1954, Venice. For Rosy Gilchrist the tables may have turned. Her boss at the British Museum, Dr Stanley, has chosen her to travel to Venice, track down a rare edition of Horaces Odes and bring it back for their collection. Rosy jumps at the chance to spend time away from her capricious supervisor and hopefully indulge in a little Venetian culture Following Dr Stanleys advice, she roams the cobbled streets of Venice in search of the book and crosses paths with old friends Felix Smythe and Cedric Dillworthy. With their help, Rosy thinks shes laid her hands on the treasure but things soon take a drastic downward spiral. A wealthy and eccentric recluse offers a 1 million reward for anyone who can find Horaces Odes and pair it with a missing Murano vase. The price on the books head brings all sorts of murky characters out of the shadows. Soon Rosy finds herself in a race against time as her rivals will go to any lengths to secure the prize . . . Even murder.