Canaletto And The Case Of Westminster Bridge (Macmillan crime)

It’s 1746 and Canaletto arrives in London to rescue his painting career. The continent is at war and the aristocracy no longer flock to Venice to buy his pictures. London, though, is full of activity and interesting personalities; fortunes are being made every day, and corruption is everywhere. Canaletto’s arrival signals danger to a variety of Londoners, amongst them an aristocrat eager to mend his fortunes, an ambitious young man who fears failure, an avaricious alderman, a socially ambitious merchant, and an ageing beauty. Canaletto is attacked and robbed, his life saved by apprentice engraver Fanny Rooker, the one person who offers him help. Soon Canaletto is forced by Paymaster General Pitt to employ his Venetian investigative talents in discovering why the completion of Westminster Bridge is so delayed. Canaletto is still seeking a painting commission and the danger to his life increases as he embarks on the task.