Based on real people and events, this novel is described as 'a queer love story and a noirish thriller, set in the dream factory of cinema ... an investigation into the difficult relationship between artifice and truth, illusion and reality, love and power'. 

In September 1974 two men meet in Venice.

Nicholas is a young English artist, fleeing his life in London.

Danilo Donati is a designer working with Fellini and Pasolini and has been engaged to turn their extraordinary and extravagant visions for cinema into reality.

Donati is working on Fellini’s Casanova and is keen to take Nicholas on as his apprentice so together they move to Rome and Cinecittà, the studio where Casanova’s Venice will be created. Later they move on to the set of Salò, Pasolini’s horrifying fable of fascism.

In this world of mirrors and illusions, Nicholas has a secret which leads to tragic events he didn't intend. 

Launching into this book I found it breathtaking in its originality and its setting, opening up a world of which I had no knowledge or awareness. As it progressed I found myself floundering a little - feeling I needed to learn more of the subject in reality to fully appreciate this work of art. It was a strange reading experience being both immersed and intrigued then swirling and confused. Fascinating!