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L'Oro Verde

In the quiet hill country of Italy, Bernardo’s body is discovered propped up against the statue of St. Francis of Assisi in the medieval church where for years he served as altar boy. A red cell phone, presented to local nun and teacher, Sister Angela, by Montriano Police Inspector DiMarco, alerts her of the crime. Her investigative abilities are needed to solve this perplexing case. Complicated by pressure from the bishop’s deputy, Father Sergio, who questions the compatibility of her role as part-time police detective with her teaching vocation, the nun struggles to understand the victim’s relationship to the powerful families involved in the production of l’oro verde, the region’s famous olive oil; its green gold. Sister Angela and the inspector learn that young Bernardo was not who he seemed to be.

Power, deception, love, and the darkest of family secrets rock the small village and the olive orchards and vineyards that cloak the landscape around it.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2011