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The Venetian Game

a haunting thriller set in the heart of Italy's most secretive city

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The Venetian Game

By: Philip Gwynne Jones
Narrated by: Tim Bruce
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'An unputdownable thriller' Gregory Dowling

'It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax' Daily Mail

*****

A game of cross and double-cross in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

From his office on the Street of the Assassins, Nathan Sutherland enjoys a steady but unexciting life translating Italian DIY manuals. All this changes dramatically when he is offered a large sum of money to look after a small package containing an extremely valuable antique prayer book illustrated by a Venetian master. But is it a stolen masterpiece - or a brilliant fake?

Unknown to Nathan, from a vast mansion on the Grand Canal twin brothers Domenico and Arcangelo Moro, motivated by nothing more than mutual hatred, have been playing out a complex game of art theft for twenty years. And now Nathan finds himself unwittingly drawn into their deadly business . . .

*****

Praise for Philip Gwynne Jones

'I devoured all Philip's novels and felt transported to Venice with a new intimacy' Val McDermid

'Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid' Stephen Glover

'Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself' L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra

'Clever and great fun' The Times

'The Venetian setting is vividly described... good, fluid writing makes for easy reading' Literary Review

'Un-put-downable . . . If you love Venice, you'll love this because you'll be transported there in an instant. If you've not been to Venice, read this book and then go. If you like intrigue, and a clever plot, you'll love this book' Amazon reviewer, 5*****

*****

Vengeance in Venice, the second book in Philip Gwynne Jones' sensational Venice series, is available now©2017 Philip Gwynne Jones Amateur Sleuths Crime Fiction Detective Europe International Mystery & Crime Mystery Fiction Italy Game Crime
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Critic reviews

Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself (L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra )
Clever and great fun
...a playful novel, recounted by a witty and engaging narrator ... as Venetian as a painting by Bellini (or a glass of Bellini). Oh, and it's also an unputdownable thriller (Gregory Dowling, author of Ascension )
A crime book for people with sophisticated tastes: Venice, opera, renaissance art, good food and wine... I enjoyed all that and more
It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax
The Venetian setting is vividly described and Gwynne Jones's good, fluent writing makes for easy reading (Jessica Mann)
a civilized, knowledgeable, charming antidote to the darker reaches of the genre, full of entertaining descriptions of the city... Lovely. Makes you want to book a flight to Venice straight away (N J Cooper, Bookoxygen.com)
...he puts not one foot wrong with his topography and knowledge... Add a satisfyingly (but not gratuitously) surprising and action-packed ending and you have a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend (Jeff Cotton)
A crime story that positively thrives among the shadowy streets and canals of Venice... Gorgeous escapism with stacks of atmosphere and double-cross (Sue Price)
This entertaining thriller makes good use of its watery setting, introducing readers to a rougher Venice, hidden behind the familiar facade of gondoliers and frescoes
...a quite excellent book... Philip is entirely knowledgable about the buildings and art of the city. It forms a perfect background to a very well worked thriller
Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid
A perfect holiday read
Light and easy to read, with touches of humour and great observations of locale and people. As the plot moves along, the early Summer sun dapples the canals and lights up the buildings, just illuminating this beautiful city
All stars
Most relevant
I have really enjoyed these books and have listened to them all so far, January 2023. The central characters Nathan and Federica and lovely supporting ones become familiar and welcome as the series progresses. There are plenty of murders but each book has a lighter feel than in the equally great Donna Leon Brunetti series. You will gather that I love Venice and stories set there. Plenty of description of that magical city in both series of books. Also the narration is very good.

Really enjoyed

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book, perhaps because the narrator was so easy to listen too. Definitely would like to carry on with this series, hopefully with the same narrator.

The Venetian Game

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I would have thought that by the third title, someone would have explained to the narrator that “Vecchio” is not pronounced “Veccio”

Great story, but

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Quite engaging and Tim Bruce’s narration was really good.
Not sure if I’d read another.

Good

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Venice is the centrepiece of this very enjoyable tale. As honorary consul our hero finds his way intelligently through threat, bribery, attempted murder and extreme art theft. The plot drives rapidly along as we meet and build relationships with the various characters, leading us to a thrilling culmination. Well performed throughout.

Most Enjoyable

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