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The Night Villa: A Novel
by Carol Goodman

Published: 2008-08-05
Paperback : 413 pages
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An evocative tale of intrigue, romance, and treachery, Carol Goodman’s spellbinding new novel, The Night Villa, follows the fascinating lives of two remarkable women centuries apart.

The eruption of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 buried a city and its people, their treasures and ...
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Introduction

An evocative tale of intrigue, romance, and treachery, Carol Goodman’s spellbinding new novel, The Night Villa, follows the fascinating lives of two remarkable women centuries apart.

The eruption of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 buried a city and its people, their treasures and secrets. Centuries later, echoes of this disaster resonate with profound consequences in the life of classics professor Sophie Chase.

In the aftermath of a tragic shooting on the University of Texas campus, Sophie seeks sanctuary on the isle of Capri, immersing herself in her latest scholarly project alongside her colleagues, her star pupil, and their benefactor, the compelling yet enigmatic business mogul John Lyros.

Beneath layers of volcanic ash lies the Villa della Notte–the Night Villa–home to first-century nobles, as well as to the captivating slave girl at the heart of an ancient controversy. And secreted in a subterranean labyrinth rests a cache of antique documents believed lost to the ages: a prize too tantalizing for Sophie to resist. But suspicion, fear, and danger roam the long-untrodden tunnels and chambers beneath the once sumptuous estate–especially after Sophie sees the face of her former lover in the darkness, leaving her to wonder if she is chasing shadows or succumbing to the siren song of the Night Villa. Whatever shocking events transpired in the face of Vesuvius’s fury have led to deeper, darker machinations that inexorably draw Sophie into their vortex, rich in stunning revelations and laden with unseen menace.

Praise for The Night VIlla:

“Visit The Night Villa: Carol Goodman’s luminous prose and superb storytelling will keep you entertained into the late hours.”
–Nancy Pickard

“The pleasure of a Carol Goodman novel is in her enviable command of the classical canon–and the deft way she [writes] a book that’s light enough for a weekend on the beach but literary enough for a weekend in the Hamptons.”
–Chicago Tribune

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  "Group was Mixed"by Karin A. (see profile) 06/20/09

Our group generally was bored with the book and didn't feel there was much to discuss. There was some talk about cults and the definition of a cult. There was also some talk about the historical aspects... (read more)

 
  "poor character development, too many strings to attach"by Melanie S. (see profile) 01/07/09

We reviewed this last night at our meeting. Everyone who has read Goodman said this wasn't her best effort. The descriptions of places and villas were excellent, but the overall character issue just... (read more)

 
  "An Archaeological Mystery"by Donna D. (see profile) 01/04/09

The story was a bit far-fetched, but still enjoyable to read. Two parallel stories take place almost 2,000 years apart, both with well-developed characters and settings. The inclusion of myth and historical... (read more)

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