I have to say that I enjoyed this book much more than many of the prior books in the series. I think it was a good idea to get Flora & Jack away to another location to mix things up a bit. I got a bit lost in all of the Italian words/phrases/names which was distracting but I felt there was more character development. I wasn’t a huge fan of Jack in prior books but this one made him more likeable and interesting. Several mysteries mixed together to keep you guessing until the end. I think I was too stuck on the fact that this was their honeymoon and they spent it being guilted into helping others solve their mysteries so I was annoyed at most of the other characters. I hope the author can keep things fresh when they return to Abbeymead.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Venice, 1959

Leave it to Flora to get involved in a murder investigation on her long delayed honeymoon. Poor Jack might wish for an uncomplicated visit to romantic Venice but, well, Flora is Flora. If she sees something that doesn't make sense, she's unable to let it go. Toss in appearances by Jack's mother, who he has a distant relationship with, and the unexpected arrival of Sally from Abbeymead and their honeymoon is anything but serene. It seems like they've barely arrived when the overhear an angry argument. Somehow it came as no surprise to discover one of those arguing, the receptionist who'd so nicely welcomed them to the hotel, is found dead in the canal. Who killed Franco Mancini and what the heck does his mother's worries about a priest and robbery at a church have to do with anything? Oh, and there's a missing woman, too, a put-upon priest's elderly housekeeper. You just know Flora won't be able to let it go, even when Jack is attacked at one point while they're simply walking about. Not quite the honeymoon either expected, that's for sure.

I won't detail the plot further but will note that it ultimately all ties together and involves not just art theft and kidnapping but family grudges, broken romances, ambition, greed, and secrets, lots and lots of secrets. Even though Flora's sometimes too casual obsession with pursuing the truth despite danger tends to cause my eyes to get lots of attention rolling in my head, I like both Jack and her. Jack could be a model for supportive husbands everywhere, even when it puts him in danger and pain. Let's face it, he's a writer, not the police, but his support of Flora seems never to fail.

Despite being the catalysts for their ultimate involvement, most of the supporting cast, well, besides the suspects, were largely in the shadows. Actually, Venice itself could be said to be a character and it certainly wasn't in the shadows. If you've visited or not, you'll ultimately feel like you're right there with them as the explore the city, whether wandering the side-streets and window shopping or hopping in and out of water vehicles. No, they're not all gondolas, which I found found fascinating by themselves. Did you know each is made up of some 100 pieces of seven different kinds of wood? That's just one of the tidbits you'll pick up as you explore with Jack and Flora.

Bottom line, especially for us arm-chair travelers, this was an intriguing read. True, Flora may irritate me at times but I can't fault her caring heart. As we find out, she's not fearless in all situations, either, which was rather humanizing given her normal tendency to just plow ahead. Thanks #Bookouture and #NetGalley for allowing me to hop an early time machine back to 1959 Venice to catch up with where life is taking Jack and Flora. One thing we know for sure, it'll never be dull and predictable.

Sorry, couldn’t finish it. I requested it for being places in Venice, but there’s not enough Venice, or not enough I don’t know if it, to make me follow through the end. Halfway through, when they were starting a trip to Asoló for no good reason, and there was a dead person I didn’t know and did not care enough about, two detectives who are not well developed as characters with other people similarly not-developed, and a lot of connections I can’t really follow… There’s nothing wrong with the book, I think, only, as I have said in my review, simply not for me. Please read a bit more in my Goodreads review.

Flora and Jack are in Venice, Italy on their delayed honeymoon. They are excited to be there, but soon they are embroiled in an investigation. It turns out some people they meet have links to their hometown back in England. A death after a quarrel they witnessed, a request from Jack’s family to assist a priest with a stolen painting and his missing housekeeper, and a broken engagement all combine to disrupt their peaceful vacation.
The locations in the story are amazing and the mystery is complex and intriguing. It kept me hooked to the very end. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

Flora and Jack Carrington have, finally, been able to take the time to enjoy a honeymoon in sun-drenched Italy. When one of the receptionists at their Venetian hotel is found dead after arguing furiously with a local restauranteur, Flora knows something is wrong. Then they receive a message from Jack's mother about a missing woman, and it seems their holiday has become quite similar to their everyday lives! As their quest grows increasingly dangerous, is their first foreign holiday about to become their last?

With Venice as a backdrop, Flora and Jack's latest adventure is a little different from their previous investigations. Dealing with the language barrier, the stifling heat, and Jack's difficult mother, means clues aren't easy to discover, but backing down is impossible, and so reluctantly, they have to continue. I enjoyed this very much, but the location was, by its nature, intrusive and distracted from the main focus, which was a shame. There were hints at what might happen next towards the end, which was very appealing, and I will be on the lookout for book 12 later in the year.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. The location is a little distracting, but once again, this is a very enjoyable read.

Newlyweds Jack (writer in residence at Cleve college) and Flora the local bookseller in Sussex are now married but each has their own sleuthing agenda and a nose for murder. While reveling in the architecture and beauty of Venice they find themselves trying to track the means/motive/opportunity in the death of a man supposedly drowned in the canal (stabbed several times as well!). A real page turner and good fun. Good addition to a lively series.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley.
Avail May 09, 2025
#TheVeniceMurders #NetGalley #FloraSteeleMysteriesBk11 #Bookouture #Merryn Allingham
#cozymystery @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @harpercollinsca @harpercollins @barnesandnoble @waterstones *****Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @kobo #veniceitaly #historicalmystery #honeymoon #murder #familydrama #pageturner #professor #bookseller #banter #witty

Amateur detective and bookshop owner Flora Steele, and her dashing new husband Jack Carrington, are finally embarking on the honeymoon of a lifetime. But will gorgeous gondola rides be ruined by their most heart-stopping case ever?
It's brilliant. It is well written, with a good plot and the characters are credible with plenty of twists and turns

Flora and Jack are finally off to Venice for their long awaited honeymoon. The quiet sightseeing they were planning is interrupted when Jack's step-father asked their help with a theft from a local church. Wonderful details about Venice and a lively mystery

I like this series. I like this author. Likable characters keep the story moving quickly. Entertaining and just fun. This talented au5or has written a mystery with red herrings, but I can usually determine the ending. Some guessing, along the way. A page turner.

*3.5 stars

It’s so good to be back with Flora and Jack. This time they are finally on their honeymoon in Venice. Of course, something happens on their first night there and Flora can’t help herself but to get involved. It was nice having a new setting for this series, but not going to lie, I missed being in Abbymead. I like being able to spend time with all the characters, not just Flora & Jack. Sally does make an appearance but it wasn’t the same. Jack definitely was more frustrated with Flora and who could blame him…it was their honeymoon! A solid series that I love with characters that I like spending time with.