The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller

In the early days of the Allied invasion of Italy in WWII, 14-year-old orphan Massimo takes refuge in the Benedictine abbey of Montecassino south of Rome.  There Massimo comes under the protection of the enigmatic and charismatic Pietro Houdini, an art restorer sent by the Vatican to refurbish the abbey’s extensive and priceless art collection. Before Pietro makes much progress in his nominal restoration work, the Nazis truck the treasures to Rome.

As the Allied bombs draw closer to the hilltop abbey, Pietro and Massimo escape to the countryside with a few smuggled Titian paintings. As they journey through the desolate landscape, they encounter fellow travelers whose resumes are as fluid as Pietro’s, a nurse, a pair of lovers, an injured German solider, and a café owner. This disparate group bands together to survive life in a war zone. 

A poignant, historical adventure story.