Sylvia Fox goes to Umbria for the wedding of her niece, Alice. But the groom, Tommaso, disappears, leaving a woman's body in the lake at the bottom of his garden. Drawing on the skills she's acquired as an MI6 operative, Sylvia investigates, and discovers that Tommaso has a very shady past, working for criminal boss Richelmo Gregori - the brother of the dead woman. Sylvia survives an ambush by Gregori and is on hand to save Alice and Tommaso in a dramatic climax. She delivers Gregori to handsome Carabinieri captain Giovanni Riva - and decides to begin a new life in ...

Sylvia helps out on an archaeological dig at the Castello di Monterosa, and finds a skeleton buried in a shallow grave. The locals are convinced it's that of a teenage girl who disappeared twenty-five years ago, and that she was murdered by a recluse who still lives nearby. Riva thinks so too, but Sylvia is less sure. Her investigation uncovers a story of dark secrets, domestic abuse, and heroic sacrifice. The village welcomes back three lost women - one living, one dead, and one represented in a precious Renaissance portrait - and Sylvia's relationship with Riva ...

When Sasha Pavlenko, the son of a Russian politician is arrested in Rome for the murder of a fellow-student, Sylvia's ex-husband and ex-colleague Adam asks her to investigate. Sylvia has another important case in hand - the kidnap of a truffle pig - but reluctantly agrees. Sasha is bailed into Sylvia's custody, and she discovers that he and Mario, the victim, were lovers. Sylvia uncovers a nasty blackmail plot gone wrong, but is shocked when she discovers that Mario's killer is someone she knows well - or thought she did. The pig is found safe and sound, and returned ...