Set in the 17th century, in what is now the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, a string of disappearances has the locals whispering in bewilderment. The missing people are young women – the local peasants’ daughters – and there is little chance anyone will go looking for them. After all, the ones that weren’t married – either to a man or to God – were nothing but mouths to be fed, at a time when food is scarce. Too bad if some girl doesn’t make it home after a day in the fields.

As the “Girl Snatcher” casts its menacing shadow all across Ticino, a young man must face all sorts of challenges and dangers in a quest for his lost beloved.

Drawing inspiration from his land’s lore, Carlo Silini has brought his novel’s world to life with fictional characters and people from the actual, documented past. The Ticino of old becomes the stage of a far-reaching, relentless manhunt. But there’s also room for romance, murder, stories of brigands and nobles and peasants, betrayal and revenge – churning out a tale of horror, passion and humour.