Fun read, lots of globe trotting. But also lots of violence. Cora is recovered but all limits per her family. The plot involves a mole; Micah Dalton is a "cleaner". In the grand finale, Micah saves his boss's tush so it appears he'll be reinstated in the service. As I write these notes in March 2012, "Stone" has written 4 books in the series but not a new one for a couple of years. He appears to be a pseudonym for another author. I haven't been able to find any photos, any meaningful bio, no interviews. Hopefully he will write more books in this series - they're always a pleasant diversion and don't take themselves too seriously. ( )

I've come to really like David Stone's writing style. He is both a wit and flair, maybe even a sence of style to his writing. Add to that a unique protagonist in Micah Dalton and Stone's books have become some of my recent favorites.

I was really, really enjoying The Venetian Judgment. Dalton was his up to usual quirky and violent behavior and the supporting characters were mostly interesting (I want more of Mandy!). I was having a jolly time with the story when ... bam! ... the book ended. It was as if Stone had suddenly gotten bored with his story or didn't quite know how to get from point B to point C, so he had the characters take note of where they were in the plot and then followed with a semi-extended epilogue. Huh? There was a lot more story to tell (and a lot more bad guys for Dalton to tackle). Perhaps that will be the subject of the next book, but I don't think it was fair for Stone to simply wrap up the story the way he did.

The book would have received 4 or even 4 1/2 stars had the story been teased out through its natural conclusion. Oh, well. Maybe there will be a director's cut when the DVD is relea ... oops ... I guess not. ( )

This is the THE book for the summer. Fast moving story of clandestine operations, covert killing and spies everywhere. The story weaves several threads through different countries with each character so well developed your attention never wavers bringing everything to the conclusion. David Stone has such a command of his story he successfully intimates the darkness in the human soul without burdening the reader with all the explicit gore relied on by so many authors. And if that isn't enough there is wry humor scattered throughout for just the right touch of light in a book dealing with some very serious subjects. A good read. ( )