{"product_id":"city-of-masks-9781444785852","title":"City of Masks","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA brilliantly dark and compelling novel set in Venice from 'the medieval CJ Sansom' (Jeffery Deaver)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSykes is a master at combining historical setting with mystery * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eSykes's gamble in putting Oswald in unfamiliar terrain pays off, as she again blends a detailed immersion in the time period with a clever mystery plot line * Publishers Weekly *\u003cbr\u003eAn excellent addition to a thoroughly enjoyable series... Sykes has created a medieval detective story with a troubled protagonist which manages to stay true to its period and hints at even richer things to come - I thoroughly recommend it. * Historia *\u003cbr\u003eA Venice whose ancient glories still survive today provides the background for an investigation whose solution is secondary to identifying the cause of Oswald's angst. * Kirkus *\u003cbr\u003eWe are plunged into Sykes' rich soup of Venetian intrigue; period detail; and increasingly intricate plotting, all with the deeply realized character of Lord Somershill fighting his own demons while investigating. A brilliant addition to the Somershill Manor Novels. * Booklist *\u003cbr\u003eThis third series outing offers further insights into Lord Somershill and the past that bedevils him, along with sophisticated plotting, intrigue, and immersion in a fascinating historical setting. * Library Journal *\u003cbr\u003eOswald's character, \u003cb\u003ebeautifully painted by Sykes\u003c\/b\u003e, dominates this \u003cb\u003eexcellent historical thriller\u003c\/b\u003e set against the waterways, palaces and dungeons of medieval Venice * Sunday Express *\u003cbr\u003eComparisons to the master of historical crime, CJ Sansom, are inevitable and, in this case, justified. * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eThe whodunnit aspect is neatly done, the family secrets and waspish relationships are intriguing, and humour and originality are abundant. * Daily Mail *\u003cbr\u003eSykes offers an unusual perspective on this historical period ... She also deals realistically with the troubles of the era's women. * New York Times *\u003cbr\u003eTrouble, and its attendant duties, confront the reluctant young lord on nearly every page of this eventful, engrossing, informative mystery set in mid-14th-century Kent, England. * Wall Street Journal *\u003cbr\u003eThere's a nice, cliché-free sharpness to Sykes' writing . . . that suggests a medieval Raymond Chandler at work, and there are no phony celebrations of the peasantry or earth-mothers thrusting herbal concoctions down grateful throats. Plenty of action and interesting characters, without intervention of the libertarian modern conscience that so often wrecks the medieval historical novel. * Independent *\u003cbr\u003eSykes establishes herself firmly as a major talent. * Publishers Weekly *","brand":"Hodder \u0026 Stoughton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48739253027159,"sku":"9781444785852","price":9.49,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781444785852.jpg?v=1720051649","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/city-of-masks-9781444785852","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}