Venetian Gothic – Philip Gwynne Jones

“You’ve just been overcome by all the messa in scena, that’s all. A confused old man talking nonsense in an old dark house on a stormy night.” (Quotation page 98)

Content

On November 2^nd 2017, the feast of I morti, Nathan Sutherland, Sergio Cardazzo and Lorenzo Bonzio are just leaving San Michele cemetery, when Father Michael Rayner, Angelican Chaplain, asks Nathan to read a few words during the service. In that moment two workman, instead of saving an old headstone, let it crash down on a small white coffin. The name written on the headstone is Gabriele Loredan, he died in 1980, only twelve years old, but his coffin is empty. This time it is the British Ambassador who asks Nathan to find out, what had happened thirty-seven years ago, because Gabriele Loredan, supposed to be buried at San Michele, had British nationality. However, Nathan soon finds out that there seem to be more people interested in this case and others, who are prepared to do everything to stop them.

Theme and Genre

This atmospheric thriller, part of a series, is set in Venice during the dark days of November. Themes are hidden family secrets of a noble, well-known Venetian family, a tragic accident many years ago and the mystical Isola Sant’Ariano.

Characters

The British Honorary consul in Venice, Nathan Sutherland, is investigating again and digs deep into secrets, buried long time ago.

Plot and Writing

This forth book to the series is told in two storylines, the main story takes place in November 2017, the second story is Gabriele’s story about his childhood and what happened a long time ago. The plot is thrilling and a perfect mixture between action, crime, dangerous situations, mysteries to be solved, unforeseeable twists and Nathans personal life with Federica, his best friend Dario, just moving back from Mestre to Venice and, not to forget, Nathan’s special cat Gramsci. Vivid descriptions of Venice in November, the everlasting beauty of this city and its special, hidden places, interesting facts about the famous island of the death, San Michele, and the mystical Isola Sant’Ariano complete the story.

Conclusion

This dark, haunting story for me is the best book of the series so far, a gripping, unputdownable, enjoyable read.