To win this book, leave a comment below. Contest ends September 8th. 2 entries for links to Twitter, FB, blogs, or elsewhere (just let me know where you linked in your comment). The paperback copy you will win is an advance reader copy, not the final print edition.
The winner of the book giveaway is Janice Schell. Congratulations!
This review appeared previously in Historical Novels Review Issue 61, August 2012
Set in Florence in 1963 this murder mystery offers the delights and peculiarities of Italy. As the city melts in August heat, Inspector Bordelli languidly uncovers who killed a wealthy signora in her villa, all while consuming delicious food, copious alcohol and cigarettes, and pondering philosophically. The personality of Bordelli holds most of our interest—single, lonely, haunted by his experiences in WWII, professionally well-respected, and beloved by the petty criminals he’s befriended. On some level, he represents the conscience of post-war Italy. He’s disdainful of the bureaucrats and politicians and mindful of social injustices. He connects with outcasts and offbeat people, and the book is populated with bizarre human beings, all quite entertaining. The crime—not so much a who-done-it as a how-done-it—puzzles enough to draw the reader along. The solution is ingenious, and somehow I can’t see anyone but an Italian inspector figuring it out. For lovers of Donna Leon, here’s a new author to gobble up. This is a translation, first of four books already out in Italian.
This makes me think of The Monster of Florence by D. Preston and M. Spezi. Even though that was a nonfiction, it still captured the quirks of Italy during that time. It was a great read, so I would be interested in reading this book and seeing how Inspector Bordelli unravels the mystery.
I haven’t read The Monster of Florence, but Vichi definitely gives you a vivid sense of Florence and Bordelli is totally Italian in his approach to unravelling the mystery.
I’m game! Always looking for a new read! I’m linking to Facebook:-)
Thanks Lena, I appreciate your spreading the news–I’ll throw your name in three x’s!
This sounds like a book I don’t want to read whie hungry (consuming delicious food…) I’ve shared on Facebook…
I love bizarre people. This sounds like fun. Will tweet your link.
I’m intrigued by this book. Is the give-away open to Canada? If so, please enter me as well.
Thanks for the comments and links. I’m happy to send to Canada. So many of my online reading friends are from around the world, and media mail is pretty reasonable, so I’m game to sending wherever!
Love Donna Leon, so thanks for the tip. Looking for a “good” book right now!!
Murder? Mystery? Set in Italy? What’s not to like! I’m in.
Posted on Twitter (@GailMBaugniet) and my FB author page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/230590617061379/#!/GailMBaugniet
Sounds like a great book!
I don’t believe I have read any modern day Italian mysteries. Lot’s of Roman ones by Steve Saylor. I look forward to checking the book out. Thanks for the invite
This sounds very interesting.
Hi, I purchased this book a month or so ago and enjoyed it immensely. Can’t wait for the next book in the series to be translated.
Alana, glad to hear you liked it. I don’t think you’ll have to wait long for the next one. As I recall from the material that came with the ARC it was already in production.
Looks like a great read!
I’ve read another book by Vichi and I liked it, so I’d like to try this one. Thank you, Judith.
Marco Vichi is a new author to me, and I would enjoy the opportunity to read and review one of his advance copies. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to find new authors where I live.
A new series set in Italy? I’m all for it!
Would love to be entered in this giveaway! Thank you!
The winner of Death in August is Janice Schell. I’ve sent her an email.
Comments are closed.