Subtitle from cover.

"Originally published in Canada in 2011 by Random House of Canada Limited"--T.p. verso.

"A novel"--Cover.

Includes a readers group guide.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 327-329).

Hannah Levi is renowned throughout Venice for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers--a gift aided by the secret "birthing spoons" she designed. But when a count implores her to attend to his wife, who has been laboring for days to give birth to their firstborn son, Hannah is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but the payment he offers is enough to ransom her beloved husband, Isaac, who has been captured at sea.