The Art Lovers

While war rages across the city of Valletta, a local barkeeper’s daughter Valentina Camilleri is on the cusp of womanhood when Flight Lieutenant Peter Fox falls out of the sky from his Spitfire and into her world. In that fateful moment, he captures not just her imagination and her dreams, but also her young heart. As he convalesces, Peter, an art historian, is captivated by Malta’s spectacular cathedral and its treasure, the famed artwork of Caravaggio. His passion for the subject ignites Valentina’s ambition and sparks the dream of a life far from her dreaded destiny. A dozen years on, Peter returns to the island as an art expert for newly crowned Queen Elizabeth’s forthcoming visit. When he reconnects with Valentina, a woman now, he is horrified to see what has become of her. Facing a war of her own within her heart, Valentina must find the courage to fight for her son and her future – but will freedom come at a cost? By the bestselling author of The Soldier’s Daughter comes a moving and unforgettable story about the power of love and the beauty of art to illuminate the dark. 'McIntosh weaves romance, crime, history and art together against the evocative backdrop of Malta ... Her extensive research brings vividness and authenticity to the story. Rich in historical detail, the novel features characters who leap off the page and a story that transports readers back in time.' Bookseller+Publisher