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City of Vengeance is an explosive debut novel by D. V. Bishop set in Renaissance Florence, the first in a historical thriller series which continues with The Darkest Sin, winner of the CWA Historical Dagger Award 2023.
'He is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel Society
Florence. Winter, 1536. A prominent Jewish moneylender is murdered in his home, a death with wide implications in a city powered by immense wealth.
Cesare Aldo, a former soldier and now an officer of the Renaissance city’s most feared criminal court, is given four days to solve the murder: catch the killer before the feast of Epiphany – or suffer the consequences.
During his investigations Aldo uncovers a plot to overthrow the volatile ruler of Florence, Alessandro de’ Medici. If the Duke falls, it will endanger the whole city. But a rival officer of the court is determined to expose details about Aldo’s private life that could lead to his ruin. Can Aldo stop the conspiracy before anyone else dies, or will his own secrets destroy him first?
'A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force' – David Baldacci
'An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence' – Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in Marshalsea
'Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place' – Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All Flesh
Genre: Historical Mystery
'He is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' – Historical Novel Society
Florence. Winter, 1536. A prominent Jewish moneylender is murdered in his home, a death with wide implications in a city powered by immense wealth.
Cesare Aldo, a former soldier and now an officer of the Renaissance city’s most feared criminal court, is given four days to solve the murder: catch the killer before the feast of Epiphany – or suffer the consequences.
During his investigations Aldo uncovers a plot to overthrow the volatile ruler of Florence, Alessandro de’ Medici. If the Duke falls, it will endanger the whole city. But a rival officer of the court is determined to expose details about Aldo’s private life that could lead to his ruin. Can Aldo stop the conspiracy before anyone else dies, or will his own secrets destroy him first?
'A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop’s spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force' – David Baldacci
'An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence' – Antonia Hodgson, author of The Devil in Marshalsea
'Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place' – Ambrose Parry, author of The Way of All Flesh
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"In Cesare Aldo, Bishop has created a character with the cunning, bravery and balls of steel to take on the twisty, toxic politics of the Medicis with panache. I can't wait for his next outing." - Alison Belsham
"Rich in period detail - a compelling journey into Florence’s dark past." - Philip Gwynne Jones
"Compelling and assured. Does not miss a step through the dark intrigues of sixteenth century Florence, but convinces to the last. Aldo is a man as fitting for our times as for the bloody streets he takes us to. And D. V. Bishop makes it all seem effortless." - Shirley McKay
"A complex, intriguing plot which weaves its way through the treacherous streets of sixteenth century Florence, encountering danger at every dark corner." - Sarah Maine
"So fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves . . . Aldo is a great creation, resourceful, driven and forced to hide who he really is, but nevertheless is compelled to find justice for those who deserve it." - James Oswald
"Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place." - Ambrose Parry
"Rich in period detail - a compelling journey into Florence’s dark past." - Philip Gwynne Jones
"Compelling and assured. Does not miss a step through the dark intrigues of sixteenth century Florence, but convinces to the last. Aldo is a man as fitting for our times as for the bloody streets he takes us to. And D. V. Bishop makes it all seem effortless." - Shirley McKay
"A complex, intriguing plot which weaves its way through the treacherous streets of sixteenth century Florence, encountering danger at every dark corner." - Sarah Maine
"So fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves . . . Aldo is a great creation, resourceful, driven and forced to hide who he really is, but nevertheless is compelled to find justice for those who deserve it." - James Oswald
"Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place." - Ambrose Parry
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