Venetian Bind

by Lawrence E. Rothstein

In Venetian Bind, Detective Marko Korb and his associate Kelan Su, a Chinese-American woman, must hunt down a murderer and prevent a devastating terrorist attack in the romantic city of Venice.

Korb, a fat, egotistical, and brilliant detective, and Kelan Su, a former Chicago police officer, licensed attorney, and martial arts expert, arrive in Venice to investigate the murder of Stefan Pakulić, a former Serbian paramilitary leader and accused war criminal.The daughter of a Bosnian expat who had rescued Korb from Pakulić’s clutches during the war is a suspect in the killing. Korb is torn between finding the murderer and his sympathy for the Serbian’s killer—the Venetian bind.

The investigation leads to Pakulić’s connection with Italian neo-fascists planning a terrorist action in Venice. It takes Korb’s genius and the intrepid sleuthing of Su to find the murderer, forestall the terrorist action, and protect the daughter of Korb’s rescuer.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2024

Reviews

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, quirky, and utterly unique!

Venetian Bind is the first novel in author Lawrence E. Rothstein's new mystery series, Tri-Star Investigations, and I found its clever plot and quirky main characters an utterly unique combination. I enjoyed the mix of characters – assumed series' regulars and the local law enforcement personnel, the Venetian setting, the attention to regional cuisine, and the political atmosphere of the story.

Private investigator Marko Korb is a Bosnian survivor successfully living and working in Chicago. He travels to Venice, Italy, at the behest of local officials, to assist in the investigation of the murder of a former enemy during the Bosnian War. His decision to participate is a moral and emotional conflict. To most, someone did the world a favor by taking the murdered Pakulić out; however, he agrees to ensure some innocent doesn't take the blame. While Korb has characteristics that remind me of literary detectives from the past, most notably Hercule Poirot and Nero Wolfe, he is still a distinct and unique personality all his own. I greatly enjoyed his deep appreciation of the cuisine of Venice and his, at times, active participation in its preparation. His attention to detail and ability to parse their importance in the case at hand were clever and fun to watch unfold.

I enjoyed Kelan Su's energetic and go-getter presence, quick mind, and willingness to act on opportunities, which made for some interesting situations. She plays a major role in the story but is still Korb's assistant. I found their relationship a little uneasy, with her worrying about his opinion of her and his occasional disdain for her efforts. I was glad to see that she and Venice police detective Angela Campari were portrayed as good, professional partners rather than competitors.

The plot moves at a fast pace, with Korb connecting with old acquaintances and local Bosnians. A major reason he was invited into the case is that he was once a part of this community, and the police know he's more likely to get answers from the residents than they are. How he would handle those answers, in light of his internal conflicts, kept me turning pages. I thought setting the debut novel of a new series outside the main characters' home territory a creative way to introduce the foreign-born detective and his storied past. The descriptions of Venice were vivid and the mentions of specific people, places, and things had me happily Googling as I read. The easy-to-read and compelling storytelling is sprinkled with Italian words and phrases added to the atmosphere and were clearly understandable through context or an included explanation.

I recommend VENETIAN BIND to mystery readers looking for an entertaining and dynamic new PI team to enjoy and those who would enjoy an immersive Venetian setting.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

[Brian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lawrence Rothstein’s Venetian Bind is a sumptuous feast. A crafty mystery with a memorable cast headed by corpulent master detective Marko Korb and his right-hand woman, the beautiful former policewoman and martial arts expert Kelan Su. The pair are summoned to Venice to aid in the investigation of the death of a suspected Serbian war criminal who had for far too long escaped justice for his past crimes including those that resulted in the deaths of Korb’s family and his forced escape over twenty years previously from his native Bosnia.

Rothstein’s intimate knowledge of Venice—both its environs and its cuisine—serves him well here. Korb is a gourmand whose prickly and imperious manner is notably softened when enjoying a well-prepared meal. The novel’s descriptive passages transport the reader directly to Venice—its opulent hotels and high-stakes casinos as well as the faded grandeur of some of its once opulent, now dilapidated buildings and the streets where poor immigrant women are forced to ply their trade in a world where the next john might mean a violent beating or worse.

But it is Korb and Su who most impress throughout the novel. While Korb is reminiscent of Nero Wolfe and Su of Wolfe’s investigator Archie Goodwin, they bring their own panache to these roles. Both are engaging and capable in their own way. Throw in the threat of a terrorist plot, memorable supporting characters, and a cunning denouement and you have a stew as savory and satisfying as the meals that so impress Detective Korb.

Korb and Su are a team to follow, and Venetian Bind is a debut novel that presages a delightful series to come.

[Karen Bartell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a foodie, Venetian, or amateur sleuth, Venetian Bind is for you! Larry Rothstein's unique characters lead you across the ristorantes and islands of Venice to the satisfying conclusion of a Serbian enemy’s murder mystery. Enjoy the ride!

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Venetian Bind by Lawrence E. Rothstein is the first book in the new cozy mystery series, Tri-Star Investigations. I enjoyed it so much! It’s filled with great characters and lots of mystery.

Venetian Bind stars the brilliant detective Marko Korb and his assistant Kelan Su. It begins with a bit of backstory regarding Korb – where he was in his “former” life – which is quite different from where he is now. I’ll leave that bit for you to find out on your own. To put it mildly, Korb loves food. There is so much food consumed in Venetian Bind that I’m pretty sure I gained weight just reading about it! Despite his 350 lb. frame, Korb gets around, but the more active investigating is left to his assistant Kelan Su, a former Chicago police officer. She’s a Chinese-American and is the perfect partner for Korb. Kelan makes friends with an officer in Venice, so I hope they keep in touch even though they’ll be on different continents.

The book takes place in Venice, Italy. I love how much you can get to know a city through a book. Venetian Bind takes us through the canals several times. Korb hates traveling on the boats, but he does pretty well once he gets into them. I like that some of the areas they travel to are kind of sketchy, so you get to see some of the seedier side of the city along with the “bad guys.” Speaking of the bad guys, you can sort of figure out who’s bad, but it’s a little harder to figure out whodunit. I wasn’t sure until near the end.

I really liked Venetian Bind, and I’m looking forward to reading more books in the series! I highly recommend it for its entertaining characters, Venice setting, and exciting mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion