The Borgia Portrait cover art

The Borgia Portrait

A Venetian Mystery, Book 2

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The Borgia Portrait

By: David Hewson
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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About this listen

A noble family, a legendary painting, a cursed palazzo. The new Venetian mystery from master storyteller David Hewson.

When Arnold Clover is recruited by Lizzie Hawker to help her look into her family inheritance, he cannot begin to guess the journey he is about to embark on.

Lizzie's mother, an Italian countess, disappeared thirty years ago, presumed dead. Her father, a famous, some say infamous, music promoter, has just died and now the family home Ca' Scacchi, a leaning palazzo in Dorsoduro, has fallen to her. When her mother vanished so too did a priceless painting, supposedly an erotic portrait of Lucrezia Borgia, which has captivated men for generations.

When a body is discovered in a hidden crypt beneath the checkerboard courtyard of the palazzo, other secrets are unearthed with it. Lying with the body is a document, a story of an episode in Casanova's colourful life, and within it a set of clues that might lead to the location of the painting. But it quickly becomes apparent that Lizzie and Arnold are not the only ones interested in finding the painting.

The search for the lost Lucrezia quickly becomes a race through the secret history of Venice, one with potentially deadly consequences.

©2023 David Hewson (P)2023 W.F.Howes Ltd Amateur Sleuths Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Italy Detective Suspense

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All stars
Most relevant  
Intriguing and convoluted story well narrated except for a few errors in pronunciation but nevertheless an enjoyable listen

Research on Venice and culture of the Venetian’s

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This was exceptionally enjoyable. Of all the authors I have had the pleasure of reading, David Hewson is most successful at bringing the magic and beauty of Venice alive on the page. The mystery itself is excellent, unusual and brimming with fascinating historical details. I can't wait to read more by the author.

Exceptionally enjoyable.

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I felt it would help if I knew Venice - but the atmosphere comes across. Great story as always.

Deep in Venice

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I really love listening to Richard Armitage. This was a story. I hope they're well be another

wonderful performance

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Love the detail in this book - the descriptions of Venice are wonderful making you feel you are there. The restaurant and food descriptions left me hungry. Richard Armitage once again brings the author’s words to life and the Italian pronunciation and accent he used were very welcome.

A tour of Venice

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Amazing story beautifully narrated by David Armitage. The perfect voice for this book. It held me in its spell. Am now going on to read more of David Hewson’s work.

Loved this book

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Have enjoyed David Hewson’s Italy based detective novels immensely. Love the historical connections which are fascinating. Richard Armitage is a great narrator, but PLEASE could he spend some time researching the correct Italian pronunciation - it wouldn’t take long to learn. ‘Campanile’ was particularly maddening.

Intriguing thriller

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I wasn’t sure whether or not this was a novel or a guide and history of Venice. Great story that lost flow as the author kept stopping to add, in my mind, unnecessary detail about every single
location, I love Venice, but for me this just became an annoyance. Every time I thought we were moving forward - we’d stop to have another history lesson.
Wonderful but overdone.
The narration though was really excellent.

The great narration

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Really enjoyed this. Richard Armitage brings all the characters to life with his skilled narration. The story is gripping, fast paced with lots of twists and turns. Just as good as the first book in the series, can’t wait for the next one.

Wonderful

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Could not stop listening to this story and even a touch of romance did not make me cringe. I was with them every step of the way, my mind providing the images that Mr Hewson's descriptions aided. I won't give any spoilers, if you like a good mystery and like me feel that Venice lends itself so well to these tales, then go on the trail yourself.

Crumbling palazzo in my mind

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