Infinite Books

Venice is one of my favorite cities worldwide, so I jumped right into the story when I learned about the new Venetian mystery novel. The author, David Hewson, notes that in Italian, the word “storia” indicates both history and a story. Fittingly, the novel’s main plot is a story of murder in Venice, but in the background, we learn about a historical murder committed in 1548. Are the two of them connected?

 Arnold Clover is a retired archivist who moved to Venice from England to fulfill his and her wife’s dream. He’s trying to start a new life alone because Eleanor suddenly died before they were able to move to a small place they bought near the Friari. He’s inquisitive and intelligent but shy and always feels like an outsider. Fortunately, Arnold befriends enthusiastic Luca Volpetti – a fellow archivist at the Archivio di Stato of Venice.

Unexpectedly, Arnold is contacted by a British historian and TV personality, a former professor at Cambridge, where Arnold was a student. Marmaduke ‘Duke’ Godolphin arrives in Venice with his wife, son, and some of his ex-students. Quick fame, the womanizing lifestyle, and his nasty character transformed Godolphin into a man looking for one more chance to return with a new TV series with some sensational news. He wants to reveal that a famous artist was involved in the conspiracy, claiming he has documents supporting the revelation. But Godolphin is found dead, floating in the canal at the same place where Lorenzino was killed.

Arnold is summoned to the office of the Carabinieri Capitano Valentina Fabbri and spends many hours talking about the events leading to the murder. Valentina claims that there are no murders in Venice – it would be bad for tourism – only accidents. Was the death of “Duke” accidental? There is no shortage of suspects.

David Hewson describes Venice with love. We walk the streets of this beautiful city, hearing the noisy pigeons, and smelling water and fog. It’s Venice Carnival time, and people are outside, despite the cold – tourists and locals, young and old. It’s easy to get lost and find the best small restaurant (the descriptions of some Italian dishes are mouth-watering.) This is a novel for mystery readers, people captivated by Venice, and history buffs. After this book, a reader knows “whodunit” and learns a little about history. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next story with Arnold Clover discovering the Italian mysteries – both historical and fictional – for all of us to enjoy.

THE MEDICI MURDERS, by David Hewson, Severn House, 2022