Midnight in the Piazza: A Mystery Adventure About Stolen Art in Rome for Children (Ages 8-12)

Mysteries abound in this exciting race through Rome!Beatrice Archer may love history, and Rome may be chock-full of it, but that doesn’t mean she wants to move there!Too bad Beatrice’s father got a job as the head of the history department at the American Academy in Rome—now, Beatrice has no choice but to get used to the idea.When she arrives in Rome she explores her new city as much as she can, but it isn’t until she hears talk of a strange neighborhood legend that Beatrice perks up. A centuries-old unsolved mystery about the beautiful turtle fountain outside her window? Sounds like fun!Before Beatrice has a chance to explore, though, she sees a dark figure emerge from the shadows of the square in the middle of the night—and steal the famous turtle sculptures that give the fountain its name.When no one believes her story, Beatrice knows that it’s up to her to solve the crime and restore the turtles to their rightful place. With the help of her new friend Marco, she navigates a world of unscrupulous ambassadors, tricky tutors, and international art thieves to unravel one of Roman history’s greatest dramas—before another priceless work of art is stolen.Can this young historian-turned-sleuth solve a centuries-old mystery before it’s too late?A Rome Setting Comes Alive: Explore the ancient streets of the Jewish Ghetto, where every cobblestone holds a secret and history is just around the corner.An Art History Mystery: When priceless sculptures by the master Bernini disappear, Beatrice must unravel a conspiracy connecting a modern crime to a Renaissance legend.An Unlikely Friendship: To solve the case, Beatrice teams up with Marco, a local boy who knows the city’s secrets, and together they take on a world of dangerous criminals.A Girl Detective on the Case: After the adults dismiss her story, Beatrice must trust her own instincts to follow the clues and restore the famous turtles to their rightful home. Read more