Waking Raphael [Paperback]

1933: in a country rocked by corruption trials involving government, big business and the Vatican, people in the idyllic small city of Urbino, Raphael's birthplace, appear more concerned with love affairs than politics, their only worry an outbreak of spurious miracles. Then Count Malaspino returns after years away and his support for the restoration of Raphael's 'La Muta' ('the mute woman') drives a living mute to an act of violence. Does this woman know something terrible about Malaspino's past? Did she witness a literally 'unspeakable' crime that could shatter the peace of Urbino? Both a political thriller and an examination of our miraculous capacity for restoration, WAKING RAPHAEL recreates an Italy where the comic and the tragic, the romantic and the violent, are brilliantly evoked.

1993: in a country rocked by corruption trials involving government, big business and the Vatican, people in the idyllic small city of Urbino, Raphael's birthplace, appear more concerned with love affairs than politics, their only worry an outbreak of spurious miracles. Then Count Malaspino returns after years away and his support for the restoration of Raphael's La Muta ('the mute woman') drives a living mute to an act of violence that triggers ugly rumours. Does this woman know something terrible about Malaspino's past? Did she witness a literally 'unspeakable' crime that could shatter the peace of Urbino? Her continued silence seems to be in everyone's interest except the gentle art restorer Charlotte Penton - and a television crew fronted by Donna Ricco, who can't shut up to save her life...or anyone else's. There are as many liars as 'mutes' in Waking Raphael...Charlotte's bitter divorce has left her incapable of expressing herself except through painting. Her assistant, Paolo, won't confess his infatuation to the glamorous Donna for fear of exposing his dangerous private schemes; Donna, in turn, lies about her feelings for him. Fabio's response to his fascist grandfather is to pose mutely as a statue of Raphael. Francesco, the ice-cream maker, knows it is suicide to speak out against Count Malaspino, who has always remained silent about his past - and present - life. But things cannot stay the same. The result is a case which involves Italy's foremost investigators of miracles, causes charges to be made to the Italian Committee for Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, turns Urbino into a circus of charlatans and gurus, and requires testimonies from several unlikely witnesses - two of them dead. Leslie Forbes' sensual novel intelligently and passionately evokes an Italy on the verge of a second renaissance while illustrating the often fatal, yet redemptive, consequences of telling the truth. 12.99 in UK only Born in Canada, Leslie Forbes has worked in London as a writer, artist and broadcaster for over 20 years. She is the author of four award-winning travel books, including the worldwide bestseller A Table in Tuscany (Italy's Barbi-Colombini prize for the best book on the food and culture of Italy), and the presenter of many celebrated BBC radio series, several based in Italy. Her first novel, the international bestseller Bombay Ice, was published in 1998 to huge acclaim, as was her second, Fish, Blood & Bone (nominated for the Orange prize). Weidenfeld & Nicolson The Orion Publishing Group Orion House 5 Upper St Martin's Lane London WC2H 9EA --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'The splendid, golden Italian light that softened the edges of objects while at the same time mysteriously making them clearer and more resonant filled Charlotte up like a rich, heavy wine. She thought: I will always know this place; I have already known it.' Both a political thriller and an examination of our miraculous capacity for restoration, Waking Raphael recreates an Italy where the comic and the tragic, the romantic and the violent are tightly interwoven. BOMBAY ICE 'Only bribery or collective insanity could prevent it being shortlisted for best thriller of the year.' Sunday Times 'Bombay Ice is terrific. A thriller that thinks. Leslie Forbes has gone for broke. Bombay Bollywood in all its gaudy glory: castrati, murder, monsoons, lepers and movie moguls. That sort of daring is brave at the best of times. In a first novel it is as rare as hen's teeth.' Christopher Hope FISH, BLOOD AND BONE 'Gripping from the outset...a dizzying tale of murder and family mystery.' Publishers Weekly 'An intelligent, breathlessly paced thriller...a cracking good read.' Time Out New York ' A learned whodunit in the tradition of the Name of the Rose... ' Wall Street Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Born in Canada, Leslie Forbes has worked in London as a writer, artist and broadcaster for over 20 years. She is the author of four award-winning travel books, including A Table in Tuscany. Her first novel, Bombay Ice was an international bestseller and her second, Fish, Blood & Bone was nominated for the Orange prize.