Written by Merryn Allingham

 

 

A tragic accident at the opera – or the murder of someone keeping dangerous secrets?

While watching the opera at La Fenice, Nancy Tremayne is shocked to see a woman fall to her death. But how did this tragedy occur?

Newlywed Nancy is accompanying her art professor husband, Leo, on a work trip. As she explores Italy’s beautiful city on the water, she is increasingly compelled to uncover the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. Leo is adamant it was an accident but his assistant, Archie, reluctantly helps Nancy despite his seeming coldness to her. Nancy’s determination to reveal the facts puts her in harm’s way more than once.

As she learns more about Venice’s secrets she realises she may be forced to make a choice – the truth, or her life?

An engaging and atmospheric historical crime novel perfect for fans of Kate Furnivall and Rachel Rhys.

 

 

 

 

A Puzzling Mystery, Beautifully Descriptive! 

 

A puzzling mystery, set in a wonderful location! It kept my attention throughout.

Nancy and Leo are spending their honeymoon in the marvellous city of Venice; unfortunately, due to work commitments, she has to attend the Opera without her new husband by her side. Completely enthralled by the performance, Nancy is shocked when a body falls from another balcony. When she finds out that the deceased is a woman she met earlier in the day, Nancy cannot agree with the popular opinion that she committed suicide. With no one else looking into the death, Nancy ‘persuades’ Leo’s assistant, Archie, to help her – however much it goes against his instincts.

Throughout this novel, we get to know the main character’s back stories, and it all adds up to a very interesting read. The tale flows well with the characters all very realistic and the setting is idyllic and beautifully described; it’s not hard to picture the scenes, especially travelling on the waterways of such a fine Italian city. It’s not obvious what happened in the Opera house, and the slow unravelling of the mystery kept me on my toes. I do wonder if there will be a follow up? I felt the potential was there for a sequel, it’ll be interesting to wait and see. I’m very happy to give this one four stars.

My thanks to publisher Canelo for my copy via NetGalley. Naturally, all opinions stated here are entirely my own.

 

Tags: historical crime mystery

• Format: ebook
• Size: 284 pages
• Publisher: Canelo
• Publication Date: 27 June 2019
• Purchase Links: Google Play
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Meet the Author

 

Merryn Allingham was born into an army family and spent her childhood moving around the UK and abroad. Unsurprisingly it gave her itchy feet and in her twenties she escaped from an unloved secretarial career to work as cabin crew and see the world.

Merryn still loves to travel and visit new places, especially those with an interesting history, but the arrival of marriage, children and cats meant a more settled life in the south of England, where she has lived ever since. It also gave her the opportunity to go back to ‘school’ and eventually teach at university.

She has written seven historical novels, all mysteries with a helping of suspense and a dash of romance – sometimes set in exotic locations and often against a background of stirring world events.

She has recently changed genre to write crime. Her debut, The Venice Atonement, is a classic crime novel set in 1950s Venice. Plenty of intrigue and danger and still with that dash of romance.

 

Follow Merryn

Website: www.merrynallingham.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites/

Twitter: @MerrynWrites