Twenty-seven ways to commit murder. A boulder falls from a roof followed by a body, narrowly missing the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, as his entourage enters the courtyard of a monastery. Another assassination attempt on the Duke, this time thwarted by Niccolo da Pavia, an orphaned dwarf living in the monastery. When the Duke learns of Niccolo's intervention he rewards him with a place in the Milan court wherehemeets Leonardo da Vinci, artist-in-residence. The twobecome friends and partners in a series of adventures most dangerous. Niccolo's insatiable curiousity leads him to explore the workshop of the Maestro where he discovers a dead body on a table. Leonardo arrives unexpectantly and explains to Niccolo that he dissects the bodies brought to him to study anatomy. It won't be long before a series of unexplained deaths in the castle provide him with multiple victims. Using his forensic skills and Niccolo's help, Leonardo unravels the motives behind these brutal murders. Niccolo and Leonardo's investigation follows a trail of vendetta that is both violent and senseless. What they learn exposes corruption and abuse of power in the court that could pose a far greater threat to the Duke than the invading armies approaching Milan. The Duke discovers Leonardo has recorded everything and sends his guards to recover the incriminating evidence. Leonardo and Niccolo must flee for their lives from the Duke and the invading armies."