The Lantern, a Renaissance mystery

History, Mystery & Thrillers, General Fiction

By Joanne Lewis

Publisher : Telemachus Press

ABOUT Joanne Lewis

Joanne Lewis
Joanne Lewis is an attorney and author who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As a lawyer, she is a family mediator and guardian ad litem who represents the best interests of children. As a writer, she creates character driven novels and has a special interest in mysteries and historical n More...

Description

The Lantern, a Renaissance mystery, is a historical novel about a modern-day woman's search to find a girl from 15th century Florence, Italy who dared to compete with the most famous artists of the Renaissance. Filippa George, Dolce Gaddi and Andrea Calvacanti are three lives separated by two continents and over five hundred years. Across time and space, their lives collide as they battle abuse, disease, fear and prejudice in pursuit of their dreams. Along the way, they intersect with some of the most famous figures of the Renaissance including members of the Medici, Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello and a young Michelangelo.

I was reading Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome" when I read this line: "Even a girl from the Gaddi family dared to enter the competition to build the lantern." Something sparked inside of me and I knew my next book would be about this girl. But first, I had to find out if she truly existed in Florence, Italy in the 1400's. My search took me from befriending Ross King to the New York Public Library to various attempts to find out about her from experts on the Renaissance. I finally discovered what I believe to be the truth at a local library. The Gaddi girl never existed. Well, she does now, in my novel, The Lantern.

“Joanne Lewis brings Renaissance Florence to life in this delightful and imaginative fable of hope, redemption and rebirth. In Dolce Gaddi - a woman at the heart of one of the most tantalizing mysteries in architectural history - she has created a compelling heroine. Bravissima!”  Ross King, New York Times Best Selling Author, Brunelleschi's Dome


The Lantern, a Renaissance Mystery, moves seamlessly between 15th century Florence and 21st century Miami, as two inspired, fearless women battle repressive social forces to reach for destinies only they can envision. Joanne Lewis weaves an entertaining, provocative tale of dreams pursued, told with humanity and passion.

 

--Paul Robert Walker, author of The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance