The Medici Murders - (Venetian Mystery) by David Hewson

About the Book

When a well-known British TV historian is found murdered in the canals of Venice during carnival, the police recruit the help of retired archivist, Arnold Clover, to solve the case quickly. How coincidental that the historian met his death in the same place as the famous murderer, Lorenzino de' Medici, 500 years previously ...

Book Synopsis

The first in a brand-new mystery series from the acclaimed author ofThe Killing and Devil's Fjord.

'Serious history buffs are in for a treat' -Kirkus Reviews

Venice is a city full of secrets. For hundreds of years it has been the scene of scandal, intrigue and murderous rivalries. And it remains so today.

1548, Lorenzino de Medici, himself a murderer and a man few will miss, is assassinated by two hired killers.

Today, Marmaduke Godolphin, British TV historian and a man even fewer will miss, is stabbed by a stiletto blade on the exact same spot, his body dropping into the canal.

Can the story of the first murder explain the attack on Godolphin? The Carabinieri certainly think so. They recruit retired archivist Arnold Clover to unpick the mystery and to help solve the case. But the conspiracy against Godolphin runs deeper than anyone imagined.

From the Back Cover

DAVID HEWSON
THE MEDICI MURDERS

Retired archivist, Arnold Clover, is one year into his new life as a Venetian when his peaceful existence is shattered. A well-known British TV historian, Marmaduke Godolphin, hires him to help sort through some historical papers of note and Arnold is intrigued. These dusty documents may contain previously unknown information about the murder of the fugitive assassin, Lorenzino de' Medici, 500 years before.

But when Godolphin is found dead in the canals of Venice during carnival, stabbed with a stiletto blade, Arnold finds himself at the centre of the investigation. The Carabinieri capitano Valentina Fabbri is eager to have the case solved and cleared up within a day. So she drags him into her office, as the victim's acquaintance and fellow Brit, and demands the two of them unravel the mysterious events that led to Godolphin's demise.

Arnold soon discovers parallels between the past and present. Is it mere coincidence that Godolphin met his death in the same place as the Medici murderer, Lorenzino, on a cold, dark, bloody night? Arnold is challenged to use his powers of perception to establish a link and solve the riddle of Godolphin's death. But perhaps the truth lies closer to home than he thinks.

Review Quotes

Full of layers, like a Russian nesting doll . . . A good read for those who love their World War II thrillers with a bit of history included. Followers of Donna Leon's "Commissario Brunetti" mysteries may appreciate the atmosphere and the intrigue-- "Library Journal on The Garden of Angels"

Fans of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti, Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen and Henry James's The Aspern Papers will love it-- "The Times"

An elaborately detailed historical series, heavy with Venetian atmosphere-- "Library Journal"

[A] character-rich, history-drenched reading experience -- "Booklist"

Hewson educates and entertains in equal measure

Serious history buffs
are in for a treat-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Hewson writes with both power and grace, and is a true master of his craft-- "Craig Russell, author of The Devil Aspect, on The Garden of Angels"

In The Garden of Angels, not only do we explore Hewson's characters over three generations of life-changing circumstances, but also the city of Venice, equally 'in extremis'. It awakens the senses and opens the heart-- "Richard Armitage, Olivier-award winning actor (and narrator of the audiobook)"

Readers will be gripped and hold fast until the shocking end. Hewson's fans will look forward to the next installment-- "Publishers Weekly on Devil's Fjord"

Vivid and compelling. At once a richly wrought thriller, a love story and a warning that spans decades. I was thinking about this book for days after I'd closed it-- "Sarah Pinborough, No 1 bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes, on The Garden of Angels"

About the Author

David Hewson is a former journalist with The Times, The Sunday Times and the Independent. He is the author of more than twenty-five novels, including his Rome-based Nic Costa series which has been published in fifteen languages, and his Amsterdam-based series featuring detective Pieter Vos. He has also written three acclaimed adaptations of the Danish TV series, The Killing. He lives near Canterbury in Kent.