Having read this book after a recent visit to Venice, the narration and description really brings the city and its people to life. The story is twisting, and the mystery one that I didn't see coming. I loved the characters – Arnold Glover is brilliant, and his Venitian colleague is hilarious. Hewson has made even insufferable 'bad guys' feel rounded and real. Looking forward to Book 2!

This book honestly gave me chills! It’s a fantastic mystery and will have you gripped from the first page until the last !
If you’re looking to completely get lost in a story then look no further!
Would highly recommend

A clever tale from this author who knows and understands Italy so well. A mystery surrounding the murder of an influential history celebrity with the suspects mainly from a circle of students at Cambridge that he continued to dominate all these years later. The discovery of papers that will change the history of the Medici’s leads the celebrity to employ two archivists one English the other Venetian to find and research the documents in a cache of papers left by a deceased fan. The investigation is headed by a female carabinieri who uses the English archivist to tell the tale of events leading to the unexplained death. Never less than intriguing the denouement comes as a complete surprise and maybe there will be more to come from the two archivists….how different is that?

I really enjoyed this book. The setting feels authentic (despite the fact that the author is English) and the plot drew together historical aspects and a modern day murder mystery.
The premise and involvement of the main protagonist was an interesting way of telling the story. The author kept me guessing (which I like in crime fiction) and threw in some red herrings.
A mix of characters with a likeable lead and detective.

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.

The Medici Murders is an enjoyable murder mystery with an unconventional lead and an amazing location in Venice. It was jam packed with the history of Venice, the Medici family and it felt really immersive. The story was engaging and I felt like I could picture the scene. I'll definitely check out the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

I enjoyed this, the first in a new series by the ever-reliable David Hewson, featuring a retired archivist living in Venice. It felt like a cross between an Agatha Christie and film, the plot being our hero Arnold Clover sitting down in conversation with Carabinieri Inspector Valentina Fabbri. Events surrounding the death of Marmaduke Godolphin - needless to say a not very well-liked victim - are told by Clover, as Fabbri tries to solve the mystery of his death.

Lots of suspects, a suitably twisty tale of revenge and hatred, and the beautiful backdrop of Venice. It didn't blow me away, but I enjoyed it well enough to want to read the 2nd book when it comes out. It will be interesting to see how Hewson approaches that, given the different feel to this book that can't really be copied again.

A solid 3.5 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

An immersive read , very descriptive and makes you feel as if you are actually in Venice .
A well known British historian Marmaduke Godolphin is found dead in Venice , seemingly murdered by a stiletto dagger.
Godolphin is a loathsome character with many enemies for numerous reasons.
Arnold Clover a retired archivist who was hired by Godolphin to help on a new project he hopes to get on to tv.
After the murder Arnold also becomes an invaluable help to the Italian police during their investigation .
The story has many twists and turns and I loved the ending .
An interesting and enjoyable read !
Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate.

This is my first book by this author and on the back of what I read it definitely won't be the last!
We start with the death of a well-known, well respected British TV historian, the wonderfully named, Marmaduke Godolphin as he is found murdered in the canals of Venice. Stabbed with a stiletto blade.
Meanwhile, our cast of suspects is introduced. Family and colleagues. Including Arnold Clover, the man Godolphin recruited to assist with sorting through some historical documents for evidence of information pertaining to the 500 year old murder mystery assassination of Lorenzo de'Medici. Parallels of which echo through Godolphin's own death.
And so begins an historical story that weaves fact into fiction seamlessly as the author takes the reader on a wonderful ride, back in time and in the present... With the aforementioned Arnold Clover assisting Valentina Fabbri, local Carabinieri Capitano, with the current murder investigation, whilst at the same time, trying himself to "solve" the ancient one.
Knowing absolutely nothing about Venice or any of the history surrounding it, I can not really say with any certainty how well researched this book is but I am sure others will no doubt have things to say on that. What I do know is that going into the book I had no really interest in any of the historical aspects of the book, but being quite history heavy, and written in a very interesting way, I did do a fair bit of googling along the way and have several bookmarks to go back to when I get time.
I found both stories to be interesting and intriguing and they held my attention nicely all the way through., I loved how they both complemented each other as they intertwined. Ramping up, delivering twists all the way to an ending that, just when you thought you'd got it all nailed, the author... well, you'll have to read the book... but yeah, brilliant!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The first in a new series, the Venetian Mysteries, featuring Arnold Clover, a retired Archivist. After the death of his wife Arnold moved to live in Venice, a city full of history. Duke Godolphin ( short for Marmaduke) is an elderly TV historian looking for a major story to get himself back into the headlines. I loved all the historical detail, the author has clearly done a lot of research and it shows.

Briefly, in 1548 Lorenzino de Medici is assassinated and buried in Venice. When Godolphin claims he has new startling information about the murder of Lorenzino de Medici which will shock the world he draws Arnold in to help confirm the authenticity of his claims. Godolphin is then murdered in a similar manner to Lorenzino there are any number of suspects as he is so disliked. Are the two killings connected? Arnold is recruited by the Carabinieri and in particular Captain Valentina Fabbri to help solve the mystery.

A very cleverly worked mystery thriller and using Venice with its history and location is genius. Beautifully written, you could imagine walking the streets of Venice. Well paced with excellent characters this had plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged to the surprising conclusion. Delighted to see that this is the start of a new series and cannot wait for the next one.

Excellent book. Loved everything about it including the reminder that Italy is not all sunshine and warmth. I thought I had been clever enough to work out what was going on only to find I had been caught out by clever misdirection.

I highly recommend this book, it is a most enjoyable read.

"Thriller" is a genre that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, and this definitely delivers. From the very first page, the tension is palpable, and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, making it difficult to put the book down. The characters are well-developed and the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing as to who can be trusted and who is hiding something. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. The writing style is gripping and evocative, making it easy to visualise the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters. The author's attention to detail and ability to create a believable world adds to the overall experience of the book. Overall, this is an excellent example of the thriller genre. It's a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the very end and is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A story steeped in history as a jaded TV celebrity historian seeks to revitalise his sagging career and gets murdered into the bargain. I found the police investigation a little unconventional - calling in an expat to provide his version of events, including the somewhat dubious history of the characters involved to help solve the mystery. The Capitano sets a deadline of the same evening as she has a dinner engagement at her husband’s restaurant. Arnold Clover's narration takes its time as he is quite meticulous in the amount of detail he includes together with frequent coffee breaks and popping out for lunch. The cast of potential suspects is not huge but they all have secrets and somewhat sordid pasts and don’t seem particularly grief stricken by Godolphin’s demise. The big mystery was who was behind the Woolff bequest, an archive that conceals the golden egg that was to reignite Godolphon’s career and sets the whole state of affairs in motion.
The star of the show is probably Venice itself and the mouthwatering descriptions of food and drink that are served up to enjoy. David Hewson always tells a good story and, if I was feeling a bit jaded towards the end he kept something up his sleeve to surprise.
I liked the theatricality of the story and the over-the-top historical re-enactments. The history is well explained if a little too much so at times. and the English characters were distinctive if not particularly engaging. I found the Venetians, Luca and the Capitano perhaps most convincing and likeable.
A good tale, fun to read from a very consistent author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

A compelling intellectual whodunit set in Venice and centered around the murder of a flamboyant and overbearing British TV historian and his rather implausible determination to link Michelangelo with the sordid assassination of Lorenzino de medici in the City of Bridges in 1548.

The Medici Murders is a very cleverly plotted thriller full of surprising twists and turns, a very sinister masquarade cunningly choreographed by the author within the cold and misty splendors of La Serenissma and its enticing carnival season in February and featuring an exquisitely drawn cast of very damaged characters.
A captivating novel that managed to keep me in a delicious state of dreadful uneasiness that was so reminiscent of the best novels of the great Patricia Highsmith from start to finish. A highly satisfying blend of psychological dysfunction, long-festering grudges and murderous rages brilliantly coalescing amidst the urban treasures of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe....

A magnificent new series that deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for this terrific ARC!