Bologna, 1575. A talented seamstress A powerful merchant A fierce battle of wills Elena Morandi has gained a fragile foothold in the workshop of a master tailor, despite the profession being officially barred to her as a woman. But then a powerful man from her past crosses her path and threatens everything she has worked for. Antonio della Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and, as Elena knows all too well, he abused his position of power at the Baraccano orphanage. Driven to fight for justice against a man seemingly above the law, Elena hatches a plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and those still prey to Fontana's abuses. With sumptuous detail that brings the sights, sounds and textures of Renaissance Italy to vivid life, City of Silk is a breathtaking historical fiction debut.

Prizes

Winner of Debut Writers Over 50 Award 2023 (UK)

Glennis Virgo was a teacher of classics before she became a primary school teacher and later headteacher. Since her retirement, she has spent her time improving her Italian, visiting Italy (especially Bologna) and writing. City of Silk is her first novel and it won the inaugural Debut Writers over 50 Award. She lives in Essex. @glennisvirgo