Twenty-Seven Ways to Commit Murder. It is 1498 and in the castle of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, there have been a number of assassination attempts made on his life. The latest happens when the Duke and his court visit the Certosa Monastery after a hunting trip. A young man living at the Monastery, Niccolo da Pavia, intercepts the would-be assassins, saving the Duke's life. In gratitude the Duke offers Niccolo a place in his court. Niccolo dreams...