A captivating, vibrant, and exciting tale of secret societies, death and disorder in the middle of Venice in the 1750’s. This is the second in the ‘Alvise Marangon Mystery series’, set after ‘Ascension’. Alvise finds himself investigating the murder of one of the members of the secret service he himself works for. I found myself sinking into the story, the intrigue settles over the pages as Alvise stumbles headlong into trouble. The vivid setting of 18th century Venice creates the most fascinating backdrop to this tale, I wandered the streets and canals alongside Alvise, simply gawping in wonder. I found the glossery of terms in the back really helpful. ’The Four Horsemen’ is so very readable, the mystery takes you by the hand and leads you into a web of chaotic deceit, what a thoroughly entertaining and striking tale this is. ~ Liz Robinson
After reluctant spy Alvise Marangon is arrested in a tavern brawl, he is summoned to meet the Missier Grande, head of the city's powerful secret service. Rather than being expelled from the city, he is coerced into a top-secret investigation of the mysterious death of one of the service's agents and the existence of a mysterious secret society. Apparently formed by four rakish noblemen, it is known as the Four Horsemen and seems to have connections with the Ottoman Empire. As Alvise delves into the case, he finds all the hallmarks of assassination and corruption, and is soon profoundly out of his depth and on the run.
Gregory Dowling is Associate Professor of American Literature at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. He has published four novels, co-edited two anthologies of poetry, and written various non-fiction books and academic articles on Italian, British and American literature. He has a special interest in British and American writers in Italy, from the Romantic age onwards.
