"When Chess suggests a girls' trip to Italy, Emily jumps at the chance. Villa Aestas in Orvieto is a high-end holiday home now, but in 1974, it was known as Villa Rosato and rented by rock star Noel Gordon. In an attempt to reignite his creative spark, Noel invites up-and-coming musician, Pierce Sheldon to join him, as well as Pierce's girlfriend, Mari, and her stepsister, Lara. A chain of events leads to Mari writing one of the greatest horror novels of all time, Lara composing a platinum album--and ends in Pierce's brutal murder. As secrets from the past come to light, dangerous betrayals from the present also emerge, and it begins to look like the villa will claim another victim"-- Back cover.