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Venetian Blood: Murder in a Sensuous City
Struggling to forget a crumbling marriage, forty-year-old Anna Lucia Lottol comes to Venice to visit an old friend--but instead of finding solace, she is dragged into the police station and accused of murdering a money-laundering count with whom she had a brief affair. A US Treasury officer with brains and athleticism, Anna fights to clear her name in a seductive city full of watery illusions. As she works to pry information from a cast of recalcitrant characters sometimes denying what she sees and hears, she succeeds in unleashing a powerful foe bent on destroying her. Will she save herself and vanquish her enemies, including her darkest fears? A captivating tapestry of murder, betrayal, and family, Venetian Blood is a story of one woman's brave quest for the truth --before it's too late.
344 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2017
11 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Christine Evelyn Volker
1 book14 followersChristine Evelyn Volker became intrigued by foreign cultures at an early age, which motivated her to study Spanish, German, and Italian.
After earning an MLS and an MBA, she was drawn to international banking and worked as a senior vice president at a global financial institution. Her career brought her to Italy, where she immersed herself in the language and made frequent visits to Venice. Venetian Blood marks a return to her roots in the humanities and won the Sarton Women's Book Award in contemporary fiction, along with two others and was short-listed/a finalist in seven additional competitions. The audiobook, narrated by award-winning "virtuoso" Gabrielle de Cuir, garnered a strong AudioFile Magazine review and is available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.
A native New Yorker, she resides with her husband in Vancouver Island and Northern California. Exploring both tame and wild places around the world, she is currently at work on her second international mystery, this one set in California, along with Peru's Amazon rainforest. An excerpt became a finalist at the 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference writing contest.
After earning an MLS and an MBA, she was drawn to international banking and worked as a senior vice president at a global financial institution. Her career brought her to Italy, where she immersed herself in the language and made frequent visits to Venice. Venetian Blood marks a return to her roots in the humanities and won the Sarton Women's Book Award in contemporary fiction, along with two others and was short-listed/a finalist in seven additional competitions. The audiobook, narrated by award-winning "virtuoso" Gabrielle de Cuir, garnered a strong AudioFile Magazine review and is available on Amazon, Audible and iTunes.
A native New Yorker, she resides with her husband in Vancouver Island and Northern California. Exploring both tame and wild places around the world, she is currently at work on her second international mystery, this one set in California, along with Peru's Amazon rainforest. An excerpt became a finalist at the 2018 San Francisco Writers Conference writing contest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 16, 2019
Mystery set in VENICE (travel to the city for the price of a book)
“Venice… consisted of communal living in a maze of little alleys..”
As her marriage is virtually at an end, Anna Lucia Lottol has come to Venice for a bit of diversion and TLC, and to spend time with her friend Margo. She has been struggling for some time with a great deal of loss and death in her life (particularly the passing of her beloved grandparents) and now her marriage is perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.
As she arrives in Venice at Santa Lucia Station, she is immediately picked up by the police. She matches the description of a woman leaving a murder scene….
Count Sergio Corrin, banker, philanthropist and man about town (as well as money launderer, it seems) was attending a masked ball to raise funds for the twice stolen painting by Giovanni Bellini…and the perpetrator stabbed him to death there and then. Anna has to keep her counsel, as, just a few months ago, she had a brief affair with him. She worries that if she admits to this, she will appear as the woman spurned and perhaps be perceived as having a motive for bringing about his death. Had she known, however, what a reprobate he actually was, she would in all likelihood have given him a wide berth. Hindsight is a great thing.
And quite how above board is Count Corrin’s boutique investment bank, Banco Saturno, investing funds for the rich and famous?
Keeping her cards close to her chest, she needs to unravel the mystery of his death so she can save her own skin. She calls on help from her office back in the States as she is a US Treasury official. However there are forces at work that want to prevent her uncovering anything
The depiction of Venice in this novel is a wonderful example of literary wanderlust, the feeling of the lagoon city – often quite other-worldly – is colourfully and eerily rendered. The text is peppered with Italian which gives the whole narrative a really authentic feel and of course there is a chapter set at Caffè Florian, THE cafe of Venice. The author’s knowledge of Venice is palpable. She also has an engaging writing style that maintains a good pace. So if you love Venice, then transport yourself to the city via top fiction!
“Venice… consisted of communal living in a maze of little alleys..”
As her marriage is virtually at an end, Anna Lucia Lottol has come to Venice for a bit of diversion and TLC, and to spend time with her friend Margo. She has been struggling for some time with a great deal of loss and death in her life (particularly the passing of her beloved grandparents) and now her marriage is perhaps just the tip of the iceberg.
As she arrives in Venice at Santa Lucia Station, she is immediately picked up by the police. She matches the description of a woman leaving a murder scene….
Count Sergio Corrin, banker, philanthropist and man about town (as well as money launderer, it seems) was attending a masked ball to raise funds for the twice stolen painting by Giovanni Bellini…and the perpetrator stabbed him to death there and then. Anna has to keep her counsel, as, just a few months ago, she had a brief affair with him. She worries that if she admits to this, she will appear as the woman spurned and perhaps be perceived as having a motive for bringing about his death. Had she known, however, what a reprobate he actually was, she would in all likelihood have given him a wide berth. Hindsight is a great thing.
And quite how above board is Count Corrin’s boutique investment bank, Banco Saturno, investing funds for the rich and famous?
Keeping her cards close to her chest, she needs to unravel the mystery of his death so she can save her own skin. She calls on help from her office back in the States as she is a US Treasury official. However there are forces at work that want to prevent her uncovering anything
The depiction of Venice in this novel is a wonderful example of literary wanderlust, the feeling of the lagoon city – often quite other-worldly – is colourfully and eerily rendered. The text is peppered with Italian which gives the whole narrative a really authentic feel and of course there is a chapter set at Caffè Florian, THE cafe of Venice. The author’s knowledge of Venice is palpable. She also has an engaging writing style that maintains a good pace. So if you love Venice, then transport yourself to the city via top fiction!
November 26, 2018
Intriguing, dark mystery set in Venice and involving Anna, who works for the US Government on cases of money-laundering. She's being blackmailed--she had an unfortunate affair--by a suspect, who is murdered--and she becomes the chief suspect. She's smart and resourceful and decides to investigate on her own to discover the financial crimes and clear her name. While the story starts with a bang--the murder of the man--it slows considerably as the investigation is carried out, and Anna, with family ties to Venice, tries to sort out her own family history; interesting characters leave questions of whom to trust, and secondary characters are also well-depicted; open ending (and many loose ends tied up fairly quickly), lots of issues from her job troubles with a jealous boss to art, smuggling, and killing for ivory; strong sense of place, as Venice is elaborately described in rather flowery language; emotion-filled narration with danger and building suspense; atmospheric (she's stalked through dark streets), dramatic, gritty, menacing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2017
A few months ago I spent a few wonderful days in Venice so when I saw this book I was immediately attracted by its setting. Having wandered along some of its streets and beside its canals (staying off the main tourist drag and once all the cruise ships have departed for the evening), I can certainly understand why the author hit upon Venice as a suitable location for murder!
The atmosphere of this wonderful city is convincingly evoked. From its network of narrow streets, punctuated every now and again by small bridges over quiet canals with the occasional gondola passing by, to the hustle and bustle of the main piazzas, to the Grand Canal with its constant stream of vaporettos and ferries, to the faded grandeur of its palazzos and the very different atmosphere of the outlying islands.
The author creates a picture of an insular, closely connected community where just about everyone seems to know everyone else’s goings on, including relationships of a financial and (often illicit) romantic nature – the book’s subtitle Murder in a Sensuous City is well-earned. However this does mean there is only a small cast of characters for the reader to get to know – and suspect!
Initially suspected of the murder of the Count, Anna sets out to clear her name but, as she gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in danger. Furthermore, traumatic memories from her past start to surface, threatening her hold on reality. Soon Anna finds herself in the centre of a complex web of intrigue, wondering who she can really trust.
As the book progresses, it becomes clear that the murder of the Count may be rooted in past secrets, family tragedies and a desire for revenge as well as more modern day concerns. Like the doges of old, Venetians such as Alessando, descended from the noble families of earlier times, seek to exert power and influence just as eagerly as they seek to restore and preserve ancient Venice. This provides an interesting contrast of past and present, sacred and profane.
The plot is as labyrinthine as the back streets of Venice and at points I found myself wishing for a whiteboard like the one used by our heroine, Anna, to map out the financial connections that form part of the story. I will admit to getting slightly lost with the latter (as unlike the author I don’t have a background in international banking). I suspected just about everyone at some point and willingly admit I did not unravel the solution before it was revealed.
If you know Venice and enjoy a deliciously intricate murder mystery, then this is the book for you. I loved spotting places I’d visited and I was thrilled when at one point something happened very near the hotel where I stayed. If you’ve never visited Venice, Venetian Blood would be the perfect introduction to the city – or, even better, the perfect excuse to plan a visit.
The atmosphere of this wonderful city is convincingly evoked. From its network of narrow streets, punctuated every now and again by small bridges over quiet canals with the occasional gondola passing by, to the hustle and bustle of the main piazzas, to the Grand Canal with its constant stream of vaporettos and ferries, to the faded grandeur of its palazzos and the very different atmosphere of the outlying islands.
The author creates a picture of an insular, closely connected community where just about everyone seems to know everyone else’s goings on, including relationships of a financial and (often illicit) romantic nature – the book’s subtitle Murder in a Sensuous City is well-earned. However this does mean there is only a small cast of characters for the reader to get to know – and suspect!
Initially suspected of the murder of the Count, Anna sets out to clear her name but, as she gets closer to the truth, she finds herself in danger. Furthermore, traumatic memories from her past start to surface, threatening her hold on reality. Soon Anna finds herself in the centre of a complex web of intrigue, wondering who she can really trust.
As the book progresses, it becomes clear that the murder of the Count may be rooted in past secrets, family tragedies and a desire for revenge as well as more modern day concerns. Like the doges of old, Venetians such as Alessando, descended from the noble families of earlier times, seek to exert power and influence just as eagerly as they seek to restore and preserve ancient Venice. This provides an interesting contrast of past and present, sacred and profane.
The plot is as labyrinthine as the back streets of Venice and at points I found myself wishing for a whiteboard like the one used by our heroine, Anna, to map out the financial connections that form part of the story. I will admit to getting slightly lost with the latter (as unlike the author I don’t have a background in international banking). I suspected just about everyone at some point and willingly admit I did not unravel the solution before it was revealed.
If you know Venice and enjoy a deliciously intricate murder mystery, then this is the book for you. I loved spotting places I’d visited and I was thrilled when at one point something happened very near the hotel where I stayed. If you’ve never visited Venice, Venetian Blood would be the perfect introduction to the city – or, even better, the perfect excuse to plan a visit.
December 15, 2020
This is the first time, I'm reading this author and I must say, I really enjoyed the book. The slow and treacherous story had me hooked.
The descriptions of Venice is simply phenomenal. It felt like I was there and experiencing it all.
Apart from the mystery/suspense factor, I loved the fact that the heroine is a 40 year old woman. It's so good to read about women in their late 30s or 40s. Anna was a good heroine and she tackled everything with a grace. Really enjoyed this book.
I was provided a copy of the book by the author through Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.
The descriptions of Venice is simply phenomenal. It felt like I was there and experiencing it all.
Apart from the mystery/suspense factor, I loved the fact that the heroine is a 40 year old woman. It's so good to read about women in their late 30s or 40s. Anna was a good heroine and she tackled everything with a grace. Really enjoyed this book.
I was provided a copy of the book by the author through Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2021
This is my first outing with this author. And I must say I was quite impressed.
The Descriptions of Venice were spot on as I have visited several times.
It stars of slow but trust me when I say stick with it. It develops into this crazy rollercoaster ride. It deals with murder, love and revenge.
Enjoy!
The Descriptions of Venice were spot on as I have visited several times.
It stars of slow but trust me when I say stick with it. It develops into this crazy rollercoaster ride. It deals with murder, love and revenge.
Enjoy!
Did not finish
November 11, 2020Dnfing @ 20-25%. I really enjoyed the narration but the story is taking too long to unfold. Nothing exciting is happening and the plot isn’t coinciding with the synopsis and, quite plainly, it just isn’t holding my interest.
I’d like to revisit later as I think this has potential!
I’d like to revisit later as I think this has potential!
March 23, 2020
An exceptional book. Well written and keeps you guessing until the very end. The first book I've listened to by this author. But, it won't be the last.
October 7, 2020
Venetian Blood was a crazy rollercoaster ride of a story that deals with love, murder, and revenge.
It’s set in Venice, Italy...one of my favorite places in the world. ☺️. The author does a fantastic with job with her description of the city and implementing its culture and history into the story. You actually feel like you’ve been transported to “The Floating City”.
The story itself starts off great, but it gets a little bogged down with the introduction of additional characters and their stories. It’s not terrible and it doesn’t take away from the overall plot and climax, but it does tend to draw the story out. I’m rating this a 3.5, but because of my love for Venice and how beautifully it was portrayed I’m rounding up to 4.
It’s set in Venice, Italy...one of my favorite places in the world. ☺️. The author does a fantastic with job with her description of the city and implementing its culture and history into the story. You actually feel like you’ve been transported to “The Floating City”.
The story itself starts off great, but it gets a little bogged down with the introduction of additional characters and their stories. It’s not terrible and it doesn’t take away from the overall plot and climax, but it does tend to draw the story out. I’m rating this a 3.5, but because of my love for Venice and how beautifully it was portrayed I’m rounding up to 4.
December 11, 2020
Hi Everyone! :D
First things first I want to thank Booktasters and Christine Evelyn Volker for allowing me the opportunity to review this book! Full disclosure: I was granted a free copy of the book for this review.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir. I would highly recommend it if you prefer audio books to ereaders or print. I am a fan of books in all forms, and de Cuir's ability to have the correct different accents for each character was amazing and really took the storytelling to the next level! I'm on the look out for other things narrated by de Cuir because I enjoyed her so much!
This is a great escapist murder mystery, in an exotic locale that I believe most people would kill to visit. However the protagonist, Anna Lucia Lottol, maybe visited and did kill? That is the premise of the story. Anna is a 40 something trying to move on with her personal life from a drawn out divorce from her college sweetheart. She decides to visit Venice, a city she has always felt drawn to. While overseas she is contacted by the just too charming Venetian Count she had an affair with the year before. He blackmails her to help him through her US Treasury connections. Later that night he is found murdered at a charity benefit he was hosting. The next day Anna, who's been identified as a woman fleeing the scene, is dragged into the Italian police. That's just the first two chapters! The rest of the book maintains that same level of tension, with Anna searching for answers to more than just one death.
I greatly enjoyed the setting of the story and the characters created by Volker. Having never visited Venice I cannot say how true her descriptions of it are. I do hope they're close, because I want to visit her vision of it! I believe that other readers will be able to identify with at least one of her characters as well, and/or see parts of their friends/family/loved ones in the other characters too. They each had their own motivations and desires, and weren't just flat two-dimensional archetypes.
Having said that, I don't believe that I'm the intended audience. I get the sense that if I read/listened to this in another 10-15 yrs I would be able to relate to Anna more. I do believe that a lot of her struggles are shared by many, and so I appreciate that they are broached in this novel. Nonetheless, for me personally, I found my inability to empathize with Anna a barrier to enjoying her as the narrator. The one struggle of Anna's that I was least empathetic towards was her feelings of failure and incompleteness at not being able to have children with her husband, even with IVF. As a woman who has had reproductive issues since a torsed ovary at 7, I have known that I will/would always have problems with fertility later. Granted, at 7 I was not thinking about having children, so I just grew up assuming I would never have any. I recognize that this may not be a common thought with other people. But, now as an adult, married to a wonderful person who does want children, I am still annoyed/frustrated/sad/disappointed that at a couple points Anna reduced herself (an amazingly brilliant woman who could have pursued a Phd in Astrophysics and/or Mathematics) to her inability to bear children.
Finally, there is one major plotline that I feel was supposed to be a major plot twist, not revealed until the very end of the book. I did guess this plot twist fairly early on while listening. Once it was finally revealed, though written as an emotionally charged and powerful moment between all the characters, I found myself annoyed that Anna herself had not put the pieces together sooner.
Thank you again to Booktasters and Christine Evelyn Volker!
First things first I want to thank Booktasters and Christine Evelyn Volker for allowing me the opportunity to review this book! Full disclosure: I was granted a free copy of the book for this review.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Gabrielle de Cuir. I would highly recommend it if you prefer audio books to ereaders or print. I am a fan of books in all forms, and de Cuir's ability to have the correct different accents for each character was amazing and really took the storytelling to the next level! I'm on the look out for other things narrated by de Cuir because I enjoyed her so much!
This is a great escapist murder mystery, in an exotic locale that I believe most people would kill to visit. However the protagonist, Anna Lucia Lottol, maybe visited and did kill? That is the premise of the story. Anna is a 40 something trying to move on with her personal life from a drawn out divorce from her college sweetheart. She decides to visit Venice, a city she has always felt drawn to. While overseas she is contacted by the just too charming Venetian Count she had an affair with the year before. He blackmails her to help him through her US Treasury connections. Later that night he is found murdered at a charity benefit he was hosting. The next day Anna, who's been identified as a woman fleeing the scene, is dragged into the Italian police. That's just the first two chapters! The rest of the book maintains that same level of tension, with Anna searching for answers to more than just one death.
I greatly enjoyed the setting of the story and the characters created by Volker. Having never visited Venice I cannot say how true her descriptions of it are. I do hope they're close, because I want to visit her vision of it! I believe that other readers will be able to identify with at least one of her characters as well, and/or see parts of their friends/family/loved ones in the other characters too. They each had their own motivations and desires, and weren't just flat two-dimensional archetypes.
Having said that, I don't believe that I'm the intended audience. I get the sense that if I read/listened to this in another 10-15 yrs I would be able to relate to Anna more. I do believe that a lot of her struggles are shared by many, and so I appreciate that they are broached in this novel. Nonetheless, for me personally, I found my inability to empathize with Anna a barrier to enjoying her as the narrator. The one struggle of Anna's that I was least empathetic towards was her feelings of failure and incompleteness at not being able to have children with her husband, even with IVF. As a woman who has had reproductive issues since a torsed ovary at 7, I have known that I will/would always have problems with fertility later. Granted, at 7 I was not thinking about having children, so I just grew up assuming I would never have any. I recognize that this may not be a common thought with other people. But, now as an adult, married to a wonderful person who does want children, I am still annoyed/frustrated/sad/disappointed that at a couple points Anna reduced herself (an amazingly brilliant woman who could have pursued a Phd in Astrophysics and/or Mathematics) to her inability to bear children.
Finally, there is one major plotline that I feel was supposed to be a major plot twist, not revealed until the very end of the book. I did guess this plot twist fairly early on while listening. Once it was finally revealed, though written as an emotionally charged and powerful moment between all the characters, I found myself annoyed that Anna herself had not put the pieces together sooner.
Thank you again to Booktasters and Christine Evelyn Volker!
June 12, 2018
Venetian Blood does the setting justice. I really felt transported to modern Venice and it was done so well. There were no large info dumps but rather small little things scattered throughout the tale showing me what an average day was like in Venice for Anna and her friends.
I also really like Anna’s character. She’s smart, loves her job, and also has some life behind her. She’s 40, heading into a divorce, no kids, and perhaps wondering if she wants a change in her life or not. While I like that she has a degree in astrophysics, I never quite figured out how she ended up working in an office crunching numbers for the US Treasury. Numbers are neat but analyzing radio waves from distant stars sounds awesome! So, yeah, that was a quirk about Anna that I didn’t quite get but then I also know people who got degrees in one area and ended up working in a totally different field. So perhaps that just makes her more human.
Anna has a few friends in Venice, which is good because she has at least one enemy. I did find Margo a little annoying, especially how loose lipped she was about Anna’s business. Then there was Angela, Margo’s pregnant cousin. Angela doesn’t really appreciate the beauty and history she’s surrounded by in Venice.
Even though Detective Biondi is a bit hard on Anna I still liked him. After all, Anna starts off by lying to him and that can tick anyone off in the best of situations. Biondi suspects Anna of murdering a philandering Count Sergio. He’s well known in the art world and also well known for his wandering eye. Unfortunately Anna didn’t check him out before getting to know him and now she regrets that.
I did find Anna’s part in the mystery to be rather sloppy. She lies to Biondi about things that are easy enough for him to check up on and she’s honest with others about her whereabouts that night, which leaves yet another route for Biondi to check up on her. So, yeah, Anna – what were you thinking? No wonder Biondi wants you for this murder.
There’s a little romance in the tale and some action. Considering Anna’s latest fail in having a fling, I was surprised that she was letting herself wander into another one. Again, it seems that Anna isn’t using all her brain cells. Sometimes, I liked this about her because it made her human. Sometimes, I wanted to give her a little smack upside the head.
In the end, it’s the setting that really shines through. Venice herself is the true star of this story. The murder mystery was decent, Anna was likable and approachable, and the side characters were a colorful bunch. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Gabrielle de Cuir gave us a most excellent performance with this narration. There is plenty of Italian throughout this story and it was all well pronounced along with plenty of characters with Italian accents. Her male characters sounded masculine and all the characters were distinct. I also appreciated her various US and UK accents, South American accent, etc. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Christine Evelyn Volker. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I also really like Anna’s character. She’s smart, loves her job, and also has some life behind her. She’s 40, heading into a divorce, no kids, and perhaps wondering if she wants a change in her life or not. While I like that she has a degree in astrophysics, I never quite figured out how she ended up working in an office crunching numbers for the US Treasury. Numbers are neat but analyzing radio waves from distant stars sounds awesome! So, yeah, that was a quirk about Anna that I didn’t quite get but then I also know people who got degrees in one area and ended up working in a totally different field. So perhaps that just makes her more human.
Anna has a few friends in Venice, which is good because she has at least one enemy. I did find Margo a little annoying, especially how loose lipped she was about Anna’s business. Then there was Angela, Margo’s pregnant cousin. Angela doesn’t really appreciate the beauty and history she’s surrounded by in Venice.
Even though Detective Biondi is a bit hard on Anna I still liked him. After all, Anna starts off by lying to him and that can tick anyone off in the best of situations. Biondi suspects Anna of murdering a philandering Count Sergio. He’s well known in the art world and also well known for his wandering eye. Unfortunately Anna didn’t check him out before getting to know him and now she regrets that.
I did find Anna’s part in the mystery to be rather sloppy. She lies to Biondi about things that are easy enough for him to check up on and she’s honest with others about her whereabouts that night, which leaves yet another route for Biondi to check up on her. So, yeah, Anna – what were you thinking? No wonder Biondi wants you for this murder.
There’s a little romance in the tale and some action. Considering Anna’s latest fail in having a fling, I was surprised that she was letting herself wander into another one. Again, it seems that Anna isn’t using all her brain cells. Sometimes, I liked this about her because it made her human. Sometimes, I wanted to give her a little smack upside the head.
In the end, it’s the setting that really shines through. Venice herself is the true star of this story. The murder mystery was decent, Anna was likable and approachable, and the side characters were a colorful bunch. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Gabrielle de Cuir gave us a most excellent performance with this narration. There is plenty of Italian throughout this story and it was all well pronounced along with plenty of characters with Italian accents. Her male characters sounded masculine and all the characters were distinct. I also appreciated her various US and UK accents, South American accent, etc. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Christine Evelyn Volker. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
June 28, 2017
***This book was reviewed for She Writes Press via Netgalley & for the Manhattan Book Review
Volker's Venetian Blood weaves alluring language, seductive setting, the charm of shadowed history, and cunning intrigue into a (modern) historical mystery so tantalising you will be swept away from word one.
Anna Lucia Lottol, a financial investigator for the US Department of Treasury falls under suspicion by Italian officials in the death of one Count Sergio Corrin whilst visiting that most beautiful of riparian cities, Venice. In order to avoid being arrested for the murder, Anna begins looking into Sergio's death on her own. It is true, she knew Sergio, had even met him not long before. She turns her own particular skills to her task, digging deeper into Corrin’s finances. Anna knew him to be a money launderer, and thinks perhaps his death was tied to that. Anna’s friend Margo, a journalist, joins her in the effort to clear Anna's name.
The search leads her to some odd places, including the family archives of Count Alessandro Favier, a friend of Margo's, whose house is alive with history, and to Corrin’s Galleria, which currently houses an impressive amount of tribal art from Tanzania, some done by Azizi, a Tanzanian artist Corrin sponsored. While there are plenty with reason to wish Sergio dead, Anna and Margo can find no concrete proof. Gradually, others, such as Agatha and Dudley, and Roberto Cavallin, are drawn into confidence. But can Anna trust them? When a cart accident lands Anna in a canal, nearly costing her life, she knows she must be getting close to the truth. But who to truly trust?
This story drew me in straightaway, and I was loathe to stop, to leave the wind- and water-swept lure of an ancient city with a modern puzzle. The language and phrasing are delicious, pure poetry, reflective of the Italian language itself. Volker has interspersed liberal Italian into the story, while we are on said language. It prompted my rusting beginners Italian to kick in, breathing music and proper pronunciation, even if I couldn't always suss out the meaning. Volker tended that aspect as well, translating into English, or giving enough English context to make an educated guess at meaning. This city on paper and its people felt so real, the culture authentic.
While Corrin's murder, and Anna's plight are threads woven all throughout, there are dozens of smaller stories, old and new, that draw you to the other characters as well. What are the true circumstances of the death of Alessandro's family? Why did Pablo, another guest of Alessandro, and an acquaintance of Sergio, really lose his medical license? What is Roberto Cavallin hiding? Like delicate drops of ink on watercolour, bits of history are added in, daubed with a sense of romantic mystery. Why did Torcello become mostly abandoned? Who is the singer Anna heard, when the clerk at her pensione insists there was no such thing?
But most of all, can Anna let go of the past and open herself up to trust again?
📚📚📚📚📚 Highly recommended
Volker's Venetian Blood weaves alluring language, seductive setting, the charm of shadowed history, and cunning intrigue into a (modern) historical mystery so tantalising you will be swept away from word one.
Anna Lucia Lottol, a financial investigator for the US Department of Treasury falls under suspicion by Italian officials in the death of one Count Sergio Corrin whilst visiting that most beautiful of riparian cities, Venice. In order to avoid being arrested for the murder, Anna begins looking into Sergio's death on her own. It is true, she knew Sergio, had even met him not long before. She turns her own particular skills to her task, digging deeper into Corrin’s finances. Anna knew him to be a money launderer, and thinks perhaps his death was tied to that. Anna’s friend Margo, a journalist, joins her in the effort to clear Anna's name.
The search leads her to some odd places, including the family archives of Count Alessandro Favier, a friend of Margo's, whose house is alive with history, and to Corrin’s Galleria, which currently houses an impressive amount of tribal art from Tanzania, some done by Azizi, a Tanzanian artist Corrin sponsored. While there are plenty with reason to wish Sergio dead, Anna and Margo can find no concrete proof. Gradually, others, such as Agatha and Dudley, and Roberto Cavallin, are drawn into confidence. But can Anna trust them? When a cart accident lands Anna in a canal, nearly costing her life, she knows she must be getting close to the truth. But who to truly trust?
This story drew me in straightaway, and I was loathe to stop, to leave the wind- and water-swept lure of an ancient city with a modern puzzle. The language and phrasing are delicious, pure poetry, reflective of the Italian language itself. Volker has interspersed liberal Italian into the story, while we are on said language. It prompted my rusting beginners Italian to kick in, breathing music and proper pronunciation, even if I couldn't always suss out the meaning. Volker tended that aspect as well, translating into English, or giving enough English context to make an educated guess at meaning. This city on paper and its people felt so real, the culture authentic.
While Corrin's murder, and Anna's plight are threads woven all throughout, there are dozens of smaller stories, old and new, that draw you to the other characters as well. What are the true circumstances of the death of Alessandro's family? Why did Pablo, another guest of Alessandro, and an acquaintance of Sergio, really lose his medical license? What is Roberto Cavallin hiding? Like delicate drops of ink on watercolour, bits of history are added in, daubed with a sense of romantic mystery. Why did Torcello become mostly abandoned? Who is the singer Anna heard, when the clerk at her pensione insists there was no such thing?
But most of all, can Anna let go of the past and open herself up to trust again?
📚📚📚📚📚 Highly recommended
June 18, 2020
I agree with so the excellent good reviews here and on international amazon sites; many give you a good feeling for the intrigue, the plot, the thriller- & sensuousness of our protagonist Anna’s experiences past and present, which are enhanced particularly if you know Venice (and Long Island and California). On the author’s website, you can see a video about the book (search her name on a search engine).
I won Christine Evelyn Volker’s Murder in a Sensuous City via Trip Fiction (who make “it easy to match book with location” for travellers of all kinds, including isolation armchair). Since many of us will be staycationing this summer, I highly recommend this book. The Audible book is beautifully narrated by the gifted Gabrielle de Cuir (the voices! the accents!). Audible adds another dimension, and the theatricality was great!
In the novel, things get breathless pretty quickly; Anna is Suspect Number One in the murder of former fling Venetian Count Sergio, and the Police confiscate her passport & track her, while Anna learns that she may have other enemies, lurking, at the chase, wanting to incriminate her.
Her story is situated in a pre-mobile phone Venice, when the city was probably still a bit elegantly dilapidated, casting sinister shadows, with more visible vestiges of decadent splendour. The author deftly reveals Anna’s character via her rich, introspective, atmospheric inner life.
It is Anna’s story; her old friend, journalist, Margot, introduces her to a cast of colourful characters who set the stage for an ever-thickening plot. On a quest to find the murderer so as to free herself, she is distracted by coincidences, seduction, and uncertainties. One can’t say that she doesn't invite a little of the danger that engulfs her. She gets confused —as many a visitor to Venice might do — between appearances and reality. Anna thinks she hears or sees things that are not there, she is filled with doubt. She narrowly escapes death; does anyone believe her, does she believe herself?
It is a true Venetian story, with its underlying pull toward and exposure of the world of desire and power, and our capacity to deceive, hide, withhold, mask, or otherwise conceal, consciously or not. If you love Venice as a place or as an idea, no doubt you will enjoy accompanying Anna on her journey to unexpected self-discovery.
I won Christine Evelyn Volker’s Murder in a Sensuous City via Trip Fiction (who make “it easy to match book with location” for travellers of all kinds, including isolation armchair). Since many of us will be staycationing this summer, I highly recommend this book. The Audible book is beautifully narrated by the gifted Gabrielle de Cuir (the voices! the accents!). Audible adds another dimension, and the theatricality was great!
In the novel, things get breathless pretty quickly; Anna is Suspect Number One in the murder of former fling Venetian Count Sergio, and the Police confiscate her passport & track her, while Anna learns that she may have other enemies, lurking, at the chase, wanting to incriminate her.
Her story is situated in a pre-mobile phone Venice, when the city was probably still a bit elegantly dilapidated, casting sinister shadows, with more visible vestiges of decadent splendour. The author deftly reveals Anna’s character via her rich, introspective, atmospheric inner life.
It is Anna’s story; her old friend, journalist, Margot, introduces her to a cast of colourful characters who set the stage for an ever-thickening plot. On a quest to find the murderer so as to free herself, she is distracted by coincidences, seduction, and uncertainties. One can’t say that she doesn't invite a little of the danger that engulfs her. She gets confused —as many a visitor to Venice might do — between appearances and reality. Anna thinks she hears or sees things that are not there, she is filled with doubt. She narrowly escapes death; does anyone believe her, does she believe herself?
It is a true Venetian story, with its underlying pull toward and exposure of the world of desire and power, and our capacity to deceive, hide, withhold, mask, or otherwise conceal, consciously or not. If you love Venice as a place or as an idea, no doubt you will enjoy accompanying Anna on her journey to unexpected self-discovery.
September 29, 2020
Talk about a book that you can’t put down. I have never read this author before, but when I came across this book, I had to read it. It sucks you right in from chapter 1. I enjoy audiobooks more, so I opted to listen to this book instead but just a few chapters in, I knew I had to read it so I could go faster!
Everything about this book is perfect. The pace, the story, the history and above all, the way it describes Venice. It’s like you’re actually there when you read the details that the author went into to explain it.
The book is set in 1992, so you will ask yourself “why are people leaving messages, why can’t they just text or call?”, “why’s she not using her phone camera?”, “what undeveloped film?”. For anyone born after 1999, this book might offer you a bit of history of humans living before the smartphone era.
Now on to the murder. I won’t say you won’t decipher it, I’d say about the halfway-ish youl start to put the pieces together, and even if you don’t know the killer, you’ve narrowed it down to two. I was more intrigued about the underlying storyline, that you will come to read and this will become even more of a special story. You will make sense of this way befor youl narrow down your killer. Personally, it was that story that had me hooked more then the actual murder plot.
I do have one question tho. Who was responsible for the gondola murders? Did I read it too fast and miss it, or do we never actually get the answer and it’s pure speculation?
All in all, excellent book. If you like murder mysteries, history, non-tech world and a little bit of financial crime, this book is for you. Definitely recommend this book and author. I’d love to read more of her work!
Oh also side note, my Italian is like 0, but the way the author wrote it, I pretty much glanced over it cause it makes no sense to me, but I’ve read some other reviews and the Italian people say that the translations are spot on so I think kudos to that - generally that’s not the case.
She does a really good job to talk in Italian and then immediately translate to English, without it seeming repetitive.
Extra special browny points to the narrator for audible, Gabrielle De Cuir who was absolutely fantastic. She perfected the voices of the different characters and brought so much emotion to the story!
Everything about this book is perfect. The pace, the story, the history and above all, the way it describes Venice. It’s like you’re actually there when you read the details that the author went into to explain it.
The book is set in 1992, so you will ask yourself “why are people leaving messages, why can’t they just text or call?”, “why’s she not using her phone camera?”, “what undeveloped film?”. For anyone born after 1999, this book might offer you a bit of history of humans living before the smartphone era.
Now on to the murder. I won’t say you won’t decipher it, I’d say about the halfway-ish youl start to put the pieces together, and even if you don’t know the killer, you’ve narrowed it down to two. I was more intrigued about the underlying storyline, that you will come to read and this will become even more of a special story. You will make sense of this way befor youl narrow down your killer. Personally, it was that story that had me hooked more then the actual murder plot.
I do have one question tho. Who was responsible for the gondola murders? Did I read it too fast and miss it, or do we never actually get the answer and it’s pure speculation?
All in all, excellent book. If you like murder mysteries, history, non-tech world and a little bit of financial crime, this book is for you. Definitely recommend this book and author. I’d love to read more of her work!
Oh also side note, my Italian is like 0, but the way the author wrote it, I pretty much glanced over it cause it makes no sense to me, but I’ve read some other reviews and the Italian people say that the translations are spot on so I think kudos to that - generally that’s not the case.
She does a really good job to talk in Italian and then immediately translate to English, without it seeming repetitive.
Extra special browny points to the narrator for audible, Gabrielle De Cuir who was absolutely fantastic. She perfected the voices of the different characters and brought so much emotion to the story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2020
If Ever a Title Was Apt
Since I appear to be one of few (or no?) people with a Y chromosome to review this work, maybe the reader should keep that in mind here as a perspective. Although I’m not brave enough to delve into theories on how gender may-or-may not affect the impressions of a written work (and also value my marriage!), I will be audacious enough to suggest that the transmission medium (print or audio) may render a different experience for the consumer!
My working theory is that one of the greatest strengths of Ms. Volker’s prose is her detailed imagery. If you’ve been fortunate enough to visit this charmed city, you’ll have many memories refreshed by either aforementioned media of delivery. If you’re not yet lucky enough to experience this ancient city of canals, I would suggest that your imagination will be optimally stimulated by reading “Venetian Blood” from print! Although the science is murky on this point, it’s agreed that retention is roughly equivalent for both versions of text, but the ability to self-pace and apply your own personal experiences, biases, fantasies, etc. is enhanced by the reader’s control. Merely playing an audio snippet introduces its own set of issues. Then, there’s the issue of multitasking. In short, contemporary neuroscience suggests we humans can’t actually focus on two things at once – rather, our brains “oscillate” between the two stimuli. It’s not the best way to apply yourself to either concurrent task! So, I’m voting that you go the paper route (sorry!) and eliminate extraneous obstacles.
The composition is professional, and the text has an almost myopic focus on the main character, which renders subordinates a little less memorable, and therefore it does take a while to distinguish between Anna, Angela, and Agatha. Among others.
If you’re easily distracted (again, print vs. audio), it will take a bit of personal discipline to get to the point you don’t want to stop reading – anticipating what is next!
In bullets:
Assets:
Quality of Expression
Visual Imagery
Fluent Italian Quotes
Satisfying Denouement
Historical Accuracy
Identifiable Protagonist
Liabilities:
Character Definition (early)
Pacing of Development (also early)
The book will satisfy the investment of your time, regardless of media or gender!
Since I appear to be one of few (or no?) people with a Y chromosome to review this work, maybe the reader should keep that in mind here as a perspective. Although I’m not brave enough to delve into theories on how gender may-or-may not affect the impressions of a written work (and also value my marriage!), I will be audacious enough to suggest that the transmission medium (print or audio) may render a different experience for the consumer!
My working theory is that one of the greatest strengths of Ms. Volker’s prose is her detailed imagery. If you’ve been fortunate enough to visit this charmed city, you’ll have many memories refreshed by either aforementioned media of delivery. If you’re not yet lucky enough to experience this ancient city of canals, I would suggest that your imagination will be optimally stimulated by reading “Venetian Blood” from print! Although the science is murky on this point, it’s agreed that retention is roughly equivalent for both versions of text, but the ability to self-pace and apply your own personal experiences, biases, fantasies, etc. is enhanced by the reader’s control. Merely playing an audio snippet introduces its own set of issues. Then, there’s the issue of multitasking. In short, contemporary neuroscience suggests we humans can’t actually focus on two things at once – rather, our brains “oscillate” between the two stimuli. It’s not the best way to apply yourself to either concurrent task! So, I’m voting that you go the paper route (sorry!) and eliminate extraneous obstacles.
The composition is professional, and the text has an almost myopic focus on the main character, which renders subordinates a little less memorable, and therefore it does take a while to distinguish between Anna, Angela, and Agatha. Among others.
If you’re easily distracted (again, print vs. audio), it will take a bit of personal discipline to get to the point you don’t want to stop reading – anticipating what is next!
In bullets:
Assets:
Quality of Expression
Visual Imagery
Fluent Italian Quotes
Satisfying Denouement
Historical Accuracy
Identifiable Protagonist
Liabilities:
Character Definition (early)
Pacing of Development (also early)
The book will satisfy the investment of your time, regardless of media or gender!
November 17, 2017
Venetian Blood: Murder in a Sensuous City by Christine Evelyn Volker has all the makings of a juicy mystery: murder, theft, money-laundering, jilted lovers, and lost loves all on the backdrop of one of Italy's most beautiful cities — Venice.
The book starts off with a bang, well a stabbing, — the murder of financier and art investor, Sergio. The reader also quickly meets, Anna, the book's protagonist. Through Anna, the reader learns that Sergio is a murder victim, but not an innocent person by any stretch of the imagination. Anna, who is from California, is on vacation in Italy attempting to settle a score with Sergio after a brief love affair for which he is blackmailing her, healing from her failed marriage, and coming to terms with her infertility. In short, she's got a lot going on, folks. The author also introduces a large cast of characters spanning from the United States to Europe, thus crafting an international whodunnit.
I enjoyed the format of the book. Volker integrated quite a bit of the Italian culture including the language. I found it quite interesting how she included Italian phrases then followed up with the English translation for us non-speakers. As for the mystery, she reveals bit-by-bit through easily digestible chapters that move at an engaging pace. My only criticism is that, at times, the author overdid it with some of the descriptions that proved distracting for this reader. Nonetheless, the overall story was solid, and it was truly a challenge to discern who the real killer was. I was unable to figure it out until I neared the end, which is the sign of a great murder mystery, in my opinion. At one point, Anna seems a bit unstable and so shaken by her past that I began to believe she was the killer. But can a novel make the protagonist the villain as well? You'll have to read for yourself to find out!
Recommendation: I think this would be a good book for someone who is interested in the financial and money-laundering industries as well as Italian history and culture. A must read for mystery-lovers!
Read more reviews: bit.ly/PageBedtime
The book starts off with a bang, well a stabbing, — the murder of financier and art investor, Sergio. The reader also quickly meets, Anna, the book's protagonist. Through Anna, the reader learns that Sergio is a murder victim, but not an innocent person by any stretch of the imagination. Anna, who is from California, is on vacation in Italy attempting to settle a score with Sergio after a brief love affair for which he is blackmailing her, healing from her failed marriage, and coming to terms with her infertility. In short, she's got a lot going on, folks. The author also introduces a large cast of characters spanning from the United States to Europe, thus crafting an international whodunnit.
I enjoyed the format of the book. Volker integrated quite a bit of the Italian culture including the language. I found it quite interesting how she included Italian phrases then followed up with the English translation for us non-speakers. As for the mystery, she reveals bit-by-bit through easily digestible chapters that move at an engaging pace. My only criticism is that, at times, the author overdid it with some of the descriptions that proved distracting for this reader. Nonetheless, the overall story was solid, and it was truly a challenge to discern who the real killer was. I was unable to figure it out until I neared the end, which is the sign of a great murder mystery, in my opinion. At one point, Anna seems a bit unstable and so shaken by her past that I began to believe she was the killer. But can a novel make the protagonist the villain as well? You'll have to read for yourself to find out!
Recommendation: I think this would be a good book for someone who is interested in the financial and money-laundering industries as well as Italian history and culture. A must read for mystery-lovers!
Read more reviews: bit.ly/PageBedtime
November 22, 2017
The title describes this story wonderfully. Venice is a unique and sensuous city, and the descriptions in these pages allow the streets and canals to come across so vividly, it's easy to picture the surroundings and breathe in the moist air.
Anna is trying to take a few days away from her life, especially from a nerve-wracking divorce. Instead of finding relaxation at her arrival in Venice, she's immediately picked up by the police on suspicions of murder. Although there's not enough evidence to hold her, the detective isn't giving up. Anna is left with no choice but to find the murderer on her own and clear her name, but the levels of intrigue prove more dangerous than she bargained for.
Fans of Venice and murder mysteries are sure to enjoy diving into these pages. The author does an amazing job of bringing the streets, buildings, character and atmosphere of Venice to life. Being in Venice a few times myself, I was surprised at how realistic and vivid the city is portrayed. It's a delight to visit these pages just for these descriptions.
As to the murder mystery, this is a tale with many layers and secrets. Anna has her own shadowed past, but it's nothing compared to those she meets in Venice. Each character is hiding something, and each story is intriguing. It makes it hard to put the book down. Although set in present day Venice, the mystery touches on Venice's past. This gives the tale a lovely richness and depth, but also makes it hard to guess who the real murderer might be. This is a slower paced read, which delves more into information and details than constant action. However, there are enough scenes to raise the tension, and the constant threat looming in the background keeps boredom away. It's a mystery as deep and beautiful as the city it's set in.
Anna is trying to take a few days away from her life, especially from a nerve-wracking divorce. Instead of finding relaxation at her arrival in Venice, she's immediately picked up by the police on suspicions of murder. Although there's not enough evidence to hold her, the detective isn't giving up. Anna is left with no choice but to find the murderer on her own and clear her name, but the levels of intrigue prove more dangerous than she bargained for.
Fans of Venice and murder mysteries are sure to enjoy diving into these pages. The author does an amazing job of bringing the streets, buildings, character and atmosphere of Venice to life. Being in Venice a few times myself, I was surprised at how realistic and vivid the city is portrayed. It's a delight to visit these pages just for these descriptions.
As to the murder mystery, this is a tale with many layers and secrets. Anna has her own shadowed past, but it's nothing compared to those she meets in Venice. Each character is hiding something, and each story is intriguing. It makes it hard to put the book down. Although set in present day Venice, the mystery touches on Venice's past. This gives the tale a lovely richness and depth, but also makes it hard to guess who the real murderer might be. This is a slower paced read, which delves more into information and details than constant action. However, there are enough scenes to raise the tension, and the constant threat looming in the background keeps boredom away. It's a mystery as deep and beautiful as the city it's set in.
December 17, 2017
Anna decides to take a trip to Venice and visit her friend Margo in order to get her mind off of her impending divorce back in the states. Instead, Anna finds herself in a romantic entanglement with serious complications; furthermore, she is the prime suspect in a murder when the man she slept with is found murdered. Anna's job at the US Treasury is put in danger when she begins to look into the life of Count Sergio Corrin, Anna finds a sordid past entangled with many other Venetians who just may want to kill the man. While Anna desperately searches to uncover any information to clear her name, she reveals some other secrets of the closely-knit Venetian people. Meanwhile, the person who murdered Sergio is still on the loose and is attempting to throw Anna off the trail.
An exciting and suspenseful murder mystery set in the sensuous and mysterious island of Venice. Immediately, I was pulled in by the murder scene, a gruesome murder committed by someone who appears to be female. Then, I was connected to Anna's character. Anna is intelligent and resourceful but has been handed a difficult lot in life, her parents died when she was younger, she has had a miscarriage and her marriage has fallen apart. Venice was made into a sumptuous setting, I could easily image the aging but descendant buildings, the murky canals and small passageways. The suspense grew for me as Anna started digging up the past. Most interestingly, I began to question Anna's reliability as a narrator even as she began to uncover other's motives. Overall, a uniquely woven murder mystery with intricate twists and turns.
An exciting and suspenseful murder mystery set in the sensuous and mysterious island of Venice. Immediately, I was pulled in by the murder scene, a gruesome murder committed by someone who appears to be female. Then, I was connected to Anna's character. Anna is intelligent and resourceful but has been handed a difficult lot in life, her parents died when she was younger, she has had a miscarriage and her marriage has fallen apart. Venice was made into a sumptuous setting, I could easily image the aging but descendant buildings, the murky canals and small passageways. The suspense grew for me as Anna started digging up the past. Most interestingly, I began to question Anna's reliability as a narrator even as she began to uncover other's motives. Overall, a uniquely woven murder mystery with intricate twists and turns.
September 24, 2020
Author, Christine Evelyn Volker like an artist with a brush, paints a vivid picturesque backdrop of a regal Venetian gala set in Venice, Italy, colored by a vision of old-world charm. The reader is immediately whisked into an intricate world of suspense as a mysterious masked figure lurks among party guest with sinister intentions.
Smart and successful American, Anna, who is among the masked party guest, has every reason to want Count Sergio Corrin to drop dead. After a sensual secret rendezvous, she is enraptured by the cunning Count. Anna lets down her guard and enters a temporary state of reverie as she is allured and intoxicated by his charm and champagne. Determined to make Anna’s life a living hell in order to get what he wants, he lures her into his tangled web of deceit, as he turns her illusions of love into her worst nightmare.
When Count Sergio Corrin is found murdered at the glamorous Venetian gala, a mysterious masked figure vanishes into the crowd and Anna becomes the main suspect with a motive for murder.
Immerse yourself in an intriguing romantically written novel blanketed in a world of suspense. As you delve deeper into this world of intrigue, a Pandora’s box of secrets, lies and Anna’s mysterious past are unveiled as she hunts for a cold-blooded killer. The fabulous dialogue between an array of distinct and colorful characters is rich, flows seamlessly and is poetic in its delivery. This intricate tale will keep you engaged and is artfully woven together like a beautiful tapestry.
This novel was granted in exchange for an honest review.
Smart and successful American, Anna, who is among the masked party guest, has every reason to want Count Sergio Corrin to drop dead. After a sensual secret rendezvous, she is enraptured by the cunning Count. Anna lets down her guard and enters a temporary state of reverie as she is allured and intoxicated by his charm and champagne. Determined to make Anna’s life a living hell in order to get what he wants, he lures her into his tangled web of deceit, as he turns her illusions of love into her worst nightmare.
When Count Sergio Corrin is found murdered at the glamorous Venetian gala, a mysterious masked figure vanishes into the crowd and Anna becomes the main suspect with a motive for murder.
Immerse yourself in an intriguing romantically written novel blanketed in a world of suspense. As you delve deeper into this world of intrigue, a Pandora’s box of secrets, lies and Anna’s mysterious past are unveiled as she hunts for a cold-blooded killer. The fabulous dialogue between an array of distinct and colorful characters is rich, flows seamlessly and is poetic in its delivery. This intricate tale will keep you engaged and is artfully woven together like a beautiful tapestry.
This novel was granted in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2017
What Anna thought would be a relaxing getaway, turned out to be a living nightmare! Anna's "roots" were from Italy and she only had vague memories of living there. After her grandparents deaths, she felt she needed to re-connect with those early "roots". Her marriage had failed and a trip to Italy with a cousin seemed to be the very thing she needed. There was one other reason she needed to go to Italy, one she could yell nobody about. However, soon she was desperate to prove her innocence of a crime she did not commit. Her life, her job and her reputation were on the line. Who could help her?
Because of her unique job skills and connections, there were a few things she could do if she could get a couple of crucial pieces of information.
As she tries to prove her innocence, things increasingly get worse and she stands to lose everything!
The characters are well defined but lacks in creating a feeling of the reader being personally connected to them. The scenes are portrayed in a way the reader can visualize them, but not clearly. The story's "flow" at the beginning is not smooth but improves and "flows" well as the tale progresses. There is a slight ouch of romance and the action is steady, yet, I found it to be quite predictable.
It successfully keeps the reader's attention and each chapter ends in a way which causes the reader to not want to put it down until the last page.
*Reader beware: There is some profanity and sexual situations.
The book was gifted to me with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review.
Because of her unique job skills and connections, there were a few things she could do if she could get a couple of crucial pieces of information.
As she tries to prove her innocence, things increasingly get worse and she stands to lose everything!
The characters are well defined but lacks in creating a feeling of the reader being personally connected to them. The scenes are portrayed in a way the reader can visualize them, but not clearly. The story's "flow" at the beginning is not smooth but improves and "flows" well as the tale progresses. There is a slight ouch of romance and the action is steady, yet, I found it to be quite predictable.
It successfully keeps the reader's attention and each chapter ends in a way which causes the reader to not want to put it down until the last page.
*Reader beware: There is some profanity and sexual situations.
The book was gifted to me with no urging for a positive review. This is my honest review.
April 20, 2018
Audiobook Review
Story:3.5
Performace: 5
Overall: 4
I gave the story 3.5 stars because I felt like the author got bogged down in the details. She described Venice, its people, and the artwork in painstaking detail. There were parts I felt that did not lend themselves to the story much UNTIL I got to around the last 10 chapters or so. All that stuff I thought was miscellaneous rambling turned out to be relevant to the story. My point here is this, don't give up on the story. It is worth it in the end. However, I do think the author could have condensed some of her descriptions down a bit.
Despite that, this was quite an intriguing tale of murder, money laundering, infidelity, and secrets galore. The residents of Venice certainly lived complicated lives. You cannot take any of the characters at face value as none are what they appear to me. Everyone was hiding behind the proverbial mask. The MC, Anna, was smart, strong and resilient. She had to be as she attempted to proof her innocence in the murder of a Count.
I was pleasantly surprised by "who done it" and how all the major players were interconnected. The author did a wonderful job of spinning a complicated and torrent web with many characters and story lines converging into one at the end. There was a surprise gem at the end as well that i cannot go into due to spoilers.
The narrator, Gabrielle de Cuir, did a phenomenal job. Her accent and pronunciation was immaculate. She made me fall in love with Venice.
Story:3.5
Performace: 5
Overall: 4
I gave the story 3.5 stars because I felt like the author got bogged down in the details. She described Venice, its people, and the artwork in painstaking detail. There were parts I felt that did not lend themselves to the story much UNTIL I got to around the last 10 chapters or so. All that stuff I thought was miscellaneous rambling turned out to be relevant to the story. My point here is this, don't give up on the story. It is worth it in the end. However, I do think the author could have condensed some of her descriptions down a bit.
Despite that, this was quite an intriguing tale of murder, money laundering, infidelity, and secrets galore. The residents of Venice certainly lived complicated lives. You cannot take any of the characters at face value as none are what they appear to me. Everyone was hiding behind the proverbial mask. The MC, Anna, was smart, strong and resilient. She had to be as she attempted to proof her innocence in the murder of a Count.
I was pleasantly surprised by "who done it" and how all the major players were interconnected. The author did a wonderful job of spinning a complicated and torrent web with many characters and story lines converging into one at the end. There was a surprise gem at the end as well that i cannot go into due to spoilers.
The narrator, Gabrielle de Cuir, did a phenomenal job. Her accent and pronunciation was immaculate. She made me fall in love with Venice.
October 8, 2020
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, it was intriguing and engrossing. The author does very well at making the reader feel immersed in Venetian society and this hooked me right into every scandal and event. In the end, I found myself feeling as if I had just witnessed an Italian, and obviously more sophisticated, version of an Eastenders’ ‘who done it?’
I won’t lie, this story is complicated and quite verbose, but you do have to give it a chance to progress. I have definitely stopped reading books for far less but there was something about Venetian Blood that wouldn’t let me stop. Every chapter had me in a fluster of questions, wanting to know more about everyone and everything. I found that everything I thought wouldn’t have a purpose, became extremely relevant later on and I was surprised by how everything laced together.
I actually listened to the audiobook which I think gives me a bit of a different perspective on the characters since I heard the way they were meant to be presented. The only reason that I have given it four stars is that this book was full of amazing, complex characters but the main character, Anna, wasn’t one of them. I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to empathise with Anna, but I didn’t. Despite her hardships, I didn’t especially connect with her or feel especially sorry for her which is a shame. I think she just got lost within the crowds of colourful people she encountered.
I won’t lie, this story is complicated and quite verbose, but you do have to give it a chance to progress. I have definitely stopped reading books for far less but there was something about Venetian Blood that wouldn’t let me stop. Every chapter had me in a fluster of questions, wanting to know more about everyone and everything. I found that everything I thought wouldn’t have a purpose, became extremely relevant later on and I was surprised by how everything laced together.
I actually listened to the audiobook which I think gives me a bit of a different perspective on the characters since I heard the way they were meant to be presented. The only reason that I have given it four stars is that this book was full of amazing, complex characters but the main character, Anna, wasn’t one of them. I wasn’t sure whether I was supposed to empathise with Anna, but I didn’t. Despite her hardships, I didn’t especially connect with her or feel especially sorry for her which is a shame. I think she just got lost within the crowds of colourful people she encountered.
October 28, 2017
Venetian Blood is a fast paced international thriller that starts with a murder and never slows down.
Anna is all set to vacation with her friend living in Venice, but secretly arrives a day early. Why? To try to deal with a blackmailer who could threaten her very livelihood. The hope is that he has had a change of heart, but that was far from what he had planned for this meeting. In desperation she decides to try to connect with him at a large gala that night, but chickens out - hiding in the bushes as he passes by. Unknown to her, he is murdered shortly after passing her, and someone remembers seeing her leave. Arrested the next day by the police, it is clear she is one of their prime suspects.
What follows is an intriguing tale of suspense, history and romance all unfolding while being introduced to the wonders of Venice. People's connections to the deceased are slowly revealed. Past deaths that might be connected come to light. Anna, along with the help of her friend Margo, have little faith in the police and search together for clues to who the real murderer could be. Anna is followed and attempts are made on her life, yet the police seem to be convinced she guilty.
Filled with twists, turns and suspense it's a great read and be assured, the final chapter holds several surprises.
Anna is all set to vacation with her friend living in Venice, but secretly arrives a day early. Why? To try to deal with a blackmailer who could threaten her very livelihood. The hope is that he has had a change of heart, but that was far from what he had planned for this meeting. In desperation she decides to try to connect with him at a large gala that night, but chickens out - hiding in the bushes as he passes by. Unknown to her, he is murdered shortly after passing her, and someone remembers seeing her leave. Arrested the next day by the police, it is clear she is one of their prime suspects.
What follows is an intriguing tale of suspense, history and romance all unfolding while being introduced to the wonders of Venice. People's connections to the deceased are slowly revealed. Past deaths that might be connected come to light. Anna, along with the help of her friend Margo, have little faith in the police and search together for clues to who the real murderer could be. Anna is followed and attempts are made on her life, yet the police seem to be convinced she guilty.
Filled with twists, turns and suspense it's a great read and be assured, the final chapter holds several surprises.
November 11, 2017
I visited Venice in my mid-teens and I fell in love (and not just because my family on my Dad's side come from there!). There is an air of mystery and history on every street mixed in with romance. It just has a special quality about it that I just can't quite put into words. I was so excited to read this novel based in Venice and it did not disappoint me at all. She captured the mystery of Venice into her story that is full of its own mystery and history.
We have Anna who is trapped in a scandal of murder and an affair. This is in the backdrop of an even greater scheme of lies, money laundry, secrets and murder. She is trying desperately to clear her own name plus work an active case. No one in the city wants to quite help her as they try to protect their own citizens and the secrets that they hold.
I loved every moment of this well written novel. It pulls you in and leaves you craving more. It is very well written and suits the tone of the novel and setting. It is an exciting and suspenseful novel from start to finish - I could not put it down in fear I would miss what was coming next! I have to admit, I never saw the ending coming. It was an incredible and well-played out. Venetian Blood is a definite must read novel.
We have Anna who is trapped in a scandal of murder and an affair. This is in the backdrop of an even greater scheme of lies, money laundry, secrets and murder. She is trying desperately to clear her own name plus work an active case. No one in the city wants to quite help her as they try to protect their own citizens and the secrets that they hold.
I loved every moment of this well written novel. It pulls you in and leaves you craving more. It is very well written and suits the tone of the novel and setting. It is an exciting and suspenseful novel from start to finish - I could not put it down in fear I would miss what was coming next! I have to admit, I never saw the ending coming. It was an incredible and well-played out. Venetian Blood is a definite must read novel.
April 11, 2018
If you've ever wanted to visit Venice, but haven't yet managed it, this is a great book to familiarize you with the small town culture of the natives, as well as the places to visit or notice, and some history and phrases to go with them. If you've gone to Venice already, the book's pleasures will only be heightened. I recognized certain place names and relived my wonderful visit, the smell of the air, the lapping water and winding streets, the plazas beautifully rendered. It's all there—along with a young woman protagonist in big trouble, exactly the kind you have to root for, especially since she has made some stupid mistakes that you would have advised her against. That endears her.
Still, she's complicated, too, a treasury official who knows about money laundering, has trouble with her female boss, is in the middle of a divorce, has a journalist friend, and is trying to solve the murder of a man, who just happens to be a count she had a brief affair with....all the ingredients are there for a great mystery read, with bigger issues at stake, and police and danger on her tail. No wonder this novel was just named a finalist for the May Sarton Award for contemporary fiction!
Still, she's complicated, too, a treasury official who knows about money laundering, has trouble with her female boss, is in the middle of a divorce, has a journalist friend, and is trying to solve the murder of a man, who just happens to be a count she had a brief affair with....all the ingredients are there for a great mystery read, with bigger issues at stake, and police and danger on her tail. No wonder this novel was just named a finalist for the May Sarton Award for contemporary fiction!
September 11, 2017
Intriguing ,very intricate plot with believable complex characters ,a lovely setting,and a few good twists and turns make this mystery a one sitting page turner .I was taken in by the storyline from the get go and I loved the surprise ending . In all the years Ive been reading who done its ( and its many lol ) I don't ever remember one where the lead character had to work get themselves off the hook for murder or one where you have to guess if they will even succeed or if they will end up behind bars because you doubt their innocence. You also doubt what you think you know as the plot thickens .It was a refreshing spin that leaves you wondering what turn it will take next and you wont guess the finale. The book also had a "vintage " style feel to it for lack of a better phrase .And I mean that in a good way .Like it had been written many years ago ,yet set in modern times ...hmm.. hard to explain ,find out for yourself. But overall Venetian Blood is a worthwhile way to spend your reading time ...highly recommended.
October 3, 2017
I struggle with how I feel about this book. I can’t quite make up my mind definitively. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it.
Part of me felt that the descriptions were so detailed and fine that it drew the story out and distracted me. It slowed the story line down for me.
On the other hand, there was something that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I wanted to know more about the affair; I wanted to learn more about the characters we were introduced to immediately who seemed to have dark backgrounds and secrets; I wanted to know if Anna’s name would be cleared; I wanted to know who did it; I wanted to know more about Sergio and his life and why someone killed him.
I. Could. Not. Put. The. Book. Down.
The murder happens immediately. Anna is arrested immediately. We are introduced to a handful of interesting characters immediately and it was THEM, that concerned me and had my suspicions running wild.
It definitely had mystery and intrigue. If you enjoy Italy and full details and descriptions of Italy with your mystery – snag this book!
Part of me felt that the descriptions were so detailed and fine that it drew the story out and distracted me. It slowed the story line down for me.
On the other hand, there was something that grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I wanted to know more about the affair; I wanted to learn more about the characters we were introduced to immediately who seemed to have dark backgrounds and secrets; I wanted to know if Anna’s name would be cleared; I wanted to know who did it; I wanted to know more about Sergio and his life and why someone killed him.
I. Could. Not. Put. The. Book. Down.
The murder happens immediately. Anna is arrested immediately. We are introduced to a handful of interesting characters immediately and it was THEM, that concerned me and had my suspicions running wild.
It definitely had mystery and intrigue. If you enjoy Italy and full details and descriptions of Italy with your mystery – snag this book!
November 25, 2017
I really enjoyed the engrossing nature of the book, but for whatever reason I just was unable to connect with the book in a way that I really wanted to. Partly I think it was that I felt that the beginning of the book happened a little too quick for my liking and I didn't like that there wasn't a set up for the murder. As a result, I felt lost from the get go, even though by the end of the book I was able to connect better with the story.
As I read the book, I really struggled to understand what was going on and therefore I struggled at time to get through it.
Part of the reason that I disappointed with the book and had frustrations with reading it was that I had different expectations of the story that were clearly not there.
But I did enjoy the description of Venice itself and felt as though I was there in the city myself, even though I have never been to Venice myself. I also liked that it wasn't just your standard mystery; there was emotional depth to the book and created empathy for Anna and how she wanted to move on with her life and have the ghosts of her past disappear.
As I read the book, I really struggled to understand what was going on and therefore I struggled at time to get through it.
Part of the reason that I disappointed with the book and had frustrations with reading it was that I had different expectations of the story that were clearly not there.
But I did enjoy the description of Venice itself and felt as though I was there in the city myself, even though I have never been to Venice myself. I also liked that it wasn't just your standard mystery; there was emotional depth to the book and created empathy for Anna and how she wanted to move on with her life and have the ghosts of her past disappear.
September 29, 2017
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
Poor Anna is on a vacation in Venice to relax and forget her problems but she finds more problems than she can handle while she is there. She's a suspect in a murder case, an affair during a conference that was a big mistake keeps coming back to haunt her, and she thinks someone is trying to kill her. She is having difficulty trusting anyone she meets but that is a good thing because some of the people she meets are pretty shady.
Venetian Blood contains a lot of history and descriptions of Venice. Since the author knows international banking, she is able to make the banking aspects of the book seem authentic. The characters are interesting and complex but for some reason, I wasn't able to invest them, not even Anna. I wanted to but it just wasn't there.
There are suspense and action in Venetian Blood and even a surprise ending, although I had it figured out.
Poor Anna is on a vacation in Venice to relax and forget her problems but she finds more problems than she can handle while she is there. She's a suspect in a murder case, an affair during a conference that was a big mistake keeps coming back to haunt her, and she thinks someone is trying to kill her. She is having difficulty trusting anyone she meets but that is a good thing because some of the people she meets are pretty shady.
Venetian Blood contains a lot of history and descriptions of Venice. Since the author knows international banking, she is able to make the banking aspects of the book seem authentic. The characters are interesting and complex but for some reason, I wasn't able to invest them, not even Anna. I wanted to but it just wasn't there.
There are suspense and action in Venetian Blood and even a surprise ending, although I had it figured out.
September 6, 2017
Murder is a good excuse to read about Venice! I picked up this book because I love the city, and I was not disappointed because Christine Volker sends her characters far and wide across Venice to various neighborhoods as well as other islands. She also manages to sprinkle in both ancient history and modern issues as her characters try to unravel the threads surrounding a recent murder—which the protagonist Anna is accused of. Murder opens the story, but Volker kept me wondering who might be next, as well as who was guilty of a murder years prior. Anna is a smart and agile main character but flawed enough to keep things interesting. At times I wanted to warn her, tell her "Don't go there!" but she's intrepid in her pursuit to clear her name. Volker weaves a tale that left me wondering who was the guilty party, while I had the pleasure of following Anna all over my favorite city.
November 20, 2017
Venetian Blood by Christine Evelyn Volker was a great book. When I picked this book up I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a good fit for me but it was which I loved. There were times where I felt like she included way too many details and I would get bogged down in them all and then at other times I wished she had included more details. This book did make me want to go to Venice so that I could see the places that the author was talking about throughout the entire book. I also really enjoyed the characters in this book. They seemed like they could be real people which is something I always love. This book had some suspense in it but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat while I was reading the book. All in all I enjoyed this book and this author. I wouldn’t mind read books by her in the future if I found one that interested me.
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