From the blurb " Behind a villa in the heart of Tuscany lies a Renaissance garden of enchanting beauty. Its grottoes, pagan statues and classical inscriptions seem to have a secret life of their own -- and a secret message, too, for those with eyes to read it. Young scholar Adam Strickland is just such a person. Arriving in 1958, he finds the Docci family, their house and the unique garden as seductive as each other. But post-War Italy is still a strange, even dangerous place, and the Doccis have some dark skeletons hidden away which Adam finds himself compelled to investigate. Before this mysterious and beautiful summer ends, Adam will uncover two stories of love, revenge and murder, separated by 400 years! but is another tragedy about to be added to the villa's cursed past?"

Charity shop find

Left along the woodland squirrel walk. (More specifically in The Dell Gardens, on an odd looking tree trunk/stump by the stream) Released by team Top Hat for the Bookcrossing Monopoly release challenge.

Note to self: you didn't like this book. It is tedious for several reasons. Firstly, I'm not in to Greek or Roman mythology and sadly this is central to the story. Secondly, it's set in 1958 but you keep forgetting because this isn't tied in to the tale enough. Thirdly, what are the three sex scenes about? They seem to be written in a different voice by a different author. Fourthly, the writer is really mean about giving the reader clues to help you piece together the crime (or maybe I missed this because I was almost in a Greco-Roman mythology coma at this point). Fifthly, You could do with reading Dante's 'Inferno' and Machiavelli's 'Prince' to enjoy all the references. I found this a bit pompous (yes, Mark, you went to Cambridge and these are probably the books you read there. YAWN.). Sixthly, the story keeps taking unexpected turns which, because there are few clues in the plot, make you feel duped; as though the plot wasn't well thought out before the author started writing. 

Easiest way to get to the Day Services Unit is to go through what I'd call the 'Workhouse Entrance'. To get to this, walk up the hill, past A&E until you come to the quadrangle which is a small car park. Go in the entrance (you'll see the Workhouse insignia at the top of the building) and turn right. The Day Services Unit is on the right about 150 metres down this corridor. Turn right at the sign that says, 'Blossom Lounge' (though I defy you to find any blossom in it!). The books are in a glass-fronted bookcase just before reception. Not sure if the DSU is open 24h so you might want to come a-searching between 8am and 5pm.