D. V. Bishop

D. V. Bishop is the pen name of New Zealand-born writer David Bishop, an author of historical crime fiction, screenplays, comics and speculative novels. He is best known for the Cesare Aldo mysteries, which are set in Renaissance Florence during the rule of Cosimo de’ Medici. Bishop’s longstanding interest in Italy and the Renaissance informs his portrayal of the city’s politics, religious tensions and dangerous criminal justice system. He also teaches creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University.

Beginning with City of Vengeance, the Cesare Aldo series follows an officer of Florence’s feared criminal court who investigates murder while concealing aspects of his own life that could lead to execution. The novels combine complex investigations with court intrigue, social prejudice and the struggle for power in sixteenth-century Italy. Bishop’s books have received several honours, including the Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger, the NZ Booklovers Award and the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel.