Ascension (The Alvise Marangon Mysteries - Book 1)

'Blends a laconic, amused style informed by American detective literature with a profound knowledge of Venetian geography and history. Stylish, clever and gripping'

'Wonderful ... I loved being transported to my favourite time in my favourite city'

'Alvise is a terrific character, the murder mystery is absorbingly ingenious and, if you are a sucker for Venice, the sights, sounds and smells of its streets and canals ooze up from the page'

'Packed with drama, intrigue, action, adventure and excitement, I loved the beautiful descriptions of Venice, the gentle dry humour, the well drawn characters and the intrepid and courageous Alvise'

'a wonderful page turner with a fabulous cast of characters'

'the reader is treated to vivid, highly detailed descriptions of the Venetian sights and the historical landmarks. An evocative picture is painted of everyday life in the beautiful city of Venice, as well as the goings-on at a festival as large and important as that of The Ascension... The striking imagery and extensive vocabulary used in Ascension will transport any reader to the streets, canals, theatres of the novel'

'A special thriller set in the Venetian past - its colours and intrigues so vividly described'

Gregory Dowling grew up in Bristol before studying English at Christ Church, Oxford where he obtained a First Class Degree. He moved to Venice in 1981, where he is Associate Professor of American Literature at Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Gregory has published four novels, co-edited two anthologies of poetry, written various non-fiction books, and academic articles. He is non-fiction editor for the journal Able Muse and editor of the British section of the Italian poetry-journal Semicerchio, and wrote for Time Out Guide to Venice.