Longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger 2026

Trapped with a killer in a remote asylum, investigator Cesare Aldo must face his fears in Shadow of Madness, an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Italy.

Tuscany. Winter, 1540.

Travelling north into the hills above Florence, investigator Cesare Aldo seeks answers about his past. The trail leads him to Ospedale de’ Pazzi, a secure institution for the criminally insane.

Soon after arriving a blizzard engulfs the area, trapping Aldo and his companion, Doctor Saul Orvieto. Even more alarming, their cart driver is found dead. It looks like he fell over a nearby cliff in the whiteout – but Aldo suspects foul play. When a brutal slaying occurs in the central courtyard, it becomes clear a killer lurks among them.

With the snowstorm sealing everyone in and a murderer hunting fresh victims, Aldo’s search for the truth proves deadlier than he could ever have imagined . . .

Shadow of Madness is the sixth Cesare Aldo mystery by D. V. Bishop, preceded by Carnival of Lies, A Divine Fury, City of Vengeance, The Darkest Sin and Ritual of Fire.

Praise for D. V. Bishop:

'It’s hard to think of a better guide than D. V. Bishop to the brutality and glamour of Renaissance Florence' – Andrew Taylor, author of A Schooling in Murder

'A brilliant series' –Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of Secrets

'Aldo is a magnificent creation' – Vaseem Khan, author of The Edge of Darkness