THE GALLERY OF BEAUTIES

Venice, 1612. Two very different women, a notorious courtesan and a  Talmudic scholar, are brought together by an artist when they pose for a  “Gallery of Beauties,” forming a relationship neither of them  anticipated.

Conflicted about her past, Belladonna finds herself  drawn to Diana, the rabbi’s widowed daughter, and has ambitions for her  future, but only if Diana will discard her origins and her traditions.  While Diana is torn by indecision, Belladonna feels threatened, as one  by one, the subjects of the portraits are poisoned. The two women must  rely on their wits and each other to avoid becoming the next victims, as  they confront the powerful men who seek to control them and Venice.

. . .

“Riveting, magical & beautifully written.” 

~ Mally Becker, Agatha Award 2022 nominee for The Turncoat’s Widow

"The Gallery of Beauties is a deliciously wicked mystery set amongst the courts and pageantry of 17th century Venice. Told in alternating chapters by two clever and very bold women, each with tantalizing secrets of their own, this is the best historical mystery of the year. You won't want to miss a word." 

~ William Burton Shamus, Derringer and Claymore Awards finalist

and author of  A Stranger from the Storm

“What is beauty?  To the eye, to the mind, to the heart?  Even more importantly, what does it waken in us?  Read, enjoy, and perhaps understand both yourself, and others, better.” 

~ Anne Perry, NY Times bestselling author of the Pitt and Monk Series

 and Elena Standish Thrillers