Will an Italian escape strike a joyful chord in the soul of this once concert pianist? Once a rising star, Clara Smith has traded in her life of concerts and chords for one of law offices and Prada. But putting down roots hasn't brought her the fulfillment she'd hoped for. Alone in LA for Christmas, and unsure of her new boyfriend, she wonders if she hasn't taken a very wrong turn. But when her firm dispatches her to Siena, Italy, to lead a major project, the rhythm of the daily grind gloriously changes tempo. Bonding with her charismatic eighty-year-old neighbor over his large collection of photographs, she uncovers a picture of a mysterious woman. Stunned to find out this famed beauty shares her name, Clara and her elderly companion set off on a breathtaking cross-country adventure in search of the woman in the photograph. Can a tour through vineyards and sun-drenched landscapes restore Clara's passion for life? Praise for Simona Grossi and Looking for Clara "Through Simona Grossi's masterful descriptions and vibrant imagery I felt as if I was in the best imaginable daydream." - Amazon Reader "It's a great story. It pulls you in, with a heroine that you care deeply about. It educates you about so many things--law, music, Italy. It speaks to you about so many important things--friendship, life, searching for meaning. All without being preachy. In fact, the dialogue is authentic, the prose crisp." - Amazon Reader "I consider myself lucky to have gotten to read and be inspired by this beautiful, intricately layered story of self-discovery." - Amazon Reader "I actually spent hours on one of my vacation days in a cafe glued to it unable to stop until I finished." - Amazon Reader "This book will consume you and draw you inside to live and breathe what Clara lives and breathes. Please read it!" - Amazon Reader Simona Grossi was born and raised in a small town in Italy, surrounded by books and music. She studied piano at the Conservatory and then attended law school and joined a prestigious law firm in Italy. After litigating for several years, she moved to the U.S. and joined academia. She loves teaching and writing, and in between these two things, she cooks, travels, and spends time with her friends.