I thank NetGalley and bookouture for an advance reader copy of “The Venice Murders.” All opinions and comments are my own.

So much for a nice, relaxing honeymoon. But then again, do readers think that Flora Steele and Jack Carrington can expect an easy, idyllic time visiting beautiful Venice with their background of solving crimes? Uh, hardly. And “The Venice Murders” is no exception, as on their first full day a man is found dead, a worker from the hotel they’re staying in. And Jack’s estranged mother, married to an Italian count, rolls up asking for their help with the recovery of a church painting and the whereabouts of the housekeeper of the parish priest. So much for a nice, quiet vacation.

It’s pretty much all downhill from there, as Flora is determined to help (Jack would prefer to keep out of it all). What readers will get in the book is a reminder that what happened in the past can cause trouble in the present, and it certainly holds true for much of the events in “The Venice Murders.”

While there’s plenty of action in the book, it’s also almost a travelogue of Venice and the nearby countryside, which takes away from the immediacy of the story. I do enjoy the partnership of Jack and Flora, a loving and believable fictional couple. I just could have done with a lot less of the travel bureau version of 1959 Italy, because what we do get is rather bland and uninspiring -- I never really got a sense of time and place; author Merryn Allingham could provide more of a historical background to her books. While I enjoyed “The Venice Murders,” I’m happier to see Flora and Jack back at home at the end of the book, making new plans.

I can’t believe that The Venice Murders is the eleventh book in the Flora Steele mysteries. I have followed this series since Flora first took over the bookshop in Abbeymead and have enjoyed all of them.
I was definitely looking forward to this latest book with two of my favourite cosy crime characters travelling to my favourite city, Venice, for their honeymoon. A marriage made in heaven.
Flora and Jack have been looking forward to their Venetian honeymoon for ages and planned all the things that they want to do while staying at the luxurious Hotel Cipriani. Of course, things don’t go as planned. First of all, one of the hotel employees is found dead in a canal and then Jack’s mother tries to get them involved in solving the mysterious disappearance of the local priest’s housekeeper.
The setting of this story is gorgeous as the pair explore a Venice very different from the crowded city of today and I really enjoyed the descriptions of their walks and vaporetto journeysThis . Sadly though, the mystery didn’t really hold my interest in the way that the earlier books have done. It felt quite complicated with lots of coming and going and I didn’t particularly like any of the characters introduced in the book. However, I definitely felt a lot of sympathy with Jack who got increasingly irritated by the hijacking of his honeymoon. I also don’t think that it is likely that Jack and Flora could become involved in the way that they did especially with the language barrier. I know that in cosy crime, there is always a certain suspension of disbelief but this felt like a step too far for me.
This was an OK read but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous books and I was relieved when they returned home to Abbeymead. I look forward to reading more of their investigative adventures on home soil.
Thank you as always to Net Galley and the publishers, Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I have a love-hate relationship with Merryn Allingham's Flora Steele Mysteries. I think the settings and characters are engrossing, but some of the plots I just can't believe in. And I can't quite work out why (I mean what the rationale is) Flora needs to interfere in every situation that presents itself to her. I think if we had more of an understanding of that facet of her character it would help.

In The Venice Murders Fiona and Jack are on their honeymoon - in Venice obviously. I'm only surprised the book didn't end with their divorce. Flora has no need to start investigating but does so anyway, sure that only she can sort things out. Merryn Allingham's descriptions of Venice are what save this book for me. It's not a city I particularly care for, but she makes me see it in a different light.

This is the 11th in the Flora Steele series from Merry Allingham, featurING bookshop owner Flora Steele and her partner-in-crime-solving, local crime writer Jack Cunningham. In this book newly-weds Jack and Flora are in Venice on their honeymoon where Flora’s determination to get involved in the disappearance of a hotel waiter meets with some resistance from Jack, who is determined to enjoy their holiday.

This is the second of the series that I’ve read and I confess: I have others in the series waiting on my TBR pile and should probably have read them first, but the opportunity to have a sneak peek at the further adventures of Flora and Jack was too good to pass up. The downside of jumping so far ahead is that I could myself a little confused by so many characters who have obviously appeared before (yes, even on honeymoon Jack and Flora find connections to people they know). But that’s my fault, not the fault of the author.

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the first. Its 1950s setting is a little out of the ordinary, which I liked. I loved the way in which Flora’s determination to find out the truth conflicts with Jack’s for a quiet life and how he, with his obvious adoration for her, inevitably gives in. This book was fast-paced and was set in the beautiful city of Venice, which allowed the author to play to one of her (many) strengths: I felt she really brought the city and its inhabitants alive. The plot was both twisty and satisfying.

Life is too short to read all the books I’d like to, but I will be moving the others in this series further up my list.

3.8 Stars
One Liner: Time-traveled to Venice in the late 1950s

Venice, 1959
Flora and Jack finally arrived in Venice for their belated honeymoon. Jack is determined that nothing will come in the way of their time together. However, they find out that the hotel’s receptionist, Franco (whom they saw arguing with someone), was found dead, floating face down in the Grand Canal. Flora is itching to know more, but not Jack!
Then comes another mystery of missing things and people – a large painting and a housekeeper. Are the cases connected? What’s happening in Venice? With Flora determined to find the truth, Jack knows he has to do his bit to solve the crimes. He can only hope their sleuthing doesn’t put their lives at risk… again!
The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
This is the eleventh book in the series and should work as a standalone, though it’ll help to read a couple of previous ones to get an idea about the sleuthing couple.
I wish the official blurbs weren’t so detailed or elaborate. We don’t need to know that much before starting a mystery. I say, read the first paragraph and leave the other two.
This was an interesting book. Firstly, the lead pair is on their honeymoon, a delayed one, too! Naturally, Jack doesn’t want to go around sleuthing and flirting with danger. I admit to empathizing with him more, though he doesn’t hesitate when the time comes.
I normally like Flora's attitude. Her desire for justice is noteworthy, and she’s got the brain for it. Even her hunches tend to be correct most of the time. However, she managed to annoy me a few times here. No point putting herself in danger and then worrying about it, right? She does it more than once, and I wondered why her character is becoming so desperate to solve a case. It was the same in the last book too, if I remember right. Some sort of identity crisis, maybe? She needs a full-time job now that her shop has an assistant.
The mysteries are quite good! There are quite a few twists and turns as new information is revealed, and it’s hard to determine who speaks the truth.
Of course, we get a tour of Venice, but from 1959, so it’s more beautiful, less crowded, and has an old-world charm. Though the city has signs of war and destruction, it is relatively less polluted.
And yes, there’s loads of food too. As Jack says, why go to Italy if you don’t enjoy food? Though I’m sad they skipped dessert a few times after the meals. How could you do that? Dessert is compulsory!
The book ends with a potential lead for the next one. There’s a mysterious new entry in Abbeymead, and people are gossiping about him. How is he? Maybe we’ll know in book #12!
To summarize, The Venice Murders is an entertaining read set in a beautiful city. While it does feel a bit formulaic, it is still a decent addition to the series.
Thank you, Sarah, NetGalley, and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Flora and Jack are finally on their honeymoon in Venice, and straight away, they are investigating a murder.

I really love this series. It's always perfectly set with lovely scenery. This book has the added delight of Venice. Yes, Flora can sometimes be annoying, but Jack is such a delight to read that together, they make the stories such a pleasure to read.

Another book in this very lovely series. There is something very endearing about Flora and her willingness to get stuck in, help people and ultimately catch killers and n'er do-wellers. This time the scene is set in Venice on honeymoon and the backdrop of Italy and the museums, little restaurants and the walkabout is all covered and given an excellent colour as Flora looks to see what is going on under her nose - honeymoon or not. Jack and Flora have some lovely asides where we find out more about them and how they think and feel, which adds character to the mystery, which was told in the usual gentle way.

Flora and Jack are finally on their honeymoon in Venice. At dinner the first night they see their hotel receptionist Franco Mancini, who had suggested they go to that restaurant, arguing with the owner of the restaurant. The next day Jack reads in a newspaper that Franco is dead. And then they see Count Falconi, Jack's stepfather who says Jack's mother needs their help. It turns out that Father Renji, their Priest at Santa Margarita has had a valuable painting stolen and his housekeeper is missing. They later find out the the dead man had been engaged to Bianca, a young woman who had worked at the Priory and was now back home in Italy and also really needs help. They soon believe that the robbery at the church and the death of Franco may be related. Very quickly, Flora and Jack find their restful and wonderful honeymoon in Venice was turning into yet one more sleuthing expedition. And of course, trying to solve other peoples problems always seems to bring them into danger. Will they be able to stay safe and solve everyone's problems before they need to return home?

I thank Netgalley and Bookoutour for the ARC so I could read the book before publication.

I have to say that I enjoyed this book much more than many of the prior books in the series. I think it was a good idea to get Flora & Jack away to another location to mix things up a bit. I got a bit lost in all of the Italian words/phrases/names which was distracting but I felt there was more character development. I wasn’t a huge fan of Jack in prior books but this one made him more likeable and interesting. Several mysteries mixed together to keep you guessing until the end. I think I was too stuck on the fact that this was their honeymoon and they spent it being guilted into helping others solve their mysteries so I was annoyed at most of the other characters. I hope the author can keep things fresh when they return to Abbeymead.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Venice, 1959

Leave it to Flora to get involved in a murder investigation on her long delayed honeymoon. Poor Jack might wish for an uncomplicated visit to romantic Venice but, well, Flora is Flora. If she sees something that doesn't make sense, she's unable to let it go. Toss in appearances by Jack's mother, who he has a distant relationship with, and the unexpected arrival of Sally from Abbeymead and their honeymoon is anything but serene. It seems like they've barely arrived when the overhear an angry argument. Somehow it came as no surprise to discover one of those arguing, the receptionist who'd so nicely welcomed them to the hotel, is found dead in the canal. Who killed Franco Mancini and what the heck does his mother's worries about a priest and robbery at a church have to do with anything? Oh, and there's a missing woman, too, a put-upon priest's elderly housekeeper. You just know Flora won't be able to let it go, even when Jack is attacked at one point while they're simply walking about. Not quite the honeymoon either expected, that's for sure.

I won't detail the plot further but will note that it ultimately all ties together and involves not just art theft and kidnapping but family grudges, broken romances, ambition, greed, and secrets, lots and lots of secrets. Even though Flora's sometimes too casual obsession with pursuing the truth despite danger tends to cause my eyes to get lots of attention rolling in my head, I like both Jack and her. Jack could be a model for supportive husbands everywhere, even when it puts him in danger and pain. Let's face it, he's a writer, not the police, but his support of Flora seems never to fail.

Despite being the catalysts for their ultimate involvement, most of the supporting cast, well, besides the suspects, were largely in the shadows. Actually, Venice itself could be said to be a character and it certainly wasn't in the shadows. If you've visited or not, you'll ultimately feel like you're right there with them as the explore the city, whether wandering the side-streets and window shopping or hopping in and out of water vehicles. No, they're not all gondolas, which I found found fascinating by themselves. Did you know each is made up of some 100 pieces of seven different kinds of wood? That's just one of the tidbits you'll pick up as you explore with Jack and Flora.

Bottom line, especially for us arm-chair travelers, this was an intriguing read. True, Flora may irritate me at times but I can't fault her caring heart. As we find out, she's not fearless in all situations, either, which was rather humanizing given her normal tendency to just plow ahead. Thanks #Bookouture and #NetGalley for allowing me to hop an early time machine back to 1959 Venice to catch up with where life is taking Jack and Flora. One thing we know for sure, it'll never be dull and predictable.

Sorry, couldn’t finish it. I requested it for being places in Venice, but there’s not enough Venice, or not enough I don’t know if it, to make me follow through the end. Halfway through, when they were starting a trip to Asoló for no good reason, and there was a dead person I didn’t know and did not care enough about, two detectives who are not well developed as characters with other people similarly not-developed, and a lot of connections I can’t really follow… There’s nothing wrong with the book, I think, only, as I have said in my review, simply not for me. Please read a bit more in my Goodreads review.

Flora and Jack are in Venice, Italy on their delayed honeymoon. They are excited to be there, but soon they are embroiled in an investigation. It turns out some people they meet have links to their hometown back in England. A death after a quarrel they witnessed, a request from Jack’s family to assist a priest with a stolen painting and his missing housekeeper, and a broken engagement all combine to disrupt their peaceful vacation.
The locations in the story are amazing and the mystery is complex and intriguing. It kept me hooked to the very end. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

Flora and Jack Carrington have, finally, been able to take the time to enjoy a honeymoon in sun-drenched Italy. When one of the receptionists at their Venetian hotel is found dead after arguing furiously with a local restauranteur, Flora knows something is wrong. Then they receive a message from Jack's mother about a missing woman, and it seems their holiday has become quite similar to their everyday lives! As their quest grows increasingly dangerous, is their first foreign holiday about to become their last?

With Venice as a backdrop, Flora and Jack's latest adventure is a little different from their previous investigations. Dealing with the language barrier, the stifling heat, and Jack's difficult mother, means clues aren't easy to discover, but backing down is impossible, and so reluctantly, they have to continue. I enjoyed this very much, but the location was, by its nature, intrusive and distracted from the main focus, which was a shame. There were hints at what might happen next towards the end, which was very appealing, and I will be on the lookout for book 12 later in the year.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. The location is a little distracting, but once again, this is a very enjoyable read.

Newlyweds Jack (writer in residence at Cleve college) and Flora the local bookseller in Sussex are now married but each has their own sleuthing agenda and a nose for murder. While reveling in the architecture and beauty of Venice they find themselves trying to track the means/motive/opportunity in the death of a man supposedly drowned in the canal (stabbed several times as well!). A real page turner and good fun. Good addition to a lively series.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley.
Avail May 09, 2025
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Amateur detective and bookshop owner Flora Steele, and her dashing new husband Jack Carrington, are finally embarking on the honeymoon of a lifetime. But will gorgeous gondola rides be ruined by their most heart-stopping case ever?
It's brilliant. It is well written, with a good plot and the characters are credible with plenty of twists and turns

Flora and Jack are finally off to Venice for their long awaited honeymoon. The quiet sightseeing they were planning is interrupted when Jack's step-father asked their help with a theft from a local church. Wonderful details about Venice and a lively mystery

I like this series. I like this author. Likable characters keep the story moving quickly. Entertaining and just fun. This talented au5or has written a mystery with red herrings, but I can usually determine the ending. Some guessing, along the way. A page turner.

*3.5 stars

It’s so good to be back with Flora and Jack. This time they are finally on their honeymoon in Venice. Of course, something happens on their first night there and Flora can’t help herself but to get involved. It was nice having a new setting for this series, but not going to lie, I missed being in Abbymead. I like being able to spend time with all the characters, not just Flora & Jack. Sally does make an appearance but it wasn’t the same. Jack definitely was more frustrated with Flora and who could blame him…it was their honeymoon! A solid series that I love with characters that I like spending time with.