City of Silk (The Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month - 'Enjoyable and immersive') - Glennis Virgo

Bologna, 1575. A talented seamstress. A powerful merchant. A fierce battle of wills. Elena Morandi has gained a fragile foothold in a master tailor's workshop, despite the profession being barred to women. But then Antonio della Fontana, a powerful man from her past, crosses her path and threatens everything she has built. Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and Elena knows all too well of his past abuses. Driven to fight for justice, she hatches a daring plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and his other victims. The sights, sounds and textures of Renaissance Italy are brought to vivid life in this breathtaking historical fiction debut.