THE VENETIAN GAME

Nathan Sutherland is asked to look after a package for a stranger. Just for a few days,you understand. For his trouble,he is handed ten thousand Euros. Tempting. In his job as honorary consul of Venice however,it wouldn’t be right or proper,so Nathan refuses. And so begins The Game. The man asking Nathan to look after the package is Montgomery. Nathan is contacted by an elderly gentleman by the name of Arcangelo Moro;obstensibly to translate a legal document. Although Arcangelo explains that he does not have the means to pay Nathan immediately for the translation work,he hands Nathan an envelope a short time after with,you guessed it,ten thousand Euros. We find out later in the story that Arcangelo has a brother,Domenico. Domenico is in poor health but he plays a crucial role in The Game. To say too much more would be to spoil the plot. The pleasure from this tale is to be derived from the portrayal of Venice and the numerous references to Venetian art and artists. Nathan is a bit of a plodder but there are some well drawn characters here and the affection that the author holds for Venice comes shining through. A very enjoyable read and I’m delighted to see that a follow up is already listed.

Struggled to get into this one, more “unpickupable” than “unputdownable”. Moody atmosphere and a mystery that was probably well written.

I liked the main characters and information about Venice that’s woven into this story. There’s a map at the front of the book that’s helpful, but not very thorough. I found myself looking up places on-line for better maps, etc. Even though I found the story a little slow moving and just so-so in its excitement level, I did enjoy the book. I love Venice and reading this book is a little like being there again!

“What to do? I could either put it in the safe and forget about it, or I could open it up. Was I really going to do that?” (Quotation pos. 399) Content: Nathan Sutherland is the British Honorary Consul in Venice, but as the title “honorary” says, the position is only honorary and he earns his money as translator, mostly of technical manuals. Usually, as honorary consul he has to deal with British tourists in emergency, such as lost passports, but also just asking for advices about sightseeing and restaurants. But one day a man, Mr. Montgomery, comes to his office, hands him over an envelope and asks him to keep locked into the safe for a few days, until he will be back to get it. Although he is offered ten thousand euros and told, that such services had never been a problem with his predecessor, Nathan refuses to take the package. Nevertheless, the next day the package is left at the Accademia, labelled Nathan Sutherland, British Consulate. So begins a deadly game about an antique book, an invaluable masterpiece or a brilliant forgery. Theme and genre This thriller, situated in Venice, is the first book of the Nathan Sutherland Series. Themes are art and art forgery, tourism, everyday life in Venice and Italy, friendship. Characters All characters are different, very well developed. They are interesting and their behavior is believable and plausible. Plot and writing Nathan Sutherland as first person narrator tells the story. A tight timeline and unforeseeable events make it exciting and the wider art theme makes it interesting too. The intense and vivid descriptions of Venice with all its almost unknown, to tourists hidden places, and Italian Lifestyle makes the story a gem for everybody who loves this famous city with all its different shades. Conclusion The first book of a series about Nathan Sutherland, the British honorary consul in Venice. A thrilling, enjoyable read, showing the famous architecture, the well-known churches, bridges, palazzi and places, as well as the hidden beauty and shades of the gorgeous, dazzling town Venice. Perfect, not only for Venice-aficionados.

Un thriller decisamente particolare che affascina e trascina per le calli. Fa ricordare la bellezza di Venezia ed il suo magico caligo