An absolutely astounding book. I found myself holding my breath waiting to see what would happen! - Joanne Wallace

A brilliantly entertaining historical thriller that twists and turns like the very calli and canali of Venice itself - Philip Gwyne Jones

The best Aldo book yet - James Oswald

Bishop has already won a Dagger Award for his fine writing, and this excellent book may well win him another - Kate Rhodes

Brings the Machiavellian machinations of Renaissance Florence and Venice magnificently to life - Douglas Skelton

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 which contains 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 . . .