David Neilson

'The Prussian Dispatch' is the first in a series featuring Sophie Rathenau, who makes a living in 1770s Vienna through discreet enquiries that have a bad habit of turning perilous. In the second of the series, 'Lay Brothers', Sophie tackles the Jesuit Order in Munich.

'Serene' takes Sophie to Venice to the Venice Carnival, where she's guarding Habsburg Archduchess Isabella. When Isabella falls for penniless poet Lorenzo da Ponte, it's only a matter of time before Sophie is brought face to face with her worst enemy, Corona Mundt - the woman who warned her never to return to the Serenissima.

Here's what readers say about the series:

"A vivid historical world full of living characters"

"Excellent character... Sophie feels very real to me"

"Seems to have all the elements of a great and successful book: a powerful heroine, political intrigue, and a riveting plot"

"Character and voice are what make this book distinctive..."

"Hard-bitten Jane Eyre"

"The setting is vivid. The characterization excellent. And of course the dialogue fantastic..."

"Sophie is awesome”

David Neilson lives on the Rhine growing runner beans, courgettes and kohlrabi.