Shadow of Madness

Cesare Aldo #6

by D.V. Bishop

The Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger Winning Author

Tuscany. Winter, 1540.

Travelling north into the hills above Florence, investigator Cesare Aldo seeks answers about his past. The trail leads him to Ospedale de’ Pazzi, a secure institution for the criminally insane.

Soon after arriving a blizzard engulfs the area, trapping Aldo and his companion, Doctor Saul Orvieto. Even more alarming, their cart driver is found dead. It looks like he fell over a nearby cliff in the whiteout – but Aldo suspects foul play. When a brutal slaying occurs in the central courtyard, it becomes clear a killer lurks among them.

With the snowstorm sealing everyone in and a murderer hunting fresh victims, Aldo’s search for the truth proves deadlier than he could ever have imagined . . .

Shadow of Madness is the sixth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by Carnival of Lies, A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.

Praise for D. V.
'It’s hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence' Andrew Taylor, author of A Schooling in Murder
'A brilliant series' Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of Secrets
'Aldo is a magnificent creation' Vaseem Khan, author of The Edge of Darkness

Genres: Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 9, 2026

About the author

Grew up in Mt Roskill, Auckland, Aotearoa.

In July 2023 D.V. Bishop became the first New Zealand writer to win the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Historical Dagger Award with his novel The Darkest Sin.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very welcome addition to the Cesare Aldo series, but perhaps this one didn't quite match the grade of the others. The limitations of the enclosed setting - a remote building cut off by snow - told, and the story lacked breadth, It was good to see Sol Orvieto make a more solid appearance this time, but again he was tucked away throughout most of the book for a religious observance. This, as well as Aldo's continuing out-of-character behaviour with regard to his Aunt Lucrezia, struck an incongruous note. It seemed very strange that however devout a person was, they would willingly remain alone in a room when they knew that a ruthless killer was on the prowl, and even stranger that someone who cared for them would encourage them do so.

Unfortunately suffering from the limited scope of the setting, the story was a bit stilted and repetitive, and the pace was a little slow. Nevertheless, it still held the interest of the reader and Aldo was as robust a character as ever, rushing headlong in to danger and tackling every situation head-on, with consummate skill and ingenuity. It is this robust character of his that makes his almost histrionically unbalanced attitude to his Aunt Lucrezia's poisonous taunts seem so 'wrong'. It seems totally unbelievable that so solid a character can be so 'unmanned' by the petty and pejorative spite of a bitter old woman and to be driven to the brink of madness by it. It just doesn't ring true in so strong a character, so is difficult to assimilate. Thankfully, however, this storyline reaches a conclusion in this book, so hopefully we will see Aldo move on.

The plotline utilised a well-worn trope, but the author made the most of it, and the resulting action was engaging and compelling, overcoming the limitations of scope. As soon as the spirito was mentioned it was quite clear to me what was going on, but the suspense built well as the book progressed, despite there being a degree of predictability. The denouement came just at the right time, before the plot began to bore the reader, and all was well in the end. I'm not sure how Aldo's career move from the Otto to working for Cosimo de Medici will pan out, but at least we are spared the bullying Bindi and that whining milksop Strocchi. Looking forward to the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.

[Martin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply satisfying story for long-time fans of the Aldo series.

"Shadow of Madness" opens in Tuscany, 1540, just a few days before Christmas. Aldo and Saul are on their way to visit Ospedale de’ Pazzi, an institution for the criminally insane, in a remote area north of Florence. Ostensibly there to carry out an inspection on behalf of his mentor, Duke Cosimo de Medici , Aldo is, in fact, seeking details of his birth mother. Soon after arriving, a storm engulfs the area, trapping everyone inside. And when their cart driver is found dead. Aldo suspects foul play. But that's just the beginning.

What follows is a fast moving and twisty story of past crimes, hidden secrets, and retribution, all told in the style of a Golden Age locked room mystery. With Aldo and Saul trapped in the institution, alongside monks, nuns, madmen and madwomen, the claustrophobia mounts as does the body count. Aldo encounters a superb cast of suspects - larcenous guards, silent nuns, murderous inmates, and monks with hidden secrets. If this book was a film, it would be a black and white, 1940's noir thriller.

Aldo and Saul experience their own challenges, although it's clear their relationship is as strong as ever, indeed, without Saul, Aldo might never leave the monastery alive. Its good to witness this strength amongst the horror of the institution.

Long-time fans of the series so far will revel in this book - threads from as far back as book one, but especially "Carnival of Lies" are (mostly) tied up in a way that will make readers feel a corner has been turned. But beware - the final few pages promise a whole new set of problems for Aldo and his companions.

My only disappointment was not meeting spy mistress Contessa Valentine Coltello, but I suspect the next book will remedy that.

Heartily recommended.

[Phoebe Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all Aldo´s books, I think this one has the most satisfying ending, at least for me.
And that´s probably because it hits all my sweet spots (well, not particularly the ending in this case, but the entire novel): We got murders at an isolated spot, religious people involved (I don´t know why, but I always enjoy the most when monks/nuns/priests are involved), Saul finally has more protagonism and... Well, Aldo finds what he was personally looking for.
Not to mention how everything was tied up at the ospedale once murders were solved. 10 out of 10 from me, overall.

But to the point: This story is the 6th of Cesare Aldo´s series.
Set in the winter of 1540, it begins pretty much where we left it last time, with Aldo on his new quest of finding his mother and somehow finding a clue that takes him and his partner, doctor Orvieto, to an ospedale near Florence. Originally they were meant to spend there just a few hours, enough to supervise the patient´s conditions and take a look at the records. But a snowstorm happens and then, a bunch of murders ocurr while no one can leave the building.

Not a very cozy weekend escapade, as you may imagine.

As per usual, this author has managed to create a nicely constructed mystery where no one (except perhaps one of two people that we knew from previous books) could not be trusted. It was hard to know if the crimes were being commited by the staff, the inmates or someone else entirely. And I must say in regards to this, I was surprised about a certain twist regarding the Monsignor (won´t say anything else not to spoil, but what the hell, I expected something in regards of Zati... but not like that).

Anyway, in summary: Very recommended LGBTQ+ thriller. I want more like this, please and thank you.
Also... I kinda want to have Aldo´s head. For more reasons than just his intelligence (if you know, you know)

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cesare Aldo series of books, set in 16th century Florence, continues to go from strength to strength. The background provides a fascinating time and place, the plots and characters are all well developed and Shadow of Madness, the sixth in the series, is the best yet.

We first meet Cesare Aldo and his companion, Dr Saul Orvieto, travelling to the Ospedale de’ Pazzi, an institution for the criminally insane in the hills around Florence, to carry out an inspection for Aldo’s mentor, Duke Cosimo de Medici. A snowstorm is threatening as they travel and the driver warns them they will need to leave quickly.

Obviously things do not go smoothly and they find themselves trapped by snow in the Ospedale, with the driver lying dead outside and no way to get back to Florence. It turns then into a classic locked room mystery with everyone acting suspiciously, from the monks and nuns who run the place to the guards and inmates inside, and plenty of secrets and past crimes uncovered.

The main storyline of the book is excellent and the atmosphere is superb – the sense of isolation, the cold, the danger, are all very well done and the plot is interesting and involved. It’s given added depth, though, with the background thread that carries through the series, that of Cesare’s background and family, and new secrets are thrown up here too to move that along. There are plenty of links to the earlier books so, although this works perfectly well as a standalone, it’s well worth new readers going back to the first book and enjoying it all from the start. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Chris Scotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The investigator, the asylum and the snow storm - what could possibly go wrong? Far too much, this time, as Aldo, one time investigator for the criminal court of Florence, now working for the Duke, is on a mission with Dr Saul Orvieto, friend, doctor, confidant, and more.

The year is now 1540, but the city of Florence described herein is a wonderful portrait of the Florence of the future; Aldo, usually working well within the city walls, is tasked with looking into the activities of the nuns and monks who run the asylum in the hills above the city, discovers so much in such a short time. when a blizzard turns a visit of a few hours into an enforced stay of days. The dozen inhabitants being cared for are an eclectic collection of individuals, their circumstances often beyond their control and their treatment at the hands of the some of the staff leaving much to be desired.

Aldo is also here under another guise - he has been seeking information on the mother he never knew, and believes the asylum may hold a clue. However, distractions start arriving when first the cart driver who brought Aldo and Orvieto from Florence disappears in the blizzard, and then a gruesome act takes place within the asylum walls; Aldo has to investigate.

This is a historical take on the locked room mystery and DV Bishop does it with much panache. I could feel the claustrophobia of the setting and, as with the previous novels I've read from this series, the descriptions of places are portrayed convincingly, such that I can imagine these characters in the Florence of the 16th century. I did enjoy catching up with two of the nuns who appeared in an earlier volume, too, and seeing how their lives had evolved.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cesare Aldo has been on a quest to find out the truth about his mother and the circumstances of his birth.
Dr Saul Orvieto, his friend and lover, is worried, the answers that Aldo is seeking may not bring him any happiness.
Saul and Aldo are visiting a former mother and baby hospital in the mountain region above Florence, it is now a hospital for the insane, or incurables. It is staffed by an Abbot, Monks and Nuns, who are not happy about this unexpected visit. Aldo wants to find certain patient records, but what secrets are the staff hiding from him.
Sister Ortenza knows Aldo, he was responsible for her previous convent closing down. If his questions are answered he will leave.
However, a heavy blizzard prevents anyone from leaving the hospital, and when a body is found in the grounds, the snow makes everyone a suspect. The killer has been trapped inside with the innocent people. This creates a palpable sense of tension and unease. Aldo doesn’t know who to trust, and there are many diversions at play. There are cases of mistaken identity, plural murders , which create an atmosphere of suspicion, mistrust with episodes of madness and manipulation.
Aldo himself must have a very tough skull considering the number of times he is attacked and suffers concussion.
This book is so very emotional and is almost tender, despite the murderous situation Aldo finds himself in. The main characters go from strength to strength and they are a continual delight.
If you haven’t read the previous books, then the names, backstories and plot issues may well confuse. The next story hints that a former adversary may well return to torment Aldo further.
A well researched blend of historical facts and fiction, a really immersive read.

[Cat Treadwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first adventure with Cesare Aldo, and while I did feel odd about jumping in at book six in an established series, I'm pleased to say that I never once felt lost. On the contrary, I've now rushed to pick up the first two books in order to catch up on what I've missed!

This book took hold of me and held on until I lost an entire weekend in its world. Evocative writing, brilliant characters and an engaging mystery in a setting that I had some passing familiarity with; enough to enjoy the little historic touches here and there. I did foresee a couple of the outcomes, but what I would call the most subtle, major twist shocked me deeply (in the best way!) as it seemed to come from nowhere! Yet in hindsight, the clues were there all along.

I also appreciated the subtext of two men in a relationship at a time - and amidst the literal church - that forbade such things, not least because of conflicting beliefs. The open-mindedness and genuine affectionate and humanity of our two protagonists was wonderful to travel with as a reader, and I found myself caring very much for their wellbeing. Aldo needs to wear a helmet more often in future!

While very different in setting and style, this reminded me of the Golden Age 'whodunnits'. The good and the bad, those you can sympathise with or feel anger rise when they simply enter the scene, and holding everything together is the detective and his aide. By the closing pages, Cesare and Saul felt like friends, and I was left with a sense of urgency to catch up with their lives prior to this before the sequel appears.

Hugely enjoyable and a definite recommend.

I was kindly sent an early copy of this book by the publisher, but the above opinions are entirely my own.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow of Madness sees Cesare Aldo back for his next murder mystery adventure, and the beautifully crafted story reminds me exactly why I love this series. This time the setting does a lot of the heavy lifting — the cold, snowbound hills above Florence create a claustrophobic, almost suffocating atmosphere as Aldo and his companion Saul Orvieto find themselves trapped by a storm. Their refuge, a hospital for the incurabile, run by nuns and monks, is eerie, unsettling, and utterly compelling as a place you really wouldn’t want to be stuck in any longer than necessary.

Of course, just as they’re preparing to descend the mountain and escape the snow, a murder is uncovered — and suddenly leaving is no longer an option. What follows is a tightly contained mystery as Aldo and Saul are forced to explore the hospital and its residents, peeling back layers of secrets, motives, and quiet desperation. Alongside the whodunnit, I really enjoyed how Aldo continues to uncover more about his own past. I particularly loved the ending.

(Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book).

[Jessica Gilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tense claustrophobic thriller. When your protagonist is travelling to somewhere gloomy and remote with the threat of snow overheard you know he isn't going to be leaving any time soon. And so it proves for Cesare Aldo and his secret lover Saul as they arrive at the Ospedale De'Pazzi. home to a handful of monks and nuns and inmates, incarcerated there due to madness. Aldo's official reason for visiting is an inspection on behalf of the duke but his real reason is much more personal. Ever since his stepmother taunted him about his parentage on her deathbed Aldo has been obsessed with finding out more about his mother, and he hopes the Ospedale holds the key. But his arrival is greeted with suspicion, the inhabitants have their own reasons for not wanting Aldo to access their records and as the snow falls ever harder it's clear that Aldo will need to stay for more than a few hours - and that's before the first body is found. It won't be the last.
Dark, twisty and full of the period details DV Bishop does so well this is a satisfying continuation of the Aldo series. Recommended.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

D V Bishop’s latest instalment is a gripping continuation that delivers both intrigue and atmosphere, with a welcome return of some familiar faces that long-time readers will appreciate. The story builds on the strengths of the series, placing the well loved protagonist, Cesare Aldo, at the centre of a tense and twisting investigation that feels both personal and perilous.

The pacing is strong throughout, with clues revealed at just the right moments to keep you guessing, and while the resolution is neatly tied up, almost, there are just enough lingering threads to leave you eager for the next book. A compelling and satisfying read that earns its four stars.

[Jannelies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth book in this delightful series with Cesare Aldo and I’ve given it five stars – again. I just cannot get enough of this character, the ‘interesting’ times he lives in, and the writing style. ‘Interesting’ times because life in Italy in 1540 was hard. Aldo is working for Cosimo de’Medici and at the same time trying to find out what happened to his mother, who supposedly died in childbirth. Now Aldo’s 43th birthday is very near and the trail leads him to a secluded place, where a small group of ‘incurabili’ is living with some monks and nuns caring for them.

It is winter 1540 and Aldo and his friend Saul Orvieto are arriving at the Ospedale de’ Pazzi with a letter from Cosimo that says he and Saul are there to inspect the Ospedale. Soon after their arrival the first murder occurs and from then on things go downhill very fast. A snowstorm prevents Aldo and Saul to leave, and within the next few days more murders follow. It is only a small group of people in the Ospedale, and most of them are the incurabili and they are locked up, so who is the killer? And could there perhaps be more than one?

The whole story is set at the Ospedale and everything happens within a few short days. It wasn’t very hard to see what was happening and why, but reading how Aldo and Saul solved it was fun. I loved the different characters (well, the good ones at least) and I’m happy to see that in the end, Aldo and Saul leave the Ospedale a bit wiser and with new hope for the future.

Thanks to PanMcMillan and Edelweiss for this review copy.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again a really gripping thriller featuring Aldo and Orviedo! Set in a dark ospedale/asylum contrasting with the blaring storm of snow outside the walls, this novel delves in an atmospheric murderous situation. Indeed, the darkness is not only found within the ospedale but also within souls and their secrets....
The characters are very convincing and I love Aldo's personality! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. This book is full of the usual murders, mysteries and Aldo sorting it all out. A great setting in the hospital and a great cast of interesting characters. Lots of looking back at what happened or was mentioned in previous books but this is a series best read in order to get the full character of Aldo. I liked the ending and especially the way it lead into the next book. I would hate this series to end. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the e-ARC to read and review.