The Glassmaker's Daughter

By: Donna Russo Morin

Narrated by: Megan Huggins

She was the only woman in Venice who knew the secret...and it made her a criminal.

The Murano glassmakers of Venice are celebrated and revered. But now, three of them are dead, killed for attempting to leave the city that both prizes their work and keeps them prisoners. For in the 17th century, the secret of their craft must, by law, never leave Venetian shores. Yet there is someone who keeps the secret while defying tradition. She is Sophia Fiolario, and she, too, is a glassmaker. Her crime is being a woman.

Sophia knows her family would be crushed by scandal - or worse - if the truth of her knowledge and skill with the glass were revealed. But there has never been any threat...until now. A wealthy nobleman with strong connections to the powerful Doge has requested Sophia’s hand in marriage, and her refusal could draw dangerous attention. Yet to accept, to no longer make the glass, would devastate her. If there is an escape, Sophia intends to find it.

Between creating precious glass parts for one Professore Galileo Galilei’s astonishing invention and attending lavish parties at the Doge’s Palace, Sophia crosses paths with influential people, including one who could change her life forever. But in Venice, every secret has its price. Soon, Sophia must decide how much she is willing to pay for her family, the glass, and love.

©2020 Donna Russo Morin (P)2021 Donna Russo Morin

Historical Fiction that Truly Transports You

This is one of the most engaging audiobooks to which I have had the pleasure to listen. The writing really transports you to Venice in the early 1600's, with engaging characters and a taut storyline as well as romance and interaction with historic characters.The narration is well acted, with interesting and compelling characterizations for the different people in the story, both male and female. I really got a feel for the people and practices, both good and bad, during the period in the era of Venice under Doge Leonardo Donato. Finding out how the Murano Glass was made and its importance to Venice was fascinating, as was hearing how artisans and merchants lived as opposed to the nobility. All in all this was a great audiobook which had me wanting to finish in one sitting and sad when it was done because I missed not having more story to hear. It was a real storyteller's story in the writing and acting, one which is not to be missed.