The Orphan, the Millionaire, and the Evil Genius

A story of seduction, murder, and madness. Maria is just two years old when she's found covered in blood on a doorstep in Milan after the city's violent uprising against the Austrian empire. But although the little girl is miraculously saved, her young life is destined for tremendous tragedy . . .

Written by Italian author Carolina Invernizio and published in 1889 under the title La trovatella di Milano, this short novel is a good early effort by one of Italy's most successful female writers. The writing is a little uneven, but it's a fun, fast read with some good dramatic dialogue.

Trivia: one of the main characters, Maria's adoptive mother Annetta, is based on real women who fought in the uprising against the Austrians.