100 Pages A Day...Stephanie's Book Reviews

Elena Spira is sent to a decaying palazzo in Venice to take care of an ailing but rich epilepsy patient, Samuel Faber.  This banishment is Elena’s punishment and possible redemption after Elena makes a mistake with a patient at her father’s asylum.  If she is able to rehabilitate Samuel in time for his wedding, Elena’s favor will be restored and her father will receive his own asylum from Samuel’s father.  When Elena arrives, she is not exactly welcomed by the staff, Madame Basilio or her patient.  Elena tries her best with Samuel, but it seems as if another force has a hold on him besides epilepsy.  As Elena learns more about the fate of the house from Nero Basilio, she begins to believe that a ghost might be responsible for Samuel’s torment.

I absolutely love Megan Chance’s blend of historical fiction, the supernatural and mystery.  From the very beginning when Elena sets foot into the gloomy Ca’ Basilio the scene is set to be ominous and treacherous, but in the otherwise beautiful city of Venice.  The multiple mysteries layered together dragged me in farther, what is Elena running from?  Is there really a spirit in Ca’Basilio? What are Samuel and Nero and Madame Basilio hiding from?  Each of the characters are masterfully drawn, each with their own tragedy that just made me like them even more.  The supernatural aspect was artfully woven in, with hints here and there and a huge surprise as to what the spirit wanted out of all of the madness that it had created.  When it was all over with, I felt that it was too soon to leave these characters and I really wanted to know more of their journey, but that is truly my only complaint.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.