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The Venetian Game cover art

The Venetian Game

By: Philip Gwynne Jones
Narrated by: Tim Bruce
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Summary

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 20 years. And now Nathan finds himself unwittingly drawn into their deadly business....

©2017 Philip Gwynne Jones (P)2018 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid." (Stephen Glover)

"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)

"Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself." (L. S. Hilton, best-selling author of Maestra)

What listeners say about The Venetian Game

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Wonderfully believable characters and a great plot

This book was an unexpected delight. Missing trips to Venice, I thought I'd listen to a book about it at least. I was delighted. The descriptions of Venice are great an the plot fascinating but, for me, the best thing about this book is the totally credible main character, Nathan Sutherland, and his interactions with the people who populate his adopted city. Having spent some time living amongst Italians both in Italy and in London and speaking fluent Italian, I laughed out loud at some of the wonderfully accurate descriptions of the every day interactions of a Brit amongst Italians. Bravo Mr Gwynne Jones. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Highly recommended.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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More of a tourist guide than thriller

I love Venice and hoped to hear of the various places as I listened. I did not expect every street to be mentioned to the stage where location became more important than story. The story was 'ok' but not one I would have gone for had I have known the content beforehand

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The Venetian Game

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.

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Not a patch on Donna Leon

Good descriptions of places and architecture in Venice. However, the story is just not strong and the hero is too difficult to like. Nathan is the furthest thing from Brunetti you could find. Needed a better central figure.

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good book

an easy read and for the first of the series it is a good opener read the rest though

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Venice

Enjoyed exploring Venice with the characters as thd story grows. Sets the scene for future development

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Really enjoyed

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.

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Fun

A good little thriller about art crime in Venice. I hope the denizens of the Communist bar will make more appearances in the series.

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