Review
The Seventh Jane Wunderly Mystery
After an impromptu wedding in Scotland, nearly getting killed on a business trip in India, and becoming bored back in London, Jane Wunderly and Redvers decide to go on an actual honeymoon. Traveling to Italy their romantic trip takes an unexpected turn when Aunt Millie and her husband check into the very same hotel! They have been invited to Venice and a costume party by Millie's new friend, socialite Clara Morton, and insist that Jane and Redvers accompany them to the event. Surprised by the dilapidated looking palazzo they're stunned by what waits for them inside. It's a carnival with acrobats and even a Tarot reader, who just happens to be a young woman Jane met years ago in India. Even more shocking than the half dressed hostess with a boa constrictor draped around her is the dead body of her ex-husband in the garden. With Clara accusing Deanna, the Tarot reader, of murder Jane and Redvers find themselves spending their honeymoon on the hunt for a killer.
I absolutely love this series and one of my favorite things about it is the various places I get to visit vicariously. Visiting Venice was a real treat with descriptions of the canals ancient streets, and architectural details, not to mention the food, even though I dislike seafood. It was fascinating as it didn't dawn on me that people could rent boats and travel via the canals alongside the gondoliers.
VENGEANCE IN VENICE is filled with unforgettable characters. Aunt Millie is back, making me laugh at her outlandish ways, but its the scandalous Clara Morton who is truly one of a kind. Revealing clothing that leaves her practically nude, exotic pets ( I love Carmine!) and avante garde behavior make her truly memorable, if not very likeable. What's even more amazing is that this character is based on a real person! The cast of unconventional and generally unpleasant characters became a hodgepodge of suspects and motives and made Jane and Redvers all the more appealing in their steadfast approach to their investigation and each other.
A honeymoon turned murder investigation VENGEANCE IN VENICE brings 1920s Venice to life. I look forward to seeing what exploits our intrepid couple encounter next!
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