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Pliny's Warning
When lovers kiss in the crater of Stromboli, they ignite a fire that will last forever . . .
When lovers kiss in the crater of Stromboli, they ignite a fire that will last forever ...
Vulcanologist Frances Nelson is in Italy to work with an international team assessing the world's most dangerous volcano, Mt Vesuvius, responsible for the destruction of ancient Pompeii..
Instead of the straightforward scientific task she expects, Frances is thrust into a sinister web of nepotism as greed, corruption and Il Sistema fill the streets with violence and pollute the countryside with toxic waste. to her horror, she realises her work is being compromised, her team's findings suppressed, and the people of southern Italy put into a perilous situation.
A vivid and compelling story unfolds, drenched with flavours of Italy, the ghosts of the past and the spice of dangerous passions in the streets of Naples and the Aeolian Islands.
Meanwhile, the tragic events of a fatal explosion on White Island, in New Zealand, provide a dramatic emotional counterpoint. the shadow of her recent past adds poignance to a budding relationship with a colleague, providing a romantic twist to this fast-paced contemporary novel.
When lovers kiss in the crater of Stromboli, they ignite a fire that will last forever ...
Vulcanologist Frances Nelson is in Italy to work with an international team assessing the world's most dangerous volcano, Mt Vesuvius, responsible for the destruction of ancient Pompeii..
Instead of the straightforward scientific task she expects, Frances is thrust into a sinister web of nepotism as greed, corruption and Il Sistema fill the streets with violence and pollute the countryside with toxic waste. to her horror, she realises her work is being compromised, her team's findings suppressed, and the people of southern Italy put into a perilous situation.
A vivid and compelling story unfolds, drenched with flavours of Italy, the ghosts of the past and the spice of dangerous passions in the streets of Naples and the Aeolian Islands.
Meanwhile, the tragic events of a fatal explosion on White Island, in New Zealand, provide a dramatic emotional counterpoint. the shadow of her recent past adds poignance to a budding relationship with a colleague, providing a romantic twist to this fast-paced contemporary novel.
- GenresItaly
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2009
11 people want to read
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February 3, 2010
Murder, Music and the Mafia in Naples
Vulcanologist Frances Nelson has just arrived to Naples after finishing up a volcano research project in New Zealand. Her newest assignment is that of investigating the wind patterns and volcanic activity of southern Italy’s Mt. Vesuvius. Scientists have been showing concern for the local inhabitants of Naples, fearing that if Mt. Vesuvius happened to blow as severe as it did in 79 AD when Pompeii was destroyed, there would be no current escape route out of the city for people to exit safely. Testing the wind patterns, researching ancient library documents, scouring tombs to unearth volcano victims, and finding soil samples that reveal volcanic ash and pumice in areas previously not thought to have been affected, Frances and fellow archaeologists embark on a risky expedition that they hope will present imperative data to the local government. They seek proof that the city needs to take necessary steps for creating a manageable evacuation plan when Vesuvius next explodes.
Thinking this assignment was to be a piece of cake, Frances soon realizes her research is being severely challenged and constantly ignored by university scholars, city officials, and shockingly from the local Mafia. Trying to reroute new construction developments and to issue plans to stop toxic waste dumping that is causing a high increase of cancer to Naples, many obstacles are thrown in Frances’ lap, some that threaten not only her career but endanger her life as well. Lives are at stake for the people of Naples, and the powers that be don’t care to take action. Frances and her new friends protest and push the envelope despite recent warnings, attacks, and murders, only to result in frustration, heartache, and death. The threatening acts from the Camorra, Naples branch of the Mafia, impede Frances’ mission with brutal kidnappings and killings to those she holds dear.
Settling nicely in a friendly apartment building with quirky inhabitants that initiate Frances to the Italian way, she nurtures the friendship of neighbors, a new lover, and co-workers that in the end join her side by side to fight against the odds, to save a community doomed for death if not reformed. These new acquaintances bring her the love and peace she has needed to heal from a recent broken heart. There is a high level of thrills in the story, very interesting scientific knowledge into the world of volcanoes, humor, passion, Italian cuisine, Mafia madness, and for those into violins and cellos, a delightful band of locals presenting charming classical music.
Pliny’s Warning is such a wonderful well rounded blend of romance, suspense, history, science, and music, that reading it will have you booking your next flight to Italy so you can taste mouthwatering pasta and freshly caught seafood, hear romantic solos as street musicians serenade your outside dinner table, smell and feel the salt of the sea spray, and stroll along the cobblestone alleyways arm in arm with your lover singing “That’s Amore”. I highly recommend this delightful novel for a light and easy entertaining read chock full of all the ingredients that make a book successful. Sit back with a glass of chianti and experience the magic and mystery of Mt. Vesuvius.
Vulcanologist Frances Nelson has just arrived to Naples after finishing up a volcano research project in New Zealand. Her newest assignment is that of investigating the wind patterns and volcanic activity of southern Italy’s Mt. Vesuvius. Scientists have been showing concern for the local inhabitants of Naples, fearing that if Mt. Vesuvius happened to blow as severe as it did in 79 AD when Pompeii was destroyed, there would be no current escape route out of the city for people to exit safely. Testing the wind patterns, researching ancient library documents, scouring tombs to unearth volcano victims, and finding soil samples that reveal volcanic ash and pumice in areas previously not thought to have been affected, Frances and fellow archaeologists embark on a risky expedition that they hope will present imperative data to the local government. They seek proof that the city needs to take necessary steps for creating a manageable evacuation plan when Vesuvius next explodes.
Thinking this assignment was to be a piece of cake, Frances soon realizes her research is being severely challenged and constantly ignored by university scholars, city officials, and shockingly from the local Mafia. Trying to reroute new construction developments and to issue plans to stop toxic waste dumping that is causing a high increase of cancer to Naples, many obstacles are thrown in Frances’ lap, some that threaten not only her career but endanger her life as well. Lives are at stake for the people of Naples, and the powers that be don’t care to take action. Frances and her new friends protest and push the envelope despite recent warnings, attacks, and murders, only to result in frustration, heartache, and death. The threatening acts from the Camorra, Naples branch of the Mafia, impede Frances’ mission with brutal kidnappings and killings to those she holds dear.
Settling nicely in a friendly apartment building with quirky inhabitants that initiate Frances to the Italian way, she nurtures the friendship of neighbors, a new lover, and co-workers that in the end join her side by side to fight against the odds, to save a community doomed for death if not reformed. These new acquaintances bring her the love and peace she has needed to heal from a recent broken heart. There is a high level of thrills in the story, very interesting scientific knowledge into the world of volcanoes, humor, passion, Italian cuisine, Mafia madness, and for those into violins and cellos, a delightful band of locals presenting charming classical music.
Pliny’s Warning is such a wonderful well rounded blend of romance, suspense, history, science, and music, that reading it will have you booking your next flight to Italy so you can taste mouthwatering pasta and freshly caught seafood, hear romantic solos as street musicians serenade your outside dinner table, smell and feel the salt of the sea spray, and stroll along the cobblestone alleyways arm in arm with your lover singing “That’s Amore”. I highly recommend this delightful novel for a light and easy entertaining read chock full of all the ingredients that make a book successful. Sit back with a glass of chianti and experience the magic and mystery of Mt. Vesuvius.
Displaying 1 of 1 review