Count your nights by stars, not by shadows ~ Italian Proverb

Winter in Venice

Mia Caiozzi is determined to discover her destiny by studying the science of astronomy. But her stepmother Giulia forbids her to engage in this dangerous occupation, fearing it will lead her into trouble. The ideas of Galileo are banned by the Inquisition, so Mia must study in secret.

Giulia insists Mia should live quietly out of public view. If not, it could threaten them all. Giulia's real name is Giulia Tofana, renowned for her poison Aqua Tofana, and she is in hiding from the Duke de Verdi's family who are intent on revenge for the death of their brother. But Mia doesn't know this, and rebels against Giulia, determined to go her own way.

When the two secret lives collide, it has far-reaching and fatal consequences that will change both their lives forever.

Set amongst opulent palazzos and shimmering canals, The Fortune Keeper is the third novel of adventure and romance based on the life and legend of Giulia Tofana.

'Swift has an almost visceral understanding of what makes history worth reading, and she is also the perfect tour-guide to take her readers on a trip back in time to a dangerous past ... a must-read for fans of quality Historical Fiction.' Coffee Pot Book Club ★★★★★

An enthralling historical novel of Renaissance Italy

Naples 1633

Aqua Tofana – One drop to heal. Three drops to kill.

Giulia Tofana longs for more responsibility in her mother’s apothecary business, but Mamma has always been secretive and refuses to tell her the hidden keys to her success. But the day Mamma is arrested for the poisoning of the powerful Duke de Verdi, Giulia is shocked to uncover the darker side of her trade.

Giulia must run for her life, and escapes to Naples, under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, to the home of her Aunt Isabetta, a famous courtesan. But when Giulia hears that her mother has been executed, and the cruel manner of her death, she swears she will wreak revenge on the Duke de Verdi.

The trouble is, Naples is in the grip of Domenico, the Duke’s brother, who controls the city with the ‘Camorra’, the mafia. Worse, her Aunt Isabetta, under his thrall, insists that she should be consort to him.

Based on the legendary life of Giulia Tofana, this is a story of hidden family secrets, and how courage and love can overcome vengeance.

'Her characters are so real they linger in the mind long after the book is back on the shelf' Historical Novel Society

Rome 1638

Old sins have long shadows ~ Italian Proverb

Giulia Tofana never wanted to be a nun, but she is determined to atone for her past misdeeds by making her new monastery a success.

When an unexpected disaster closes the convent, Giulia is forced to turn to her old friend Fabio Pasello for help. Giulia still has intense feelings for Fabio and Fabio’s passion for her has never diminished.

But they are not the same people they were before. Giulia has taken her vows, and Fabio is apprenticed to Gianlorenzo Bernini the famous sculptor, and has become one of Bernini’s rakish libertines. They could not be further apart.

To add to their problems, Giulia cannot escape her reputation as a poisoner, and is soon embroiled in a plot against Fabio’s patron, Pope Urban VIII. Faced with the idea of murder, will Giulia renounce her vows or embrace them?

Inspired by true stories, this is a novel of nuns and courtesans, artists and priests, in the shadow and splendour of the Eternal City.

'Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events and real people with eloquent storytelling, atmospheric scene setting and imaginative plot lines.' - The Visitor

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Anne O'Brien and Elizabeth Chadwick, Deborah Swift brings a unique period in history to vivid, fascinating life in her acclaimed Pepys trilogy.

Praise for Deborah's INSANELY ATMOSPHERIC PEPYS trilogy:

'What a delightful read. Full of historical detail and charm but also a great sense of character. A heroine with true grit and perseverance in the face of life's adversities' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Entertaining Mr Pepys is a remarkable read. It transported me to the glitter and filth of seventeenth century London and Pepys famous diaries. The historical facts have been well researched that it is hard to know where reality ends and fiction begins' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'LOVED this book!! The characters practically leaped off the page, they were so well-drawn. True test of a great book: could not put it down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Swift is a consummate historical novelist, basing her books on immaculate research and then filling the gaps between real events a

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, Anne O'Brien and Elizabeth Chadwick, Deborah Swift brings a unique period in history to vivid, fascinating life in her acclaimed Pepys trilogy.

Readers can't get enough of Deborah's VIBRANT and IMMERSIVE tales:

'Deborah Swift has produced a remarkable work of historical fiction . . . Swift spins an excellent tale. The characters, too are just fabulous and utterly believable' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Having read all Deborah Swift's novels, this is her usual, beautifully atmospheric rendition of an interesting time in 17th century England' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'What an excellent novel! Superb story telling . . . I highly recommend Pleasing Mr Pepys and very much look forward to a sequel' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'This book is an exciting thriller, a real page turner. I read it in a couple of days I was so absorbed in the development of the plot . . . Go out and buy it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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1940, Jersey

1945, Carnforth, England

1942, Nazi-occupied Norway

ENGLAND 1651

England is engaged in a bitter civil war. Abigail Chaplin, a young deaf girl, is desperate for a chance to show she can work as a maidservant, like other girls her age.

When her father is killed fighting for the Roundheads, and with her family now short of money, she is sent to work where no-one else will – as a servant in the house of her enemies. For Markyate Manor belongs to arrogant sixteen-year-old heiress and Royalist, Lady Katherine Fanshawe.

Katherine has a deadly secret, and Abi swears not to tell. But when Katherine falls for Abi’s brother, a Roundhead, Abi finds her loyalties torn. And as the battle begins, can she keep both her mistress and her brother out of danger?

This is the first book in The Highway Trilogy for young adults (and adults!) based on the life and legend of the real Lady Katherine Fanshawe, the heiress and highwaywoman.

‘Casts a spell over us with her fabulous prose, thrilling narrative and period detail’

– Carol McGrath