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The Venice Murders

A Flora Steele Mystery, Book 11

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About this listen

Amateur detective and bookshop owner Flora Steele and her dashing new husband Jack Carrington are finally embarking on the honeymoon of a lifetime. But will gorgeous gondola rides be ruined by their most heart-stopping case ever?

Venice, 1959: As Flora and Jack step onto the beautiful, historic streets of Venice, they vow to put sleuthing aside to finally enjoy their honeymoon. But on their very first sun-soaked morning, whilst enjoying sparkling wine and mouthwatering pastries, they’re interrupted when hotel receptionist, Franco Mancini, is discovered floating face-down in the Grand Canal.

Remembering poor Franco’s kind demeanour when they checked into the Cipriani Hotel, Flora quickly realises her honeymoon phase is over: she must solve the case. She saw a hot-headed restaurant owner arguing with Franco the night he died. Could their mysterious argument have gone too far? Or could it have been Franco’s jilted ex-fiancée Bianca, who acted so coldly at news of his death? Was it a crime of passion that sent him tumbling into the waters?

When Flora learns from a priest that a priceless painting has disappeared from his church along with his elderly housekeeper, she begins to marry together the clues that will lead her to a dangerous family that will stop at nothing to get their revenge. Will Flora and Jack crack the case before the killer claims another victim? Or will it be ‘death do us part’ for this crime-solving couple?

A completely gripping and totally charming cozy murder mystery novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and J.R. Ellis!

©2025 Merryn Allingham (P)2025 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.
Cosy Mystery Women Sleuths Italy Heartfelt Crime
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A good story and great description of Venice.Flora is becoming annoying not taking advice to be careful.

Rather annoying

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Everything about this series is splendid! Please, never stop writing about Flora and Jack xx

Love this series

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Loved this latest book Scenes of Venice depicted in an enchanting way . Flora and Jack stronger and a much warmer relationship developing.

Story development and characters

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Air fares and overseas telephone calls were both very expensive in 1959 so it’s a bit unbelievable that Alice would have chatted on the phone for so long knowing Flora was paying for it.
Quite an unbelievable plot - would they have spent so much money on a honeymoon to spend it investigating crimes? Seems unlikely.
Seemed very slow - more of a travel guide than anything else.


Slow and not very believable

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I plodded through this audible book, not in any hurry to find opportunities to listen to it; mainly because it wasn't gripping in any way.
I find many authors take their characters to Venice or Paris and I never find these settings enthralling. The authors get distracted with describing the city and the plot gets lost in the long, tedious descriptions.

This particular plot bobbed along slowly and the familiar batting between headstrong Flora v cautious Jack became
a little tiresome. I wanted to strongly advise them to either decide to enjoy their honeymoon or just get on with investigating and stay on a few days after they solved the mystery to enjoy Venice, preferably after the end of the book, to spare the listener the detail!
Not my favourite book in the series, missed Abbymead and the usual characters.

Not the best in the series

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