Travel to lush and glamorous Rome in this gorgeously wrought novel—reminiscent of Fellini’s classic film 8½—that explores the complicated life of a controversial Italian film producer who vanishes after a fire destroys his home.

Rome, present day: an extravagant, opulent world of fashionable parties, fancy cars, and powerful men and women in a constant dance of excess and intrigue. Oscar Martello, president of a film production company, is a self‑made man: despite his humble origins, he has managed to achieve unbelievable fame and success.

He is also a cutthroat and ruthless visionary. Andrea Serrano, his best friend, is a scriptwriter who explores the themes of love and murder in his work. The beautiful actress Jacaranda Rizzi, Oscar’s muse, has a secret that has been tormenting her for many years. All three represent the apex of Rome’s complex and privileged network of glitzy yet troubled aristocrats, pulsing with ambition.

When a fire devastates Oscar’s villa in one of the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods and he goes missing, all of Rome is left to wonder about his fate. The evidence points to Jacaranda, but could she have orchestrated something so sinister? More important, could she have done it alone, or has Andrea played some role in the debacle?

In this archly funny, immersive, and gripping novel, Pino Corrias “grants us all an invitation to Rome in this exciting and sometimes funny novel where no passport is required. The characters are almost as alluring as the culture and history of Italy, and the author’s imagery makes everything come to life” (RT Book Reviews).