This book is a compelling, sometimes shocking, story about a boy called Toby who has lived with his mother Isobel (only 15 years older) all his life, brought up by his mother, her aunt Luce and Luce's girlfriend Liberty. He has never met his father but has heard dangerous whispers about him.

Everything changes when Toby's mother suddenly takes up with a new boyfriend, who seems a little bit too fascinating for, and fascinated by, Toby. A book "in the tradition of Freud, Faust and Frankenstein", as the blurb says.

I've also read "The Foucault Hallucination" by the same author. This new book is much darker and creepier, but just as excellently written.

Released on Friday, April 09, 2004 at Museum Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, Toscana Italy.

I left the book at 4 PM on a chair near a beautiful fresco. When I came by 45 minutes later, it had disappeared.

My husband discovered the book in the museum in Sienna, but decided not to read it. Work commitments mean that I only have chance to read while on holiday, so I took the book with me and read it on the beach at Gumusluk in Turkey.

I found the book well written and easy to read, although it highlighted gaps in my knowledge - I need to revisit Mary Shelley's original version of Frankenstein.

Having enjoyed this book, I intend to seek out Jakes Miranda Barry by the same author, although it will have to wait until my next holiday.

I intend to pass the book on to a friend of mine who is a published author and a mountaineer - he has frequently climbed in the Alps. He is unable to read it immediately, as he is on the judging panel for a book award until October.I have asked that he add his comments to this site and then set the book free again in a suitable place.

I did not realise that Bookcrossing existed - it's a brilliant idea and encouraged me to read a book that would not normally attract my attention. Thanks!

CAUGHT IN SIENNA TUSCANY ITALY