Jo Turner Books

Set in 1935 Cannero, the story follows Paola and her daughter Eva, known as Little Spark, who earn a modest living through embroidery for wealthy visitors. Eva yearns for the excitement of Milan and dreams of a glamorous future in Hollywood as a make-up artist, rather than settling down with a local suitor. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself assisting the padre with the deceased, where she encounters a mysterious Englishman and an enigmatic mourner lurking nearby.

The story of the jugglers, acrobats, tricksters, aerialists, technicians, administrators, musicians, designers, and trainers involved in a community theatre project that was created to work with survivors of sexual assault and performed at the World Women's Conference in Beijing in 1995.