Broken Madonna (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781068747007)

Spellbinding novel set in the mountains of post-WW2 Italy, where the mysterious visions of a fragile girl lead to a reckoning with the haunting secrets of the past.

BROKEN MADONNA is a beautifully told story of female friendship, the emotional repercussions of powerful secrets and redemption.

At an orphanage in the poverty-stricken Apennine Mountains, 15-year-old Adelina has only one younger friend - enigmatic, fragile Elisabetta.

When Elisabetta claims to see the Madonna by the river, Adelina has doubts. But after Elisabetta appears to heal Giulio, an injured and traumatised young soldier, crowds flock to witness the mystery of Elisabetta's miracles.

Adelina can no longer contain her misgivings and seeks out scheming priest, Padre Bosco. As the secrets of the past begin to unravel, Adelina, Elisabetta and Giulio each have to confront who or what to believe.

Soon they face a terrible reckoning which will cause deep ripples in all their lives, reaching across the years to 1990s England.

"A beautifully written historical novel, set in Italy in the aftermath of WW2, about faith and friendship, loss and love. Evocative, page-turning and original - a novel to savour."

Jacquie Bloese, Author of The French House & The Secret Photographs

"Broken Madonna is the story of two orphaned girls whose friendship is threatened by the vested interests of a powerful institution. A vivid and moving evocation of time and place, doubt and faith, loyalty and betrayal. A really good read."

Umi Sinha, Author of Belonging

BROKEN MADONNA is a book about desperate secrets and choices in life. It's also a song to the author's Italian roots and the beauty of the mountains and river where all her ancestors hail from.

For readers who enjoy Shelley Read, Elif Shafak, Isabel Allende, Clare Chambers, Tracy Chevalier, Sarah Dunant and writers whose storytelling delves deep into the contradictions of human nature.

Ideal read for book groups, with questions from the author at the back of the book to stimulate lively discussion among book group members.