Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

A great novel, beautiful depiction of the characters with some tense moments thrown into the mix. Will definitely pick more books by this talented author.

Oh, I liked this story very much! This is an intriguing historical mystery, and the protagonist is so complex and interesting, and the mystery so well done that you'll find yourself trapped between the pages.

The writing is really good, the descriptions vivids and evoking and it's very well paced. A very recommended read.

The story follows a young woman on her honeymoon who thinks she sees a murder and makes it her mission to find out the truth.
Although the book is well written and the overall plot quite gripping, I really struggled that anyone would go to such lengths to solve the murder of someone that they had only met for 5 minutes and how she felt duty bound to find out the truth.

This was a very engaging read. The descriptions vividly portrayed the sights and sounds of Venice. I felt as though I was there. Even though, Nancy had experienced a very troubled past, she was still determined to investigate who had caused Marta Moretto’s death and why. Leo, her husband did seem to hold views on women that related to the past. Although at this time, many still held this view of women’s place in the home. The relationship she had with Archie, her husband’s employee, developed from one of mistrust to that of fellow conspirators. In some ways Nancy seemed more suited to Archie than Leo. I must admit I didn’t see who was the murderer and this added to the joy of this book. I’m hoping that I will read more of these characters to see how their lives pan out. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A puzzling mystery, set in a wonderful location! It kept my attention throughout.

Nancy and Leo are spending their honeymoon in the marvellous city of Venice; unfortunately, due to work commitments, she has to attend the Opera without her new husband by her side. Completely enthralled by the performance, Nancy is shocked when a body falls from another balcony. When she finds out that the deceased is a woman she met earlier in the day, Nancy cannot agree with the popular opinion that she committed suicide. With no one else looking into the death, Nancy 'persuades' Leo's assistant, Archie, to help her - however much it goes against his instincts.

Throughout this novel, we get to know the main character's back stories, and it all adds up to a very interesting read. The tale flows well with the characters all very realistic and the setting is idyllic and beautifully described; it's not hard to picture the scenes, especially travelling on the waterways of such a fine Italian city. It's not obvious what happened in the Opera house, and the slow unravelling of the mystery kept me on my toes. I do wonder if there will be a follow up? I felt the potential was there for a sequel, it'll be interesting to wait and see. I'm very happy to give this one four stars.

My thanks to publisher Canelo for my copy via NetGalley. Naturally, all opinions stated here are entirely my own.

How i love to read a good historical fiction, especially when the story is based around the Second World War. A well paced book with so many twists and turns that kept me guessing most of the way through. It is the first time that i have read a book by this author and having taken a peek at her other books, i can see myself reading a few more. Deserving of it's 5 stars and do highly recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy.

Nancy has experiences a very troubled past. She's determined to investigate Marta Moretto's death. Her death had effected her deeply. The police seem not to be taking much to do about the case. Nancy wants to find out the truth, she believes it was neither an accident or murder. She gets help from Archie, Leo's (Nancy's husband) assistant.

This story is set back in time, post WWII in Venice. We are taken through Nancy and Low's time that they spent in Venice. We find Nancy in many dangers. This is a multi-layered mystery and it is complex in many ways. The pace is steady. I could not guess who the murderer was. I did feel after finishing this book that it could be the start of asterisk. If it was, I would definitely read more.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Canelo and the author Merryn Allingham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good historical mystery, well written and engrossing.
I liked how the author represented the Venice atmosphere and the historical background.
The cast of characters is well written and fleshed out.
The mystery is good, full of twists and turns, and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A pleasant historical mystery set in post WWII Venice- with great atmospherics of time and place. Nancy's husband Leo is not happy when she pokes around to discover the truth of Maria's fall. It's worth noting that Leo is a stick in the mud and his attitudes toward women, well, let's all just remember that this was a long time ago. Luckily, Leo's assistant Archie is willing to help Nancy, albeit grudgingly at first. The mystery here isn't too twisty but it will keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Merryn Allingham
The Venice atonement
Nancy and Leo are on honeymoon in Venice but all is not as it seems. Leo is a lot older than Nancy and is in love with her. He saved her from an abusive relationship and she tries to love him. Leo is a conference in Venice and his assistant has to spend time entertaining Nancy. The trip to an opera ends in tragedy for a woman Nancy had met over coffee earlier that day. She falls from the circle and dies but Nancy is convinced that she saw someone with her and doesn’t buy the suicide verdict. Going to events with her husband she tries to build up a picture of the woman.
Leo is busy so Archie his assistant steps up and helps her investigate what was clearly a murder. The plot gets darker and Archie supports her in solving the mystery. Venice is the real star of this story, glorious but dangerous at times.
I hope that there is another story to tell about Leo, Archie and Nancy. I feel that there is much more to find out.

I wasn’t sure that this book would be my style but having been offered the opportunity to read it I’m glad I did. Set in Venice in the mid 50’s it builds a nice sense of the time and the place as a backdrop to murder at the Opera which a newly married Nancy Tremayne can’t let pass despite the disbelief of all those around her. Persevering and winning over her new husbands loyal assistant together they uncover the truth and perhaps a little more! An intriguing story with room for the characters to progress as I’m sure they will. Thanks for the surprise to Net Galley,Canelo and Merryn Allingham.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author and thoroughly enjoyed this well executed storyline slightly far fetched in parts but over all a good book

A brilliant gripping story with captures the reader from the very first page. It is a thriller and a mystery combined
There are lots of twists and turns in the story all set against post war Venice in the early 50,s of the last century.
The brilliant description of Venice makes the reader feel that they are actually there.
Very difficult to put down I read it almost in one sitting.

A good historical mystery. Very well written and set in beautiful Venice. A pleasure to read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

This was a well written story and the characters were all really interesting and well developed. The mystery was a little far fetched and the heroine seemed to jump to conclusions quite randomly. It did keep me hooked though and I enjoyed the adventure and setting. I did feel like it ended quite abruptly and I feel like there nay be more to come..

I loved the descriptions of Venice and the portrayal of a woman's place in society at the time, but found the plot a bit too far-fetched. There were some pretty tenuous links that were pursued! Overall, a pleasant, easy read.

Historical mysteries always appeal to me somehow. Maybe it's because I know there will always be something a little different from what I can find in their contemporary counterparts. And for a murder to take place at the opera? I can hardly think of anything else that makes it all the more compelling to give this a shot.

Nancy Tremayne sees the murder play out right in front of her very eyes when she is at the opera. When she realises that the victim is none other than a woman she has just met earlier that day, her death affects her deeply. But the police simply brushes it off, taking light of the event. Nancy sees the importance of finding out the truth even more. She is sure this is neither a suicide nor an accident. The story takes us through her time in Venice together with her new husband, Leo. But it is Archie, Leo's assistant, who helps her instead, albeit reluctantly. Secrets are revealed little by little, taking Nancy through several threats and dangers. Despite that, Nancy is determined to find out the truth.

After my very dismal last read, this is a breath of fresh air. And it isn't only because the author describes Venice really well. Yes, there is that, but we also have here a wonderfully strong heroine who continues to be true to herself even through setbacks. And dear old Archie, who's kind behind his cold demeanour. How well the both of them work together! Seeing how much their relationship develop as the book progresses really leaves a warm feeling, and it left me eager for more.

Other than focusing on the mystery case, the author has also included several difficulties that Nancy faces as a woman born in her time. It's really cool to note that it's possible to describe someone as very Victorian. And that's what I've labelled Leo throughout the book since the very first time he's been called that, because that's what makes him my least favourite character. Not the murderer, not the others involved in a crime, but him. Nancy escaped the clutches of a terrible life, only to be imprisoned by someone like him. *sigh* Which is why I would have loved it if the book ties up the ending a little better in regards to Nancy's personal life, so I really hope to see a sequel~

I'd strongly recommend this book to all who likes seeing the case of a mystery unfolding little by little. This one certainly took my through a lot of red herrings. It also gave me a little bit of the Nancy Drew vibe that I remember from so long ago!

The Venice Atonement is a good historical mystery with such great descriptive details you feel like part of the story. The characters and storyline are interesting. A good book overall.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canelo for the ARC.
I found this to be a pleasant-enough read; not my usual type of thing but I do appreciate a good mystery, well-written.
Nancy Tremayne and husband Leo are spending their honeymoon in Venice, but for reasons which gradually unfold, this is a work trip for Leo. Leo's assistant Archie is accompanying Nancy to the opera at La Fenice when a person in a box opposite her suddenly falls from their balcony. Archie wants to just leave but Nancy runs downstairs to see what's happened - she recognises the now-dead woman. She'd been talking to her at a café earlier in the day and had also convinced herself that she saw another person's shadow on the balcony at the time she fell.
While her husband is tied-up with his work Nancy, and a very reluctant Archie, take us on a Venetian adventure, encountering murder, theft and forgery along the way.
The main characters' backstories are gradually revealed as Nancy's 'investigation' gets underway and we take trips along the waterways, negotiate dark, dank and narrow passageways and appreciate the architecture and art, as well as meeting wealthy art and antique dealers, sail on a luxury yacht and eat in the best restaurants - but, there are secrets hidden and lies being told, and Nancy just won't rest until she's worked out exactly what's going on.
I enjoyed touring Venice but sometimes felt I was reading a travelogue rather than a well-paced mystery, and personally felt that a couple of characters, on which some time was spent, were rather surplus to the requirements of the story itself. Also, my usual bugbear of a main character 'musing' at great lengths upon the questions which a reader should be asking themselves of an unfolding mystery, is much in evidence.
Nevertheless, a good book to take to the beach - or indeed to Venice with you.