It's 1925, and a missing-person case takes the sleuthing duo to Venice. Mussolini had recently taken power in Italy, and his all-black-clad police were in evidence. In a subplot, brother Mycroft has asked Sherlock to do some casual spying to determine the country's mood under the new fascist regime. As a national-security adviser to Downing Street, Mycroft is concerned about similar sentiments beginning to be felt in Britain--beginning with the "British Fascisti" established in 1923 by Rotha Lintorn-Orman.
While Mussolini was still getting started, the real 1920s action in Venice was the social scene, led by American expats Elsa Maxwell and Mr. and Mrs. Cole Porter. All three are substantial characters in the novel. Several historical Venice locales have important roles, including the beach-resort island of Lido with its Hotel Excelsior, and the extravagant palazzo Ca' Rezzonico, rented by the Porters when in Venice--now a museum. Also, before leaving for Venice, Mary and Sherlock paid a visit to Bethlem Royal Hospital in south London, the fourth iteration of the infamous "Bedlam" (now housing the Imperial War Museum).
No criteria rating for this one--the Mary Russell novels are not intended to be read as historical fiction. My gratitude to author Laurie King, however, for investing enough research time to give the novel a surprisingly large dose of historical interest and authenticity.
For another history-lite but well-written novel set in the same milieu, Try The Girl From Venice (2016), by Martin Cruz Smith.
