'In the far distance, the great terracotta dome of the cathedral appeared, like a mirage shimmering in the heat haze . . .'Gina Donovan arrives in Florence on a beautiful spring morning to stay with an old friend.

She is hoping for nothing more than a break from her demanding young family, but as she soon finds out, this most ancient and beautiful of cities has its dark side. Within hours of her arrival, Gina meets the elegant Frances Richardson, who invites her to her birthday party.

As Gina learns, Frances' party is the highlight of the expatriate calendar. This year it is to be held in the gardens beneath the city's medieval wall. However, as Gina's week in Florence unfolds and the party draws near, a terrible discovery is made. And no one in this close-knit community is free of suspicion .