I do not have the knowlege or experience to judge whether Allan Massie's description of the Italian political class and families of the period is authentic but I was entirely convinced and enthralled both by the characters and the plot. The plot reflects an actual political assassination in the 1970s which caused an international sensation and shows how it might have come about. However it is the characters of those involved which are the really fascinating part of the story; they remain in the memory long after the book has been finished. An unforgettable read.