The Venice Murders by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #11

Publication Date: 09th May 2025

Purchase Link:

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221635256-the-venice-murders

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Time-traveled to Venice in the late 1950s

Book Blurb:

Amateur detective and bookshop ownerFlora Steele and her dashing new husband Jack Carrington are finally embarkingon the honeymoon of a lifetime. But will gorgeous gondola rides be ruined bytheir most heart-stopping case ever?

Venice, 1959:As Flora and Jack step onto the beautiful, historic streets of Venice, they vowto put sleuthing aside to finally enjoy their honeymoon. But on their veryfirst sun-soaked morning, whilst enjoying sparkling wine and mouthwateringpastries, they’re interrupted when hotel receptionist, Franco Mancini, isdiscovered floating face-down in the Grand Canal.

Remembering poor Franco’s kind demeanor when theychecked into the Cipriani Hotel, Flora quickly realizes that her honeymoon phase isshe must solve the case. She saw a hot-headed restaurant owner arguing withFranco the night he died. Could their mysterious argument have gone too far? Orcould it have been Franco’s jilted ex-fiancée, Bianca, who acted so coldly atnews of his death? Was it a crime of passion that sent him tumbling into thewaters?

When Flora learns from a priest that a pricelesspainting has disappeared from his church along with his elderly housekeeper,she begins to marry together the clues that will lead her to a dangerous familythat will stop at nothing to get their revenge. Will Flora and Jack crackthe case before the killer claims another victim? Or will it be ‘death do uspart’ for this crime-solving couple?

A completely gripping and totallycharming cozy murder mystery novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, FaithMartin, and J.R. Ellis!

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My Thoughts:

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-personPOVs.

This is the eleventh book in the series and shouldwork as a standalone, though it’ll help to read a couple of previous ones toget an idea about the sleuthing couple.

I wish the official blurbs weren’t so detailed orelaborate. We don’t need to know that much before starting a mystery. I say,read the first paragraph and leave the other two.

This was an interesting book. Firstly, the lead pairis on their honeymoon, a delayed one, too! Naturally, Jack doesn’t want to goaround sleuthing and flirting with danger. I admit to empathizing with himmore, though he doesn’t hesitate when the time comes.

I normally like Flora's attitude. Her desire forjustice is noteworthy, and she’s got the brain for it. Even her hunches tend tobe correct most of the time. However, she managed to annoy me a few times here. She needs a full-time job now that her shop hasan assistant.

The mysteries are quite good! There are quite a fewtwists and turns as new information is revealed, and it’s hard to determine whospeaks the truth.

Of course, we get a tour of Venice, but from 1959,so it’s more beautiful, less crowded, and has an old-world charm. Though thecity has signs of war and destruction, it is relatively less polluted.

And yes, there’s loads of food too. As Jack says,why go to Italy if you don’t enjoy food? Though I’m sad they skipped dessert afew times after the meals. How could you do that? Dessert is compulsory!

The book ends with a potential lead for the nextone. There’s a mysterious new entry in Abbeymead, and people are gossipingabout him. How is he? Maybe we’ll know in book #12!

To summarize, The Venice Murders is an entertainingread set in a beautiful city. While it does feel a bit formulaic, it is still adecent addition to the series.

Thank you, Sarah, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

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About the Author – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years,and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringingthe past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regencyromances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery attheir heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of timebefore she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussexagainst the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex withher husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult balletclasses and plenty of walking.

Follow the Author:

Website: https://merrynallingham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releasesfrom Merryn Allingham here:  https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

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