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THE MEDICI CURSE
by Daco S. Auffenorde

THE MEDICI CURSE by Daco S. Auffenorde

A family curse. A missing heirloom. A house full of secrets.

She’s a descendant of a powerful Italian dynasty, reckoning with her family’s troubled legacy and her own fractured memories in this Gothic thriller from the author of The Forgotten Girl.

Penzler Publishers/SCARLET * July 2025 * 288 pages

Early pre-pub praise:

“In a crowded field, Auffenorde stands out with a novel that is original, heartfelt, and thrilling. Family lore, art, and an extraordinary setting, make THE MEDICI CURSE a breakout in waiting.” Alex Finlay, Every Last Fear and If Something happens to Me

“An unforgettable read. THE MEDICI CURSE juxtaposes the dark and light; love and revenge with a creepy, haunting mansion set against the gorgeous, magical backdrop of Tuscany. Like the house with secret doors and hidden caves where much of the story takes place, this nail-biting thriller leads the reader down a treacherous path with shocks and twists at every corner. Childhood trauma, a struggle for power, and a family curse coil together in a plot suffused with dread and heart-thumping suspense.” Samantha M. Bailey, #1 bestselling author of Woman on the Edge and Watch Out for Her

“Exactly what a thriller should be. Engaging characters, a captivating setting, and a complex, sophisticated plot wrapped in deceptions and intrigue.” DP Lyle, the Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series

“A suspenseful, wisely-crafted tale of a young woman and a cursed family heirloom that weaves together the complexity of family dynamics, friendships, and deception. This mystery unveils a twist that leaves you questioning how well you really know the people around you. A fresh and imaginative new voice in the mystery world.” Allen Eskens, The Life We Bury

“Set in a lavish villa amid the lush vineyards of Tuscany, THE MEDICI CURSE simmers and boils with shocking twists and disturbing psychological trauma and an oh so satisfying conclusion.” James W. Ziskin, Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Award-winning author of the Ellie Stone Mysteries

➤Gothic suspense set in the Tuscan countryside in Italy

➤Supernatural elements woven throughout similar to Mexican Gothic

➤THE MEDICI CURSE has quickly garnered praise from bestselling authors like Alex Finlay, Samantha M Bailey, and Allen Eskens

➤Auffenorde’s previous books were listed on "Best of" lists of Suspense Magazine and The Best Thriller Books, as well as being listed as a Publishers Weekly Pick of the Week.

When aspiring artist Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her family’s opulent villa in Tuscany, she returns to a place steeped in tragedy and mystery. Living there as a child, Anna suffered from debilitating night terrors, frequently waking to find that she had wandered far from bed. During one such episode when Anna was twelve, her mother took a fatal tumble down the stairs. Vittoria’s death was officially ruled an accident, but an heirloom ruby-and-diamond necklace was missing from her bruised neck. Whispered suspicions suggest that Anna pushed her mother and stole the precious jewels. Anna, remembering little from that night, is afraid they’re right. But if that’s true, then what became of the necklace, which has long been associated with legends of a family curse?

Now back in Tuscany after sixteen years, Anna is shunned by the local townspeople as a killer who escaped justice, while only a few distant relatives and an old childhood friend offer solace. As she explores the sprawling villa, Anna uncovers hidden rooms and memories shrouded in fog, reigniting the violent night terrors of her youth. Plagued by unsettling visions and eerie occurrences, she questions her sanity and embarks on a harrowing journey to unravel the truth of her past. As her search deepens, she confronts shocking revelations that expose her to dangers she never anticipated.

Blending Gothic and supernatural elements with a gripping exploration of identity and legacy, THE MEDICI CURSE is a beautifully crafted tale of family scandal, murder, art, and intrigue.

Daco S. Auffenorde is an award-winning author of Cover Your Tracks, which was selected as a Suspense Magazine “Best of 2020” Thriller/Suspense and won Action Thriller of the Year with Best Thrillers Book Awards. Lee Child says, “Sensational—new, fresh, suspenseful . . . I loved this book.” Her psychological thriller The Forgotten Girl won the Book of the Year with Best Thriller Book Awards. Daco’s works also appear in several anthologies, including her short story “The Virgo Affair” in Killer Nashville Noir: Cold-Blooded. Her debut The Libra Affair, a Jordan Jakes novel, was a #1 Amazon Bestseller. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Authors Guild, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Alabama State Bar.