One of my fav series: realistic and intriguing setting, fleshed out characters, a solid mystery that kept me guessing
LOVED IT
Due to health issues cannot not but will write a proper review at a later time
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A big thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable for the opportunity to review and read The Venetian Sanctuary by Philip Gwynne Jones Apologies it took so long, but I wanted to catch up on the series and read them in order before I read the latest in the series.

The whole series are excellent and I've enjoyed them all so much being transported off to Venice every time. I've not yet been there, but feel like I know all the areas and streets and characters quite well through these books and will make it there one day in the not too far distant future and the author has painted the city and its surroundings so well. The author has written them incredibly well., and if I had to recommend a series of books for anyone to read - it would be this.

The Venetian Sanctuary takes place in 2020 just after the Pandemic where there are currently very few visitors and Nathan Sutherland does what he does best and as the Honorary Consul gets himself embroiled in the latest mystery or murder.

I hope there will be many more books in this series and look forward to reading them and anything else that Gwynne Jones writes.

Nathan Sutherland is called in when Vicari's broken body is found at the base of the campanile, his death seemingly nothing more than a terrible accident. But Nathan isn't so sure and sets out on an investigation that will reunite him with an old friend and an old adversary, and the discovery of a terrible secret hidden at the heart of the lagoon.

I hadn't read any of the books featuring Nathan Sutherland, his wife or his circle of friends before. I am sorry for that because I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The author describes the immediate aftermath of Covid and the vibrant life the characters lives in Venice.Throw in a dead Briton and Nathan's reluctant playing detective makes for a very lively story, well written. I hope to read more from Jones in the future. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of The Venetian Sanctuary.

Brilliant, as always.
The best thing about this author is that he gets Venice 'right'. As someone who knows the city well, although not as well as him, I get fed up of seeing films and reading books that are so markedly incorrect. It is therefore a joy to read such a book as this, and to even learn a little about the city or area.
Secondly, the story is always interesting, and good. Well written, and with great characters.
This is part of a series, but the reader would get away with reading it having not read any of the previous ones. But obviously, more enjoyment can be had by observing the changing relationships throughout the series.
ps I don't generally like cats, but Gramsci seems just about right. I reckon I would like him.

This was a real delight to read. Philip Gwynne Jones’ descriptions of Venice are always so clear and the city and its islands really cometo life in this novel set during the Covid Pandemic. I love Nathan’s character and his outlook on life especially his fondness for Spritzes and his extremely grumpy cat. His role as Honourary Consul gives him a valid reason to be involved with police investigations and he really excels himself in this case.
The plot is suitably twisty involving monks, divers and a serious ecological issue and Nathan has to use all of the resources at his command to find out what happened. The minor characters are as entertaining as ever and I loved meeting Lucia again. The dialogue between all of the characters and the dry humour is a definite highlight of these books for me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

An intriguing glimpse into the atmosphere in Venice after lockdown. I recognised most of the places described and found myself visualising the beautiful city without all the tourists and very much enjoyed the insight into Venetian life through Nathan’s eyes. A clever storyline which kept me guessing right to the end, really enjoyable.

The Venetian Sanctuary is the eighth book in the Nathan Sutherland series.

As the series progresses and The Honorary Consul's quirky ways and approach to solving crimes becomes more familiar- prone to finding himself in awkward situations and meeting rather dubious characters- and the more enjoyable the books have become.

This story involves the death of an Anglo/Italian man searching for his estranged brother; his body is discovered at the base of a monastery's campanile. Nathan finds himself ''undercover" on a retreat. All is not as it seems with the brothers and other visitors.

Soon Nathan finds himself embroiled in darker deeds and with Fede in tow they find themselves in a life or death situation. The body count rises.

There is also a darker message to take away about how we regard the planet and society's complicity.

Set against the backdrop of the Covid period and a Venice without tourism, there is a different feel to the story- and all the better.

Placing Nathan 'undercover' so he has a clear detective role also strengthened the premise.

Told with the usual humour- love of Negronis and Spritzes ( how does he do it and stay sober?) and the inimitable Gramschi controlling life at home and familiar characters this is a great read.

Best so far... great summer read for those who love Italian based crime novels....

The eighth book in this excellent series set in Venice. I always look forward to a new book in this series and I'm never disappointed. The action takes place during 2020, so the after effects of the covid lockdown are being felt. It was interesting to read of the impact this had on Venice at the time and how the Venetians felt about the situation.
The usual endearing characters are here and the gentle banter they share is so enjoyable to read. I love the humour of these books and the mystery itself always throws up surprises.
Highly recommended and now I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Life is rarely dull for Venice based honorary consul Nathan Sutherland. When a body requires repatriation to England, the unenviable task of notifying the next of kin falls to Nathan. Thwarted in his attempts to track down a relative however, Nathan’s curiosity gets the better of him and before he knows it, Nathan has dipped his toes in to a very murky affair.

Aside from the beautiful backdrop of Venice, Nathan proves to be a shrewd investigator and the twisted plot here not only shows Venice as it lives and breathes but acts as the perfect vehicle for Nathan to break away from translating lawn mower manuals and get his hands properly dirty. I’m lucky enough to have been to Venice on a few occasions but it’s one of those cities where the flimsiest of excuses is enough to draw you back there. The dialogue used keeps you invested with the idiosyncrasies of its’ characters with the added bonus of frequent references to Venetian cuisine.

A contemporary and gripping mystery in a city that never fails to enchant.