"A stunning debut novel, D V Bishop's City of Vengeance seamlessly blends historical fiction with crime thriller, as detective-protagonist Cesare Aldo investigates a murder in 1536 Florence and uncovers an intra-familial plot (which really happened) against the ruling Duke of Florence, a member of the ultra-powerful de' Medici clan. Storytelling centred on intrigue and betrayal doesn't come more polished and captivating than this, and among the novel's best features are the figure of Aldo, a redoubtable and humane lead; the unflinching depiction of a filthy, dangerous Renaissance city which diverges from the typical romantic portrayals of European sites; and the rejection of the heteronormativity common to almost all historical fiction - Bishop shows this place and era to be as diverse in human desire and commerce as anywhere in the present." Judges for the 2022 NZ Booklovers Awards

"A first-class historical thriller...Bishop's spirited and richly detailed story is a tour-de-force." David Baldacci

"So fluid and fluent, the pages almost turn themselves." James Oswald

"Richly atmospheric...transports you to another time and place." Ambrose Parry