In the Garden of Monsters, A Novel By Crystal King

In The Garden of Monsters, set in Italy in 1948, Julia Lombardi finds herself ensnared in a haunting mystery that intertwines art, identity, and mythology. A beautiful model with no memory of her past, Julia is drawn to the eccentric Salvador Dal, who invites her to be his muse at the Sacro Bosco, Italy’s ominous Garden of Monsters. This surreal landscape, filled with towering statues that seem to come alive, promises a chance for Julia to unlock the truth about herself.

Upon arrival at the palazzo, Julia becomes increasingly captivated by Ignazio, their enigmatic host, who possesses an unsettling familiarity with her. As she poses for Dal, taking on the role of Persephone, the tension escalates; Dal's obsession grows, compelling her to consume pomegranate seeds, urging her to reunite with her king in the underworld.

As whispers echo through the garden and Ignazio's true nature remains elusive, Julia begins to question her identity and the threads that bind her to myth. The line between reality and the surreal blurs, leading her toward a profound and unsettling revelation about herself and her connection to the ancient tale of Hades and Persephone.

A hypnotic Gothic fairytale, The Garden of Monsters explores themes of memory, desire, and the intertwining of past and present, crafting a narrative that is both sinister and captivating, sure to resonate with lovers of historical fiction. 📚❤️