Lady Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Swift is taking a holiday in Europe arriving in Venice at Carnival time; she has not only bought along Gladstone and Tompkins but the entire staff, overseen by the absolutely loyal and almost unshakable Clifford. Hugh, due to the pressure of work, has remained in England.
Ellie is finding Venice amazing, overwhelming and charming, but when she accidently bumps into a young lady, sending her handbag flying, the contents strewn over the cobbled paving, she is mortified.
Helping pick up the contents she chats with the young woman who replies in a very enigmatic style, before quietly disappearing in the crowd, but just before she completely vanishes, Ellie realises there is an item left behind, that of a beautifully crafted Venetian glass heart.
And so begins the latest and to date most intriguing adventure to involve Ellie and Clifford, as they discover in the most horrific way possible, that Eleanor has landed herself in a decades long feud between two powerful families, with someone out to destroy the fragile truce, or anyone and anything that gets in their way.
A Gondola ride later that day sees Ellie and Clifford witness to very disturbing incident on the canal resulting in the death of a City official, also a member of one of the families. When her hotel room is ransacked, with nothing taken, a second murder occurs, that of the Gondolier ferrying the murdered man, Ellie’s instinct for solving mysteries sees her begins to wonder what is really going on.
Verity Bright has captured the magic of Venice, the myriad of winding canals and narrow lanes that make up the City, the centuries old beauty of the buildings and the immense pride the Venetian's have in their City built on nothing but timber piles, in the fast pace murder mystery, A Death In Venice that pushes both Ellie and Clifford into territory never faced before, as they struggle to survive against a killer who really means business.
A Death In Venice would have to be considered as the best yet from Verity Bright. What will Lady Eleanor Swift and the indomitable Clifford get up to next. I for one can’t wait to find out!

Another wonderful book from Verity Bright in her series of A Lady Eleanore Swift Mystery. Eleanore has done it again in the beautiful place of Venice. She is witty and adorable. The story is fascinating, gripping, and hard to put down.

This was my first Eleonor Swift novel and it just wasnt for me.
The scenery was great, it felt like I was in Venice. Though because of that it felt more like a “come visit venice” than getting the story anywhere. It took a long time to get to the action and by then I was over it.
I see the Romeo and Juliet retelling of it, but it seems a bit cliche - Italien, familyfeud, murder, mafia?, hot tempers.

Favorite Quotes:

‘Still harbouring a yearning to join the profession, my lady? Rigidly following a routine meal schedule and indulging in only lady-like portions?’ She shook her head in horror. ‘Not a chance, Clifford. What a hideous idea!’

Clifford! I’ve just had the most extraordinary moment where words came out of my mouth before I’d even had the thought.

‘You shouldn’t be mixed up in any of this awful trouble, anyway. I so wanted you to come away purely for a holiday.’ ‘Which it has been,’ he said drily. ‘In inimitable Lady Swift style; replete with inappropriate venues, danger and, ahem, bodies.

If a compliment was intended, please forgive my having missed it.


My Review:

I adore this delightful series. The crafty writing duo known as Verity Bright just keeps getting better with each new addition. Their writing style is smooth, witty, wryly amusing, and unfailingly entertaining. This installment was opulently detailed with the brilliance and colorful splendor of Venice and had me wanting to pack my bags and hop on a gondola myself. The mystery was well-plotted and unsolvable for anyone but the uncanny brain trust found in the pairing of Lady Swift and her infinitely prepared butler, Clifford.

Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler Clifford and the four ladies from Henley Hall, along with Gladstone (the dog) and Tomkins (the cat) were in Venice for a much needed holiday. On a gondola with Angelo, their gondolier, Ellie was in awe of everything around her. Clifford was as well, but didn't show it as much as his mistress did. But when a speedboat zoomed past and the gondola rocked in the wake, a man fell overboard from the gondola ahead. When he was dragged from the canal, he was dead. Ellie was sure it wasn't an accident...

The rivalry from the two greatest families in Venice was known to be long and bitter, and with a carnival starting in a few days, the feud of centuries looked set to raise up once again. With stolen artifacts, a thief stealing Ellie's handbag, and a burglar ransacking her hotel room, Ellie could feel herself becoming deeply involved with something sinister in Venice. She and Clifford were desperate to solve the crimes, find the murderer and get on with their holiday. But could they do that, with the murderer having struck again?

A Death in Venice is the 17th in The Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright and I enjoyed it very much. A lot of description of a beautiful city; set in 1924 (100 years ago!) with characters who were determined to better "the other side"; gondolas, bridges and people - everywhere. A fun read, with Clifford as his usual stiff butlery self. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A murder interrupts a vacation in this cozy mystery.

Lady Swift and her household are on a grand tour when they stop in Venice. While gliding along the canals in a gondola, Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, witness a murder. Of course, they get involved and uncover a longstanding family feud reminiscent of Romeo and Juliette. Can they save the day and let true love prevail.

I was a bit disappointed in this installment. It was quite like a tour guidebook about Venice, which is interesting enough, but the actual plot and the murders and their involvement seemed a bit too far-fetched. I missed the usual funny banter between Ellie and Clifford. For some reason, it all just seemed off from the usual stories in this series. Truth told; it was sort of boring.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review. I really have enjoyed this series and have read all of the books and hope for a return to the usual in the next volume.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Verity Bright for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Death in Venice coming out March 28, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have several books by this author, but this is the first one I’ve read. Historical cozy mysteries is one of my favorite genres. I’m obsessed with Venice, so I was really excited to receive this book. I thought there was a lot of world building and explaining what it’s like in Venice. I think Eleanor is a strong heroine and I enjoyed her asking a lot of questions and trying to solve the murder. I loved it! I definitely need to read more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries located in famous cities!

This sure brought back memories of my trip to Venice over a decade ago. The descriptions were so authentic, atmospheric, and engaging to the senses it is worth reading this just to enjoy a slice of that city!
As for the mystery I was a little disappointed with the reveal at the end as it did not really add up well and felt forced and sudden. But I must admit I did not guess the culprit

This time Lady Swift, and Clifford, enjoying the magnificent sights of Venice, notice an argument begin between a gondolier and a passenger later to be identified as Councillour Benetto Vendelini who was later discovered with a knife in his back!

Through the many canals and over the many bridges of Venice, follow along as Eleanor and her faithful butler Clifford seem to once again be mixed up in a world of murder, disseat and the love between the two Venetian families that have been rivals for centuries.

Another "can not put down" book in the Lady Swift series.

This is an entertaining and engaging murder mystery set in the romantic city of Venice in the 1920s. Lady Eleanor Swift has inherited her uncles fortune and has had to switch from her previous bohemian lifestyle to one that has many rules on etiquette and expected behaviours. There is lots of amusing dialogue around these expectations with her butler, Clifford, as the two of them embark on a holiday in Venice. They are accompanied by Gladstone, her bulldog, Tomkins her tom cat and four female members of her household staff who provide plenty of amusement throughout.

The story starts with a chance encounter with a young woman with striking blue eyes in St Marks Square which sets of a chain of intrigue involving traditional values and ways of life. Combined with an age old family feud, ill fated lovers and a couple of murders and this makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The sites of Venice are carefully described along with some excellent historical detail. The narrative is rich in detail of the labyrinths of canals and narrow alleyways and conveys the hustle and bustle of Venetian life of this period.

This is the 17th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift series. Highly recommended for a light hearted read with fun characters, fantastic scenery and an interesting plot. My only minor criticism is that the conclusion felt slightly rushed and the motive for the murders a little weak.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of A Death in Venice, the seventeenth novel to feature Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler, Clifford, set in 1924.

On holiday in Venice Eleanor is enjoying her first gondola trip when she sees a dispute on another gondola end with the passenger in the canal, a knife in his back. The victim is town councillor Benetto Vendelini and the gondolier is a member of the opposing family in a centuries long feud, currently in an uneasy truce. So will the truce last?

I enjoyed A Death in Venice, due to the fun and amusing dialogue between Eleanor and Clifford. I must admit that I thought the plot was thin and barely credible with all sorts of unlikely events, not least Eleanor sticking her nose in, as normally there is some kind of justification for it whereas this feels contrived.

Much of the early novel is spent touring the highlights of Venice so it’s quite slow, dead bodies notwithstanding. It introduces several characters and examines the feud. The action heats up in the second half, but I can’t say that I found it riveting or cared overly much about the outcome. Is it not a bit patronising to centre the plot on an Italian cliché of feuding families?

Still, Eleanor, Clifford and the Ladies supply fun and laughter to make it an entertaining read.

Who is ready for a holiday? Venice sounds like a great place to go and reading about it in the pages of Verity Bright's latest novel A Death in Venice made me want to go. However, I doubt it would be much like the Venice Lady Eleanor Swift visited in 1924.

This is a fun read. It is book 17 in the series, but you can read this one on its own. I've been reading this series for a while (since book 3) and still really enjoy it.

The relationship between Eleanor and her butler Clifford is changing and I like that he is becoming more of a friend and partner. Sometimes when Eleanor travels we don't get to see her other downstairs employees known collectively as "the ladies", but they have been given a holiday in Venice too. They make brief appearances throughout the story but I always want more because they are just so much fun.

It isn't all fun and games (and shopping!). It looks like someone wants to restart the feud between two prominent families and Eleanor is caught in the middle of it. I enjoyed the mystery and it lets us see some different parts of Venice - those off the tourist typical path.

Whether you are dreaming of a beach vacation or just want a fun mystery, you can't go wrong with this novel.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Sunday, March 17 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/03/a-death-in-venice-by-verity-bright.html

Book Review: A Death in Venice by Verity Bright

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Lady Eleanor Swift finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery in the enchanting city of Venice. As she unravels the clues to solve the crime, she discovers dark secrets and treacherous plots that threaten to shatter the tranquility of the Venetian canals."

Verity Bright's "A Death in Venice" takes readers on a captivating journey through the bustling streets and picturesque canals of Venice in 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift, accompanied by her loyal butler Clifford, sets out to enjoy the festivities of the famous carnival. However, their idyllic gondola ride is interrupted by a shocking murder that plunges Eleanor into a web of deceit and intrigue.

The author masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, blending intricate details of Venetian culture with a gripping whodunit plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. From glamorous balls to shadowy alleyways, the story unfolds against a rich tapestry of historical backdrop, immersing readers in the sights and sounds of this captivating city.

One of the highlights of this book is the meticulous attention to detail in crafting the setting. Bright's vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of Venice, allowing them to experience the beauty and mystery of this iconic city firsthand. The engaging writing style keeps the pace brisk, ensuring that readers are constantly engaged as they follow Eleanor's quest for justice.

While the mystery itself is expertly crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, the true charm of the story lies in its delightful cast of characters. From the resourceful Lady Eleanor to her faithful companion Gladstone, each character is brought to life with warmth and wit, making them instantly endearing to readers.

However, amidst all the intrigue and excitement, there is one aspect that falls slightly short—namely, the underdeveloped romance between Eleanor and Hugh. Their relationship feels somewhat lacking in depth and fails to add significant emotional depth to the story. Despite this minor flaw, "A Death in Venice" remains a captivating read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and cozy whodunits. Whether you're a fan of Agatha Christie or simply love a good old-fashioned whodunit, this book is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you eagerly awaiting Lady Eleanor's next adventure.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A Death In Venice was such a lovely treat! The description of the food, the royals, Venice and the gondolas left me happy and fulfilled as if I too had accompanied Lady Swift, her adorable pets and the indispensable Clifford. It felt like a grown up murder mystery, where it wasn’t solely focused on the murder, but the characters enjoyed their trip and I enjoyed it right alongside them. I connected with Clifford who is basically the human version of Wikipedia. Oh, and I really liked reading Lady Swift's inner voice, it felt like a whole other character. Highly recommend and it can be read as a standalone.

3.75* rounded up

Lady Swift, Clifford, the Ladies and animal sidekicks are travelling again and this time have set up shop in Venice to experience Carnival. Whilst riding on a Gondola to take in the sights, Eleanor has the unfortunate bad luck to witness a murder which, as we have come to expect and love, leads Ellie down the winding and narrow streets of Venice seeking to uncover secrets and solve the case.

This series is one of my favourite historical 'cosy' mysteries and is reliably fun and (generally) fast paced, and I love the core group of characters! However, with this instalment, whilst the overall mystery was solid with plenty of red herrings, it didn't quite land for me as well as the previous book did which was one of the best in the series.

I found that the supporting cast of characters/suspects didn't quite gel for me in the way they usually do (though I have to say I did enjoy the very random addition of Kip to the cast) and the story felt like it was missing the verve and vigour that it normally has. This time round we have a lot more descriptions that felt like filler, especially at the start but once the investigation starts properly for our intrepid duo it picks up pace.

Irrespective of these niggles, overall I enjoyed the read as I always do and I eagerly await the next case to come Eleanor and Clifford's way and perhaps we'll get a little bit more Hugh next time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Death in Venice" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

A Death in Venice by Verity Bright is the irst cosy mystery I have read from this author and I understand many, many more have gone before! Absolutely this can be read as a standalone and I think the series will be an interesting one to dip into based on the writing of this book

I enjoyed the writing style as there was a good mystery and light humour throughout. The characters are affable and fun and the scene setting was vivid and immersive. A great read if you enjoy cozy mysteries

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Bookouture and the wonderful author(s) Verity Bright for this lovely ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

#ADeathinVenice #NetGalley

What a wonderful addition to the brilliant Lady Eleanor Swift series! I felt as though I was right there in Venice along with Ellie, Clifford and ‘the ladies’! The book creates a bewitching backdrop for a thrilling game of cat and mouse and an intriguing mystery. I also really enjoyed the colourful walk-on characters, and of course, the presence of Ellie’s pets, Gladstone and Tomkins. It was fascinating to find the historical notes at the end of the book too, giving extra context for anyone who might want it. I loved it all, from start to finish!

Containing delightful descriptions of food, fashion and the history and sights of Venice, this is a perfect summer read. This is the first book in the series that I have read and I would definitely read read more.Download the series to your kindle and you are set for a two week holiday reading marathon to keep you occupied whatever the weather.

I finished a Verity Bright book in a day? Then you must know it's captivating! This was such a fun twist on what I would call Romeo and Juliet but without the tragedy. I could not stop reading because of all the twists and turns included.

Did I know who the murderer was? Certainly not, because I made the rooky mistake of not really focusing 😂 but hey, these books are always so fun to read that I don't mind not knowing the plot.

10/10 for transporting me to a country I never visited, even if it does take place in the 1900.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an ARC for my honest review.

A Death in Venice is a fun and lighthearted journey through Venice marred by some murders the protagonist encounters along the way- and doesn't seem too bothered by aside from her determination to solve the crimes. This is the first Eleanor Swift book I've read- I was taken in by the title/description and didn't realize initially this is part of a series, however this book stands up well on its own and only alludes somewhat to prior books.

Overall the pacing was uneven. While there was enough action happening that it kept me engaged enough to keep reading and actually want to know what would happen, the main action doesn't occur until nearly 2/3 of the way into the book. The first 200 or so pages consist primarily of Eleanor "Lady Swift" getting into various confrontations and dead ends (literally and figuratively) with a cast of Italian characters who become hard to keep track of. These meetings and parties and run ins she has are not pointless- characters who are important to the ultimate resolution of the crimes are introduced in addition to their possible motives for Eleanor to consider. The introductions and various false starts go on for too long though and the plot begins to drag, particularly by what seems like the millionth time Eleanor reaches a wrong conclusion and announces, "Dash it!" As I read on I realized the plot is influenced by Romeo and Juliet- which is referenced briefly in the beginning by a character- however this book has enough differences that this is not a cozy mystery re-telling of that.

A recurring theme throughout Eleanor's adventures is her butler reminding her repeatedly of her social standing and then begrudgingly assisting her with her hijinks, frequently with her cat and dog in tow as her butler apparently carries them all over Venice. Also popping up at various points are her ladies in waiting who do nothing to advance the plot and appear to only be present for comic relief. There is also a fiancé who makes appearances via telephone and is not relevant at all to the storyline although presumably is present in the previous books.

The final twists were not what I would have guessed at all so I commend the author for that. However, the plot and ultimate reveal were so convoluted that it could have worked better with whole chapters removed. This book painted a vivid image of Venice however curiously- despite the character's commentary on how nicely Italian men dress- there was little description of what these men were actually wearing beyond "nice suits"- even a suit that was apparently brightly colored did not have a description of what that color was.

All of this said, the plot was engaging enough that I wanted to continue reading the book to find out what happened next. I do want to read the first book in this series so I can get a proper introduction to this character and see how the initial books compare to this one.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.