Midnight in the Piazza

Mysteries abound in this exciting race through Rome! Beatrice Archer may love history, and Rome may be chock-full of it, but that doesn’t mean she wants to move there! Too bad Beatrice’s father got a job as the head of the history department at the American Academy in Rome—now, Beatrice has no choice but to get used to the idea. When she arrives in Rome she explores her new city as much as she can, but it isn’t until she hears talk of a strange neighborhood legend that Beatrice perks up. A centuries-old unsolved mystery about the beautiful turtle fountain outside her window? Sounds like fun! Before Beatrice has a chance to explore, though, she sees a dark figure emerge from the shadows of the square in the middle of the night—and steal the famous turtle sculptures that give the fountain its name. When no one believes her story, Beatrice knows that it’s up to her to solve the crime and restore the turtles to their rightful place. With the help of her new friend Marco, she navigates a world of unscrupulous ambassadors, tricky tutors, and international art thieves to unravel one of Roman history’s greatest dramas—before another priceless work of art is stolen. What will it take for one history-loving girl to solve one of Rome’s greatest dramas? An Adventure in Rome: Beatrice may not want to be in a new city, but from the Jewish Ghetto to ancient ruins, she soon discovers that history isn’t just in books. An Unlikely Friendship: When no one else will listen, Beatrice must team up with her new friend Marco to follow the clues and crack the case. A Secret Diary: The key to the modern-day crime might be hidden in the centuries-old journal of a lonely duchess with a story of her own to tell. A Family Curse: As Beatrice digs deeper, she uncovers a legend of a cursed noble family that connects the fountain to a dangerous secret.