May 2024 - 1st Edition
Language: English
Hardcover: 66 pages
ISBN: 978-1-0686361-0-3
Dimensions: 30.5 x 21.5 x 1 cm
Reviews
‘A unique, enchanting story that whisks you away to 19th century Corsica, where long-standing vendettas hold sway, honour is everything and a dangerous romance is in the air. Deeply evocative, with a tightly woven plot, this is a beautiful book to treasure.’
Jo Leevers, author of best-selling novel “Tell Me How This Ends” and “The Last Time I Saw You”.
‘This engaging book plunges us into life in Corsica at the end of the nineteenth century, where a blood feud between two families forces a young man to go into hiding, while his enemies swear to track him down and kill him. Meanwhile, a young Quaker widow from Scotland arrives on the island to work as a governess and it’s clear the two are destined to meet and fall in love. Colourful characters are brilliantly portrayed and tension rises as the clever plot leads to a climax at the carnival. The book is visually stunning throughout, conveying the wild beauty of Corsica with menacing hints of more danger to come. I can hardly wait for the next volume.’
Anne Theroux, journalist, broadcaster, therapist, and author of “The Year of the End: A Memoir of Marriage, Truth and Fiction”.