Portrait of a Conspiracy – Da Vinci's Disciples Book One

Portrait of a Conspiracy
298 Pages
ISBN 978-1682300602

One murder ignites the powder keg that consumes a Florence under the iron rule of the powerful Medici family. Amidst the chaos, five women and one legendary artist weave together a dangerous plot that could bring peace, or get them all killed.

Seeking to wrest power, members of the Pazzi family drew their blades in a church and slew the beloved Giuliano. But Lorenzo de' Medici survives, and seeks revenge on everyone involved, plunging the city into a murderous chaos. Bodies are dragged through the streets, and no one is safe.

Five women steal away to a church to ply their craft in secret. Viviana, Fiammetta, Isabetta, Natasia, and Mattea are painters, not allowed to be public with their skill, but freed from the restrictions in their lives by their art. When a sixth member of their group, Lapaccia, goes missing, and is rumored to have stolen a much sought after painting before she vanished, the women must venture out into the dangerous streets to find their friend. They will have help from one of the most renowned painters of their era―the peaceful and kind Leonardo Da Vinci.

It is under his tutelage that they will flourish as artists, and with his access that they will infiltrate some of the highest, most secretive places in Florence, unraveling one conspiracy as they build another in its place.

Historical fiction at its finest, Donna Russo Morin begins a series of Da Vinci's disciples with a novel both vibrant and absorbing, perfect for the readers of Sarah Dunant.

Donna Russo Morin

About Donna Russo Morin (Rhode Island Author)

Donna Russo Morin

Donna Russo Morin is the internationally published author of five multi-award-winning historical novels including Portrait of a Conspiracy: Da Vinci’s Disciples Book One, and The King’s Agent, recipient of a starred review in Publishers Weekly. Her other titles are The Courtier’s Secret, The Secret of the Glass, and To Serve a King. Her upcoming release, The Competition: Da Vinci’s Disciples Book Two (releasing in May of 2017), continues to follow the adventures and traumas of a clandestine group of women artists set during the height of the Italian Renaissance.

In addition to her writing, Donna has worked as a model and an actor with appearances in Showtime’s Brotherhood, and Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. ). A 25-year professional editor, her work spans more than 40 manuscripts. She holds a BA in Communications and an A.A. in English Literature. Donna teaches writing courses at her state’s most prestigious adult learning center and has presented at national and academic conferences for over ten years. Donna still lives in her home state of Rhode Island with her partner, Carl. Donna is a proud, single mother of two sons, Devon and Dylan—an opera singer and a chef—her greatest works. www.donnarussomorin.com