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Dead in Venice

Fiona Leitch (Goodreads Author)

4.38 · Rating details · 39 ratings · 27 reviews

AUDIBLE CRIME WRITING GRANT FINALIST - AUDIBLE EXCLUSIVE

Bella Tyson is a famous 40-something crime writer suffering from writer’s block ever since a bitter divorce two years before. When a fan offers her the use of an apartment in Venice, Bella jumps at it, hoping a change of scene will have her writing again. Once there, she soon meets Will, a charming Englishman, who ...more

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Published September 11th 2018 by Audible Studios

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· 39 ratings · 27 reviews

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May 11, 2019 V Nerd ✨Audio Killed the Bookmark rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-read, 4-star-books, audiobooks, thriller, completed-review

Bella Tyson is a famous author, her genre is crime and she loves to write a good old Murder Mystery, but there is one thing holding her back at the moment, and that is writers block, after a messy and bitter divorce a couple of years ago, she just can't seem to get back into the swing of it.

She receives an email from a fan who offers her an apartment in Venice to help her with new ideas for her new novel.
Bella obviously jumps at the chance, and soon starts thinking of ideas for her new book.

...more

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Oct 02, 2018 Zoé-lee O'farrell rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2018

Wow, where do I start with this! This is a different kind of tour and one I loved as it was an audiobook review! I hated having to go to work because I just wanted to sit and listen all day in the car. I was a goner from the opening lines!

I have to say you need to go and buy this audiobook straight away! Deryn Edwards who reads this masterpiece is absolutely fantastic as Bella! I was laughing so much when she was reading. She got Bella, she got her voice to a tee! It was a fantastic pairing, and Wow, where do I start with this! This is a different kind of tour and one I loved as it was an audiobook review! I hated having to go to work because I just wanted to sit and listen all day in the car. I was a goner from the opening lines!

I have to say you need to go and buy this audiobook straight away! Deryn Edwards who reads this masterpiece is absolutely fantastic as Bella! I was laughing so much when she was reading. She got Bella, she got her voice to a tee! It was a fantastic pairing, and she does such a great service to Fiona’s book!

Bella, a successful crime writer who is suffering from writer’s block thanks to her slimy ex-husband, whisks herself off to Venice staying in someone’s apartment, all thanks to an email from someone but who is Francesa? Why are people being killed in Venice? And what is with the creepy mask on the book cover!!??!

When listening to the book, it felt more like I was having a conversation with the author by the way it was written. It was so conversational, a bit of casual swearing and berating when Bella is trying to write her novel. I loved the added extras in this book, all the inner monologues were hilarious! There was a lot of voice-overs, that you see on TV where characters are in their own head whilst in a scene, it was brilliantly done and played out. Bella is so real! The way she spoke, well like I say it is like having a conversation like she is telling me her story over a cup of tea or in our case a glass of wine! She hides behind the humour when uncomfortable, swears a lot but she is so down to earth and she does not mince her words!

Will, well he is dashing! In my head, I kept picturing the author Will Dean, I think because of seeing all the photos of “Bloody Scotland” festival, and to be fair he is a bit dashing too. So the whole time that is who I pictured – sidetracked there sorry!

The story, however, is a hard story when you find out why these people are being murdered. It was sad and makes you angry when you realise what is going on and why and my heart went out to one said person. When you get to the reveal, I never saw it coming and people must have thought I was weirder than normal when driving as my jaw was open the whole time, I was gobsmacked and speechless (Yes it happens..sometimes….).

I can honestly say, I was enjoying this audiobook so much I did not sit there trying to figure out who was doing the killings but I went with it, and it added so much more to my enjoyment. Instead of playing detective, I got caught up in Bella and Will and followed the clues. I got to picture the river taxis, the sights, the cafes and take it all in. I want to go to Venice so much more now, it all sounded mesmerising.

Fiona’s writing and Deryn’s voice is an amazing, head blowing combination. Fiona’s words flow, her characters are built, and Deryn she becomes their actual voice, she adds to bringing them to life.

Two things, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE, in fact, I DEMAND this be on the big screen, tv series maybe? and two I do so hope that there will be a second book, maybe in New York, especially as the author casually dropped it in on Twitter…. maybe even a character called Zoe who, at my suggestion, dies horribly! Fingers crossed for this!! **Exciting update, it appears Paris Catacombs are being researched, see you later I am off***

I really do not think I have conveyed in my review how much I loved it, but if you listen carefully you may hear me all the way from Dover shouting about it! #Gobuythisaudiobook ...more

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Jan 30, 2019 Carmen Radtke rated it it was amazing

This is an absolute gem! A Romcom that is as insightful as it is funny (and it is snort-out-loud hilarious), a mystery that is dark, compelling and utterly enthralling, and Venice. Bella is the kind of heroine most women would love to be and Will the kind of man we’d love to meet. Funny, loud-mouthed, mature protagonists with flaws, curves and the kind of wit that makes Fiona Leitch’s writing reminiscent of Richard Curtis’ films - I need to listen to Dead in Venice again. Right now. And hope ...more

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Sep 12, 2018 Laura Știrbu rated it it was amazing

Fiona writes for all senses! Hear the water running under the gondola, feel the drops that splash your skin, taste some delicious croissants, smell... well, smell Venice! And see great landscapes and quite a few intriguing men! Oh, did I mention the scary ghost part? If it were a movie, I would have watched it through my closed fingers! In the end, I am happy Bella found her way our of Venice, because she has to lose herself in another town! Soon!

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May 28, 2019 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Fun and Frivolity and Murder in Venice!

Oh what fun! Hilarious and witty protagonist in one of the best cities in the world. Suspenseful and kept me hooked even though I guessed a few plot points. Great twist in the end and all the characters are lovable. Hoping for a sequel in NYC!

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Sep 12, 2019 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Absolutely stonking book. Rom com meets crime in such a fresh and refreshing way. Dirty laughed through half of the book and cried at the end. Amazing book. Top 3 of 2019 for me ...more

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Nov 03, 2018 Hayley rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, review-books-read, read-2018

This review was originally posted on my blog: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/

I jumped at the chance to be on this blog tour as I very much enjoy listening to audio books and I loved the sound of Dead in Venice, it sounded like it might be something a bit different for me. I’m so glad that I did because the audiobook more than lived up to my expectations!

Dead in Venice is about Bella, a crime writer who has terrible writer’s block and is desperate to come up with an idea for her next novel. This review was originally posted on my blog: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/

I jumped at the chance to be on this blog tour as I very much enjoy listening to audio books and I loved the sound of Dead in Venice, it sounded like it might be something a bit different for me. I’m so glad that I did because the audiobook more than lived up to my expectations!

Dead in Venice is about Bella, a crime writer who has terrible writer’s block and is desperate to come up with an idea for her next novel. When she gets offered an apartment in Venice she jumps at the chance and is immediately excited at the possibilities for it to spark a new idea for a novel. Soon after her arrival she meets Will and it seems as though things might be looking up for her…

I must start be saying that the narrator, Deryn Edwards, is brilliant. She really captures the mood of the novel perfectly and it very much felt like she inhabited the characters, especially that of Bella. I’ll definitely be looking out for more audio books narrated by her.

I loved how we got to see Bella’s false starts when she was attempting to come up with an opening to her novel at the beginning of this book. The way she put herself into her book and then goes off on tangents is brilliant. It brought real humour to a novel that I wasn’t expecting and I adored that.

Once Bella gets to Venice she finds herself caught up in a real life murder and this finds its way into her writing. The whole novel that Bella is writing gets swept along by the increasingly bizarre murders she finds herself in the vicinity of. It was utterly engrossing and a really different take on the thriller genre. I didn’t work out whodunnit or why but I did find myself suspicious of each of the characters as the novel progressed. I even wondered at one stage, in the same way I’ve always wondered about Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, whether it could actually be Bella committing the murders that she then fictionalises!

The murders in Dead in Venice are quite gruesome and supernatural but the novel is written in such a way, with the reader seeing it through Bella the novelist’s eyes, that it never feels too much. The fictional novelist is fictionalising it further for the reader, and I found this really clever and interesting. It is a bit creepy at times as the murders Bella encounters seem to be mirroring a book that she is reading for research but hearing how Bella reacts to the situations she finds herself in just has you desperate to keep listening to find out what might happen next. I don’t particularly like being scared or feeling creeped out but I honestly just couldn’t put this audio book down!

Dead in Venice is so brilliantly written and fully immerses the reader in the novel. I’ve never been to Venice but Fiona Leitch brought it to life in this book. As I was listening to the audio I could completely envisage the setting as if I was right there with Bella. I could hear all the sounds and smell all the smells as I was listening and I felt as if I was right there in Venice with Bella.

Dead in Venice is such a quirky, fascinating novel. I got completely and utterly lost in the novel, it was brilliant escapism for me on a day when I wasn’t feeling too well. It’s a novel full of mystery and intrigue mixed with a hint of the supernatural and a dash of humour. I listened to the whole book in one afternoon and I absolutely loved it! I’m already eagerly anticipating whatever Fiona Leitch writes next but in the meantime I highly recommend this audio book! It’s one of my favourite audiobooks of the year! ...more

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Oct 24, 2018 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook

It’s been a little while since I have listened to an audiobook, not sure why because after hearing Dead in Venice it reminded me how much I enjoy the experience, especially if you have a story you can sink your teeth into.

At just about 6 hours long it’s a fairly short book but boy does it cram a lot in. I have been to Venice so I could get a taste of where this was likely to be and the atmosphere but even if you haven’t visited the place in real life you are soon immersed in it fully. The ...more

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Feb 03, 2019 Jane Badrock rated it it was amazing

This is the first and only book I have listened to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I might even say that it is better to listen to than read as it lends itself so well to the medium and is brilliantly narrated. So if you are put off by the format, try it, I'm sure you'll love it as I did.

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Nov 03, 2018 Podenca rated it really liked it

CHIAROSCURO!!! This appropriately enough, would be the best word to sum up this Italian set book - light and dark - comedy and tragedy - lighthearted flippant quips meet the grisliest hard hitting topics in, what seemed to me. often an uneasy marriage of convenience.
At first I thought this seemed like an Agatha Raisin reboot with a lot of Jane Fallon-like intrigue told in a comedic conversational lighthearted tone - then just when you are settled in for a fun filled frivolous romp ... CHIAROSCURO!!! This appropriately enough, would be the best word to sum up this Italian set book - light and dark - comedy and tragedy - lighthearted flippant quips meet the grisliest hard hitting topics in, what seemed to me. often an uneasy marriage of convenience.
At first I thought this seemed like an Agatha Raisin reboot with a lot of Jane Fallon-like intrigue told in a comedic conversational lighthearted tone - then just when you are settled in for a fun filled frivolous romp ... everything got very dark - also I suppose a metaphor of Venice itself.
I adore thrillers set in foreign and especially glamorous locations such as Emily Barr's excellent mysteries and so I was really on board for this Venetian adventure but also enjoyed the establishing chapters set in the UK. It all started off very frothy and girlie and I enjoyed the description of life as a successful murder mystery writer - not so keen on a lot of the cringe worthy puns but over all I did like the chummy banter and humorous internal dialogue - could have done with a LOT less of the F words which seemed a little incongruous throughout the book and jarred with me.
And so to the crimes and mystery segment - loved the atmospheric settings but I did find the lack of any procedural protocol at crime scenes did break the spell for me with an un-researched casualness which took away any sense of realism as the book took a turn for more Nancy Drew than CSI territory. Again the mix of horrific sadistic murder with dreadful puns did not sit well with me and made realise how artful MC Beaton is to mix humour and murder mystery with Agatha Raisin without leaving a nasty taste in the mouth. Perhaps if the murders had been less shocking or the humour more subtle it would have also been more believable and less stomach churning pantomime.
I have to say I was not a fan of the romantic interest as he was made out to be so very dull. Hard as I tried I just could not muster up much enthusiasm for him, but perhaps that is because the only physical description was 5'6, mid brown haired and balding - after that I just could not shake Crimplene as a subtext and pictured him from then on in some sort of Man at C&A vintage beige Safari suit sticking out like a sore thumb in this otherwise stylish setting. I liked the way he was quintessentially an English Man Abroad - but did he really have to be painted as just one step away from the sock and sandal brigade?
Then about half way through the book took a very dark turn and got into some very heavy topics related to the murders and I have to say, for me, it felt awkward - just as if some funny chatty lady you met at a bus stop suddenly started talking about a horrible medical procedure - it just felt like a bizarre change of pace and style for the book as it then went on to handle some very gritty topics.
I enjoyed the back story to the murders and the reveals and guessed the rather unbelievable twist at the end. I also enjoyed the supernatural aspect and humorous ghoulish dream subplots and I have to say the whole book and plot was unique and very different to any murder mystery I have read.
It is a relatively short book at 6 hours and 4 minutes but it felt like the perfect length for this style of mystery and I did enjoy it but it might not have held my attention had it been much longer.
I thought the narration was excellent and I would love to hear more Audio books narrated by the very talented Deryn Edwards who made the book a delight to listen to.
Did I enjoy it? Yes as at no time did I consider giving up on it and it gripped me from the start.
Would I have chosen it if I knew the theme it covered? I would have been a bit put off as it is not an easy topic.
Do I recommend it? Yes, it is a very engaging book and light easy reading for the main part despite its darker side and indeed it is only the juxtaposition and contrast between the Jane Fallon/Agatha Raisin like mystery approach and the theme which make the dark parts look so murky in contrast. I suppose some people might say it was to serious a topic to joke about - but then I suppose murder itself is a terrible crime that we never think twice about a comedic approach to.
Food for thought, but a little uncomfortable a mix for me ... plus too much swearing also grated with me in such a lighthearted romp. In fact in that way it really is as if there are two books fighting to get out in the one story - both very well written, one light, one dark and though I would have happily read both separately, together they do not sit well with me.
I would try another book written by Fiona Leitch as I do think she is very talented and the book does end with the promise of a sequel which I would happily get on board for. hoping there might not be such a mismatch between style and theme. ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 Andie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fast paced, laugh-out-loud kind of romcom! (which is my kind of book!)

I laughed my way through this hilarious romcom, staring with the first few pages (you'll have to read it to find out why!) Fiona Leitch is a true talent in this genre. I'm downloading the audio version for a road trip even though I've already read this fantastic book. Probably not a good idea to drink hot coffee while reading this, because you will laugh. And it will come out your nose.

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Oct 04, 2018 Mark Walker rated it really liked it

This is a great romantic tour of the sights of Venice....not, although it is obviously set in Venice, and there is a smattering of romance, it is also a grotty tale of intrigue and murder. Its fairly short and sometimes predictable, but all comes together in an ending that you don't necessarily see coming from the end of a Gondola! A fantastic debut!

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Nov 02, 2019 Louise rated it liked it · review of another edition

Overall this book is really enjoyable, beautiful setting, clever plot with a clear message.

Some of it grated, I love a psychological thriller, I love a bit of romance. This fell in the middle and FOR ME the really grisly nature of the murder thriller did not fit with the romantic elements so I started to lose a bit of belief.

However, its still a great plot, clever ending. 7/10

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Nov 01, 2019 Sandy Barker rated it it was amazing

This is a wild ride of a book. Fast-paced, hilariously funny, disturbingly gruesome and so romantic!

I couldn't put it down.

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Nov 26, 2019 jhanami rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When I picked this up I expected a light-hearted, chic-lit, cosy crime in a random ‘romantic’ location (and I would have been fine with that) but what I got was so much better!
The writing is light-hearted indeed, and funny, and irreverent - with a credible, likeable heroine who doesn’t take herself too seriously and keeps poking fun at numerous romance and crime tropes and cliches along the way (I gather the author has come across a few of those!).
The subject matter quickly becomes more serious ...more

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Nov 08, 2019 Vanessa Wild rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Told in the first person by best selling author, Bella Tyson, who is suffering from writer’s block. One day she receives a mysterious invitation to stay in Venice, along with a book about Venetian folklore. Deciding to take up the offer, she travels to Venice where she meets Will Carmichael, an Interpol agent. Together they end up trying solve some rather gruesome and bizarre murders which seem to link to the book Bella has been sent.

What to say! It starts out really well. The writing style is ...more

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Nov 16, 2019 T Rowley rated it it was amazing

I was only 2% in on my kindle and I knew already I was going to LOVE this book!
I was chuckling to myself at the wit and humour within the first few pages of the prologue.
This is a very cleverly written book, the writing style is original and relaxed, it feels like chatting with your best friend. As the story develops it weaves between what is happening to the main character in Venice and the book she is trying to write and some good old murder mystery is thrown in for good measure!
This is a ...more

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Nov 10, 2019 Arkgirl rated it liked it

This is a book that has much to offer - romance, mystery, some supernatural elements plus some beautiful descriptions of Venice - but what felt initially felt like a 'cosy crime' turned a little more graphic and gory then became very dark and I do feel that these tonal changes were a little jarring.
Overall I enjoyed it and I liked the idea of a crime writer being the first person narrator as she explores writer's block then inspiration from the events around her. Venice was captured really well ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Beccy Thompson rated it really liked it

I received a copy of this book from TBC Reviewers request- Thank you
I love a good crime novel and who doesn’t love a rom com? In this book, Fiona has blended both genres together to create a really fun read, there were parts of the book you just can’t help laughing aloud at and parts that just make you cringe. A well-written and well-paced novel that was perfect for an autumn afternoon read! Overall a fantastic fun read with likeable characters and an engaging storyline.

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Nov 26, 2019 Lorna rated it it was amazing

I didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up to read as it was a new author for me, but it certainly wasn't a laugh out loud, inappropriately funny and shocking story! I genuinely laughed (including a snort while reading on a train) from the first page, and the humour really offset against the violent murders. Thoroughly recommended!

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Nov 21, 2019 Simone Padfield rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow just wow

Absolutely fantastic loved it, massive twists didn't see it coming. Can't wait to read more from this author. Thank you

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Dec 01, 2019 Priya rated it liked it

Funny and entertaining and set in Venice.. Sort of icing on the cake that!
The characters are interesting and I enjoyed the story.

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Nov 14, 2019 Gill-Marie Stewart rated it it was amazing

I love books narrated by a confident, funny, idiosyncratic voice - and this one is exactly that. Great location and gripping plot.

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Nov 22, 2019 Rochelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019

Review to follow

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Dec 04, 2019 Susan Angela Wallace rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Dead in venice by Fiona Leitch.
Bella Tyson is a famous 40-something crime writer suffering from writer’s block ever since a bitter divorce two years before. When a fan offers her the use of an apartment in Venice, Bella jumps at it, hoping a change of scene will have her writing again. Once there, she soon meets Will, a charming Englishman, who shows her around the city.
Enchanted by both Will and her new surroundings, Bella decides to write a supernatural murder mystery and begins researching ...more

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Dec 08, 2019 Brenda Blair rated it it was amazing

I really loved this crime fiction book. I loved the ghost stories depicted in this fast paced read. I loved the fact that Bella was swept into a crime investigation just to realize that the love of her life was far from who he was. They met because of sad and horrible circumstances but Bella wasn’t going to give up on her love for Will. I also loved the ending and the fact that Venetian families will do anything to protect their family.

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Nov 01, 2019 Terri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Bella is a successful writer who is suffering from writers block. When she receives a book from an Italian author with an invitation to visit Venice, accommodation provided, she jumps at the chance. If she can’t write in this vibrant, romantic city there is no hope. When she meets Will, a soft spoken 40 something Interpol agent Bella finds herself strangely drawn to him, add to that a string of grisly murders and an intriguing story evolves. Venice is one of my favourite places and the I was ...more

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