Teddy

The action of the novel takes place in Rome at the end of the 1960s. Teddy – a young American woman, arrives in Italy from Texas with her new diplomat husband and gets caught up in the glamorous life of American expats. There are intrigues and paparazzi all around, parties with stars, interactions with royalty, and sometimes even with Russian spies. After many years, spoiled like old milk, in the words of her senator uncle Hal, she has earned the chance to start all over again. Here, a new life awaits her. It will be beautiful and radiant, she will wear the right clothes and perfect lipstick, and she will charm her husband’s colleagues at the embassy.

And everything is fine for Teddy until July fourth when her new life explodes along with the fireworks above her head. She is caught on camera in the arms of the American ambassador just moments after spotting a man from the darkest corner of her past across the room. Teddy desperately tries to quell the scandal that threatens to bring her big trouble back home. 

The desperate, vibrant, witty heroine knows much more about politics and power than her appearance as a simple housewife suggests.