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Near Death in Venice
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26‘I’m a seventy-three-year-old woman, Tristan; I am practically invisible. I’m exactly the sort of person you need to pull off this caper. Oh my God, I can’t believe I just used the word “caper” in a sentence referring to myself!’
Tristan Barclay, art historian, minor TV celebrity and Belvedere Tours leader, is reluctantly embarking on his final tour of European art and culture. But this will be no ordinary excursion to see the old masters – Tristan is secretly planning a ‘grand gesture’ of his own, one that will shock the world.
The only problem is, he can’t complete his mission alone, especially once a budding romance distracts him from his noble quest. Luckily, his tour group are eager to help – and find themselves caught up in a high-stakes heist where danger lurks around every ornate column …
Near Death in Venice is thrilling, hilarious and wildly entertaining.
Tristan Barclay, art historian, minor TV celebrity and Belvedere Tours leader, is reluctantly embarking on his final tour of European art and culture. But this will be no ordinary excursion to see the old masters – Tristan is secretly planning a ‘grand gesture’ of his own, one that will shock the world.
The only problem is, he can’t complete his mission alone, especially once a budding romance distracts him from his noble quest. Luckily, his tour group are eager to help – and find themselves caught up in a high-stakes heist where danger lurks around every ornate column …
Near Death in Venice is thrilling, hilarious and wildly entertaining.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you are a fan of Cosy Crime and want more of the Richard Osman Thursday Murder Club vibe Near Death In Venice might be just your book.
When Tristan is told the tour company he works for is "going in new directions" and he is surplus to requirements he decides that his mid-life crisis is going to include a statement the art world won't soon forget. The only problem is Tristan is more of an ideas-guy - the actual planning is not his forte. With that in mind he reveals his grand plan to his best friend Ali, a woman to whom planning in second nature. With one last ever tour of his favourite art museums in Europe and a call out to his most loyal fans Tristan is determined to carry out his audacious plan. Just as soon as he irons out all the details. Tristan is going to need a more than a little help from the most invisible of all accomplices - retired tourists who have a few tricks up their sleeves! However, there are more than a few holes in Tristan's plan - the biggest one being that maybe someone has gotten to his targets first? And that someone really does not want Tristan sticking his nose in to their art.
Tristan is a complicated character: on his tour groups he is effortlessly charming and has been doing his job for so long he is sleepwalking through it. His personal life is a bit of a disaster, he is in his forties, living pay to pay, and feeling like being a tour guide and knowing about classical art are his only skills. He thinks of grand ideas but lacks the follow through. There were moments when I was getting annoyed at his self-inflicted chaos, but he grew on me through the book. The supporting cast of characters are where this story really shines and I hope the author brings them back for another heist! Their enthusiasm for shenanigans is contagious. Sue and Clare are born to be art theives. Nigel has a mysterious past and will randomly drop wild lore on the group. Colin is just happy to be included. Overall, this is a fun read with a bit of armchair art tourism, a few crimes and a bit of near death escapades!
Jonathan Biggins is an Australian actor, satirist and writer for Good Weekend Magazine and the author of several plays. This book is his first venture into fiction.
When Tristan is told the tour company he works for is "going in new directions" and he is surplus to requirements he decides that his mid-life crisis is going to include a statement the art world won't soon forget. The only problem is Tristan is more of an ideas-guy - the actual planning is not his forte. With that in mind he reveals his grand plan to his best friend Ali, a woman to whom planning in second nature. With one last ever tour of his favourite art museums in Europe and a call out to his most loyal fans Tristan is determined to carry out his audacious plan. Just as soon as he irons out all the details. Tristan is going to need a more than a little help from the most invisible of all accomplices - retired tourists who have a few tricks up their sleeves! However, there are more than a few holes in Tristan's plan - the biggest one being that maybe someone has gotten to his targets first? And that someone really does not want Tristan sticking his nose in to their art.
Tristan is a complicated character: on his tour groups he is effortlessly charming and has been doing his job for so long he is sleepwalking through it. His personal life is a bit of a disaster, he is in his forties, living pay to pay, and feeling like being a tour guide and knowing about classical art are his only skills. He thinks of grand ideas but lacks the follow through. There were moments when I was getting annoyed at his self-inflicted chaos, but he grew on me through the book. The supporting cast of characters are where this story really shines and I hope the author brings them back for another heist! Their enthusiasm for shenanigans is contagious. Sue and Clare are born to be art theives. Nigel has a mysterious past and will randomly drop wild lore on the group. Colin is just happy to be included. Overall, this is a fun read with a bit of armchair art tourism, a few crimes and a bit of near death escapades!
Jonathan Biggins is an Australian actor, satirist and writer for Good Weekend Magazine and the author of several plays. This book is his first venture into fiction.
September 17, 2026
This was a confusing read. The title does not appear to fit the story at all. The original title, Ocean’s 55+, is more apt, though I can see why they changed it.
If you’re an art lover, this book is for you. There was a lot of art history which became a bit tedious and slow for someone with little art knowledge. The final plot point was a bit of a surprise, though lacked closure.
Overall, an enjoyable book that got a little bogged down in details.
If you’re an art lover, this book is for you. There was a lot of art history which became a bit tedious and slow for someone with little art knowledge. The final plot point was a bit of a surprise, though lacked closure.
Overall, an enjoyable book that got a little bogged down in details.
Review of advance copy
ARC Review
I have never heard of cozy crime but this sums up this book and I now feel it’s not the genre for me. I found the story to be very slow and all the art history to be very tedious, I found myself skim reading at times. On the back of the book it is described as thrilling, hilarious and wildly entertaining but I’m not sure which book they were describing. There was a little twist at the end but it wasn’t enough to save it for me.
I have never heard of cozy crime but this sums up this book and I now feel it’s not the genre for me. I found the story to be very slow and all the art history to be very tedious, I found myself skim reading at times. On the back of the book it is described as thrilling, hilarious and wildly entertaining but I’m not sure which book they were describing. There was a little twist at the end but it wasn’t enough to save it for me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews