Synopses & Reviews
A propulsive tale of murder, corruption, and international intrigue at the crossroads of a physical and virtual Venice, where a female Italian police captain works to unravel a dark conspiracy linking the CIA and the Catholic Church
When the clock strikes midnight on the feast day of La Befana, Venice is aglow as a cascade of glittering fireworks bursts above the city. Masked figures crowd the vaporettos, the trattorias are humming with grappa-soaked gossip, and the possibility for random passion heats the frosty winter air.
Across the Grand Canal, beneath the stunning white dome of one of Venice's grandest landmarks, the Santa Maria della Salute, a body with two slugs in the back of the head has been pulled from the icy waters. The victim is a woman. To the dismay of the police, she is dressed in the sacred robes of a Catholic priest—a desecration that quickly becomes known as the Abomination.
Working her first murder case, newly promoted Captain Kat Tapo of the Carabinieri embarks on a labyrinthine voyage that soon proves as elusive and confusing as the city's twisting backstreets. Her investigation leads from a crumbling asylum on a deserted island to the impenetrable complex of American military bases ringing the medieval city—and deeper, into an eerie virtual Venice that is both alien and familiar.
The influential and highly secretive simulated world of Carnivia.com holds the city's secrets, dark knowledge that reaches into the highest levels of government and the church, involving its most influential figures. The site's founder is a notorious hacker and the scion of one of Venice's oldest families—a man already convicted of cybercrimes whose life is threatened by an anonymous group determined to silence him and destroy his virtual city.
Just when every lead seems to send a frustrated Kat in a new direction, the various trails go cold, evidence goes missing, and the case is officially shut down. What follows is the unraveling of a dark conspiracy whose roots go back seventy years, revelations that will test Kat's loyalties and remind the dedicated cop of a simple truth: that unless old crimes are punished, corrupt forces will continue to repeat their mortal sins. . . .
Review
“[This] first novel of a trilogy set in Venice…[has] more than enough plot and well-drawn characters to stir interest in the sequels…A skillfully rendered debut.” < i=""> Kirkus Reviews <>
Review
“[A] diverting debut…Holt captures the allure of Venice and its creative cyber-counterpart, and creates two forceful . . . protagonists in Kat and Holly. The author gets carried away by throwing mystery on top of mystery, but, well, thats part of the fun.” < i=""> Publishers Weekly <>
Review
“[A] beautifully complicated thriller…. A brilliant blend of fascinating story lines, serious issues, impeccable research, gripping intrigue, and engaging characters, Holts debut is eminently satisfying from start to finish. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers (think Joseph Kanon).” < i=""> Library Journal <> (starred review)
Review
“This remarkable debut novel… [is] a multi-stranded conspiracy thriller with plenty of pop. Think Dan Brown without the clunky prose and the pompous PhD hero but with the fascinating mix of history, paranoia, and real-live terror (drones on your tail).” < i=""> Booklist <> (starred review)
Review
“Dont be deceived by the title, The Abomination. Theres nothing unreal about Jonathan Holts excellent first mystery…. [He] writes in a deft engaging fashion.… The Abomination leaves you hungry for more.” < i=""> Chicago Tribune <>
Review
“Venetians love to dress up in costumes and masks.… Holt puts a breathtaking spin on this charming custom … by inventing Carnivia, an elaborate computer game. .…There is something truly haunting about those glimpses into the mysterious shadow world .” Marilyn Stasio, < i=""> New York Times Book Review <>
Review
“Speedy, clever…. [A] very fun beach (or boat) read for fans of thrillers.” MSN.com
Review
“[A] tantalizing debut, a masterful melding of religious mystery, political intrigue and just a bit of fantasy/sci-fi.” < i=""> BookPage <>
Synopsis
Set in two Venices, the modern physical world and its virtual counterpart, The Abomination by Jonathan Holt is a propulsive tale of murder, corruption, and international intrigue—the first book in an outstanding new trilogy in which Carabiniere Captain Kat Tapo must unravel a dark conspiracy linking the CIA and the Catholic Church.
By the stunning white dome of one of Venices grandest landmarks a body with two slugs in the back of the head has been pulled from the icy waters. The victim is a woman, dressed in the sacred robes of a Catholic priest—a desecration that becomes known as the Abomination.
Working her first murder case, Captain Kat Tapo embarks on a trail that proves as elusive and complicated as the citys labyrinthine backstreets. What Kat discovers will test her loyalties and remind her of a simple truth: Unless old crimes are punished, corrupt forces will continue to repeat their mortal sins.
The Abomination is book one of Jonathan Holts Carnivia Trilogy.
About the Author
Jonathan Holt, author of The Abomination, studied English literature at Oxford and is now the creative director of an advertising agency. He lives in London.