“The Prisoner of Venice” by Rich Meyrick

The Prisoner of Venice

Rich Meyrick
Speaking Volumes, LLC (2025)
ISBN: 979-8890223319
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Reader Views (01/2026)

The Prisoner of Venice by Rich Meyrick is a middle-grade adventure that blends light fantasy, historical elements, and mystery. Although this book is a part of the Jaspa’s Journey adventure series, it can be read as a standalone. As the story begins, Jaspa and his friends, members of a non-human species called the Ses, make their way from London to Venice to find out why their friend Ernest has gone missing. Ernest’s friends debate whether he left voluntarily or was misled. They find a hidden wooden box in his sleeping area and a diary containing a cryptic entry, and a letter in someone else’s handwriting impersonating a figure they believe to be trustworthy. Immediate suspicion is raised as they make the decision to leave for Venice.

Meyrick has made Venice the backdrop of the adventure that unfolds, but that’s not all. It’s also the active participant in this tale. The author does a wonderful job laying out the physical characteristics of Venice and its unique Venetian features. The bridges, canals, and narrow Calles determine how the characters travel. The sotoportegos, campos, and campielli all influence how the characters observe clues and go from stop to stop. I really appreciated how Meyrick added real geography, history, and cultural details, and it was done without taking away from the entire narrative. The glossary of Scottish dialect and Italian/Venetian terms also made the narrative more accessible, and I would encourage readers to really use it so that they don’t get thrown off while reading.

When Meyrick starts explaining the history of Venice’s Jewish ghetto, the tone shifts. This was a standout for me as we follow the characters to the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo. When it’s revealed how the surrounding buildings used to function as some sort of prison, the emotional weight landed well. The reason this scene stood out for me and works so well is that it has a literal and symbolic connection to the concept of imprisonment and the larger mystery surrounding Ernest’s disappearance.

The characters are interesting. Jaspa starts out as a cooperative companion but grows into a thoughtful leader who can make ethical decisions. Bisckits is humorous and curious. Portia comes off as the problem-solver, and her questions actually advance the investigation. Gravee is emotionally aware but uses humor as a shield. Albertee becomes this guarded character. Ernest, although absent, influences the story through his diary entries, instead of through a direct presence.

I love how Meyrick has the characters reacting to individual clues such as the letters, locations, conversations, and historical context. But the moment that was really revealing and beginning to make all the clues make sense was when Albertee revealed his evidence wall. He quietly collected information and made his own observations. He becomes more than just a colorful local guide. He’s affecting the group dynamic in a good way. Also, rather than make the revelations dramatic, Meyrick allows all of the casual encounters, the architectural details, and so many other things to become meaningful when viewed side by side.

This is a well-structured novel, and dividing it into “Vanishings” and “Escapes” actually mirrors how the plot unfolds. It also keeps the narrative tightly focused. Readers get to experience the stakes gradually rise, they face confrontations, there’s tension, more discoveries, and a carefully staged prison break. But Meyrick also gives this narrative a satisfying resolution in my opinion, while also leaving room for future adventures. The story plays out nicely like a tense game of chess.

Overall, Rich Meyrick’s The Prisoner of Venice is a nice combination of adventure, friendship, and historical tidbits. Readers will find so much to love about it, with the travel-based narrative that ties into the mystery. Meyrick showed a deep respect for real places and their history, while also introducing readers to a pride of Ses characters. This has made it such an engaging book, especially for a Teen and Middle Grade audience. Readers who’ve enjoyed similar works like Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society will equally love The Prisoner of Venice for its blend of puzzle-driven mystery and a group of friends navigating secret organizations with hidden agendas. This is a delightful story I will not soon forget.