A frosty winter morning on a hillside in Tuscany, the party has ended, and the group of friends is joyful. For one precious night, they managed to escape from the devastation of the flood in Florence. How could they know that the greatest horror was yet to come?

Florence 1966: the most beautiful city in the world is on the brink of destruction by a terrible flood. No tourists, no cars, only a sea of greasy mud. The young volunteers from abroad who came to rescue the buildings and artworks became known as the "Angels of Florence." Kate Holland was one of them, until the horrific death of her friend, Francesca, forced her to return to England, vowing never to return.

Now, for the first time in thirty years, Kate must go back to Italy. Someone has sent her an invaluable painting, but alterations have been made that verge on vandalism. What is the mysterious message it hides?

Her journey leads her back to Francesca's family home, where she reconnects with her family, a family whose dark secrets were as numerous as the artworks they owned. And when she meets Francesca's younger sister again, Kate's life is suddenly in danger.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]