The Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger Winning Author

Tuscany. Winter, 1540.

Travelling north into the hills above Florence, investigator Cesare Aldo seeks answers about his past. The trail leads him to Ospedale de’ Pazzi, a secure institution for the criminally insane.

Soon after arriving a blizzard engulfs the area, trapping Aldo and his companion, Doctor Saul Orvieto. Even more alarming, their cart driver is found dead. It looks like he fell over a nearby cliff in the whiteout – but Aldo suspects foul play. When a brutal slaying occurs in the central courtyard, it becomes clear a killer lurks among them.

With the snowstorm sealing everyone in and a murderer hunting fresh victims, Aldo’s search for the truth proves deadlier than he could ever have imagined . . .

Shadow of Madness is the sixth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by Carnival of Lies, A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.

A brilliant series -- Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of Secrets
Shadow of Madness is a book to savour. With a set-up as pleasing as Murder on the Orient Express, and a gloriously weird and wonderful cast of characters, the story doesn’t let up for a single moment. A superb addition to the Cesare Aldo universe, as well as a great standalone story in its own right -- Anna Caig, author of The Wise Witch of Orkney
Plotting is excellent and I didn’t guess anything in advance. Aldo is three-dimensionally interesting, someone with a complex past who has developed through the series. Absolutely loved it! A contender for my favourite Cesare Aldo -- Fiona Forsyth, author of the Lucius Sestius historical thrillers
A brilliantly absorbing and atmospheric thriller that is vividly imagined and utterly immersive. The labyrinthine plot has more twists and dark corners than the isolated ospedale setting itself. Both the characters and settings are so richly evoked, you’ll find yourself fully immersed in this chilling historical thriller. -- Jamie West, author of Murder at the Matinee
It doesn’t get much creepier than being trapped in a remote asylum run by monks. D. V. Bishop turns the claustrophobia and paranoia up to the max in this fantastic instalment of the Cesare Aldo series -- L. C. Winter, author of Spider, Spider
A page turner! I'd like to know Cesare Aldo in real life. Love the setting, Black Narcissus meets Shutter Island vibes. Who doesn't love an unsettling whodunnit in a creepy asylum run by nuns and monks!!! -- Claire Whitfield, author of Poor Girls

D. V. Bishop is the pseudonym of award-winning writer David Bishop. His love for the city of Florence and the Renaissance period meant there could be only one setting for his historical thrillers. The first Cesare Aldo novel, City of Vengeance, won the Pitch Perfect competition at the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival and the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction Book. Book two in the series, The Darkest Sin, won the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger. He teaches creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University. Shadow of Madness is the fifth Cesare Aldo mystery, preceded by City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin, Ritual of Fire, A Divine Fury and Carnival of Lies.