The Devil in Dorsoduro: An atmospheric Venetian murder mystery

In August, as Venice empties for Ferragosto, retired archivist Arnold Clover is asked by a Carabinieri friend to check on an elderly English woman. He discovers her dead in her remote mansion, surrounded by strange symbols and ritualistic objects that hint at interests beyond history. With only the woman's dachshund, Bruno, for company, Arnold investigates her mysterious life. Moving between bookshops, cafés, and canal walks, he uncovers a Venice hidden from tourists—one where old beliefs, alchemy, and folklore hold sway, and powerful figures guard dangerous secrets. As rumors circulate, Arnold realizes the murder was not isolated. Someone wanted her silenced. Following the trail deeper, he questions whether he is now putting himself in danger. The investigation reveals old Venetian sins intertwined with a modern crime, exposing layers of the city few outsiders ever see.