Arnold Clover has retired from his UK job as an archivist and moved to Venice, something that he and his wife had planned to do before her untimely death. Soon after moving there, he encounters some people from his past, a glittering group from his time at Cambridge who are still together 40 years later, apparently bound to their leader, historian-turned-TV-star Marmaduke Godolphin. He in turn is on the hunt for a sensational historical coup that will re-establish his preeminence everywhere - until his sudden death. Arnold is recruited by Carabinieri Capitano Valentina Fabbri to help her solve the case, but she only has 24 hours before the case is taken away from her if she fails to do so…. This is the first of a new series set in Venice and featuring Arnold, Valentina and a Venetian historian and archivist named Luca; it is much more gentle that Mr. Hewson’s Nic Costa series set in Rome, but it includes a great deal of knowledge about the Italian world, from food to behaviours to attitudes toward strangers; our trio of lead characters are entirely delightful and the mystery to be solved is extremely intriguing and complicated. I liked this book very, very much and look forward to reading much more of this world; highly recommended! ( )

Pompous TV historian Duke Godolphin has come to Venice to make a revelation about a centuries old mystery. He believes that the murder of Lorenzo Medici was sanctioned by Michangelo and he has the evidence to prove it. Surrounded by a group of acolytes and family, Duke employs a retired archivist to verify the proof but it is all a frame. and Duke is subsequently found dead When the Venetian police pull Arnold in for questioning he takes them through the events.
This is actually a very cosy crime novel with some big issues explored, not least of which is the 'me too' debate. However it is really a love ode to the city of Venice and its pull for hundreds of years, how visitors may bring in money but locals love their city. ( )

A treat!

A twisted tale of murder, at once engaging and satisfying. Arnold Clover, a retired archivist has retreated to Venice to live out his retirement surrounded by the places he and his wife loved. Except his wife died just as they were about to embark on a new order of life. Still Arnold came, and is now ensconced in Venice.
Captaino Valentina Fabbri of the Venetian Carbonierri has a corpse on her hands, not just any corpse but an English lord, or rather knight, Sir Marmaduke.
Arnold had been offered a contract position, along with his friend Luca Volpetti, by the aging historian eager to startle the world with a theory about the assassination of Lorenzo de’Medici and the involvement of Michaelengelo for a populous history program.
The historian is Marmaduke Godolphin, a man he’d known in his early days at Cambridge. A man surrounded by those referred to as the Guilded Circle, who joined Godolphin as more like a family, though in reality anachronistic and rebellious satellites. A man who has been most foully murdered.
As Arnold and Valentina retrace the footsteps and mindset of those in Venice with Godolphin the antics of the Guilded Circle come under scrutiny. Who has the most to gain? Tantalising clues of jealousy, greed and vengeance are looked at.
I drooled over the food, was envious of Arnold’s acquaintance on a daily basis with all Venice has to offer, and wanted to join him quietly living the dream!
An exciting new series by Hewson that I’m already hooked on.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )