“An appealing cozy mystery with jewel thefts right and left, illicit library loans, kindly citizens, wrangling relatives, and a magical Christmas market.”

A haunting Christmas song from a faraway land.

A child with striking green eyes.

A man with no past.

When elderly widow Mrs De Blasi catches sight of eight-year-old Betta Giordano, all she can see is the face of her son, Marco. But how can this be? Marco died tragically young, many years before Betta was born.

Travel writer Giò Brando can’t help but be intrigued by the string of coincidences connecting Betta to the De Blasi family. Why does the child bear such a strong resemblance to a long-dead man? How does she know an ancient tune from the remotest parts of Britain? And why does the carillon that Mrs De Blasi gifts to Betta play that very same tune?

In the busy run up to Christmas, the wealthier families of Maratea are gripped by fear. A spate of thefts has seen them losing their most treasured possessions, and with panic edging towards hysteria, Brigadiere Paolo Rossi has his work cut out to solve the mystery before the townspeople take the matter into their own hands.

Will Giò and Paolo between them be able to ensure it’s a happy Christmas for everyone in Maratea?