Leo Machiano, a Venetian crime boss, led an intricately organized ring with designated roles for each member. He orchestrated sophisticated heists using code names inspired by Roman emperors, with his own alias being "Hadrian." During his trial, the prosecution called witnesses to testify against Machiano's organization.

The first witness was Luigi Lacino, also known as "Nero" in Machiano's group. Initially appearing knowledgeable, it became evident that Lacino was merely following Machiano's orders.

Next, Pietro Bonetti, known as "Tiberius," was responsible for planning and executing thefts based on information provided by Machiano through Lacino. His technical expertise backfired when his encrypted communications with Machiano were decrypted.

The third witness, Enrico Tazza, known as "Otho," faced accusations of being the Director of Distribution for Machiano's stolen goods. However, the defense cast doubt on the evidence against him, implying a potential frame-up or flawed investigation, leading to Tazza's release.

Despite the stolen goods never being found, Machiano was convicted and sent to prison. Currently, there's an ongoing appeal that may potentially overturn the conviction. Machiano has a wife and three children - two teenagers and a toddler, as well as two sisters, one residing in France and the other in Austria.

Contessa Margherita Faubourg is a relatively new resident of Venice, having purchased the prestigious Ca' Nascosta from Prudence Rutherford two years ago. Originally a waitress from Pisa, she married a wealthy shipping magnate known for his amiable nature and love for dogs. Sadly, he passed away three years ago in a tragic accident when he fell into the Grand Canal and drowned, weighed down by waterlogged doggie treats in his pockets.

After inheriting her late husband's substantial wealth, Margherita struggled with managing it due to his lack of financial guidance. This led her to make some bad investments and wasteful spending. Despite her remaining wealth, she now strives to maximize her savings in all aspects of her life.

Margherita's ambition is to be part of the high society in Venice, and she successfully became well-connected within elite circles. Attending parties and social events, she enjoys the privileges of being part of this elite group. Her straightforward and honest nature sets her apart from her peers.

Despite her social status, Helena, whom she met at a party last October, describes Margherita as lonely and insecure, trying to maintain the illusion of influential friends even though she knows they may not be genuine.

Ultimately, Margherita finds happiness through a mistaken perception that she played a crucial role in solving the case, largely due to Nancy's presence alongside her. This misconception boosts her popularity and admiration within Venetian high society, fulfilling her long-cherished aspirations.

Colin Baxter, originally Justin Mathias Beaumont, was born on September 8, 1981, in Oxford, England. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in May 2001 and pursued a career as a private contractor specializing in creating and restoring frescoes and mosaics.

Currently based in Venice, Colin is deeply involved in restoring a 14th-century mosaic at the historic Ca' Nascosta. Despite residing in Venice, Colin feels guilty about the impact of foreigners like himself on the rising cost of living, which can displace true Venetian residents from their own city.

Colin is dedicated to his craft as a mosaicist and takes great pride in his expertise. Although he struggles with speaking Italian, it doesn't deter him from his restoration work. He values the intrinsic beauty and historical significance of artistic masterpieces, appreciating art beyond mere aesthetics and monetary value.

However, Colin has a troubled past involving a criminal record for art theft in England. In October 2004, he stole a painting by Renoir from Jonas Lundquist's private collection, leading to his arrest and a one-year prison sentence. After his release, he decided to turn his life around and found solace and redemption through his mosaic restoration work in Venice.

Unfortunately, Margherita, aware of Colin's criminal history, manipulates him into working for her at a reduced rate and with inferior materials for her renovation projects. She uses the threat of exposing his criminal record to her social circle to ensure his compliance. In response, Colin employs top-quality and costly materials, then leaves the area before the bills catch up with her.

After resolving the case, Colin unexpectedly calls Nancy to inquire about her recovered locket. Upon learning of her unwavering loyalty to her boyfriend, he ends the call abruptly, shattering his feelings for her.

Helena is Nancy's roommate at the Ca' Nascosta in Venice. She is a journalist and writes for Eurowelt Magazine. Helen was born in Austria, but has lived in various countries, including England, France, and Germany. Despite her love for Venice, she currently lives in Hamburg due to her work.

Having visited Venice since she was young, Helena dreams of living there one day, hoping to afford her own palazzo. She is an avid explorer, delving into its history, art, and local spots, and enjoys making new friends during her visits.

Helena seems to have a keen interest in crime stories, even though she doesn't specialize in them. She has written six articles about the Leo Machiano crime ring. She is impressed by the meticulous planning and organization of Machiano's operations. Helena is currently working on a piece about the phantom thief for Eurowelt Magazine. With reliable contacts both inside and outside the police department, she stays up-to-date with the latest information on thefts.

In the end, Nancy uncovers that Helena was the elusive "Il Dottore" and the brains behind the daring "Phantom of Venice" thefts. Helena was arrested and faced the consequences of her actions.

Hildegard Killian, a prosperous heir to a pork belly fortune in Chicago, provided Helena with a list of Venetian art objects that she would generously compensate for if Helena could manage to "acquire" them on her behalf. Inspired by her knowledge from covering the trial of Leo Machiano, Helena gathered information from her police sources about known or suspected criminals who could help her with her criminal activities, creating her own theft ring.

Antonio Demetrius Fango, born on July 1, 1972, in Genoa, initially attended Politecnico Tesla but was expelled in December 1993 for cheating. He later pursued Digital Data Storage and Transfer at The London School of Applied Technologies and obtained his Masters of Computer Science from The University of Bologna in 2003. In March 2006, he relocated from Milan to Venice.

Fango is the sole proprietor of Sognitrico, a company based in the Argon Building at Campo dei Frari in Venice. Sognitrico specializes in custom designing and installing communication/entertainment systems for homes and businesses.

Though he came under suspicion in connection with the theft of the Doge's Sword, no evidence was found during police wiretaps and surveillance of his business and apartment. Fango has no prior criminal record and leads a relatively solitary lifestyle with limited social interactions. He enjoys purchasing an assortment of chocolates about once a week and often takes long, unaccompanied walks.

Within Il Dottore's crime ring, Fango, known as "Il Capitano," played a vital role in ensuring seamless coordination among its members. He utilized various innovative methods of communication to maintain secrecy and efficiency.

His diverse approach to communication included trained pigeons, which discreetly delivered messages across distances without the risk of interception. He also cleverly embedded hidden messages within seemingly innocuous chess games using chess notations, bypassing potential surveillance. Additionally, Fango incorporated chocolates into his communication arsenal, concealing hidden messages within the delicious treats. Members could enjoy the chocolates while decoding the essential messages, ensuring the secrecy of their content.

After Nancy's investigation concluded, he, along with the rest of the crime ring, was brought to justice.

Gina, known by her code name "Scaramuccia," is a highly skilled civil engineer with an impressive knowledge of security systems.

In Il Dottore's crime ring, Gina becomes the go-to person for gathering information on security systems. She devises a discreet plan to steal a valuable item and entrusts Nico to execute it. Using a clever tactic, Gina shares her findings with Antonio through disguised chess communications to maintain secrecy.

Gina's talents go beyond security systems as she excels in identifying suitable locations for follow-up communications. Her sharp intellect and strategic thinking make her an indispensable asset for the operation's success. With Gina on their side, the team gains an advantage in navigating the world of security systems and orchestrating a successful heist.

Ultimately, Nancy's investigation leads to the apprehension of Gina and the rest of the crime ring, bringing them to justice.

Nico Petit, known by the code name "Brighella," was revealed to be "Il Fantasma," or "The Phantom".

In Il Dottore's crime ring, Nico was responsible for executing the daring thefts. Embracing an air of intrigue, he shrouded himself in a mysterious mask and cape during each heist, a choice that sparked disapproval from Il Dottore. Nevertheless, Nico displayed unparalleled finesse, orchestrating the thefts with remarkable precision. Once the stolen treasures were securely in his possession, he swiftly delivered them to Enrico. Nico's flawless execution solidified his role as an indispensable player in this clandestine operation.

After Nancy's thorough investigation. Nico, along with the entire crime ring, eventually faced the reckoning of justice.


Here's a breakdown of the crimes attributed to "The Phantom":

4th January - The Leipzig Guttenberg Bible, which had been kept at Palazzo Foglio, was reported missing. The theft was believed to have taken place during a New Year's Eve celebration, where a man disguised in a black cape and Brighella mask was seen at the venue, appearing to blend in with the other party attendees.

18th January - Doge's Sword was taken from an exhibit at Doge's Palace sometime between midnight and 4 AM. Surprisingly, the alarm system was activated but failed to go off, and there were no indications of forced entry. Despite continuous surveillance, the security cameras did not capture any unusual activity, except for a caped figure spotted on a nearby street shortly after midnight.

22nd January - The original score of Verdi's Rigoletto was stolen from La Fenice. Security cameras lost power briefly at 2:16 AM, and by the time they were restored at 2:18 AM, the valuable item had disappeared. Interestingly, at 2:23 AM, a caped figure donning a Brighella mask was caught on the third-floor security camera. Despite this, no alarms were activated, and there was no visible evidence of forced entry.

25th January - The Chalice of St. Gervase was taken from the convent of St. Gervase, but the theft took place sometime between midnight and 5 AM. Curiously, there was no damage to any property, and both the glass case containing the chalice and the alarm system remained undisturbed. Additionally, no unusual activities were observed or heard during the time of the theft.

10th February - A Bronze Etruscan Figurine was taken from Ca' Nascosta, a private residence that was burglarized. In addition to the valuable Etruscan bronzetti, a locket was forcibly taken from a Nancy Drew's neck. Two women who were present at the scene observed the masked thief but were unable to catch him.

Nico was apprehended during an attempted theft of the silver Tutankhamun trumpet from the Palazzo Orpello.

Enrico Tazza, also known by code names of Otho and Arlecchino, is the owner of Casa dei Giochi, a private club and card parlor in Venice. The police suspect his involvement in illegal activities, such as fencing stolen goods for criminals.

Enrico is known for his superstitious nature, following specific rituals and traditions, like wearing the same Arlecchino costume for Carnevale every year. He also has a peculiar business practice where he discusses matters only after being defeated in the card game Scopa.

In the past, Enrico was involved in Leo Machiano's criminal operations, where he played a crucial role in safeguarding stolen goods for the notorious crime ring. However, there was no incriminating evidence linking him to Macchiano or the organization, protecting him from legal consequences.

His latest venture involves acquiring the valuable sapphire known as the Sadal Melik from Vladimir Thanatos, and he enlists Samantha Quick's skills for the theft. Enrico boasts an extensive art world network and claims to have a connection at Scotland Yard.

In the crime ring led by Il Dottore, Enrico held the position of director of Shipping and Receiving, responsible for cleverly hiding goods within papier-mâché Carnevale costume heads until they could be shipped to Hildegard Killian.

After Nancy's investigation, Enrico, along with the rest of the crime ring, was brought to justice.

At The Doppeler Institute for Independent Industrial Arts, Samantha Quick stands out as a top-performing student, showcasing her exceptional skills. This institute is no ordinary school; it's an international institution that trains spies.

Enrico Tazza, in need of a temporary employee, reached out to the Institute for assistance. The recruiting officer recommended Samantha as the ideal candidate for the job. However, there was an unexpected twist: Nancy decided to assume Samantha's identity in an attempt to win over Tazza's favor.

Upon learning about the impersonation, Samantha took swift action and made a phone call to Nancy, warning her sternly never to impersonate her again.

[NOTE] This is Prudence's third appearance in a Nancy Drew game. Her first appearance was in Secret of the Scarlet Hand and her second appearance was in Danger by Design.

Prudence Rutherford, the chairwoman of the Society for the Protection and Renovation of Venetian Antiquities and Culture, is deeply committed to safeguarding and preserving the rich heritage of Venice. With a genuine passion for her cause, she expresses great concern about the stolen artworks and is eager for a swift resolution to the case. Recognizing Nancy's remarkable investigative skills, Prudence persuades someone she knows at the GdiF to involve Nancy in the police investigation.

To ensure Nancy's comfort during her stay in Venice, Prudence arranges for her to reside in a palazzo that was once owned by Prudence herself. Meanwhile, Prudence has been busy with her personal project – writing her memoirs titled "The Principles of Prudence."