Milton, New York

Milton, New York is the town in America to which many of the families from Nevenero immigrated when they decided they had to abandon their homes in Italy. Bert is living in Milton, New York when she receives the letter from the Montebianco estate.

Montebianco Castle

Montebianco Castle is the setting for a good deal of the novel. Giovanni lived in this castle before he immigrated to America with the residents of Nevenero. Bert inherits the castle, along with the rest of the Montebianco estate, when her great-uncle Guillaume dies. She is taken to the castle by helicopter to meet her great-aunt Dolores to learn about her inheritance.

Montebianco Castle serves to anchor the Gothic feel of the novel. It is a mix of modern and archaic. Portions of the castle have modern fixtures while others are lit with kerosene lamps and serviced with chamber pots...