Murder at the Venetian Carnival

It's the night of the big mask ball at the Doge's Palace.

Giovanni Moretti, a former soldier and now a respected detective in Venice, observes the colourful action. The masks of the guests hide their identities and leave room for secrets and intrigues.
A loud scream breaks through the relaxed mood. The music is silenced, and all eyes are on a side alley of the palace. There lies Marcello di Rossi, a respected nobleman. His body is lifeless, a clean cut through his throat has killed him. Next to it lies a carefully folded note.

Giovanni kneels to the body and opens the note. "The first act is accomplished. As Brutus used to be under Caesar's armor, the blade is still cutting through the darkness."
The historical reference to Brutus and Julius Caesar gives Giovanni thought. Brutus, the famous conspirator, symbolizes treason and unexpected violence from within. The killer has begun a cruel game that Giovanni has to see through.

The news of the murder is spreading like a fire in the city. Venice is in turmoil, people whispering troubled in the streets. Giovanni spends the day investigating the crime scene and questioning witnesses, but the masks of the carnival make any identification difficult.

At night, another murder is. Contessa Isabella Bianchi, an influential aristocrat, lies dead in her magnificent palazzo. This time the note is artificially hidden in an old book – a copy of "La Divina Commedia" by Dante Alighieri. Giovanni finds the message: "Second act: Souls wander through hell. Where are you going?"
The reference to Dante's "Inferno" reminds Giovanni of hell and the torments of the damned. The killer seems to be sending the victims on a dark journey, but what connection does it have to Venice and its secrets?

With every murder, the panic in the city grows. Giovanni focuses his investigations on the San Polo district, known for its maze streets and dark secrets. He interrogates the inhabitants and examines every corner, but the tracks remain hidden in the shadow.

The third murder won't take long. Angelo Ricci, a respected merchant, is found dead in his store. Giovanni discovers another note hidden under an ancient Venetian Dukaten box: "Third Act: As once the golden lion roars, the truth is revealed through the veil of time."
The "golden lion" reminds Giovanni of the symbol of Venetian power and glory. Is the killer an actor in a game deeply rooted in Venice's history?
Giovanni feels the pressure of the city's superiors and the growing fear of the citizens. He spends sleepless nights exploring ancient legends and stories of Venice in order to decipher the clues. The sites of the murders are linked to the glorious and dark chapters of the city's history.

The fourth murder shocks Venice again. Ludovico Mancini, a famous musician, is found dead on a gondola driving through the canals. Giovanni finds a note in Ludovico's bag: "Fourth act: As the firebird from the ashes, so also the past rises from the floods."
The mention of the "firebird" as a symbol of rebirth and the "flute" as metaphor for Venice's canals and hidden secrets give Giovanni another clue. He marks the locations of the murders on a map and recognizes a pattern. The murderer's path leads to an old, abandoned palazzo in San Polo.

The culmination of the carnival is approaching, and Giovanni is sure that the killer will strike again. The abandoned Palazzo in San Polo, once home to a notorious alchemist, seems to be the key. Giovanni decides to set a trap.
On the last night of the carnival, when the city is sinking in a noise of lights and music, Giovanni poses in the palazzo. The early hours of the morning bring the expected encounter. In the shadows, a figure moves, and Giovanni recognizes the killer – Alfredo Marini, a respected art dealer and regular guest at the Venetian elite's festivals.
Giovanni approaches cautiously, but Marini recognizes him and draws a knife. There is a fierce battle that fights through the dark halls of the palace. Giovanni can repel the knife and ring Marini to the ground, but not without himself bearing some cuts. Marini is wildly determined and seems to be driven by a crazy energy.
When Giovanni thinks he has Marini in hand, he suddenly turns away and strikes his knife out of his hand. Giovanni turns back and sees Marini with sparkling eyes and a demonic smile. "You don't understand, Giovanni. This game is not over."

The moment the guards arrived and surrounded Alfredo Marini, they quickly tied his arms. He was led out of the palazzo by the crowd watching the captured murderer pass. But suddenly Marini stood still, as if he had an important message.
"The murders were only the surface," Marini cried with a penetrating voice to the audience. "The real criminals are still free. They don't wear masks, they're the masks. This was only the beginning."

A ruin passed through the crowd as his words reflected in the ears of the spectators. But before the guards could react, Marini unexpectedly pulled a small bottle out of the sleeve and swallowed down the contents. The poison acted quickly, and Marini collapsed as the guards tried to stabilize him.

The crowd hardened as the news of Marini's dramatic end spread. His last words were reflected in the minds of the citizens, and the city of Venice was left behind in a state of confusion and thoughtfulness. Giovanni stood among the spectators, knowing that the story of Marini and his revelations would be long overdue, as he was determined to discover the true machinations of the powerful families hidden behind the masks of the city. He knows that Marini's actions have revealed a deeper secret of the Venetian elite. The city is now in turmoil as citizens begin to see the truth behind the masks. Giovanni decides to continue to dig and investigate the machinery of the most powerful families of Venice in order to uncover the true story behind Marini's actions and seek justice.