The Knife Maker of Venice
by David Gilman
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Pub Date 13 Aug 2025 | Archive Date 13 Aug 2026
Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
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Description
In seventeenth-century Italy, a skilled young artisan must search for his sister after both are kidnapped by slave traders targeting the English coast.
1604, England. Richard Sheriff is a headstrong young craftsman. His sense of justice often gets him into trouble, but his sister Elizabeth is his steadfast defender.
When pirates from North Africa attack the English coast in search of slaves to trade in the markets of Tunis, Richard, Elizabeth and their neighbours are captured. Despite pursuit by the Royal Navy, the slavers make headway on their voyage.
Their captives must endure savage storms, fire and murder, and the machinations of their cunning captain. Once Richard and Elizabeth are separated, he vows never to stop looking for her - but first he must come to terms with his new life. For as a skilled metalworker, he is sought after in his new home: the great city of Venice, a place of intrigue and corruption, where the dispossessed from far and wide are cast together.
Reviews for David Gilman
'A gripping ride' Wilbur Smith
'Gilman does heart pounding action superlatively' The Times
'A gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty' Robert Fabbri
'The level of suspense is ratcheted up to a truly brutal level' Sharon Penman
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781035910380 |
| PRICE | £7.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 432 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 3 members
Featured Reviews
Donna U, Reviewer
📖 Book Review
Title: The Knife Maker of Venice
Author: David Gilman
If you love historical fiction with grit, danger, and raw emotion, The Knife Maker of Venice is an absolute must-read ⚔️🔥
Set against the brutal realities of the 17th century, this story wastes no time throwing you into chaos. What begins on the English coast quickly spirals into a harrowing journey of capture, survival, and separation that feels both immersive and deeply unsettling.
Richard is a compelling protagonist—flawed, headstrong, and fiercely loyal. His determination to find his sister Elizabeth drives the entire story, and that emotional core hits hard. Their bond adds a powerful layer to the narrative, making every hardship feel personal and every moment of hope feel earned.
And the setting… Venice. 🖤
Not the romanticised version—but a darker, more dangerous city filled with corruption, intrigue, and survival at any cost. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and you can almost feel the grit, the fear, and the desperation of those trying to carve out a life there.
This is not a gentle read. It’s intense, often brutal, and unflinchingly honest about the realities of the time—slave trade, violence, and human endurance. But that’s exactly what makes it so gripping.
✨ Gritty
✨ Emotional
✨ Action-packed
✨ Deeply immersive
A powerful story of survival, resilience, and the lengths one will go to for family.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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