Member Review
Review by
Martin P, Reviewer
Simply, the best Cesare Aldo story yet.
"Carnival of Lies" opens in February 1539. Our hero, Aldo Cesare, no longer works for the Otto, instead opting for the life of a freelance soldier-for-hire. When his sometime employer, Duke Cosimo de’ Medici starts receiving death threats, he hires Aldo for protection. As usual, life for him is not simple, and the attack when it comes, Aldo is drawn into a larger conspiracy, where players including Contessa Valentine Coltello and members of the de'Medici family vie for control of Florence. Furthermore, when private and incriminating papers belonging to the Duke are stolen, he charges Aldo with recovering them at all costs.
Soon Aldo is on the trail of the papers, and is alarmed to discover they are being delivered to Venice - a place he has vowed never to return to. He also learns that he is not the only one after them. The reader is then drawn into a fast-moving and intricate story of revenge, conspiracy and a struggle for power. We swap the sights and smells of Florence for the dank, waterlogged canals of Venice, with smells and shadows all of its own. Aldo is surrounded by enemies, some obvious, others not, and even old friends may not be what they seem. Aldo suffers imprisonment, a dunking in the canals, and effects some daring moves as he infiltrates the very heart of the conspiracy. He is on unfamiliar territory, in more ways than one.
Fans of the series will be glad to know that some favourite characters are back, albeit in diminished roles - his niece, Isabella, secret lover, Saul, and of course, my favourite spymaster Contessa Valentine Coltello, who continues to fascinate. The scenes between her and Aldo are a delight. But this book is all about Aldo, and we learn much more about his past and how he became the man he is. There are several heart-aching scenes that really bring Aldo's life into focus. But mainly, he is running - towards danger, away from danger, and towards a crossroads in his life.
If any of the Cesare Aldo books deserve to be made into a film, it's this one - preferably directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Renny Harlin or Michael Bay. It's definitely the most action-packed yet, and with strong espionage themes. Heartily recommended.
"Carnival of Lies" opens in February 1539. Our hero, Aldo Cesare, no longer works for the Otto, instead opting for the life of a freelance soldier-for-hire. When his sometime employer, Duke Cosimo de’ Medici starts receiving death threats, he hires Aldo for protection. As usual, life for him is not simple, and the attack when it comes, Aldo is drawn into a larger conspiracy, where players including Contessa Valentine Coltello and members of the de'Medici family vie for control of Florence. Furthermore, when private and incriminating papers belonging to the Duke are stolen, he charges Aldo with recovering them at all costs.
Soon Aldo is on the trail of the papers, and is alarmed to discover they are being delivered to Venice - a place he has vowed never to return to. He also learns that he is not the only one after them. The reader is then drawn into a fast-moving and intricate story of revenge, conspiracy and a struggle for power. We swap the sights and smells of Florence for the dank, waterlogged canals of Venice, with smells and shadows all of its own. Aldo is surrounded by enemies, some obvious, others not, and even old friends may not be what they seem. Aldo suffers imprisonment, a dunking in the canals, and effects some daring moves as he infiltrates the very heart of the conspiracy. He is on unfamiliar territory, in more ways than one.
Fans of the series will be glad to know that some favourite characters are back, albeit in diminished roles - his niece, Isabella, secret lover, Saul, and of course, my favourite spymaster Contessa Valentine Coltello, who continues to fascinate. The scenes between her and Aldo are a delight. But this book is all about Aldo, and we learn much more about his past and how he became the man he is. There are several heart-aching scenes that really bring Aldo's life into focus. But mainly, he is running - towards danger, away from danger, and towards a crossroads in his life.
If any of the Cesare Aldo books deserve to be made into a film, it's this one - preferably directed by Christopher McQuarrie, Renny Harlin or Michael Bay. It's definitely the most action-packed yet, and with strong espionage themes. Heartily recommended.
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
