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Malaspiga Exit
Amid the splendor of Florence, the Tuscan countryside, and the family villa and castle, Katharine Malaspiga Dexter falls in love with her charming cousin Alessandro, the Duke, although she knows he's married -- and is the ocult mastermind of a insidious smuggling drug's operation. Katherine’s brother is dead. It was heroin that killed him, but Katherine can’t help but blame his death on the organized crime so rife in Italy. The drug trade may not make much money for the small-time pushers, the petty crooks, and the addicts. But for the men at the top—men like the Malaspigas, who run their yachts and their big houses on the profits of other people’s misery—drugs are big money. The Bureau of Narcotics are determined to nail these men once and for all. It’ll be a dangerous enterprise, full of deceit. And they want Katherine to help them....
Moving from New York and Beverly Hills to Rome and the burnished gold loveliness of Florence and the Tuscan hill towns, here is a riveting novel of a beautiful young woman who sets out to pay a debt of love to a dead brother, only to come face to face with her own heritage - a heritage of passion and death.
Moving from New York and Beverly Hills to Rome and the burnished gold loveliness of Florence and the Tuscan hill towns, here is a riveting novel of a beautiful young woman who sets out to pay a debt of love to a dead brother, only to come face to face with her own heritage - a heritage of passion and death.
Audio Cassette
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
119 books96 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2023
Could not put it down and a good twist at the end!
December 14, 2023
Very interesting story, though at times the narrative appears constrained. A love story that starts as a thriller. Would have been a lot better if it ended as a thriller, too ....
February 7, 2021
Reasonable story but unconvincing character, the Duke. Response of Katherine to him also unconvincing. These elements spoilt the book.
April 26, 2013
So mixed on this book, which fell into my lap. Loved it at first - loved Florence and other exotic settings in Italy. Loved the Downton-Abbey-esque themes of estate ownership drama during changing times. Loved 1974 sensibilities regarding women, romance, independence. Hated the ending to the point of being deeply offended. So it's a 4+ averaged with a 2 = 3.
January 21, 2009
After a woman's brother dies of a heroin overdose, she works with the FBI to help bring down the drug magnate in Italy who supplied the drugs. But how can she keep from falling in love with such a charming enemy? Ha. This was laughable and strictly fodder.
March 25, 2015
Well "Meh" would be my one word review. as others have said it's an easy/ read but Although I enjoyed it I wasn't convinced by Dexter who spends years looki ng after her bro just to fall in love with someone fundamentally involved in his death.
Not bad Ho hum.
Not bad Ho hum.
June 26, 2009
good mystery, took a few pages to get into but once the story took off I had to know what was going to happen next. Easy read.
August 15, 2010
Defintely on my re-read list :)
September 1, 2026
Beautiful story.
November 29, 2008
A surprising twist made the otherwise seemingly boring book not that bad :)
February 17, 2011
Easy read. Fun mystery. I anticipated the twist. Ending unsatisfactory.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews