A retired detective, a priceless masterpiece, and a secret the Medici died to protect.For retired Scotland Yard detective Edward Blake, Florence was supposed to be a sanctuary-a quiet city to escape the ghosts of his past. But when Botticelli's legendary "Venus and Mars" vanishes from the Uffizi Gallery in an impossible, audacious heist, his peaceful retirement is shattered.In a city of whispers and shadows, the Florentine police have their prime suspect: him.To clear his name, he must hunt a ghost.Framed and hunted, Blake is forced back into the world he left behind. His only clue is a cryptic message from a mysterious woman known only as Cassandra, who warns him that the stolen painting is not the prize, but merely the key.The lock? A centuries-old conspiracy of murder and forgery, stretching back to the darkest secrets of the Medici.To find the truth, he must trust a liar.With the help of a brilliant, blackmailed art restorer with a dark past of her own, Blake is plunged into a deadly game against a secret society that will kill to protect its power. The hunt takes them from the hidden courtyards of Florence to the dangerous docks of Livorno, through a labyrinth of ciphers, betrayals, and masterpieces that hide a terrible truth.Every step closer to the stolen art is a step closer to a legendary artifact known as the Devil's Manuscript-a prize so powerful, it could rewrite history itself.Masterfully blending the intricate puzzles of Agatha Christie, the relentless pace of James Patterson, and the historical intrigue of Dan Brown, The Uffizi Heist is a high-stakes thriller that will keep you guessing until the final, shocking page.This is the explosive first novel in the Edward Blake Investigation series. If you love a brilliant hero and a conspiracy rooted in history, your next great read is here. The hunt has just begun, and Italy's darkest secrets are waiting to be unveiled.Start your investigation-buy or read for free with Kindle Unlimited today!