Book | Julija Janus | The Invisible Hand

Nematoma ranka
What could have really happened to Barbara Radziwill?
Historical mystery novel

Pre-orders are accepted until September 10.

Everyone who orders the book by this date will receive author-signed copy.

Pre-ordered books will be mailed to readers September 15–20, then you will receive the books even before they are released in bookstores.

For pre-orders, the book price is €25; later, it will be €29.

This is a story about love and power. A tale where human destinies are moved like chess pieces by an unseen hand.

1542. Krakow and Vilnius.uffled life is ruled by smiles and poisons. Among walls adorned with luxurious tapestries, cunning and intrigue fester, their spiderweb entangling the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Fourteen-year-old Barbora Radvilaitė marries Count Stanislovas Goštautas. On their wedding night, it becomes clear her husband has a secret. And that secret will not allow her to be happy. After five years of an empty marriage spent at Geranainiai Castle, Barbora becomes a widow.

Queen Bona Sforza and heir Sigismund Augustus send a cunning courtier, Stanislovas Davaina, to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Count Goštautas, the last descendant of one of the most influential families in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Unbeknownst to him as he leaves Wawel, Count Goštautas's death is only the beginning.

As Kol Davaina follows the trail left by an invisible hand, the beautiful widow Barbora Radvilaitė Goštautienė plunges into the most dangerous game of her life – she becomes Sigismund Augustus's secret mistress. What could have remained just another whim of the young ruler gradually turns into a passionate love, a royal marriage, and a centuries-old legend. However, there were more enemies on that path than friends. Was that same invisible hand orchestrating them?

The historical detective novel „The Invisible Hand“ offers another compelling version of Barbara Radziwiłł's cause of death. What could have truly happened to her? And who most desired her death – Queen Bona, the Church, or perhaps another heart poisoned by revenge and envy?

Julija Janus - designer, artist, exhibition curator. For the past seven years, Julija has been delving into the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, especially the Renaissance era of the 16th century, and most significantly, into the story of Sigismund Augustus and Barbara Radziwiłł, which she believes could become a world legend. The historical detective novel „The Invisible Hand“ is the fruit of this research.

Author: Julia Janus
Publisher: SLAPTA MEILĖ
Year of license: 2026
ISBN 978-609-96664-0-2
Formats: 137 x 251 mm / Hardcovers
Pages 288
Kalba Lithuanian