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Shadow of Madness
Series: Cesare Aldo series
Brief Description
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,...
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See moreMurder and madness blur in an asylum high in the hills above Florence in this atmospheric and evocative historical locked-room mystery. A compulsive Cesare Aldo mystery, set against the backdrop of the Medici dynasty, from CWA Historical Dagger-winning author D. V. Bishop.
Murder and madness blur in an asylum high in the hills above Florence, in this atmospheric and evocative historical locked-room mystery set against the backdrop of the Medici dynasty, from CWA Historical Dagger-winning author, D. V. Bishop, and sequel to the acclaimed Carnival of Lies.
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Description
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 like he fell over a nearby cliff in the whiteout — but Aldo suspects foul play. When a brutal slaying occurs in the central courtyard, it becomes clear a killer lurks among them.
With the snowstorm sealing everyone in and a murderer hunting fresh victims, Aldo's search for the truth proves deadlier than he could ever have imagined...
Shadow of Madness by D. V. Bishop is a gripping historical mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
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$2999Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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$3499Elsewhere:$4799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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...Hardback$3499Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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$3499Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Pre-orderShadow 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...Paperback$3800Unit price /UnavailableOut 15 Sep 2026Pre-order -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781035042005
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 09 July 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Macmillan
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 400
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. Shadow of Madness is the fifth Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin, Ritual of Fire, A Divine Fury and Carnival of Lies.
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$2999Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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$3499Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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$3499Elsewhere:$4799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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...Hardback$3499Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September -
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...Paperback$2499Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early September
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