Carnival for the Dead

By: David Hewson

Narrated by: Juanita McMahon

It's February, and Carnival time in Venice. Bright blue skies and freezing temperatures welcome forensic pathologist Teresa Lupo to the city. Teresa has taken time out from her job to find her beloved bohemian aunt Sofia who has mysteriously disappeared. There seem to be no clues as to her whereabouts, but a visit to Sofia's very strange apartment in the Dorsoduro confirms Teresa’s suspicions that all is not well....

©2012 David Hewson (P)2012 W F Howes Ltd

Not typical Hewson....but stick with it.

.....you will be rewarded wit a rich listening experience ... Especially if you know and/or love Venice.

Sorry, I just didn't get ot

What disappointed you about Carnival for the Dead?

Having read (or listed to) all of the Nic Costa series by David Hewson, I came to expect the usual lot of mystery, quirky characters and twists, but this latest (actually stand-alone) novel featuring pathologist Teresa Lupo somehow failed to hook me at all. Masked people move through the cold streets and canals, and I eventually lost track of all of them - especially since there were a number of British expats among them, some of them acting in the here and now, some from centuries ago. And strange small dogs. And of course: The usual influence and symbolism of ancient paintings.

The story flounders between the cold February reality of Venice in the Carnival season and a second novel presented in form of a serial deposited regularly at Teresa's doorstep.Confused? So was I, believe me.

What about Juanita McMahon’s performance did you like?

She made the most of this convoluted novel.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Sadly, not a lot. Except maybe to give Venice a wide berth during Carnival.