A Saffron Walden author's debut novel has been named The Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month.
Glennis Virgo launched her novel City of Silk at Hart's Books in Saffron Walden last month.
The novel also won the inaugural Debut Writers Over 50 Award, chosen from more than 1,700 entries.
City of Silk tells the story of young seamstress Elena Morandi in 16th-century Bologna as she follows her ambition to enter the male-dominated world of tailoring.
After Elena has gained a fragile foothold, a powerful man from her past crosses her path and threatens everything she has worked for.
Antonio della Fontana has every corner of the city in his pocket and, as Elena knows all too well, he abused his position of power at the Baraccano orphanage.
Driven to fight for justice against a man seemingly above the law, Elena hatches a plan to get retribution for herself, a lost friend and those still prey to Fontana’s abuses.
The novel is expected to appeal to readers of The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell.
Glennis Virgo used to be a teacher of classics, before she became a primary school teacher and later headteacher.
During her career, Glennis won a travel article competition launched by Italia! magazine, winning a short break in Venice.
Since her retirement, she has spent her time improving her Italian, visiting Italy (especially Bologna) and writing. She is currently working on her second novel.
Other historical fiction authors have written glowing reviews of City of Silk.
Sue Lawrence, author of Lady's Rock, said: "Beautifully written, City of Silk is a story of power and the lack of power.
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"Its characters are vividly drawn and the backdrop of 16th-century Bologna is rich and flamboyant, though for women and the poor it is also chilling and suffocating.
"Full of fascinating historical detail, the author has written a tale with such eloquence and drama, it will stay with the reader for a long time."
The Times, when selecting the book as their monthly historical fiction pick, described it as "enjoyable and immersive".
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