Italian-American author Gina Fava releases her latest suspense novel, The Sculptor, a mystery that draws from Fava's time spent living in Rome and the real life events that inspired the shocking thriller.

In The Sculptor, the serial killer known as the Sculptor is preying on Rome's graduate students. Barely thwarting the Sculptor's attacks in Rome, Venice, Tuscany, and the Swiss Alps, student Mara Silvestri must uncover the family secrets in her past that draw him to her before he claims her as his prized masterpiece. It's a thriller for fans who love Lisa Gardner, Adriana Trigiani, Harlan Coben, Donna Leon, and Thomas Harris novels.

Douglas Preston, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Monster of Florence and Relic says, "The Sculptor carries the reader on a harrowing journey of nonstop action, with vivid settings, sympathetic characters, and a serial killer to die for. Highly recommended." William Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Back Bay and The Lincoln Letter calls The Sculptor, "A page-turning, spine-tingling heart-stopper that will keep you up all night. And when dawn comes and you turn the last page, you will agree that Gina Fava is one of the rising young stars of the thriller genre."

"Like a super-Tuscan wine, the best thrillers are a complex infusion of elements," Fava stated. "I love blending mystery, history, and action when crafting a story, and then saturating the plot and the characters with all that I've reaped from my travels to Italy."

Fava released her novel on May 21 at Jamie's Fine Wines in Carver, Massachusetts, toasting her readers with a tasting of fine wines from the novel. She then visits Talking Leaves Books in her hometown of Buffalo, NY, June 26, followed by a book tour that will take her throughout the Northeast.

Gina Fava is a Buffalo, New York native and lives with her family in New England. The Sculptor, her second novel, is the first in her Mara Silvestri mystery series. She is also the author of The Race: A HELL Ranger Thriller. A University at Buffalo graduate, she also holds a law degree, and has studied art history and counter-terrorism in Rome. She's the author of award-winning short stories, and is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America. Stricken with wanderlust, she travels far and wide to research new characters and new places to murder them. Visit www.GinaFava.com and connect via Facebook and Twitter. Her next novel is coming soon.

The Sculptor is available in eBook on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iPad, and in trade paperback (450 pp, $16.95) on Amazon.com and through independent booksellers, by Steepo Press. ISBN 978-0-9893587-5-0.

Gina Fava is available for interviews, appearances, and/or book signings. She loves to connect with readers at book clubs, too. Contact [email protected], or visit www.GinaFava.com to learn more.