The Times
‘A very fine novel, which is more of a re-imagining of the original story than a carbon copy – and with the bonus of a brand new twist to the ending’
Daily Mail
‘David Hewson’s literary translation . . . allows the characters more room to breathe . . . Hewson’s greatest achievement is that it’s compelling reading’
Observer
‘Not just a novelization. Hewson is a highly regarded crime writer in his own right; he spent a lot of time with the creators of the original to ensure that he did not offend its spirit and mood, and he has provided his own, different solution to the central murder mystery’
Marcel Berlins, The Times
‘A fast-paced crime novel that’s five-star from start to finish’
Irish Examiner
‘The book is an excellent read in which the author manages to dig deeper into the characters without having to rewrite their original television characterization. For those who haven’t seen the series, this is a very cleverly constructed and beautifully written crime drama; for those who already know the ending, a new twist awaits’
Irish Times
Praise for the Nic Costa series
‘David Hewson has a superb sense of pace and place, his characters feel real, and he writes a page-turner detective story like no other’
Choice
‘The running heroes Costa and Peroni, like all the best fictional detectives, become more rounded and interesting with every episode . . . I was hooked’
Literary Review
‘If you haven’t already discovered this brilliant series featuring Nic Costa and a cast of Roman detectives, you have a treat in store’
Toronto Globe & Mail
‘The exciting story is laced with Roman history . . . A very intelligent and enthralling book, with a complex plot expertly handled’
Tangled Web
‘A thrilling tale of vengeance . . . chilling to the core . . . The plot develops at a steady pace, with the author’s captivating descriptions of long-forgotten passageways and temples, and his skill in creating a sinister undertone keeping you hooked from the off. A highly dramatic tale for those who like a sprinkling of culture with their crime thriller’
Woman
‘Very enjoyable Italian mysteries . . . cleverly worked out and sharply written. Hewson’s take on the secretive city [of Venice] is uncomfortable and sinister’
Literary Review
‘[Hewson] is a talented writer with the gift of creating a good, old-fashioned page-turning thriller. His characters shine with real depth and conviction and the plot is breathtakingly imaginative. A superb read’
Reading Post
Also by David Hewson
The Killing
The Killing II
Nic Costa series
A Season for the Dead
The Villa of Mysteries
The Sacred Cut
The Lizard’s Bite
The Seventh Sacrament
Dante’s Numbers
The Blue Demon
The Fallen Angel
Carnival for the Dead
Other titles
The Promised Land
The Cemetery of Secrets
(previously published as Lucifer’s Shadow)
Death in Seville
(previously published as Semana Santa)
First published 2014 by Macmillan
This electronic edition published 2014 by Macmillan
an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
Pan Macmillan, 20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Basingstoke and Oxford
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-4472-4616-9
Copyright © David Hewson 2014
The right of David Hewson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The Macmillan Group has no responsibility for the information provided by any author websites whose address you obtain from this book (‘author websites’). The inclusion of author website addresses in this book does not constitute an endorsement by or association with us of such sites or the content, products, advertising or other materials presented on such sites.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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