I must start by thanking both NetGalley as well as the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
A wonderful mystery with a series of clues to the location of a lost masterpiece. As I wrote after reading the first Venetian mystery with Arnold Clover, this series is a wonderful detailed description of walking the streets of Venice while also enjoying some of it's unique gastronomical delights! I will not say it will be appreciated by everyone, it requires someone patient enough to wade through the many clues and twists to find a wonderful intriguing mystery.

I tried really hard to read this novel- the premise was interesting and I read up to 40% on my kindle.
Unfortunately for some reason the book did not grab me.
Arnold, the main protagonist is investigating the disappearance of a woman in Venice, many years earlier. Helping her daughter, Lizzie, who has come to claim her inheritance, a Venetian house by one of the canals, Arnold makes a grisly discovery. Lizzie and Arnold then follow some cluses left by Lizzie’s mother in order to find “The Borgia Portrait” which is missing from the house.
There seemed to be a lot of characters and unfortunately their interactions and conversations really did not hold my attention. When I got to the stage of having to force myself to pick up the book I gave up.
I was hoping for an interesting and compelling mystery with historical content, a bit like the Da Vinci Code but this novel really did not deliver.
A lot of people seem to have enjoyed this book judging by the five star reviews and this is only my personal opinion so please make your own mind up.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my review copy.

A riddle linking the infamous Borgia portrait by Bartolommeo Veneto to Casanova. The last known owner , a penniless Venetian countess , Lucia Scacchi missing 35 years is a distant memory to Lizzie, the daughter left in the care of an immoral abusive father at 5 years of age. Penniless but focussed now on searching out secrets from the past, she is introduced to Arnold Clover, a quiet solitary widower, a historian and resident of Venice, with the time, interest and ability to provide valuable assistance in her search .What follows is a tantalising mix of escapades across Venice savouring the beauty, the history, the mystery whilst digging into the background of a 500 year old painting of Lucretia Borgia, a popes daughter ; dangerously linking it to a family tragedy unfolding under the piercing eyes of numerous interested parties. There follows a cat and mouse chase between numerous individuals to uncover secrets from the past potentially opening up riches beyond belief if solving the enigmatic riddle. A conclusion that defies expectations tying up numerous loose ends but somehow becomes secondary to the pages of beauty, history and poetry when traversing the hidden gems that together give the reader a once in a lifetime adventure through the hidden joys of Venice. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC of an unbelievable five star read.

Lavishly Embroidered..
The second outing in the Venetian Mystery series throws Arnold Clover into a wholly unexpected and tumultuous situation ultimately involving a potentially deadly race against time through the history of Venice itself. A lavishly embroidered tapestry of history and present day is woven together by this talented author as the tale unfolds with a cast of splendid and credible characters, a swiftly moving and gripping plot and a beautifully crafted, keenly observed backdrop. Compelling, immersive and richly imagined.

This is the second book in the Venetian Mysteries and it is every bit as good as the first! Arnold Clover is back, requested by his Carabiniere friend Valentina Fabbri to assist newcomer Lizzie Hawker research her family's Venetian history and inheritance. Lizzie's father recently died in Britain, and Lizzie has returned to her mother's homeland to decide what to do with the crumbling family palazzo in Dorsoduro, Venice. Lizzie's mother, a Countess, disappeared thirty years and is thought to be dead. Many valuable artifacts from the home are missing, including an infamous painting of Lucrezia Borgia, which has inspired the lust of many men for generations. Lizzie's mother left behind a trail of clues in the form of a story about Casanova, with eight riddles to solve. Lizzie and Arnold become close companions and chase the clues down together, pursued all the while by fierce rival Enzo Canale.

This series gives me everything I want in a mystery novel - tension, atmosphere, great characters, snippets of history and of course, Venice! The locations featured in the book are real, as well as the historical figures. So well-written, you can hear the water lapping as you read. The chemistry between Arnold and Lizzie adds a light romantic element to the novel this time around, which is quite fun and reveals a softer side of Arnold. I found the references to the politics of saving cultural heritage and landmarks in Italy an interesting side topic, and not one that the casual visitor thinks much about. A truly atmospheric and engrossing read - loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Arnold Glover, who moved to Venice after the death of his wife, is asked by Lizzie Hawker to help her figure out her inheritance, plus find a
mysterious missing painting. Lizzie's mother (missing, presumed dead) was the owner of the supposedly cursed palazzo Ca'Scacchi, which Lizzie assumes she will inherit. But Lizzie basically wants to sell the property and return to London. She doesn't even speak Italian...
The author's descriptions of Venice's geography and history is fantastic and the story is so good, absolutely impossible put down!
Highly recommended!

320 pages

5 stars

The wonderful author David Hewson takes us back to Venice once more in his latest novel.

Retired archivist Englishman Arnold Clover is now living in Venice. He is tasked with assisting an Englishwoman, Lizzie Hawker, with her inheritance. She is the sole survivor of the Scacchi family. She needs to decide what to do with her family home Ca’ Scacchi that she has not seen since she was five years old. She doesn’t speak a word of Italian and doesn’t really want to be in Venice. Her mother, a Countess named Lucia, committed suicide, her father, a somewhat n’er-do well Englishman, was apparently a thief who wasted his life trying to regain his status as a music producer.

So begins a tale of murder, deceit, corrupt officials, a shrewd police officer, puzzles and a quest that tries Arnold and Lizzie’s patience, but also draws them closer together. The purpose of the quest? To locate a lost portrait of Lucrezia Borgia.

Arnold and Lizzie become friends.

Of course, Arnold has the assistance of his very good friends Luca and Valentina. Together, they add so much to Mr. Hewson’s stories. Luca is also an archivist, but still employed by the city so he has access to much that Arnold does not. Valentina is a tough police officer, but has compassion and is very intelligent.

I very much appreciate Mr. Hewson’s descriptions of Venice and the historical tidbits he sprinkles throughout his stories. Imagine a city without cars! I love reading about history. I always feel as though I were witnessing the action first hand. I can imagine the statuary, the building and the streets of Venice. I truly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to Mr. Hewson’s next Venetian adventure.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

This is a wonderful crime fiction novel based around a cryptic story and clues and a treasure hunt around Venice to hunt down a missing painting. Lizzie Hawker may have inherited a cursed palazzo Ca’ Scacchi but the city authorities believe the palazzo should be in their hands as well as local businessman who claims it was promised to him by Lizzie’s mother decades before.
Arnold Clover is asked to assist Lizzie in exploring her potential inheritance .The discovery of a body at the palazzo believed to be Lucia Scacchi, Lizzie ‘s mother ,changes events and Arnold and Lizzie are up against time to solve the mystery of the vanished painting believed to have been in in the palazzo.
David Hewson’s meticulous attention historical and geographical detail is excellent ( I won’t deny - I found myself looking at online images and photographs of historical figures and Venetian landmarks ) The plot is fast paced and the interaction between Arnold, Lizzie and Luca the archivist is humorous and keeps the story lively.
This a great read and being a fan of Donna Leon, I was hooked from the start. Highly recommended for fans of Venice, and crime fiction.

The second of David Hewsons' book featuring Arnold Clover and his friends. Hewson obviously know his Venice and his style brings the city to bright, vibrant life. I adored his first book with Arnold, an academic who spent his working life amongst dusty archives and on retiring chose to move to Venice with Eleanor , his wife. Unfortunately she died before they relocated and he decided to go by himself. His friend Luca, also a researcher, collaborates in another mystery here relating to a "cursed pallazzo", an English girl with a missing mother and a mystery to solve. This is a great story with plenty of action, puzzles and mild peril. I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for the next instalment in Arnold and Lucas' adventures. I am grateful to Netgalley and Severn for an advance copy of The Borgia Portrait.
#TheBorgiaPortrait #NetGalley