Virginia Coffman is celebrated as the "Queen of the Gothics," largely credited with igniting the Gothic novel craze of the 1960s. Her writing is characterized by meticulous research and the integration of her extensive world travel experiences, which infused her stories with exotic settings. Though historical romances rarely enter the literary canon, Coffman approached her craft with serious dedication and prolific output. Her novels, translated into numerous languages, often found wide distribution in large print and audio formats, attesting to their enduring appeal.
Three years after her husband drowned during their honeymoon, Jacqueline Godart returns to Venice when a chance sighting in a photograph leads her to believe he may still be alive, and finds herself in the company of a mysterious man, and her life in danger.