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Canaletto #1
Canaletto and the Case of Westminster Bridge
It's London in 1746 and the Italian painter Canaletto arrives to paint the new Westminster Bridge, eager to rediscover the fame and fortune he once enjoyed in Venice. No sooner does he land, however, than danger dogs his footsteps.
Rescued from certain death by Fanny Rooker, an apprentice engraver with plans for an artistic career, Canaletto discovers he is a target for robbery and worse.
Rescued from certain death by Fanny Rooker, an apprentice engraver with plans for an artistic career, Canaletto discovers he is a target for robbery and worse.
393 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Janet Laurence
62 books16 followersJanet Laurence also writes cookery books and one of her creations in the detective genre is Darina Lisle, a cook and caterer.
She has written 10 novels featuring Darina Lisle between 1989 and 2001. The first was 'A Deepe Coffyn (1989) and the last to date was 'The Mermaid's Feast (2001).
She is also the creator of the Canaletto series of mysteries, set in 18th century London. There are three in the series, which began with 'Canaletto and the Case of Westminster Bridge' (1997).
Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010
She has written 10 novels featuring Darina Lisle between 1989 and 2001. The first was 'A Deepe Coffyn (1989) and the last to date was 'The Mermaid's Feast (2001).
She is also the creator of the Canaletto series of mysteries, set in 18th century London. There are three in the series, which began with 'Canaletto and the Case of Westminster Bridge' (1997).
Gerry Wolstenholme
September 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2020
This is a solid 3⭐️, maybe even 3.5⭐️.
I enjoyed the novel well enough in this moment when I was looking for something to while away the time; rather than a gritty, demanding intrigue.
The characters & plot was engaging enough to be enjoyable. I would read another by this author, if I trip over it. But, I will not go looking for it.
I enjoyed the novel well enough in this moment when I was looking for something to while away the time; rather than a gritty, demanding intrigue.
The characters & plot was engaging enough to be enjoyable. I would read another by this author, if I trip over it. But, I will not go looking for it.
December 18, 2011
Rating: 2* of five
It's amazing how many historical figures had hitherto-unknown crime-solving careers! Just astonishing that we never learned of Dr. Johnson's career as a thief-taker from that master of the art of amanuensis-ing, Boswell. Perfectly amazing that Benj. Franklin is famous for "Poor Richard's Almanack" but not for his crime-solvig prowess. And now, not to be outdone, the shade of Canaletto comes back...in London no less!...to resolve mysterious evildoings at the behest of no less a personage than Pitt the Elder.
Bosh.
I am glad to suspend disbelief, truly I am, and I can see past the facts to the story in most cases. But this cadaver is too far gone to reanimate even with Frankenstein's help. The writing is no better than serviceable. The plotting is average at best. The idea strikes me as a "me too me too" sort of an effort, cashing in on a trend.
Oh hell. Not recommended. Don't bother looking for it, if it's given to you gratefully accept and quietly return it, and if confronted with your perfidy, send the injured party to me. I shall defend you against any accusation save that of sensible use of the limited number of eyeblinks one gets in this life.
It's amazing how many historical figures had hitherto-unknown crime-solving careers! Just astonishing that we never learned of Dr. Johnson's career as a thief-taker from that master of the art of amanuensis-ing, Boswell. Perfectly amazing that Benj. Franklin is famous for "Poor Richard's Almanack" but not for his crime-solvig prowess. And now, not to be outdone, the shade of Canaletto comes back...in London no less!...to resolve mysterious evildoings at the behest of no less a personage than Pitt the Elder.
Bosh.
I am glad to suspend disbelief, truly I am, and I can see past the facts to the story in most cases. But this cadaver is too far gone to reanimate even with Frankenstein's help. The writing is no better than serviceable. The plotting is average at best. The idea strikes me as a "me too me too" sort of an effort, cashing in on a trend.
Oh hell. Not recommended. Don't bother looking for it, if it's given to you gratefully accept and quietly return it, and if confronted with your perfidy, send the injured party to me. I shall defend you against any accusation save that of sensible use of the limited number of eyeblinks one gets in this life.
July 7, 2018
It isn't bad, it just fails to be good. Strong start, reminiscent of David Liss' novels, but I abandoned it 75% of the way through when I couldn't keep track of what was going on and realized that didn't care, either.
July 24, 2022
Took a while to get into, but the story of an Italian painter in London eventually got me. Satisfied with the conclusion to the mystery
March 21, 2026
I loved this book. 4.5 stars. I hope I can find the next 2 in the series.
May 29, 2010
This is the first in the historical Canaletto series.
Canaletto arrives in England and very nearly finds himself killed as soon as he steps foot on English soil. However, thanks to Fanny Rooker, who later becomes his apprentice, he survives.
He then gets embroiled in trying to discover who his assailant was and in the process becomes involved in the Westminster Bridge project. He is commissioned to find out what the problems are with the building of the bridge and this leads him into more intrigue.
Things look very bleak but some determined investigating eventually leads to him sorting out the problem and then gaining commissions to paint for English patrons.
The historical detail is excellent, the plot not quite so.
Canaletto arrives in England and very nearly finds himself killed as soon as he steps foot on English soil. However, thanks to Fanny Rooker, who later becomes his apprentice, he survives.
He then gets embroiled in trying to discover who his assailant was and in the process becomes involved in the Westminster Bridge project. He is commissioned to find out what the problems are with the building of the bridge and this leads him into more intrigue.
Things look very bleak but some determined investigating eventually leads to him sorting out the problem and then gaining commissions to paint for English patrons.
The historical detail is excellent, the plot not quite so.
January 8, 2009
This mystery takes place in London in the 1800's. The mystery itself was forgettable but the details of the time period and the information about the Italian artist, Canaletto were interesting.
May 1, 2016
Atmospheric but did not really gain my interest.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews