Giovanni's Gift by Bradford Morrow. Flamingo 16.99 Edm and Henry Fulton live contentedly on their solitary ranch of Ash Creek, almost totally disengaged from the outside world, until, throughout one terrible Autumn, their tranquil existence is torn apart by the malicious presence of the night visitors, announcing their arrival with raucous music played in the dead of night, and disturbing not only the Fultons' sleep, but also the serenity of their lives, making long-settled waters murky and bringing to the surface troubles long buried and calmed, if not forgotten. Grant Morgan, Henry's nephew, returns to Ash Creek to offer his help to the only family and home he has. Ash Creek, Edm and Henry are the one stable part of Grant's wandering life, and to see them threatened is almost unbearable, as if the foundation stones of his precariously balanced life are failing. He is determined to solve the mystery of the unspoken but tangible threats made against his aunt and uncle.
Events begin to escalate, however, much quicker than anyone anticipated.
Grant becomes involved with Helen, the daughter of Giovanni Trentas, a close friend of his aunt and uncle. Giovanni had died 3 years ago in tragic circumstances and his daughter remains convinced that he was murdered - for what reasons she does not know. He finds his relationship is disapproved of by his uncle. Although seemingly unconnected, Grant begins to link these events together, and when Edm gives him an old cigar box containing the personal legacy of Giovanni he ignores her advice not to open the box and delves into Giovanni's past in the hope that the battered old box will hold the key to the puzzles surrounding him. Giovanni's box, however.