City of Masks: Oswald de Lacy Book 3 Hardcover – 13 July 2017

Having immensely enjoyed the previous two novels in SD Sykes' series featuring Oswald De Lacy and his remarkable relations (mother is probably the most interesting character I have ever come across) I was intrigued to see how the story would transfer to medieval Venice from rural England. The answer - brilliantly. City of Masks is a genuine page turner of a novel, with brutal murders and espionage within the shadow of an oppressive and paranoid state at war with its neighbours. An extremely worthy successor to sykes' previous novels, Plague Land and The Butcher Bird.

I am glad that I ignored the negative comments regarding this series of books as I have thourghly enjoyed each one. I have spent many happy hours in Venice and although the Venice of today is different to the times in the story the underpinning history and layout are drawn from that time. I felt the characters were well draw and the narrative demonstrated how power and influence in those times was used and abused particularly by the elite of Venice society. A thoroughly good read

I really enjoy the books of SDSykes which are very atmospheric and full of intrigue and well drawn characters. This one - set in Venice - was very assured and raced along with a fascinating storyline and with lots of twists and turns. This series is very much comfort reading for a wet day or a dark night.

The hero is a depressed gambler, drinker has a weird mother and has incredibly strange halucinations regarding something imaginary that follows him. I suspect that this is setting the scene for future books when he returns to look after the child he left and has a renewed vigour for life as lord of the manor. Maybe this is a description of the debauched lifestyle in Venice but I didn't enjoy the process.Apart from that it was a good insight into life in Venice.

The third in the series set some years after book 2. This is worth a read but slower paced and a bit drawn out after the earlier books. I was not altogether convinced by the some of the plot line although as in the first books the relationships are well drawn. It would have benefited from a bit of brutal editing.

Oswald was in deep depression following the death of his wife during childbirth. Didnt find out the reason for his depression until halfway through the novel. His depression had seeped into me and I almost gave up when the reason for his black moods was revealed. The murders were skilfully worked with red herrings a-plenty,, though Oswald simply wasn't himself with trying to solve them and almost messed it up. Not my favourite in the series so far.

This is the third book of a trilogy, but is totally separated from the first two as it stands. There is a massive gap of events until the lead up to the marriage of Mary. There is also a lack of continuity from the first chapter and there isn’t a connection too the previous stories until about 85% into the book. I would totally reorganise the chapters as the story is there, but in an order that lacks flow and sense.

I have enjoyed the first two De Lacey novels, and this was a great follow up. Totally different from the previous two as this story is set in Venice with Lord Somerhill leaving England for personal reasons, along with his mother who he has a real love / hate relationship. (Love the character of the mother)A great read!

Bit disappointing.

Venice in the Middle Ages was quite a cesspool of humanity. Not up to par with the first two Somershill Manor Novel; better to be back in the familiar setting. Personal lives go by so fast; now Lord Somershill is married and has a child but not his biological child--somewhat parallels the messed up birth status as his own and a set up for more problems in the future. Adequate and a fair history lesson.

Well written and really gives you a sense of what the Middles Ages were like but the hero. Is consistently depressing throughout the series

In very good condition. The plastic dust jacket was a nice plus.

A good continuation to an excellent series. Not only was it a good mystery, but the background to the story was very interesting.

Just okay. An uneasy blend of historyAnd mystery.

This book was awesome. Sykes captures the atmosphere of Venice and creates intriguing characters. Very enjoyable read.

First time I've read SD Sykes. It was ok, not great.