Olivia an Americanborn model married Count Ugo Brunamonti a feckless soonimpoverished aristocrat. After his death she supported her children bystarting a fashio... » 

Olivia an Americanborn model married Count Ugo Brunamonti a feckless soonimpoverished aristocrat. After his death she supported her children bystarting a fashion house which has prospered. When she is kidnapped the crimeis reported to Marshal Guarnaccia by her daughter who may have been theintended victim. Kidnapping is almost a second business for the Sardiniansnominally engaged in raising sheep in the Tuscan hills. They inhabit a vastwilderness where a victim can be hidden away forever and where those searchingfor her will be quickly spotted. The governments official policy is not topermit the payment of ransom. But if the money isnt paid the kidnapperscannot let their victim go free. It would set a bad example. In this caseGuarnaccia suspects another problem. Can it be that Olivias children areunwilling to pay the ransom? Is this more than a random crime? «