Lesley Truffle

When a laughing baby is found amongst the Hotel du Barry's billowing sheets, tucked up in an expensive pair of ladies' bloomers and neatly pegged to the laundry line, the hotel staff resolve to keep the child. The hotel's owner, Daniel du Barry, still mourning the loss of his lover in an automobile accident, adopts the little girl, names her after his favourite champagne and seeks consolation in fatherhood. Cat du Barry grows up beloved by both hotel staff and guests, equally at home in the ninth floor premium suite as she is in the labyrinth below stairs. Years later when Daniel du Barry dies in sinister circumstances, Cat determines to solve the mystery with the assistance of her extended hotel family. From hotel detective to roguish Irish gigolo, from compassionate housekeeper to foxy chamber maid, each will play their wicked part in this novel that will charm, amuse and delight.

Hotel Du Barry

In the winter of 1912 on the wild West Coast of Tasmania, Wolfftown's most notorious heiress and murderess, Sasha Torte, tells the tale of her own spectacular downfall. Forsaken by her parents and raised by criminals and reprobates, Sasha becomes a world-famous pastry chef at the tender age of seventeen. Entanglement with the disreputable Dasher brothers leads to love, but also to a dangerous addiction. Behind bars in Wolfftown's gaol, Sasha sips premium champagne as she recalls a life of seduction, betrayal, ghosts, opium and an indiscreet quantity of confectionary - and plots her escape.

The Scandalous Life of Sasha Torte

Di solito i bambini abbandonati vengono lasciati sulla porta di ospedali ed orfanotrofi, oppure tra gli scaffali di tetri grandi magazzini o in sudice stazioni ferroviarie. La neonata conosciuta come "la bambina dell'Hotel du Barry", invece, è avvolta in un paio di mutandoni da donna e appesa al filo del bucato nel cortile della lavanderia del lussuoso albergo londinese, miracolosamente scampato ai bombardamenti della prima guerra mondiale. Conquistati dal sorriso della piccina, i membri del personale decidono all'unanimità di tenerla con loro e con mezzi non del tutto ortodossi convincono il proprietario, Daniel, ad adottarla. Cat cresce così amata e coccolata sia dallo staff che dagli ospiti dell'hotel, ugualmente a proprio agio nella sontuosa suite del nono piano e nel labirinto di corridoi dello scantinato. Molti anni dopo, quando Daniel du Barry muore in circostanze a dir poco sospette, Cat decide di risolvere il mistero, e chiede aiuto ai membri della sua insolita famiglia dal detective dell'albergo al gigolò irlandese, dalla compassionevole prima governante alla seducente cameriera perché l'aiutino a inchiodare l'assassino dell'uomo che le ha fatto da padre. Un mistery insolito e brillante sullo sfondo dei ruggenti anni Trenta, capace al tempo stesso di commuovere e divertire.

Hotel du Barry (versione italiana)

Revenge, redemption ... and pastry. The witty new novel from the author of Hotel du Barry, for fans of Jonas Jonasson. In the winter of 1912 on the wild West Coast of Tasmania, Wolfftown's most notorious heiress and murderess, Sasha Torte, tells the tale of her own spectacular downfall. Forsaken by her parents and raised by criminals and reprobates, Sasha becomes a world-famous pastry chef at the tender age of seventeen. Entanglement with the disreputable Dasher brothers leads to love, but also to a dangerous addiction. Behind bars in Wolfftown's gaol, Sasha sips premium champagne as she recalls a life of seduction, betrayal, ghosts, opium and an indiscreet quantity of confectionary - and plots her escape. The Scandalous Life of Sasha Torte is a wild romp of dastardly deeds, intrepid protagonists, dark villains, wild gangs, luxurious hotels ... and mouth-watering treats. 'A delicious concoction of romance, historical drama and supernatural romp, told with flair and humour' Weekly Times 'Pure escapism. The author presents us with immoderation in excess, unrestrained melodrama and Charles Daniel O'Rourke, patissier par excellence. A rip-roaring, imaginative and exhilarating tale.' Good Reading 'An absolutely fascinating read, one of those books that you pick up to just read a few chapters to get the lay of the land and when you look up it's three hours later and you've finished it ... an intriguing story with a uniqueness that's very appealing' Bree, Goodreads

Lesley Truffle

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