The Dante Trap

Bloody Brilliant very very brilliant what else is there to say so much better then the crap people write these days good very very good book just some advice don't read it at night good book I loved it

Set in Venice in 1756 this novel is a pretty straightforward international conspiracy wrapped around a very nasty series of murderous set pieces based on Dante's twelve circles of Hell. The first few chapters were very hard going but the middle of the book made it all worthwhile before a rather hasty and unremarkable denouement. Part of the problem is that the characters are only lightly personalised and the language is rather rococo. Eventually, however, I became accustomed to the baroque style and the shallow characterisation. Once I was able to distinbguish the various characters I could enjoy the absurd theatricality of the murders and accept the justification for this extremity. I was, however disappointed by the sudden and predictable course ofv the last three murders and their ultimate solution.

This starts out as an intriguing dark tale, but as the book goes on slowly loses originality. The ending is completely predictable and is the standard "happing ending."

If you can get through the first 100 pages then it is a petty gripping tale.

This is one of the best thrillers / murder mysteries I have read. I'd recommend turning it into a film. The book is excellent because the writer has cleverly incorporated details of Venice's buildings, culture and traditions into the book along with detail about Dante's Inferno.

Overall a rather disappointing read - for me it never took off and the characters remained flat. The Venetian backgound was quite interestingly invoked but I never got a real sense of period, threat or tension.

I liked this, a murder mystery in Venice, whats not to like.

If u loved angels and demons u'll love this too!