Set in treacherous 17th century Venice, a ruined nobleman risks everything to reclaim honor through a perilous marriage.

In the elegant yet treacherous world of 17th century
Venice, young nobleman Orio Soranzo has squandered his fortune and his reputation. Only by marrying the rich
and beautiful heiress, Giovanna, can he regain both fortune and favour. Soranzo hurls himself into perilous ventures against the Turks -- unaware that his quest for redemption will entangle him in a web of lies, shifting alliances, and dark deeds.

As pirates stalk the seas, Giovanna dares to join Orio at the forbidding island fortress he commands. But with the arrival of an old friend, fate unleashes a terrible
reckoning none could foresee.

Lynne Forest's vivid new translation invites readers to savour one of Sand's most thrilling stories, in this
newly rediscovered classic.