In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by award-winning author D.V. Bishop to talk about his brilliant historical crime series set in Renaissance Italy. We explore the world of Cesare Aldo, a crime investigator navigating a corrupt justice system while living as a gay man in a deeply repressive society.

David shares how his fascination with historical criminal justice led to the creation of the series, and why Carnival of Lies feels like such a pivotal novel. We talk in depth about character development, including the moral complexity of Aldo himself and the intrigue added by the Contessa, one of the most compelling characters in the series.

One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is David’s honesty about the writing journey - including the fact that his first book was 20 years in the making. He offers thoughtful and practical writing tips for anyone thinking about starting their first novel, from the importance of finishing a draft to knowing your genre and being a voracious reader.

Whether you love historical fiction, are already a fan of the Cesare Aldo series, or are looking for encouragement and advice on creative writing, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration and brilliant book recommendations.

You can find out more about David here: https://www.instagram.com/cesarealdo/

You can purchase Carnival of Lies here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/carnival-of-lies-d-v-bishop/7709825?ean=9781035041961&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Staring at Craft by Ursula La Guin

Refuse to be done by Matt Bell

On Writing by Stephen King

Into The Woods by John York

Spider Spider by LC Winter

The Wise Witch of Orkney by Anna Caig