D. V. Bishop

Longlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger, 2026‘Brilliant’ – Ian Rankin‘Full of dash and atmosphere’ – The TimesThe latest historical mystery from D. V. Bishop sees Cesare Aldo face his demons in Renaissance Italy . . . Venice. Winter, 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence – with his life, if necessary. The deadly attack which follows leads to bodies, bloodshed – and something far more dangerous. Those behind the plot obtain a journal of the duke’s containing explosive secrets that – in the wrong hands – could destroy all of Florence. Aldo must hunt down those responsible and reclaim the journal, or face banishment from the city and everyone he loves. The trail leads him towards the one place Aldo has sworn to never return, a city of masks and lies where he has no allies and far too many enemies: Venice. The fate of a dynasty rests on his shoulders – if he can make it out alive . . . Carnival of Lies is the fifth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire. ‘A brilliantly entertaining historical thriller that twists and turns like the very calli and canali of Venice itself’ – Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the Nathan Sutherland Venice mysteries

Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger winning author'Brilliant' – Ian Rankin'Full of dash and atmosphere' – The TimesVenice. Winter, 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence – with his life, if necessary. The deadly attack that follows leads to bodies, bloodshed . . . and something far more dangerous. Those behind the plot obtain a journal of the duke’s containing explosive secrets that – in the wrong hands – could destroy all of Florence. Aldo must hunt down those responsible and reclaim the journal, or face banishment from the city and everyone he loves. The trail leads him towards the one place Aldo has sworn to never return, a city of masks and lies where he has no allies and far too many enemies: Venice. The fate of a dynasty rests on his shoulders – if he can make it out alive . . . Carnival of Lies is the fifth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire. 'A brilliantly entertaining historical thriller that twists and turns like the very calli and canali of Venice itself' – Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the Nathan Sutherland Venice mysteries

The Crime Writers'' Association Historical Dagger Winning AuthorA religious serial killer is haunting Florence and only Cesare Aldo can stop them. A Divine Fury is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.''Full of dash and atmosphere'' - The Times''Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris'' ? Historical Novel SocietyFlorence. Autumn, 1539.Cesare Aldo was once an officer for the city?s most feared criminal court. Following a period of exile, he is back ? but demoted to night patrol, when only the drunk and the dangerous roam the streets.Chasing a suspect in the rain, Aldo discovers a horrifying scene beneath Michelangelo?s statue of David. Lifeless eyes gaze from the face of a man whose body has been posed as if crucified. It?s clear the killer had religious motives.When more bodies appear, Aldo believes an unholy murderer is stalking the citizens of Florence. Watching. Hunting. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike again . . .A Divine Fury is the fourth Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.