JOSEPH R.G. DEMARCO - THE VERMILION SECRET

When Luciano Sforza comes to town, Marco Fontana is thrilled to spend time with his seldom-seen uncle. Their reunion, however, turns deadly. Luciano is in a tough position as the chair of a contentious committee which will decide the authenticity of a purported Botticelli. Battle lines are drawn and tempers flare. When one of Luciano’s assistants becomes the victim of a hit and run, Marco suspects she was targeted. A day later, Luciano is discovered standing over the body of Morgan Cooper, his old enemy and committee rival. The police only focus on investigating Luciano, forcing Marco to prove his uncle’s innocence before an arrest is made. But the answers Marco needs are complex and seem wrapped in closely guarded secrets. Does the informal competition over finding forgeries by the infamous Vermilion play a part in the murder? Or, is the contest for a prestigious museum directorship at the heart of it all? Or is it the disputed Botticelli painting? Every facet of the case makes the search for the killer seem impossible. At the same time, Marco contends with knotty personal issues and problems among his friends and the members of his male strip troupe. Aided by friends Luke, Nina, his inimitable secretary Olga, and his cousin Vinnie—angling to become his PI partner—Marco juggles everything in his own way. But will he be able to save his uncle before the man is arrested or will The Vermilion Secret claim another victim?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/houseofmysteryradio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.