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Venetian Mystery #4
The Devil in Dorsoduro: An atmospheric Venetian murder mystery
In Venice, the beauty hides secrets that are steeped in darkness.
It's August, and the city is melting under the heat. As locals flee for Ferragosto, retired archivist Arnold Clover plans to enjoy the rare silence – until his friend in the Carabinieri asks him to check on an elderly English woman. He expects little more than locked shutters and unanswered letters. Instead, he finds her dead inside her remote and faded mansion— surrounded by strange symbols and ritualistic objects that suggest her interests ran far deeper than history books.
Left with nothing but unanswered questions, and the woman's devoted dachshund, Bruno, Arnold is drawn into a shadowy world beneath Venice's postcard beauty and begins to ask questions. Between bookshops, cafés and walks along the canals, he peels back the layers of his mysterious old friend's life — and discovers a Venice few tourists ever see. A city where old beliefs linger, alchemy and folklore are taken seriously and powerful figures hide dangerous secrets.
As rumours spread, Arnold realises this murder was no isolated tragedy. Someone wanted the woman silenced. And now, as he follows the trail, is he putting his own life in danger?
The Devil in Dorsoduro is a stylish and suspenseful European crime novel filled with atmosphere and intrigue, perfect for fans of Donna Leon and Philip Gwynne Jones.
"If you like your crime fiction smart, absorbing and full of surprises The Devil in Dorsoduro is definitely the book for you. Old Venetian sins clash with the stark reality of a very modern crime amid the canals and palazzos of one of the most romantic and intriguing cities in the world. Arnold Clover, David Hewson's clever British ex-pat, knows Venice well and leads us not only into the city's less than fragrant underbelly but also back into a past that is both little known and magical. I was entranced." – Award-winning author Barbara Nadel
It's August, and the city is melting under the heat. As locals flee for Ferragosto, retired archivist Arnold Clover plans to enjoy the rare silence – until his friend in the Carabinieri asks him to check on an elderly English woman. He expects little more than locked shutters and unanswered letters. Instead, he finds her dead inside her remote and faded mansion— surrounded by strange symbols and ritualistic objects that suggest her interests ran far deeper than history books.
Left with nothing but unanswered questions, and the woman's devoted dachshund, Bruno, Arnold is drawn into a shadowy world beneath Venice's postcard beauty and begins to ask questions. Between bookshops, cafés and walks along the canals, he peels back the layers of his mysterious old friend's life — and discovers a Venice few tourists ever see. A city where old beliefs linger, alchemy and folklore are taken seriously and powerful figures hide dangerous secrets.
As rumours spread, Arnold realises this murder was no isolated tragedy. Someone wanted the woman silenced. And now, as he follows the trail, is he putting his own life in danger?
The Devil in Dorsoduro is a stylish and suspenseful European crime novel filled with atmosphere and intrigue, perfect for fans of Donna Leon and Philip Gwynne Jones.
"If you like your crime fiction smart, absorbing and full of surprises The Devil in Dorsoduro is definitely the book for you. Old Venetian sins clash with the stark reality of a very modern crime amid the canals and palazzos of one of the most romantic and intriguing cities in the world. Arnold Clover, David Hewson's clever British ex-pat, knows Venice well and leads us not only into the city's less than fragrant underbelly but also back into a past that is both little known and magical. I was entranced." – Award-winning author Barbara Nadel
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
David Hewson
116 books532 followersDAVID HEWSON was born in Yorkshire in 1953. His books range from the Nic Costa series set in Italy to adaptations of The Killing in Copenhagen and the Pieter Vos series in Amsterdam.
He's adapted Shakespeare for Audible and in 2018 won the Audie for best original work for Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, narrated by Richard Armitage.
2019 sees the release of a new, full-cast Audible drama set in New York, Last Seen Wearing, and a standalone novel set in the Faroe Islands, Devil's Fjord.
Series:
Nic Costa
Pieter Vos
The Killing
He's adapted Shakespeare for Audible and in 2018 won the Audie for best original work for Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, narrated by Richard Armitage.
2019 sees the release of a new, full-cast Audible drama set in New York, Last Seen Wearing, and a standalone novel set in the Faroe Islands, Devil's Fjord.
Series:
Nic Costa
Pieter Vos
The Killing
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Arnold has been earning a little extra cash helping an elderly ex-pat Celia Monteith. When Carabinieri Captaino Valentina Fabbri contacts him, enquiring if he has Celia’s keys he is a little puzzled, but heads over to meet her. Celia’s dog Bruno is upset and loose and through the locked gates they can see the door ajar. Further investigation reveals Celia dead in unusual circumstances.
Celia was an active woman and keen to help others, but there is a hidden side to her that is slowly revealed. She had secret rooms at her home, where she manufactured cosmetics and carried out pagan rituals with her coven of four friends. Celia was also on the trail of an ancient book of alchemy. This it turns out is merely the beginning of the revelations of secret life being lived in full view.
Bruno takes Arnold for several walks sticking to his routine. Celia and Bruno had a regular series of visits around the city, so inadvertently the endearing canine reveals Ceila’s week, day by day, giving Arnold more insight into this mysterious woman’s life.
Arnold is the amateur detective, drawn into and then meddling in Valentina’s cases. Vacillating between help and interference, theirs is a curious relationship that has developed into true friendship of the kind where they cannot fall out for long, everything is forgiven. Her former boss Ugo says Arnold is a gifted amateur, who is helpful because he doesn’t think like a cop. Arnold brings his unique skills and attention to detail to the mystery presented. He is also considerate and caring, unusual for such an introvert.
Story is complex, tightly plotted and comes together beautifully at the finale. As ever a renaissance story is woven within, in this case Giordano Bruno a polymath with an interest in alchemy. It’s an absorbing cerebral mystery to be cracked, Arnold is not a man of action, but he’s always a step ahead of the reader. It takes in organised crime, with Arnold prying into the business of one gang boss who terrifies ex-pat tabloid hack Alf Lascelles. He uses his unassuming charm to safely navigate the dangers presented, even giving some the benefit of the doubt and the belief that people can change. This is a story about accepting people and situations as they are.
Much of the joy is found in the setting, the city of Venice. The reader sees Arnold settle into the real Venice, absorbing the way of life of its inhabitants and the culture of the city. Now he is a man who goes to local cafés for breakfast, a coffee and a cornetto (a croissant like pastry not an ice-cream) absorbing what the day has to bring. He is now part of the city as remarked upon towards the end of the story, he may leave the city, but the city will never leave him.
A wonderfully enthralling murder mystery, cleverly pieced together and written with warmth and affection for Venice and its inhabitants.
Celia was an active woman and keen to help others, but there is a hidden side to her that is slowly revealed. She had secret rooms at her home, where she manufactured cosmetics and carried out pagan rituals with her coven of four friends. Celia was also on the trail of an ancient book of alchemy. This it turns out is merely the beginning of the revelations of secret life being lived in full view.
Bruno takes Arnold for several walks sticking to his routine. Celia and Bruno had a regular series of visits around the city, so inadvertently the endearing canine reveals Ceila’s week, day by day, giving Arnold more insight into this mysterious woman’s life.
Arnold is the amateur detective, drawn into and then meddling in Valentina’s cases. Vacillating between help and interference, theirs is a curious relationship that has developed into true friendship of the kind where they cannot fall out for long, everything is forgiven. Her former boss Ugo says Arnold is a gifted amateur, who is helpful because he doesn’t think like a cop. Arnold brings his unique skills and attention to detail to the mystery presented. He is also considerate and caring, unusual for such an introvert.
Story is complex, tightly plotted and comes together beautifully at the finale. As ever a renaissance story is woven within, in this case Giordano Bruno a polymath with an interest in alchemy. It’s an absorbing cerebral mystery to be cracked, Arnold is not a man of action, but he’s always a step ahead of the reader. It takes in organised crime, with Arnold prying into the business of one gang boss who terrifies ex-pat tabloid hack Alf Lascelles. He uses his unassuming charm to safely navigate the dangers presented, even giving some the benefit of the doubt and the belief that people can change. This is a story about accepting people and situations as they are.
Much of the joy is found in the setting, the city of Venice. The reader sees Arnold settle into the real Venice, absorbing the way of life of its inhabitants and the culture of the city. Now he is a man who goes to local cafés for breakfast, a coffee and a cornetto (a croissant like pastry not an ice-cream) absorbing what the day has to bring. He is now part of the city as remarked upon towards the end of the story, he may leave the city, but the city will never leave him.
A wonderfully enthralling murder mystery, cleverly pieced together and written with warmth and affection for Venice and its inhabitants.
May 11, 2026
English ex-pat Arnold Clover is looking forward to spending some time alone in Venice in mid-August, when most of the population decamps to cooler climes. He is intrigued by a new friend, Celia Monteith, an elderly woman for whom he carries out various small jobs such as walking her dog Bruno or picking up groceries. When Celia is found dead in her large mansion, it is initially assumed that a heart attack took her life, but soon Arnold learns that the death is far more suspicious than that. Being who he is, of course Arnold must start investigating, trying to understand just who Celia was, a task that proves to involve many, many layers…. This is the fourth book in the Venetian mystery series, and like its predecessors, it features a gradual unraveling of secrets, each leading to yet more secrets until finally Arnold is able to piece together the whole picture. Arnold is a fascinating character, and his thought processes are a delight to follow - as a retired archivist, he has a natural curiosity paired with an intuition that leads him to unexpected conclusions which, of course, generally turn out to be correct no matter how unlikely they seem. It is probably best to start with the first of the series (The Medici Murders); the whole series is recommended.
Review of advance copy
I enjoyed this book very much, though it didn’t totally grip me. Perhaps I was distracted by other things, with it being Easter. The characters and scenario were certainly different and interesting. I would like to have known more about Arnold’s background and past life, which must surely have been covered in an earlier book. Celia was a fascinating woman, kind, caring and considerate and far from being any sort of villain. However, she had a strange fascination with witchcraft and a long dead priest, who was executed for heresy. She was an enigma. What was the source of her wealth and who were her family? What was the hold she had over her “coven”, the three or four women who seemed to be under her spell? If only the little dog, Bruno, could talk. The dog could, however, and did, guide Arnold towards Celia’s favourite haunts, and, in doing so, set him on a journey of discovery. Intriguing and well written. A book that I definitely do recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I really enjoyed this. It's a slow-paced read, perfect in keeping in tandem with a sweltering Venice during summer. Arnold gets involved when an older lady who he used to assist from time to time, is found dead. It's deemed a suicide and it then transpires that her hobbies were somewhat unusual. Some cohorts of hers are then found dead but nothing is as cut and dried as it seems.
I liked how Arnold and his new dog find themselves slowly gather more and more information around the enigmatic Celia Monteith, and especially how he finds himself at odds with his friends in the Carabineri. The reveal was a nice surprise and there's even time for a total twist later which totally blindsided me. I look forward to seeing what Arnold gets involved in next.
I liked how Arnold and his new dog find themselves slowly gather more and more information around the enigmatic Celia Monteith, and especially how he finds himself at odds with his friends in the Carabineri. The reveal was a nice surprise and there's even time for a total twist later which totally blindsided me. I look forward to seeing what Arnold gets involved in next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As all the deeds are done in Venice, it is quite a complex tale, and a lot of Venetian names, which can be quite hard to pronounce, and I guess the author is quite familiar with Venice.
All is not as it should be, and Arnold, now a temporary dog owner, who has taken out on some occasions for Celia as she has a few health problems, now has to play amateur detective, as he finds Celia in a secret room, dead, dressed in nothing but a shroud. It certainly is not as it seems.
The geography is very good, but I think it could have been cut back a bit, as some of the scenery is not relevant.
It's very different to what I am used to, but it is well done and very informative.
I would like to thank Bloodhound Books for an ARC copy, and as per usual, my personal take on this book.
All is not as it should be, and Arnold, now a temporary dog owner, who has taken out on some occasions for Celia as she has a few health problems, now has to play amateur detective, as he finds Celia in a secret room, dead, dressed in nothing but a shroud. It certainly is not as it seems.
The geography is very good, but I think it could have been cut back a bit, as some of the scenery is not relevant.
It's very different to what I am used to, but it is well done and very informative.
I would like to thank Bloodhound Books for an ARC copy, and as per usual, my personal take on this book.
May 8, 2026
Once again David Hewson delivers a novel that gripped me from the very first page to the last.
The plot is particularly compelling - innovative and original - and full of intrigue and suspense. It's much more than a whodunit in so many ways.
Venice provides a colourful and enchanting backdrop but the author takes one behind the busy tourist facade to the dark underbelly where danger lurks in the shadows.
Arnold is a great amateur sleuth and Bruno a very faithful sidekick - every bit as good as Agatha Christie's 'Dumb Witness'.
Celia and her coven are fabulous creations. I loved all the twists and turns in the plot and the secrets and lies.
An absolute joy to read.
The plot is particularly compelling - innovative and original - and full of intrigue and suspense. It's much more than a whodunit in so many ways.
Venice provides a colourful and enchanting backdrop but the author takes one behind the busy tourist facade to the dark underbelly where danger lurks in the shadows.
Arnold is a great amateur sleuth and Bruno a very faithful sidekick - every bit as good as Agatha Christie's 'Dumb Witness'.
Celia and her coven are fabulous creations. I loved all the twists and turns in the plot and the secrets and lies.
An absolute joy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn into it immediately and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading.
It is a wonderful mystery with lots of twists and turns whilst wandering the streets and piazzas of Venice in wonderful company.
The characters are well written and interesting and the descriptions of people and places are vivid.
I thought I'd had a breakthrough and "got" the book early on. How wrong I was! The twists come right to the end.
I am so pleased I found this book thanks to a Bloodhound Books ARC.
It is a wonderful mystery with lots of twists and turns whilst wandering the streets and piazzas of Venice in wonderful company.
The characters are well written and interesting and the descriptions of people and places are vivid.
I thought I'd had a breakthrough and "got" the book early on. How wrong I was! The twists come right to the end.
I am so pleased I found this book thanks to a Bloodhound Books ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Celia, an elderly lady dies in Venice in suspicious circumstances, her friend Arthur takes in her dachshund, Bruno and together they start to investigate her death. The book is set in Venice and the setting is well described by David Henson. The characters in the book are well rounded, the pace of the book is perfect and the story is full of intrigue.
A really good read.
A really good read.
May 19, 2026
Another excellent Arnold Clover mystery. This time he has the cutest dachshund, Bruno, as his side kick as he is plunged into the world of the occult - or is it? Organised Crime, drugs and even explosions in this one and then a twist at the end that had me crossing my fingers. If you like learning about history, Venice and ruthless criminals, you will not fail to love this book.
Review of advance copy
This book was a little slow at the beginning but I really enjoyed this story! It had a lot of twists and turns! The twists and turns make it so enjoyable to read! Read it in one day and it was very well written!
New author to me
New author to me
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another excellent book from David Hewson. This one is an excellent story with a few twists and turns to keep you guessing. A bit of mystery and a bit of history. It really captures the atmosphere of Venice and was a very enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy
This book is very complex and is a very slow burner . I found the characters complex and at times hard to fathom . It is set in Venice and we meet Arnold who with his dog tries to investigate a murder.
I found the twist good it took me by surprise .
I found the twist good it took me by surprise .
May 10, 2026
This was a slow burn but worked well. I loved how Venice became one of the characters. It wasnt just the touristy bits but the real Venice and the cafe watching etc. It kept me fully engrossed and has made me want to go to Venice to explore more. I love that in a book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Review to come soon x
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews