the Venice Conspiracy

Praised by critics and readers alike for his international bestseller The Stonehenge Legacy , Sam Christer continues to weave an irresistible plot of conspiracies and sudden death in one of the world's most mysterious ancient sites. When ex-priest Tom Shaman, jaded from years in the Los Angeles ghetto, decides on a last-minute trip to Venice, he gets much more than he expected. A brutal killer is on the loose and Tom finds himself in the midst of a series of ritualistic killings unlike anything Venice has ever seen. Enlisted by the Italian police, Tom teams up with young investigator Valentina Morassi to dig deep into the city's darkest history, stretching from an ancient civilization to the sexual decadence of eighteenth-century Italy to the gritty underworld of modern-day Venice. As Valentina and Tom trace the killings through the centuries, they uncover a deadly secret that generations have killed to protect: a priceless mosaic known as the Gates of Hell. As the clock counts down, Tom and Valentina's adventure builds to an astonishing and satisfying end. Exotic and well-researched, The Venice Conspiracy will continue to build Christer's name in the hit-thriller genre. Review Praise for The Stonehenge Legacy : ''A self-assured first novel.'' (- Wall Street Journal ) ''A creepily compelling tale . . . This is one of those very rare books that is capable of both thrilling and chilling the reader.'' (-James Becker, The Moses Stone ) ''British author Christer follows his 2011 debut ( The Stonehenge Legacy ) with a leisurely paced yet suspenseful religious conspiracy thrillerThe story of a young priest and his pregnant wife in Etruria in 666 B.C. that alternates with the contemporary action adds historical depth. A beautiful silver relic passed down over the centuries that holds evil mystical powers, modern-day satanic rituals, and Vatican intrigue all help propel the plot of this solid entry in the post Da Vinci Code subgenre.'' ( Publishers Weekly ) About the Author Sam Christer is the pseudonym of an award-winning documentary maker. His first job was as a messenger for a newspaper, and he has since worked for several major television studios as a director, producer, host, and reporter. His first novel, The Stonehenge Legacy , is sold in thirty-five countries. This “suspenseful” thriller featuring an ex-priest investigating murder is a “solid entry in the post–Da Vinci Code subgenre” ( Publishers Weekly ). When ex-priest Tom Shaman, jaded from years in the Los Angeles ghetto, decides on a last-minute trip to Venice, he gets much more than he expected. A brutal killer is on the loose and Tom finds himself in the midst of a series of ritualistic killings unlike anything Venice has ever seen. Enlisted by the Italian police, Tom teams up with young investigator Valentina Morassi to dig deep into the city's darkest history, stretching from an ancient civilization to the sexual decadence of eighteenth-century Italy to the gritty underworld of modern-day Venice. As Valentina and Tom trace the killings through the centuries, they uncover a deadly secret that generations have killed to protect: a priceless mosaic known as the Gates of Hell. As the clock counts down, Tom and Valentina's adventure builds to an astonishing and satisfying end. Exotic and well-researched, The Venice Conspiracy will continue to build Christer's name in the hit-thriller genre. “Fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry will be enamored.” — Booklist When ex-priest Tom Shaman takes a last-minute trip to Venice, he is enlisted by Italian investigator Valentina Morassi to trace a series of ritualistic killings through the centuries, all connected with a priceless Etruscan mosaic known as the Gates of Hell.