The Curse of Pietro Houdini

Derek B. Miller

We will lie, cheat, steal, fight, and sin... whatever it takes to survive.

The 1943 bombing of Rome left fourteen-year-old Massimo orphaned, leaving him with no choice but to set out in search of his remaining relatives in Naples. A chance encounter with the mysterious and charismatic Pietro Houdini leads them to the gates of the Abbey of Monte Cassino, a haven of contemplation, learning, and ancient art. But war has little room for such pleasantries, and the abbey is soon threatened by the relentless Allied advance. Faced with impending disaster, Pietro and Massimo must do everything in their power to save the abbey's precious art from oblivion. To achieve this, they must learn to pretend, disguise themselves, and outsmart all the skills Pietro clearly possesses. But as their cherished haven draws ever nearer to war, it turns out Massimo isn't without a surprise or two... The Curse of Pietro Houdini is a sweeping story of resilience, hope, and survival that is at once an action-packed heist adventure, a fictional chronicle of a forgotten history, and a philosophical coming-of-age tale, perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See, City of Lies, and A Thousand Splendid Suns.