Novel with a Gothic twist set in WARWICK
Swashbuckling novel set in early 17th Century VENICE
24th August 2026
The Knife Maker of Venice by David Gilman, swashbuckling novel set in early 17th Century Venice.
If you love a good adventure story, then David Gilman will fit the bill. He has written several novels and, including series, set in different places and times, such as the Master of War series. His novel The Last Horseman was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2017, which underlines his credentials as master adventure storyteller.
In this novel, siblings Richard and Elizabeth Sheriff are kidnapped by Barbary pirates from their respective dwellings on the Devon coast. The reader discovers early on that Richard has a good heart but he is irascible snd headstrong and gets himself into plenty of scrapes. Elizabeth bails him out. Having just engineered his escape from prison, they soon find themselves on Challoner’s ship – his feelings for Elizabeth still strong, despite a lengthy absence. She is very unsure, as she has seen his demonic side and only accompanies him because of Challoner’s threat to kill her brother. First stop Tunis and then it is on to Venice.
Richard finds himself apprenticed to a knife maker. He has already espied the quality of knives that will catch the eye of the rich, whether for their dinner tables or for personal gratification, and he knows he can hone his skills to serve him well, always with one eye on tracking down his sister.
The first half of the novel is fairly slow, as it sets the scene and nudges the characters into their respective places. The second half proves to be an immersive and compelling read. Venice comes through loud and clear, a venal, grubby city, infused with tension, decay and subterfuge. The echoes of times like this are still palpable in the city today.
The novel feels incredibly well researched, I learned some new and interesting details about the period. His characters are richly formed and the whole story comes together well.
A great choice for anyone heading to Venice who would like to feel the sense of footsteps past.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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