The Lizard's Bite

More about the book

On an August night near Venice, a fire erupts in a glassmaking shop, resulting in two deaths and implicating a wealthy Englishman. Investigators from Rome are assigned to a case that few want solved. In this captivating novel featuring Detective Nic Costa, the author intricately weaves the enchanting essence of Venice with a story of passion, corruption, and betrayal. The Arcangelo family lives on their private island, surrounded by decay and an archaic glass furnace, while their exhibition hall falls into disrepair. As the world encroaches on their isolated life, police boats and vaporetti bring investigators and curious onlookers, including a man intent on acquiring the property. With two family members lost to the fire, the scene is ripe for both mystery and opportunity. Detective Nic Costa, along with his partner, his superior, and a determined pathologist named Teresa Lupo, is determined to uncover the truth. They suspect that Uriel Arcangelo and his wife were murdered, with the predatory Englishman and the family of the murdered woman as potential suspects. Despite pressure to abandon the case, the Roman detectives persist, as a web of desire, death, and deception unfolds, leading to a shocking revelation. This tale is a mesmerizing blend of exquisite writing, vibrant atmosphere, and gripping suspense.