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The Secret of Villa Favoni
Intrigue, Betrayal and Love in Renaissance Italy
by Maggie Morris Wyllie
In The Secret of Villa Favoni by Maggie Morris Wyllie, readers are plunged into the heart of Renaissance Italy, a time of unparalleled artistic fervour shadowed by intricate political schemes. The novel follows Simone da Benno, a distinguished but embattled fresco painter fleeing the dangerous environs of the Medici court, and his clever apprentice, Tomma, as they navigate the perils and promises of a new commission in enemy territory. Their sanctuary, provided by the affluent silk merchant Donato Favoni, soon reveals itself to be the centre of labyrinthine conspiracies and hidden truths.
Wyllie artfully melds suspense, betrayal, and a quest for beauty, creating a vivid historical tapestry where danger and splendour coexist. The narrative is rich with the essence of the period, blending factual historical figures and settings with a compelling fictional storyline. As Simone and Tomma delve deeper into the mystery of Villa Favoni, they, alongside a courageous novice nun, unravel a plot that could alter the fortunes of Italy itself.
This novel is a tribute to the spirit of the Renaissance, inviting readers into a world where art and intrigue intersect. Wyllie’s work will captivate fans of historical fiction and Renaissance art alike, offering a story of enduring human endeavour amidst the backdrop of one of history’s most turbulent and transformative epochs.
Published by Leporello Books on 2022-05-23
Maggie Morris Wyllie is an art historian whose love of Renaissance Italy tempted her to write her first novel, The Secret of Villa Favoni.
Her grandfather was an antiques dealer, which meant that as she grew up, many beautiful and interesting objects passed through her family’s tiny flat in Glasgow. It was her fascination for these treasures that led her into the world of art history.
She admits to being a rather boring child. Her most exciting memory of those early years is having her library books marked with a stamp...and starting to read them on her way home. All this changed when she finished school and stepped on a train to Milan.
There was no turning back, the magic had struck. After Art school and University she worked in Italy, first as an art historian in Florence, Venice and Rome and then with The British Council in major museums throughout Europe.
After two decades living and working abroad, she and her husband are now back in London… a city they adore... but they do return to Scotland to visit their families, walk along the beach at Crammond, and go to the odd rugby match.
