The Notary’s Fifth Signature: a Cozy Mystery of Venice, 1748

Venice, 1748. When the eldest of four brothers dies peacefully, his notary’s office prepares to read four identical wills — until a fifth, unsigned will surfaces, naming a complete stranger as heir. The Marin family’s honor hangs by a thread.

Matteo Querini, a cautious bookbinder with an eye for paper and ink, is drawn into a puzzle of watermarks, fading signatures, and guild secrets. With help from a sharp-witted young woman determined to clear her cousin’s name, Matteo traces the forgery through Venetian notary offices, hidden paper mills, and a clockmaker’s sealed ledger. Every watermark tells a story. Every ink stain hides a lie. And someone is willing to kill to keep the truth unread.

A puzzle-driven historical cozy mystery with no graphic violence — perfect for fans of clever clues, 18th-century settings, and whodunits where brains beat brutality.