The world’s largest oil painting. A 400-year-old murder. A disembodied whisper: “Amore mio.” My love.
Nick and Julia O’Connor’s dream trip to Venice collapses when a haunting voice reaches out to Nick from Tintoretto’s Paradise, a monumental depiction of Heaven. Convinced his delusions are the result of a concussion, Julia insists her husband see a doctor, though Nick is adamant the voice was real.
Blacking out in the museum, Nick flashes back to a life as a 16th century Venetian peasant swordsman. He recalls precisely who the voice belongs to: Isabella Scalfini, a married aristocrat he was tasked to seduce but with whom he instead found true love. A love stolen from them hundreds of years prior.
She implores Nick to liberate her from a powerful order of religious vigilantes who judge and sentence souls to the canvas for eternity. Releasing Isabella also means unleashing thousands of other imprisoned souls, all of which the order claims are evil.
As infatuation with a possible hallucination clouds his commitment to a present-day wife, Nick’s past self takes over. Wracked with guilt, he can no longer allow Isabella to remain tor-mented, despite the consequences. He must right an age-old wrong – destroy the painting and free his soul mate. But the order will eradicate anyone who threatens their ethereal prison and their control over Venice.
It has always been a dream of Nick and Julia O’Connor to visit Venice, and their trip has already had a few setbacks. Nick ended up in the hospital with a head injury after a hockey accident, but he seems to be healing, although he might find himself frequently bored as Julia enthuses over the art and historical culture. Nonetheless, Nick loves his wife, and would follow her to the ends of the Earth if he had to. Thankfully, he only needs to follow her around museums and art exhibits.
When they go to the Palazzo, though, Nick’s view towards art seems to change like the flip of a switch when he sees Tintoretto’s Paradise. There is something about the artwork that draws him in, and he is almost certain he can hear the voice of one of the people depicted talking to him. His increasing infatuation with the painting concerns Julia more than anything, and her worries deepen as she tries to get Nick to go and see another doctor to make sure his head is healing and not worsening. But, Nick is absolutely certain he is not hearing the voice simply because of a bang to the head. If so, how would it be speaking in perfect Venetian, a language Nick didn’t speak?
As Nick tries to learn more about the voice, and about the name she gives him, Isabella Scalfini, and Julia tries to keep her husband sane, there is something deeper going on. The Order, an organisation who seemingly has control over the whole of Venice, and members in every place imaginable, have had their sights set on Nick since he first drew attention to himself at the Palazzo, and although Nick may not realise it, his life has changed forever.
Reading this novel, I immediately likened it to a Dan Brown book, before I noticed that similarity was mentioned in the book’s blurb. The mystery, and the slowly unravelling truth, withheld by so many and revealing itself piece by piece, creates a tension and a need to understand the facts, which keeps you reading on and on. I do not know much about the culture of Venice, or the artwork and historical places this novel describes, but there was no need for me to, for the author has described everything to make you feel as though you are there, seeing things your mind has never seen before, and experiencing things you have no memory of. In a way, this is also what Nick is doing, as the novel progresses and certain aspects come to light. This book puts you firmly in Nick’s shoes as he tries to understand why Isabella is talking to him from a painting, while also trying not to worry Julia too much.
Nick and Julia are a wonderful couple, especially with how supportive they are of each other. Julia is a photographer, a hobby she would love to turn into a job, and the opportunity has presented itself with Nick’s love and support. They clearly love each other, and they are both lovely characters to read about. Throwing Isabella into the mix, though, certainly stirs things up. Julia is not experiencing what Nick is, so the only thing she really knows is that Nick is hearing a woman speaking to him from a painting. But for Nick, it is so incredibly real, and trying to help Julia understand what he is going through seems like an impossible task.
I was under the impression that more of this book would be set in the 16th century than there actually was. The vast majority of this novel was set in the modern day, with only small sections in the 16th century. Angelo was a character I would have loved to have spent more time with, his story seemed interesting, although he was only used to provide some backstory. This novel is certainly part of a series, for the ending was not one you can be satisfied with, and simply have to continue reading. The problem with that is book 2 is not out yet, and according to the note about book 2 at the end of this book, it won’t be out until nearer the end of the year. This is a series that promises to be one you can read in its entirely without a break between books, and one that you won’t want to put down.
If you are a fan of Dan Brown, this is certainly a book you should read. There is plenty of intrigue to keep you hooked, and the whole concept is interesting. Combine that with a compelling narrative, and characters you cannot help but like – I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2.
Thank you so much for hosting the blog tour for The Prisoner of Paradise.
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Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Thanks for sharing, Beatrice! I hope your readers enjoy The Prisoner of Paradise.
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