1 option
The curse of Pietro Houdini : a novel / Derek B. Miller.
Athenaeum of Philadelphia - Fiction Miller Curse
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Miller, Derek B., 1970- author.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Teenage boys--Fiction.
- Teenage boys.
- Orphans--Italy--Fiction.
- Orphans.
- World War, 1939-1945--Fiction.
- World War, 1939-1945.
- Smugglers--Fiction.
- Smugglers.
- Art--Fiction.
- Art.
- Italy--History--20th century--Fiction.
- Italy.
- Genre:
- Bildungsromans.
- Historical fiction.
- Novels.
- Action and adventure fiction.
- Physical Description:
- xiii, 360 pages ; 24 cm
- Edition:
- First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition.
- Place of Publication:
- New York : Avid Reader Press, 2024.
- Summary:
- In 1943, 14-year-old Massimo, rescued by a mysterious man called Pietro Houdini who preserves the treasures within the Benedictine abbey's wall, accompanies him on a World War II art-heist adventure where they lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill and sin to survive, while smuggling Renaissance masterpieces they've rescued from the "safe keeping" of the Germans.
- "August, 1943. Fourteen-year-old Massimo is all alone. Newly orphaned and fleeing from Rome after surviving the American bombing raid that killed his parents, Massimo is attacked by thugs and finds himself bloodied at the base of the Montecassino. It is there in the Benedictine abbey's shadow that a charismatic and cryptic man calling himself Pietro Houdini, the self-proclaimed 'Master Artist and confidante of the Vatican,' rescues Massimo and brings him up the mountain to serve as his assistant in preserving the treasures that lay within the monastery walls. But can Massimo believe what Pietro is saying, particularly when Massimo has secrets too? Who is this extraordinary man? When it becomes evident that Montecassino will soon become the front line in the war, Pietro Houdini and Massimo execute a plan to smuggle three priceless Titian paintings to safety down the mountain. They are joined by a nurse concealing a nefarious past, a café owner turned murderer, a wounded but chipper German soldier, and a pair of lovers along with their injured mule, Ferrari. Together they will lie, cheat, steal, fight, kill, and sin their way through battlefields to survive, all while smuggling the Renaissance masterpieces and the bag full of ancient Greek gold they have rescued from the 'safe keeping' of the Germans"-- Provided by publisher.
- Local Notes:
- Athenaeum copy: Miller Fund bookplate.
- ISBN:
- 9781668020883
- 1668020882
- OCLC:
- 1384414493
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.