Carnival of Lies

An atmospheric and evocative historical thriller set against the backdrop of the Medici dynasty in 1530s Renaissance Italy, from CWA Historical Dagger-winning author D. V. Bishop.

Longlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger, 2026

‘Brilliant’ – Ian Rankin

‘Full of dash and atmosphere’ – The Times

The latest historical mystery from D. V. Bishop sees Cesare Aldo face his demons in Renaissance Italy .

Venice. Winter, 1539.

When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de’ Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence – with his life, if necessary. The deadly attack which follows leads to bodies, bloodshed – and something far more dangerous.

Those behind the plot obtain a journal of the duke’s containing explosive secrets that – in the wrong hands – could destroy all of Florence. Aldo must hunt down those responsible and reclaim the journal, or face banishment from the city and everyone he loves.

The trail leads him towards the one place Aldo has sworn to never return, a city of masks and lies where he has no allies and far too many enemies: Venice.

The fate of a dynasty rests on his shoulders – if he can make it out alive .

Carnival of Lies is the fifth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.

‘A brilliantly entertaining historical thriller that twists and turns like the very calli and canali of Venice itself’ – Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the Nathan Sutherland Venice mysteries

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