The last masterpiece A novel of World War II Italy

Morelli's (The Night Portrait, 2020) third novel set in Italy during WWII may be her finest yet. It's 1943, and two women are working to save the art treasures of Florence from theft and destruction. Eva Brunner is a German photographer documenting the art hidden in an Austrian salt mine. American stenographer Josephine Evans joins the Women's Army Corps and is assigned to work with the Monuments Men tasked with protecting Europe's art treasures. Initially, Eva believes the Nazi claims that they are saving Florentine artworks from the approaching British and American forces and will return them to their original owners, but she eventually realizes their true intentions. Josephine wants to see the world and find her place in it, and her work in Italy opens up new possibilities. This captivating blend of history and imagination takes readers on two remarkable journeys through war-ravaged Italy. The women's parallel stories are fast-paced, full of drama, and populated with a cast of colorful, often complex characters. Art enthusiasts and fans of historical fiction will enjoy Morelli's expertly crafted story.