A captivating look at Spain during the 1860's colonial period when Mexico has attained freedom, and Cuba is weighing the possibilities. The story unfolds as the reader considers the life of Mauro Larrea, a miner-turned-mine-owner-turned entrepreneur, whose fortune has evaporated overnight. He wagers the last of his money on a billiard game, and finds himself the owner of an abandoned house and a vineyard in Spain.

As he crosses the ocean, the reader is taken on a fantastic journey of deceit and passion and courage and intrigue and love. Larrea becomes immersed in the wine trade, ever haunted by Andrade, his financial conscience.

A fascinating read, no less than what we would expect from Maria Duenas.

I read this EARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster. pub date 10/03/17