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The Abomination: A Novel (Carnivia Trilogy, The) Hardcover – June 18, 2013

by Jonathan Holt (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 708 ratings

Set in two Venices, the modern physical world and its virtual counterpart, The Abomination by Jonathan Holt is a propulsive tale of murder, corruption, and international intrigue—the first book in an outstanding new trilogy in which Carabiniere Captain Kat Tapo must unravel a dark conspiracy linking the CIA and the Catholic Church.

By the stunning white dome of one of Venice’s grandest landmarks a body with two slugs in the back of the head has been pulled from the icy waters. The victim is a woman, dressed in the sacred robes of a Catholic priest—a desecration that becomes known as the Abomination.

Working her first murder case, Captain Kat Tapo embarks on a trail that proves as elusive and complicated as the city’s labyrinthine backstreets. What Kat discovers will test her loyalties and remind her of a simple truth: Unless old crimes are punished, corrupt forces will continue to repeat their mortal sins.

The Abomination is book one of Jonathan Holt’s Carnivia Trilogy.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Carnivia Trilogy
  2. Print length
    448 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Harper
  5. Publication date
    June 18, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.37 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0062264338
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0062264336
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
708 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging with an interesting storyline and suspense. They appreciate the well-developed characters and the beautiful descriptions of Venice. The pacing is fast, and the opening scene in Venice is enjoyed by readers.

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StorylineReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting qualityPacingVenice setting
22 customers mention "Storyline"17 positive5 negative

Customers find the storyline interesting and engaging with plenty of suspense and action. They describe it as a riveting mystery with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked. The book is described as a well-written, plot-driven cop/espionage novel that keeps them guessing until the end.

"...So what we have is a thriller, some violence, interesting if complicated characters, and a story that does come to a close with no loose ends flying..." Read more

"This book is a very good mystery, with enough twists and turns in the plot to satisfy the most avid detective story fan. A few surprises too!..." Read more

"Quick read with interesting yet far fetched theory about NATOs possible orchestration of the atrocities in the civil war in Kosovo...." Read more

"...development, and action that is so geographically accurate and engaging! It was not what I thought it would be, but so much more!..." Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as a quick read with an interesting mystery and well-developed characters. The story is simple enough to enjoy without effort and suitable for both plane and reading.

"...It is impossible to guess. The writer has done a good job of making some of these characters not quite what they seem (or proclaim) to be and I just..." Read more

"...Despite the above, this was an enjoyable read, that was tough to put down after a reading session." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this book and was sorry when I'd finished - I wanted more! I recommend this book." Read more

"Quick read with interesting yet far fetched theory about NATOs possible orchestration of the atrocities in the civil war in Kosovo...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters.

"...So what we have is a thriller, some violence, interesting if complicated characters, and a story that does come to a close with no loose ends flying..." Read more

"...All of the characters were done very well particularly the principals, two of whom are women...." Read more

"...The book has great characters, the story line is a bit strange, but goes with church history too.......leeways were taken, of course, but is one..." Read more

"I really enjoyed 'The Abomination". It was fast paced and the characters likeable...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the descriptions beautiful and the city of Venice well-portrayed. The author is praised for his skillful storytelling and excellent characters.

"...The Venice setting is excellent, and the city descriptions are far better than any other book I have read, including a highly rated crime fiction..." Read more

"...been a long time since I've read something with this kind of superbly written intrigue, excellent character development, and action that is so..." Read more

"While I didn't feel much for any of the characters I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and what was going on...." Read more

"The descriptions are beautiful, the city of Venice is so well portrayed that at time it feels you were there in person, rather than reading about..." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the fast pacing of the book. The plot moves quickly, so even though the characters are scarce, they are not missed.

"...A few surprises too! The action scenes are a bit scarce, but the plot moves so fast that they are not missed...." Read more

"...The story is well paced and zips along quickly. I really enjoyed the book through the first two thirds, then it just tumbled into the lagoon for me...." Read more

"...recommend this book to anyone who is even a tad interested in a fast moving mystery." Read more

"I really enjoyed 'The Abomination". It was fast paced and the characters likeable...." Read more

4 customers mention "Venice setting"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's setting in Venice. They find the city descriptions excellent and beautiful, with a view of the beautiful city from different angles. The opening scene in Venice during the Agua Alta is particularly appreciated, as they had been there at that time.

"...The Venice setting is excellent, and the city descriptions are far better than any other book I have read, including a highly rated crime fiction..." Read more

"I loved the opening scene in Venice during the Agua Alta as we have been there at that time of the year and then I was perplexed by the abrupt..." Read more

"The descriptions are beautiful, the city of Venice is so well portrayed that at time it feels you were there in person, rather than reading about..." Read more

"Plenty of suspense as well as a look at the beautiful Venice from some different angles. Great human characters. Quick but well paced." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Genevieve Kazdin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Carnivia, Venezia, and rain
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    You might guess I ordered this book because it was set in Venice. You'd be right. But what a surprise! I enjoyed this book and am so much looking forward to the rest of the trilogy. (When? When?) The characters are unusual, with unusual skill sets. They come together to deal with heinous crimes of the past that may just be continuing in the present. What is to come in the next two volumes? It is impossible to guess. The writer has done a good job of making some of these characters not quite what they seem (or proclaim) to be and I just know there is more of this to come. But what?

    The plotting seems complex, but it can be boiled down to 'good vs. evil'. Bringing in the virtual world of Carnivia adds to the complexity, and I sincerely hope we see more of this in the future volumes. I would be happy to play in Carnivia if anyone would code it. It is time to look at these Virtual Worlds that are proliferating online - they are part of our culture now and can be represented in our literature. (Anyone remember Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash?)

    So what we have is a thriller, some violence, interesting if complicated characters, and a story that does come to a close with no loose ends flying around. Or are there? There are hints -- enough to send me looking for a release date for Volume 2. This was the perfect way to spend a rainy, dreary day. Grazie mille!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • foxtrotoscar
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Real Grabber!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a very good mystery, with enough twists and turns in the plot to satisfy the most avid detective story fan. A few surprises too! The action scenes are a bit scarce, but the plot moves so fast that they are not missed. A couple of small irritations did crop up throughout the story. The first was addressing characters as "Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant so and so". In the US military, all lieutenants are addressed as "Lieutenant" with no reference to first or second. Less numerous were the typos and misused words, which acted like speed bumps for the reader's concentration. Despite the above, this was an enjoyable read, that was tough to put down after a reading session.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kenneth C. Mahieu
    3.0 out of 5 stars Great first and second act but dies in the third.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    "The Abomination" is the first in a trilogy by Jonathan Holt and it teams a web site creator, a police captain and a US military 2nd lieutenant in Venice. All of the characters were done very well particularly the principals, two of whom are women. The Venice setting is excellent, and the city descriptions are far better than any other book I have read, including a highly rated crime fiction series. The story is well paced and zips along quickly. I really enjoyed the book through the first two thirds, then it just tumbled into the lagoon for me. I don't care much for thrillers, and it became very much an action thriller in that last third. It's at that point that a lot of plot points just seem to run out of gas. For example, there is a woman Catholic priest, and her presence appeared to me to be an unnecessary subplot. It resulted in a lot of pages explaining the Church's position on women's role in that religion. Boring, and as usual the Church, always an easy target, takes it shots. Also, our heroes are trying to prove a DNA link to victims of a Bosnian wartime rape and this will somehow prove CIA involvement in the conflict ? So the CIA takes its shots too. But there are still more suspensions of belief to come. How about two women overcoming six thugs in the rescue of some trafficking victims? Or a US controlled drone firing a missile into Venetian waters? Or the suggestion of bringing the US President and Secy of Defense to trial for US participation in the Bosnian conflict? There's more, but you get the picture. And speaking of that I have to add that the cover and title are a bit misleading. I'm not sure what that figure is on the cover but this is not a horror book despite a few references to Satanism. If you are really into escape fiction, "The Abomination" might be your thing, but I'd read a lot of reader reviews first to get a real clear picture of what's ahead.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • B. Gelderman
    5.0 out of 5 stars storyline really makes you wonder
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I ordered this book because of the preview I could do at Amazon. The book has great characters, the story line is a bit strange, but goes with church history too.......leeways were taken, of course, but is one you start reading and keep going with it.....I thoroughly enjoyed this book.........and when done, I immediately went to Amazon and ordered book 2........and read it just as quickly........now waiting for the next one.......
    I would recommend this book to anyone who is even a tad interested in a fast moving mystery.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Honey4
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced and great plot.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed 'The Abomination". It was fast paced and the characters likeable. The choice of subject was very interesting, not one I know much about (the war in Bosnia). I really enjoyed this book and was sorry when I'd finished - I wanted more! I recommend this book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • elly
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Feminist Journey in Italy
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the opening scene in Venice during the Agua Alta as we have been there at that time of the year and then I was perplexed by the abrupt introduction of a young woman American soldier that was the next character introduced. I wanted to stay with our Italian newly promoted policewoman Kat. Slowly I realized that each of the leading characters brought you closer into s story that had historical meaning as well as fictional meaning. The fact that I had not noticed the American soldiers when we were in Venice, did not mean that they weren't there. All of the strands including the virtual reality if a Venice alive in a computer was fascinating.

    I am glad I bought the book and enjoyed it very much. Now I will let my husband read it.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kerri Topping
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fiction based on fact?
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Quick read with interesting yet far fetched theory about NATOs possible orchestration of the atrocities in the civil war in Kosovo. The author claims that some of the book is grounded in fact- would be interested to know exactly what was factual....
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Dr Sanjay Bhagde
    5.0 out of 5 stars Abomination: The Conspiracy Theory
    Reviewed in India on November 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book has been compared, favourably, with Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code', with shades of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.'
    While this can never reach the frantic pacing of the former, it is similar to 'The Inferno' and definitely better than 'The Last Symbol.'
    Set in Venice in the non-touristy season, several un-connected incidents are cleverly interwoven into a multifaceted story that will have you reading forward and backwards to make sense of it all.
    The focus is not on the canals/gondolas but on the dark underbelly of Venice which makes fascinating reading, combining locations with trivia/theories blurring the lines between fiction and fact.
    The story starts with a murder in a ghost island which is investigated by the Italian Military police team (Kat and Piola) called the Carabinieri.
    A US Lieutenant, Holly, on duty in Italy is asked to investigate war crimes during the Yugoslavia in the nineties by an American citizen through an act very much like our India's Right-To-Information Act.
    The two women meet to unravel murder/disappearance followed by conspiracy theories which include war crimes, murders, sexism, religious conversions, organised prostitution, the Catholic Church, the Mafia, the judiciary and the USA involvement in genocide in the splitting of Yugoslavia that mixed religion with war, to make 'man commit atrocities by making him believe absurdities.'
    In the background is 'Carnivia', (somewhat like what was in Michael Crichton's 'Disclosure.') a virtual website, primarily used for encrypted chats promoted by Barbo, a brilliant, handicapped eccentric.
    Also in the heady story are an ex-CIA patriot, women priests, a ex military-man who has plummeted to lowest of depths who looks forward to ravishing his illegitimate child, an academic whose work that was to prevent war is used to create atrocities, a whistleblower who is never seen and who meets his end in a mysterious way and finally, a likeable, non-corruptible (a rarity in Italy) senior Policeman whose extra-marital affair ends only in the manner it can.
    The actual meaning of the odd title is given somewhere midway in the book rather un-dramatically.
    The story ( the first of a trilogy) uses a person-to-person narration-style to introduce ins and outs about Venice (how slow running trains are called 'Express Trains' and commercial olive oil is passed off as 'Extra Virgin') but sans the chunky descriptions.
    Incidentally, my book bought online has a preview of the next part.
    (Search the net for the site Carnivia.com which has a trailer of the book along with links to the conspiracies given in the book which I suggest you read after reading the book. Just press enter when it asks for a password)
    Readers in India will love this book as we can identify with the corruption in Italy, which seems to be no better or worse than our country.
    Recommended.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars well written and unfolding without endless descriptions like the last book of Dan Brown
    Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A brillant story ,well written and unfolding without endless descriptions like the last book of Dan Brown, Inferno.Compared to this last book of Dan Brown, is unavoidable,since both story happen in Venice.Not a moment of the Abomination keeps us from following a very tight plot.I enjoyed reading this book from the first page to the last one.I am now planning to read another book from Jonathan Holt.
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  • Heidemarie Puntschuh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Begeistert
    Reviewed in Germany on October 23, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Ich bin wirklich begeistert wie gut dieser Roman ist. Er spielt in Venedig und erinnert mich natürlich an Donna Leon. Erstklasssig und interessant beschrieben die Hintergründe des Jugoslawienkrieges. Ob sie nun wahr sind oder nicht - in jedem Falle vorstellbar. Der Roman ist intensiv und füllig, Spannung bis zu Schluss. Ich habe die weiteren Folgen bereits bestellt.
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  • Hazel Davies
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling thriller.
    Reviewed in France on September 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brilliant thriller, along with the other two books of the trilogy. Read them all twice, and they are worth re-reading. Better than the Millennium trilogy.
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  • Fabrizio Viggiano
    4.0 out of 5 stars Buona lettura tutto sommato
    Reviewed in Italy on August 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Non capisco le tante critiche. Il libro è scritto bene e affronta un tema scottante e abbastanza originale. Certo la trama a volte è un pò contorta e non tutti i nodi alla fine vengono al pettine ma l'interesse rimane vivo per l'intero libro. Per quanto riguarda i luoghi comuni sull'Italia più che infastidito mi hanno divertito; certi stereotipi sono davvero difficili a morire ma alcuni sono veri quindi... In definitiva un buon libro a cui presto farò seguire il secondo episodio.
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