The glamorous capital city of Italy is brought to startling existence in The Rome Affair, a compelling summer novel by Karen Swan.

1974 and Elena Damiani lives a gilded lifestyle. Born to prosperity and a mentioned beauty, no door is normally shut to her, no man can withstand her. At twenty-six, she is already onto her third hubby when she meets her like match. But he is the one man she can never have, and all of the beauty and money in the globe can’t change it out.

2017 and Francesca Hackett is living la dolce vita in Rome, about The Rome Affair leading tourist groups around the Eternal Town and forgetting the spirits she left behind in London. When she discovers a stolen designer ladies handbag in her dustbin and comes back it, she actually is brought into the orbit of her grand neighbour who lives across the piazza – famed socialite Viscontessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola. Although purse is taken, Elena greets the return of the handbag with exultation for it contains an unopened letter written by her spouse on his deathbed, twelve years earlier.

Mutually intrigued simply by each other, both women consent to collaborate on the project, with Cesca interviewing Elena for her memoirs. As summer months unfurls, Elena tells her sensational tales, leaving Cesca in her thrall. However when a invaluable diamond ring found in a historical tunnel below the town streets is usually ascribed to Elena, Cesca starts to suspect a shocking key at the heart of Elena’s existence.