A Death in the Venetian Quarter

by Alan Gordon

Book Overview

In 1203, the relative peace of the Byzantine Empire is imperiled when the ships of the Fourth Crusade show up outside the walls of Constantinople. Instead of traveling to the Holy Land to battle the infidels, the Crusade, having sailed out of Venice, has been subverted and is now besieging the city. The jester known as Feste, his wife Viola, and their compatriots within the city are faced with catastrophe as the peace the Fool's Guild has worked so...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312242670
• ISBN13: 9780312242671
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great historical fiction

This is the second book by Alan Gordon featuring Feste and Viola (the first one is "Thirteenth Night"). While this story lacks a bit in the magical setting of Orsini, this story is beautifully woven and as difficult to figure out as the famous byzantine courts. Feste and his apprentice and wife Viola, are sent to Byzantium by the Fools' Guild to investigate the disappearance of several fools, dwarves and other entertainers from the city. They are still in town when the crusaders arrive on venetian ships and attack the city. Last bit of advice (other than READ this story) don't read the last few pages, they will not make anything clear to you, enjoy the whole story.

Gordon is a genius!!!...

I have read the entire series so far; and in my opinion, it seems to get better with each book. That being said I just finishing "A Death in the Venetian Quarter" this morning, disappointed only because I finished it. It was an HUGE effort not to start re-reading it immediately.This is one of the most entertaining series of novels that I have ever read. All of the characters are fascinating. Every one shines in his or her own inimitable fashion. Honesty, I have never encountered a character like Theophilos in literature before. He is a breath of fresh air, much in same way that Vladmir Taltos (different genre) is to fantasy novels (Personally, I wonder if he is really another famous character of the Bard. Hints have been dropped throughout the series to verify this.) Theo is brillant, daring, ruthless and very funny. His wife, Claudia, is equally so. They complement each other well. In fact, the relationship between Theo and Claudia is one of the most charming and endearing things about the series. Their humorous banter and devotion to one another always brings a smile to my faceOverall, I cannot recommend this series enough. I can't wait for the fourth book!! Just buy the whole series and read it.

entertaining medieval mystery

In 1203, the two hundred plus Fourth Crusade ships anchor just off the walls of Constantinople causing panic and concern among the residents. The Imperial Treasurer Philoxenites not only worries about the horde of soldiers besieging his city, but the impact of a particular murder on that army. Someone killed Camilio Bastini, a silk merchant, in a locked room in the Venetian Quarter. Philoxenites assigns Theophilos "Feste the Jester" to uncover the truth about this homicide that could inflame the soldiers besetting the city into beginning the assault. Feste, accompanied by his pregnant wife Aglaia, Rico the dwarf, and Plossus of the troupe of fools, quickly learns that the deceased is more than just a merchant. Soon the troupe of sleuths begins to uncover spies in every corner of the city representing numerous warring factions. The quartet concludes that even if they solve the case of the locked room, they might not survive the intrigue swirling in and out of Constantinople. DEATH IN THE VENETIAN QUARTER is a humorous, often lewd tale filled with sharp puns and retorts, and a detailed description of the siege. Though historical mystery purists might cringe, Alan Gordon fills the story line with purposely placed anachronisms that enliven the narrative. The characters (real and fiction) are fun to observe; the locked door who-done-it is cleverly devised; and a mini note further explains the genuine events of the Fourth Crusade. The unconcerned about accuracy historical mystery reader will delight in this well written tale.Harriet Klausner