When Nicci inquires as to how he is to accomplish this, Albani replies, 'It's quite simple. Albani offers him a job, not painting his son and heir Teodoro (Teo), but rather seducing him. And when you drink too much you talk even more, and it gets you into trouble.”Īfter a night of too much wine, Nicci is summoned to the palace of the wealthy and influential Giovanni degli Albani, the aging patriarch. As the madam Bianca made clear, “You know your problem, Nicci? You talk too much. Niccolò di Volpaia (Nicci) is a broke artist who's most recent job was painting naughty nymphs on bedroom walls in a whorehouse. Jess Whitecroft's 'fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers' is amply demonstrated in this highly engaging tale of a struggling artist and a devout monk in Medici-ruled Florence. True faith meets true love in this historical mystery/romance set in the Renaissance grandeur of Medici-ruled Florence. It’s not an easy job, and Nicci’s conscience rapidly intervenes when he sees how contented Teo seems to be in his monastic life, and how – as he begins to fall for Teo – his love will undoubtedly shatter Teo’s peace.īut Teo’s outward tranquillity masks secrets, secrets that are brought to light when a gruesome murder compels him to leave the monastery and join Nicci, as they attempt to make sense of an unfolding conspiracy that threatens to destroy them both.

Nicci’s job is to persuade the young monk of the delights of the secular world, and to leave the monastery and take up his place as heir apparent to the Albani fortune. His only heir is a recently legitimised son, Teodoro, and the twenty year old Teo has already poured cold water on his father’s dynastic plans by taking holy orders. He is less thrilled when he discovers that the offer has nothing to do with his artistic ability and everything to do with his reputation as a hard-drinking wastrel.Īlbani’s three legitimate sons are dead. Short on cash and in desperate need of patronage, Florentine artist Niccolò di Volpaia is thrilled when the head of the wealthy Albani family approaches him with an offer.

The Thief of Peace by Jess Whitecroft