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Carnival of Lies

By D. V. Bishop
Series: Cesare Aldo series
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Brief Description
Carnival of Lies by D. V. Bishop takes place in Renaissance Italy during the winter of 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de' Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. The deadly attack leads to bodies, bloodshed,... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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A conspiracy to assassinate the ruler of Florence and end a dynasty. Carnival of Lies is an atmospheric and evocative historical thriller set against the backdrop of the Medici dynasty in 1530s Renaissance Italy. From CWA Historical Dagger-winning author D. V. Bishop.

An atmospheric and evocative historical thriller set against the backdrop of the Medici dynasty in 1530s Renaissance Italy from CWA Historical Dagger-winning author D. V. Bishop.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Carnival of Lies by D. V. Bishop takes place in Renaissance Italy during the winter of 1539.

When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de' Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. The deadly attack leads to bodies, bloodshed, and something far more dangerous.

The instigators obtain a secret journal of Cosimo's thoughts and strategies that, in the wrong hands, could destroy all of Florence. Aldo must hunt down those responsible and reclaim the journal, or face banishment from the city and everyone he loves.

The trail leads him inexorably towards the one place Aldo has sworn to never return, a city of masks and lies where he has no allies and far too many enemies: Venice.

Series: Cesare Aldo series

View all
  • City of Vengeance
    City of Vengeance was shortlisted for the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. "An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence" - Antonia Hodgson "A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop's spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force" - David Baldacci "Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place" -...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Ritual of Fire
    Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society 'A deft and engrossing historical thriller set in Renaissance Florence'...
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Divine Fury
    The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author A religious serial killer is haunting Florence, and only Cesare Aldo can stop them. A Divine Fury is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society Florence. Autumn, 1539. Cesare Aldo...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Carnival of Lies
    The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author Venice. Winter, 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de' Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. With his life if necessary. The deadly attack which follows leads to bodies, bloodshed - and something far more dangerous. Those behind the plot obtain a journal...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Darkest Sin
    Absolutely terrific - Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the bestselling Nathan Sutherland series. D.V Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing 16th century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other in this tense mystery - S. G. MacLean Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the...
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Shadow of Madness
    Shadow of Madness
    Tuscany. Winter, 1540. Travelling north into the hills above Florence, investigator Cesare Aldo seeks answers about his past. The trail leads him to Ospedale de' Pazzi, a secure institution for the criminally insane. Soon after arriving, a blizzard engulfs the area, trapping Aldo and his companion, Doctor Saul Orvieto. Even more alarming, their cart driver is found dead. It looks...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $3800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • City of Vengeance
    City of Vengeance
    Shortlisted for the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 'An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence' – Antonia Hodgson 'A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop's spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force' – David Baldacci 'Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place' – Ambrose Parry, author of...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Darkest Sin
    The Darkest Sin
    He is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris . . . Highly recommended - Historical Novel Society Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the Renaissance city's northern quarter, he enters a community divided by bitter rivalries and harbouring dark secrets. When a man's body...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Ritual of Fire
    Ritual of Fire
    Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society Florence. Summer, 1538. A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Divine Fury
    A Divine Fury
    A Divine Fury by D. V. Bishop The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author A religious serial killer is haunting Florence and only Cesare Aldo can stop them. A Divine Fury is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Full of dash and atmosphere' - The Times Florence. Autumn, 1539. Cesare Aldo was once...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Carnival of Lies
    Carnival of Lies
    Carnival of Lies by D. V. Bishop takes place in Renaissance Italy during the winter of 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de' Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. The deadly attack leads to bodies, bloodshed, and something far more dangerous. The instigators obtain a secret journal of Cosimo's thoughts...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $3799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781035041954

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 June 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macmillan

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 384

Collections

Crime & Thriller D. V. Bishop European History Fiction General Fiction Historical Crime & Mystery Historical Fiction History & Archaeology History & Military Series: Cesare Aldo series

About the Author

D. V. Bishop is the pseudonym of award-winning writer David Bishop. His love for the city of Florence and the Renaissance period meant there could be only one setting for his historical thrillers. The first Cesare Aldo novel, City of Vengeance, won the Pitch Perfect competition at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival and the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book. Book two in the series, The Darkest Sin, won the prestigious Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger. He teaches creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University.

Also by D. V. Bishop

View all
  • City of Vengeance
    City of Vengeance was shortlisted for the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. "An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence" - Antonia Hodgson "A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop's spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force" - David Baldacci "Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place" -...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Darkest Sin
    Absolutely terrific - Philip Gwynne Jones, author of the bestselling Nathan Sutherland series. D.V Bishop transports you to an utterly convincing 16th century Florence, where the best and worst of human nature constantly circle each other in this tense mystery - S. G. MacLean Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the...
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Ritual of Fire
    Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society 'A deft and engrossing historical thriller set in Renaissance Florence'...
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Divine Fury
    The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author A religious serial killer is haunting Florence, and only Cesare Aldo can stop them. A Divine Fury is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society Florence. Autumn, 1539. Cesare Aldo...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Hardback
    $3499
    Elsewhere:
    $4499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Carnival of Lies
    The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author Venice. Winter, 1539. When Cesare Aldo learns of a conspiracy to assassinate Duke Cosimo de' Medici, he is hired to protect the ruler of Florence. With his life if necessary. The deadly attack which follows leads to bodies, bloodshed - and something far more dangerous. Those behind the plot obtain a journal...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Shadow of Madness
    Shadow of Madness
    Tuscany. Winter, 1540. Travelling north into the hills above Florence, investigator Cesare Aldo seeks answers about his past. The trail leads him to Ospedale de' Pazzi, a secure institution for the criminally insane. Soon after arriving, a blizzard engulfs the area, trapping Aldo and his companion, Doctor Saul Orvieto. Even more alarming, their cart driver is found dead. It looks...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $3800
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • City of Vengeance
    City of Vengeance
    Shortlisted for the 2021 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize 'An impressive and immersive debut set in a beautifully realized sixteenth-century Florence' – Antonia Hodgson 'A first-class historical thriller . . . Bishop's spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force' – David Baldacci 'Richly atmospheric . . . transports you to another time and place' – Ambrose Parry, author of...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Darkest Sin
    The Darkest Sin
    He is fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris . . . Highly recommended - Historical Novel Society Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the Renaissance city's northern quarter, he enters a community divided by bitter rivalries and harbouring dark secrets. When a man's body...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Ritual of Fire
    Ritual of Fire
    Ceremonial murder has returned to Florence. Only two men can end the destruction. Featuring Officer Cesare Aldo, Ritual of Fire is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Fast becoming a serious rival to C. J. Sansom and S. J. Parris' - Historical Novel Society Florence. Summer, 1538. A night patrol finds a wealthy merchant...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • A Divine Fury
    A Divine Fury
    A Divine Fury by D. V. Bishop The Crime Writers' Association Historical Dagger Winning Author A religious serial killer is haunting Florence and only Cesare Aldo can stop them. A Divine Fury is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy. 'Full of dash and atmosphere' - The Times Florence. Autumn, 1539. Cesare Aldo was once...
    By D. V. Bishop
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

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