The Saffron Crocus

Venice, 1643. Isabella, fifteen, wants to sing in Monteverdi's Choir, but only boys--and castrati--can do that. Her singing teacher, Margherita, introduces her to a new wonder: opera! But then Isabella finds Margherita murdered. Now the killer is after Isabella and Margherita's handsome rogue of a son, Rafaele.Was Margherita killed so someone could steal her saffron business?Or was it a disgruntled lover, as Margherita--unbeknownst to Isabella--was one of Venice's wealthiest...
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Venice, 1643. Isabella, fifteen, wants to sing in Monteverdi's Choir, but only boys--and castrati--can do that. Her singing teacher, Margherita, introduces her to a new wonder: opera! But then Isabella finds Margherita murdered. Now the killer is after Isabella and Margherita's handsome rogue of a son, Rafaele.Was Margherita killed so someone could steal her saffron business?Or was it a disgruntled lover, as Margherita--unbeknownst to Isabella--was one of Venice's wealthiest courtesans?Or is the answer even farther back in Margherita's past, and will Isabella and Rafaele find it deep in the Jewish Ghetto?Isabella and Rafaele must solve the mystery of the Saffron Crocus before Rafaele is condemned for a murder he didn't commit, although Isabella fears the truth will drive her and the man she loves irrevocably apart.