Bologna, 1575. A talented seamstress. A powerful merchant. A fierce battle of wills. Elena Morandi has gained a fragile foothold in a master tailor's workshop, despite the profession being barred to women. But then Antonio della Fontana, a powerful man from her past, crosses her path and threatens everything she has built. Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and Elena knows all too well of his past abuses. Driven to fight for justice, she hatches a daring plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and his other victims. The sights, sounds and textures of Renaissance Italy are brought to vivid life in this 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