The Venetian Game

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What to expect

'An unputdownable thriller' Gregory Dowling

'It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax' Daily Mail

*****

A game of cross and double-cross in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities on earth.

From his office on the Street of the Assassins, Nathan Sutherland enjoys a steady but unexciting life translating Italian DIY manuals. All this changes dramatically when he is offered a large sum of money to look after a small package containing an extremely valuable antique prayer book illustrated by a Venetian master. But is it a stolen masterpiece - or a brilliant fake?

Unknown to Nathan, from a vast mansion on the Grand Canal twin brothers Domenico and Arcangelo Moro, motivated by nothing more than mutual hatred, have been playing out a complex game of art theft for twenty years. And now Nathan finds himself unwittingly drawn into their deadly business . . .

*****

Praise for Philip Gwynne Jones

'I devoured all Philip's novels and felt transported to Venice with a new intimacy' Val McDermid

'Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid' Stephen Glover

'Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself' L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra

'Clever and great fun' The Times

'The Venetian setting is vividly described... good, fluid writing makes for easy reading' Literary Review

'Un-put-downable . . . If you love Venice, you'll love this because you'll be transported there in an instant. If you've not been to Venice, read this book and then go. If you like intrigue, and a clever plot, you'll love this book' Amazon reviewer, 5*****

*****

Vengeance in Venice, the second book in Philip Gwynne Jones' sensational Venice series, is available now

Critics Review

Sinister and shimmering, The Venetian Game is as haunting and darkly elegant as Venice itself
L.S. Hilton, bestselling author of Maestra
Clever and great fun
The Times
...a playful novel, recounted by a witty and engaging narrator ... as Venetian as a painting by Bellini (or a glass of Bellini). Oh, and it's also an unputdownable thriller
Gregory Dowling, author of Ascension
A crime book for people with sophisticated tastes: Venice, opera, renaissance art, good food and wine... I enjoyed all that and more
The Crime Warp
It is no surprise to find that Philip Gwynne Jones lives in Venice... art and architecture interweave into a story that builds to an almost surreal climax
Daily Mail
The Venetian setting is vividly described and Gwynne Jones's good, fluent writing makes for easy reading
Literary Review
a civilized, knowledgeable, charming antidote to the darker reaches of the genre, full of entertaining descriptions of the city... Lovely. Makes you want to book a flight to Venice straight away
N J Cooper, Bookoxygen.com
...he puts not one foot wrong with his topography and knowledge... Add a satisfyingly (but not gratuitously) surprising and action-packed ending and you have a book that I can wholeheartedly recommend
Fictional Cities
A crime story that positively thrives among the shadowy streets and canals of Venice... Gorgeous escapism with stacks of atmosphere and double-cross
Saga magazine
This entertaining thriller makes good use of its watery setting, introducing readers to a rougher Venice, hidden behind the familiar facade of gondoliers and frescoes
Morning Star
...a quite excellent book... Philip is entirely knowledgable about the buildings and art of the city. It forms a perfect background to a very well worked thriller
TripFiction.com
Superb - always gripping, beautifully constructed and vivid
Stephen Glover
A perfect holiday read
Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Light and easy to read, with touches of humour and great observations of locale and people. As the plot moves along, the early Summer sun dapples the canals and lights up the buildings, just illuminating this beautiful city
TripFiction

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