Candida Martinelli's Italophile Site (Mystery books/Italy)

If you're interested in books set in Italy, but not necessarily mysteries, you can use this Search tool to find what you are looking for from Amazon.com.

Just enter 'Books' in the 'Search' field, and something like 'thriller Italy' in the 'Keywords' field. Then click on the 'Go' button to see the list of thrillers set in Italy, or having to do with Italy.

You can combine 'Italy' with whatever genre interests you: biography, history, humor, inspirational...

Giallo is Italian for the color yellow, and this was the color of the covers on police thrillers and mysteries printed in Italy for quite a long time.

Since then, the book cover color has became the common name for a mystery or a police thriller in book and any other form: un giallo, gialli.

The Fondazione Franco Fossati has a great reference page, in Italian. These two images are from that site, which is well worth a visit.

I link to Amazon.com for convenience, but ignore the "reader reviews" which have been largely co-opted by shills for the writer and publisher.

Some of these series are out-of-print, but well worth looking for at secondhand dealers like Better World Books, who ship worldwide for free.

This link goes to the Amazon.com Kindle page for Italy Mysteries: Kindle Italy Mysteries

Series Written in English
Edward Sklepowich and his Urbino MacIntyre Edward Sklepowich's detective is amateur sleuth and longtime Venice resident Urbino MacIntyre. MacIntyre is an ex-pat from the States and an author of biographies of Italophiles who have lived in Venice. His partners in sleuthing are an Italian Countess and Venice, both beautiful and glorious. Mr. Sklepowich is a solid writer who leaves no loose ends, and who writes in the style of the classic mystery writers. His books are not police procedurals, but are the classic three act mysteries, with the murder happening at the end of Act I, after we've met all the potential suspects. Lengthy ruminations on facts uncovered fill Act II. And the killer is revealed at the end of Act III, followed by an Epilogue that wraps up all the loose ends. The author peppers his books with literary and historical references that will stimulate readers, who have similar interests, to rush to references and to read books, to flesh out the backdrop of the mystery series stories. The extra research is not necessary to enjoy the stories, but it just an extra level of intellectual entertainment provided by the erudite author. The books in the series are to date: Death in a Serene City Farewell to the Flesh Liquid Desires Black Bridge Death in the Palazzo Deadly to the Sight The Last Gondola Frail Barrier The Veils of Venice Venice from above, the setting for this series. The author was and is inspired by Henry James. Jamesian motifs, allusions and direct references dot all the books in the series. Mr. Sklepowich's first proposal for the series, actually intending on having Henry James as the sleuth. I imagine the Contessa character might have been originally intended as Mrs. Arthur (Katherine) Bronson, a famous ex-pat society hostess and philanthropist who lived in Venice for twenty years, had a Grand Canal villa, and who was a close, platonic friend of Henry James. All of James's friends were platonic, something which seems to interest people today, more than his novels, plays and essays. There has been much (too much?) speculation about the neurotic, talented man's sexuality. Most hypothesize that Mr. James was a closeted, celibate homosexual. But there is no proof for it, so the speculation is moot. James could simply have been a heterosexual celibate. Sklepowich departs from Henry's model during the course of the Urbino MacIntyre series. But there are plenty of Jamesian references to Urbino as a "monk" who retreats to his Venetian palace as if it were a "cell", and to Urbino's good manners, kindness, modesty, need for privacy and personal freedom, and his reticence about his sexual life. Urbino is presented in the early books, Death in a Serene City and Farewell to the Flesh and Liquid Desires, as repressed, bookish, eccentric, and asexual, despite a weakness for flirty, green-eyed redheads (auburn). His relationship with the Contessa Barbara is emotionally intimate but not physically intimate. Soon after the first book in the series, I detected a mild "straightening out" of the Urbino character, much in the way TV producers are made by networks to "straighten" gay characters in shows, for mass public consumption. I am glad to say that the author stuck to his guns and by the end of the book Black Bridge, the Contessa is gently leading Urbino out of the closet, telling him that he is too young to lock himself away in celibacy, and that passion comes in all shapes and forms, and that a woman needs more in a relationship that what Urbino can offer. And at the end of the book Death in the Palazzo, the Contessa gives her blessing when Urbino escapes to Morocco with her androgynous, gay and very young nephew, who also happens to be a flirty, green-eyed redhead. Urbino is spared having to tell the Contessa. He is relieved to discover that she already knows, and has known, about his repressed sexuality. At the beginning of the next book, Deadly to the Sight, the Contessa welcomes Urbino back from a two-year stay in Morocco. Urbino returns with a very young Moroccan lover, Habib, not a green-eyed redhead, perhaps suggesting a maturing of his sexuality. Urbino had a falling out with the Contessa's nephew, and met Habib soon afterward. Urbino also admits at this time that he is "very sorry he married the poor girl", referring to his ex-wife, who escaped their brief marriage, a decade before, into the arms and bed of her cousin. The main staircase of Ca' Rezzonico. While I write these lines with seeming certainty, I must say that Urbino's sexuality is downplayed and never spoken of directly. Only subtle allusions are made to or about it. In fact, Urbino is said to approve of lies, presumably about private things such as sexuality, in this imperfect world of ours, because the truth might cause too much damage to the innocent. For example, in Deadly to the Sight, Urbino refuses to state directly to the police, who suspect Urbino's young friend of murder, that Habib is Urbino's lover. This is to protect Habib from the repercussions he would suffer from, presumably, his conservative family, if their relationship were discovered to be something other their professed public patron-protégé relationship. I imagine it was necessary for the author to let Urbino out of the closet, because in today's world, even with the remaining homophobia, a supposedly Henry-James-like repression is less believable in an American-born, Europeanized ex-patriot. But the gentle, tactful and intelligent way Mr. Sklepowich deals with this aspect of his Urbino character (and other gay characters in the books), is a real plus to the novels, in my opinion. It adds a lovely, allusive undercurrent to the stories, much like the Jamesian references do. The Last Gondola tucks Urbino's lover away in Morocco, leaving Urbino alone with Contessa Barbara, Urbino's "Watson". The tale feels inspired by Henry James's novella The Aspern Papers, and it explores certain aspects of Urbino's character that were inspired by a decadent fictional character, des Esseintes, created by the French writer Huysman, in his novel A rebours (Against Nature or Wrong Way). The canal-level entrance to the Grand Canal palace Ca' Rezzonico. When I read the next book in the series, Frail Barrier, I felt very disappointed. The book reads like a Walking-Tour of Venice Guidebook, with especial interest in sights related to Urbino MacIntyre's cases. Such a guidebook exists for the Donna Leon Venice series, along with a cookbook, but they are standalone books. This "guidebook" takes up a large part of Frail Barrier. The plot is ridiculously thin. The author's subtlety, timelessness, gentle spirit, and erudition seem blunted. And much of the story reads like a mash-up made from the previous novels, repeating phrases, settings and events almost word or word throughout the book. I had noticed that the previous few books in the series were less well-edited, with missing words, wrong words, and repetitiveness. But this book makes me wonder if the meticulous Mr. Sklepowich is actually still writing the books, or if he has hired a ghostwriter? How could the original creator of Urbino MacIntyre suddenly forget that his character loves Cynar, as was explained in the earlier books, for example, and state that Urbino hates Cynar, not once, but twice in the course of Frail Barrier? The book was very disappointing. I've decided to pass on the last book in the series, The Veils of Venice.
Donna Leon and her Guido Brunetti Donna Leon authors a police procedural series set in Venice and featuring Guido Brunetti, a vice-commissario of the Venice police. I've read many of the Brunetti series books. Ms. Leon's books have become progressively more offensive in the views espoused by her characters, often having nothing to do with the plot, but seemingly only there to introduce views held by the author in an unpleasant soapbox manner. Those views are unpleasant, to say the least, concerning: Roma or Rom, southern Italians, Milanese, people who believe in God, Germans, tourists, people with cosmetic surgery, French, housewives, Chinese immigrants eastern Europeans, animal welfare people, business people, people with weight problems, journalists, and most especially, U.S. Americans. Here is a quote from Ms. Leon from an interview she gave to a Scottish paper: "I trust intelligence more than I trust feeling. I guess that makes me not an American. I go back as seldom as possible. I haven't lived there for over 40 years, so why should I? To eat badly? To look at fat people? Why should I want to be there? It's like being with teenagers, being with Americans. They are always willing good things, feeling good things, having good intentions, but they don't do anything." There were worse things in the interview, but I'll leave it there, and just state my recommendation to pass on her books, no matter how much you might be an Italophile and no matter how beautiful Venice is, unless you hate the above mention people as well. The writer comes across to me as a thoroughly unpleasant person. And I don't like to help make thoroughly unpleasant people make money. And the books in the series seem less polished as they continue, in my opinion. Leon doesn't bother to keep track of characteristics she has assigned to Brunetti, contradicting them later, and even altering the arrangement of his apartment. There are copious loose ends and weak plots. The books come across as rush jobs so the author can get the money from them, and move quickly on to what interests her more, with little respect for her readers. Her editor seems to have done nothing more than look for typos. I've even seen a reader review or two of the last books who suspect a ghostwriter is writing the books now. Venice deserves a better book series than this one. Try Edward Sklepowich's series books 1 through 7. Oh, and don't trust the Amazon reviews for Donna Leon's book (or any book these days). They seem to be hijacked by her publishing company's drones, and the paid-reviewers so common now. Lots of suspicious 5 star reviews that bury the negative real reviews.
Sara Poole's Francesca Giordano Poison by Sara Poole Poole’s novel begins this historical-mystery series starring Francesca Giordano, a young woman who takes over her father’s job as head poisoner for the Borgia family. Working for Cardinal Borgia as he attempts to become pope is a deadly and dangerous business—Francesca’s father is already dead in mysterious circumstances, and threats lurk everywhere. But Francesca has one key advantage; no one takes a woman seriously. That’s unfortunate because Francesca happens to be one of the greatest poisoners in late-fifteenth-century Rome. These are the books in the Poisoner Mystery series so far: Poison - a Novel of the Renaissance The Borgia Betrayal The Borgia Mistress Author's Website
Beverle Graves Myers and her Tito Amato Interrupted Aria by Beverle Graves Myers This is the first in a series of historical mysteries set in mid-late 1700s Venice featuring an opera singer as the amateur detective. Tito Amato is no ordinary opera singer. He is a castrato, a male soprano, created by a surgeon's knife. His multi-octave voice has a power that female sopranos can only envy. The price? He can never marry in a Catholic ceremony, nor can he father children. From a Reader Review: "Filled with lush description of Venice during Carnivale, its political and social structure, the inner workings of the opera company and Tito's relationships with his family, friends, colleagues and himself, this is a rich, wonderful book. I also found it a good mystery with a couple of twists and some good suspense. This is a series I shall definitely follow." Here are links to the other entries in the "Tito Amato" series at Amazon.com: Tito Amato Series Books in order of publication: Interrupted Aria Painted Veil Cruel Music The Iron Tongue of Midnight Her Deadly Mischief I have read all the books in this series and I recommend them highly. The author is a wonderful writer who manages to create vivid characters set in an era long ago that comes to life in the writer's capable and erudite hands. Her wonderful imagination is a joy to behold. While at times the mysteries are not so mysterious, I've read each book to the end, if only to enjoy the characters, setting, and delightful writing. Some of the books end on very somber notes, which I didn't enjoy, but the journey getting there was always entertaining. I especially respect the writer for writing the books in the 1st-person-narrative style, as if we were reading her character Tito Amato's memoirs about his amateur detective cases. So many writers these days use the 3rd-person-limited style (the "I" turned to "he"), that it is refreshing to read a book in an undisguised 1st-person-narrative style. It brings us closer to her unique protagonist. My favorite book in the series is the last one, published in 2009, Her Deadly Mischief. On the author's website, she says she is busy writing the next book in the series. I certainly hope that is true. I look forward to its release! Note: The links I offer are to Amazon.com. But I recommend you look for these books either at the Poisoned Pen Press website, or for great prices, secondhand, from Better World Books, who ship worldwide for free. Author's Website
David Hewson's Nic Costa A Season for the Dead by David Hewson Hewson's Nic Costa is a young state police officer in Rome, Italy. As is the case with many protagonists in gritty, seedy police thrillers, Nic gets the crap kicked out of him, physically and psychologically, regularly while working complex cases in Rome, and once in Venice. The writing reminds me of John Le Carre because of the omniscient narrator who creeps inside the minds of even the sickest characters at times. But Hewson takes it further, and puts us, at times, even into the minds of the murder victims as they die. He also explicitly describes sex scenes to the point of pornography (erotica?), and even ventures into what I consider rape-porn in various books of the series, and pedo-porn. Personally, I find that dangerous and irresponsible writing, because it can encourage weak minds to develop damaging, hateful, evil fetishes. Supposedly an Italian production company is producing a TV film series from the books. I cannot imagine how they will handle those elements, and the fact that sex appears to be the motive for pretty much all the crimes in the books. es progresses, the author seems to leave his protagonist, Nic Costa, behind. Nic feels like just one of the many characters in the books, rather than the one for whom we might want to root, or feel some sympathy. That varies from book to book. Nic Costa Series books in order of publication: A Season for the Dead The Villa of Mysteries The Sacred Cut The Lizard's Bite The Seventh Sacrament The Garden of Evil Dante's Numbers (or The Dante Killings) The Blue Demon (or The City of Fear) The Fallen Angel Carnival for the Dead Author's Website
Christobel Kent and her Sandro Cellini Sandro Cellini is a former Florentine policeman (disgraced and forced to leave the force) who now makes his living as a private investigator in Florence, Italy. These are the books in the series so far (all available as Kindle books): The Drowning River: A Mystery in Florence (A Time of Mourning) A Murder in Tuscany (A Fine and Private Place) The Dead Season
Conor Fitzgerald and his Commissario Alec Blume From the book description of the first book in the series by an Irish writer who lives and works in Rome: "In this accomplished and riveting thriller, police inspector, Alec Blume battles organized crime, political pressure, and his own demons as he investigates the death of Arturo Clemente. Blume, a clever American expatriate with a disposition against authority, soon realizes that he is being watched from on high. Forced to negotiate with powerful, suspicious people on all sides of the law, Blume must rely on instinct, drive, and luck to find the killer. Blume is... intelligent but flawed, cynical but unafraid. He is a trustworthy and compelling protagonist for this first installment in a gritty and promising series." These are the books in the series, set in Rome, so far: The Dogs of Rome The Fatal Touch Namesake Author's Website
Iain Pears and his Jonathan Argyll Iain Pears writes a series featuring art historian Jonathan Argyll and the woman who becomes his wife during the run of the series, Flavia di Stefano, a member of an Italian police squad that aims to prevent the theft of art from Italy's famous museums, private collections, and churches. Flavia's boss, Bottando, is also a recurring character and a father figure for Flavia. Of all the series on this page, I have to admit this is one of my favorites. The point of view alters throughout the books between the three recurring characters, to entertaining effect. Mr. Pears uses a light touch, plenty of humor, and appears to savor his unorthodox protagonist. Argyll is gangly, awkward, obtuse, lazy and now very good at his art dealer job. He does have the ability to be in the wrong place at the right time, however, and is very good at stumbling along to a clever conclusion of the mystery. There are seven books in the series, that is often referred to as the Art History Mystery Series. The last book was published in 2000 and I doubt there will be any more in the series. Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, the seat of the Italian government and a setting that occurs from time to time in Pears' books . The Raphael Affair: In the first book in the series, we are introduced to Jonathan Argyll, an enthusiastic young art scholar from England who has followed his suspicions about a long-lost Raphael painting to a small church in Rome. Not only is the painting in question gone from the site, it has been swiftly purchased, restored, auctioned, and installed in Rome's National Museum. But when the recovered Raphael is just as swiftly destroyed in a fire, Argyll begins to suspect its authenticity…and the innocence of every person in its path. The Titian Committee: When a murderer strikes down an American member of the prestigious Titian Committee in Venice, General Taddeo Bottando of Rome's art-theft squad dispatches special assistant Flavia to gather information. What begins as a simple political mission becomes a dangerous quest for a missing portrait attributed to Titian. She enlists the aid of art dealer Jonathan Argyll, who has become her friend, despite her signals that she would welcome something more. The Bernini Bust: British art historian Jonathan Argyll is in sunny Los Angeles conducting some profitable business with the Moresby Museum, the sale of the Titian from the previous book. The museum's owner is murdered , a Bernini bust disappears, and a friend of Jonathan's is suspected of the crimes. While awaiting the arrival of his friends from the Italian National Art Theft Squad, Jonathan finds himself targeted by the killer. More romantically crossed signals between Flavia and hapless Jonathan. The Last Judgment: Jonathan Argyll, British art dealer and sleuth, delivers an obscure 18th-century painting to a Parisian dealer's client in Rome. The client, however, ends up dead. Argyll and his now fiancée, Flavia de Stefano, (they finally got their signals alighned) pursue the murderer as well as information about the painting. Giotto's Hand: General Bottando of Rome's Art Theft Squad believes a lone criminal mastermind-dubbed "Giotto" has been stealing priceless Renaissance art for over 30 years. Bottando's right hand, the beautiful Flavia di Stefano, quickly locates a possible culprit but he's in England. Flavia relies on her fiancé, English art dealer Jonathan Argyll, to track the man down, which of course leads to all manner of disasters. Death and Restoration: General Bottando has received a tip about a planned raid at a nearby monastery. He's relying on his colleague Flavia di Stefano and her art-expert fiancé, Jonathan Argyll, to thwart the plot, but both are beyond baffled. The Immaculate Deception: For newlywed and Italian art theft squad head Flavia di Stefano, the honeymoon is over when a painting, borrowed from the Louvre and en route to a celebratory exhibition, is stolen. Across town, her husband, art historian Jonathan Argyll, begins an investigation of his own, tracing the past of a small Renaissance painting -- an Immaculate Conception -- owned by Flavia's mentor, retired general Taddeo Bottando. My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Magdalen Nabb and her Marshal Guarnaccia British expatriate Magdalen Nabb wrote a police procedural series set in her adopted hometown, Florence, featuring Marshal Guarnaccia of the Carabinieri. He's a modest, unambitious type who nevertheless succeeds with plodding police work, moments of inspiration, and deep compassion. Death of an Englishman Death of a Dutchman Death in Springtime Death in Autumn The Marshal and the Murderer The Marshal and the Madwoman The Marshal's Own Case The Marshal Makes His Report The Marshal at the Villa Torrini The Monster of Florence Property of Blood Some Bitter Taste The Innocent Vita Nuova My list of this author's books at Amazon.com The Carabinieri are actually a branch of the Italian military that reports directly to the Italian head of state, the President. They were set up soon after Italian unification and patterned on the French Gendarmerie. To read more about Ms. Nabb and her books, click here to link to her page on a British mystery site. Ms. Nabb passed away in 2008. You can read a lovely endorsement of her work here. And like all the books on this page, I suggest you look for them, at wonderfully reasonable prices, secondhand, at Better World Books, who ship worldwide for free. Marshal Guarnaccia's office is part of Pitti Palace in Florence. It's the part protruding on the left, a Carabinieri office, in the books, I'm not sure in real life. Carabinieri and their "Gazzella" and helicopter, like the ones used by Marshal Guarnaccia in Florence, click on the helicopter to go to the official Carabinieri site (in Italian).
Michael Dibdin and his Aurelio Zen Michael Dibdin wrote several Aurelio Zen police procedurals set in various locations in Italy. I've read Cosi Fan Tutti, but it didn't make me a fan of the series. Rather too butch and lacking in compassion for my tastes. Ratking Vendetta Cabal Dead Lagoon Cosi Fan Tutti A Long Finish Blood Rain And Then You Die Medusa Back to Bologna End Games To read more about Mr. Dibdin and his fictional police inspector Mr. Zen, click here. This links you to Mr. Dibdin's page on his publisher's site. The first three books have been adapted to television as films for British television. Oddly, unlike the British adaptation of the Swedish 'Wallander' mystery books, where all the actors are British, the adaptation of 'Zen', as it is called, mixes British actors with Italian actresses. While this may be 'nice' for the production staff and casting directors, it does disrupt the suspension of disbelief that all those Brits wandering around Naples fighting crime and/or acting corrupt are really Italians. When you have Zen with his neutral British accent, affected by the star, Rufus Sewell, talking with a hot female suspect (and lover) who answers him in what sounds like an impersonation of Sofia Loren, I can't help but think: "Why the Hell are British cops policing Italy?" Here's a clip. See what you think: Sadly, Mr. Dibdin passed away in 2007. The last book in the Aurelio Zen series was publish posthumously: End Games. My list of this author's books at Amazon.com
Tobias Jones / P.I. Castagnetti Orphaned, school of hard knocks trained, Private Investigator Castagnetti (Casta) is a stubborn, iconoclastic hero. He works cases his own way, sometimes to the detriment of his clients. He operates in Italy's north and are set in present day Italy, with all its warts and charms. These are the books in the series so far: Salati Case White Death (coming soon)
Lucretia Grindle / Inspector Pallioti Inspector Alessandro Allioti works diligently to resolve cases that might have links to crimes committed in the distant past. His home base is Florence. These are the books in the series so far: The Lost Daughter Villa Triste
Grace Brophy / Alessandro Cenni Commissario Alessandro Cenni works in hilly Umbria for Italy's State Police. These are the books in the series so far: Last Enemy A Deadly Paradise The Absence of Death (coming soon) Author's Website
Timothy Williams / Piero Trotti This police procedural series has ended. It consists of 5 books about the life and work of Commissario Piero Trotti who works in a fictional Po Valley city. The books cover much of post WWII Italy's history. Trotti is a rather dour character whose only satisfying relationships are with his colleagues. Converging Parallels The Puppeteer Persona Non Grata Black August Big Italy
Paul Adam / Gianni Castiglione This series has a unique amateur detective. Gianni Castiglione is an aging luther, a maker and restorer of violins. He live in Cremona and spends most of his time adoring his grandchildren and playing chamber-quartets with the local priest, the chief of police... Well, you can see that the police chief draws Gianni into cases that have to do with violins. These are the books in the series so far: The Rinaldi Quartet The Paganini's Ghost
Simon Buck / Peter White Peter White is a private security consultant working in Italy. Here is the author's blurb: "Peter White mysteries will intrigue you with their twists and turns, while fascinating you with high technology and state of the art techniques, and tempting you with exotic locations and enticing meals. If you’re a foodie, a techno-mage, an armchair traveller, an amateur sleuth or just enjoy a good yarn, you’ll love these books." These are the books in the series so far: Library of the Soul Crypto Da Vinci (prequel to the first book) Iscariot (coming soon)
Marshall Browne / Inspector Anders Inspector Anders has one leg and works for the Rome State Police at the beginning of the series. Then he works for Interpol. As you can see, the man has traumas and lots of police experience. He is pushed to the edge of his life and sanity regularly. These are the books in the series so far: Wooden Leg Ship of Fools (coming soon)
Timothy Holme / Achille Peroni The author has sadly passed away, but he leaves us with a lovely five-book series set in Italy's troubled 1980s about a southern Italian man who works for the State Police in Verona. I've read the first book in this series, The Neapolitan Streak, and I enjoyed it immensely. The protagonist, Inspector Achille Peroni is a unique and fun character. The author lets us get inside the head of this gorgeous Neapolitan man, where we discover his vanity, ample ego, dual character of former child criminal and today's honorable policeman, Anglophile, poser, publicity hound, loving brother and uncle, and his innate desire to uncover the truth. The author uses the 3rd person limited narrative style, but he moves the point-of-view between the characters so we get an insight not only into Achille, but of how others view him. This technique lets us see the hostility a southern Italian can suffer in Northern Italy, but also the view of the southerner to the Northerner's character, which adds another level of enjoyment to the stories. The author uses a light touch, employing humor and irony, and he clearly loves to share the details of everyday Italian life with outsiders. His take on Italians is affectionate but honest. Italy is a country of stark contrasts in landscape, the physical characteristics of her people, and in the characters of the 20 patchwork regions that make up modern Italy. The readers gains an insight into what it is like to live inside the skin of Italians, at least for a little while, until the crime is solved by Inspector Achille Peroni, the "Rudolph Valentino of the Italian Police". This is from the description on the first book in the series The Neapolitan Streak: "Achille Peroni loves the spicy food and passionate arguments of southern Italy, land of his birth. But fate -- and the Italian police force -- have stuck him in Verona, a city of bean soup and endless problems with the Red Brigades, a vicious gang that relies on bombs and high-profile kidnappings to further its rather fuzzy political aims. 'When a wealthy general, head of one of Italy's finest Fascist families, goes missing from his palatial estate, the Reds are the most obvious suspects. But Peroni finds himself considering a crime far more subtle and sinister than anything the Reds can dream up. A crime, in fact, the leads all the way back to Romeo and Juliet, the most famous Veroneses of them all." This is from the description of The Assisi Murders, which gives a better idea of Peroni's character and the style of writing: "Under duress, handsome, intelligent womanizer Achille Peroni, chief inspector of the Venetian police, accompanies his sister on a pilgrimage to Assisi, only to find that to save an attractive woman from jail, he must learn why a young man's research into a 13-century murder caused his own in the 20th century. 'Holme describes Peroni's latest adventure in a quaintly perfunctory and slightly tongue-in-cheek style that both enlivens his eccentric characters and energizes the Italian surroundings." There are five books in this series: The Neapolitan Streak The Funeral of Gondolas The Devil and the Dolce Vita The Assisi Murders At the Lake of Sudden Death
John Galavan's Italian Art Theft Series - Kindle Series From the Author's page at Amazon: "Many of these Italian stories lead-off with the personal life of a Renaissance master. These same works travel through the centuries to appear once again today in Florence or in Roma. This begins the adventure and the theft." Each book features the same cast of characters from the Carabinieri and the Museums in Italy. Great prices, and lots of fun adventures. As always with Kindle books, you get a preview at Amazon.com. They are inexpensive enough to just buy one to see if you like it. And if you do, Mr. Galavan has 18 you can enjoy. Italian Art Theft Adventure Series: 1- First Published 2006- To Roma! To Roma! 2- Hidden in Florence 3- Stealing Donatello 4- Loyalist Return 5- Perfect Imposters 6- Judgement Day 7- Back to Roma 8- Mamma, No! 9- Everywhere Enemies 10- New Man, New Troubles 11- German Blitz 12- Got Lucky 13- Masterpiece Mix-Up 14- Big Day 15- Favors 16- Are you Dead? 17- They Never Quit 18- 2012- Renaissance Women
Margaret Moore's Dr. Ruggero di Girolamo This cozy series is set in the fictional hill-town, Borgo San Cristoforo, in Tuscany, and features Dr. Ruggero di Girolamo, a police magistrate. The author is English but has lived all her adult life in Italy with her Italian husband and children. From the description of Tuscan Termination: "In beautiful Tuscany, Italy life seemed like a golden paradise with the picturesque rolling hills, the luscious food and wine, and the generous warmth of the local people. That is why the body floating in the pristine blue waters of a villa's swimming pool was so incongruous. 'Hilary Wright, a proper English lady and next-door-neighbor had found it. Found him exactly-Ettore Fagiolo, a flamboyant local real estate agent and con artist-floating in Nigel and Robin Proctor's ugly, pink swimming pool. 'When Dr. Ruggero Di Girolamo, the magistrate in charge of the case, declares Ettore's death to be a murder, Hilary finds herself drawn into the investigation-first as one of the suspects-then as a conduit to the ex-pats-her fellow suspects-for Dr. Di Girolamo's investigation." These are the books in the series so far: Tuscan Termination Tuscan Temper Tuscan Terror
Diane A. S. Stuckart's Leonardo Da Vinci From the description of the first book in this series: "Travel to the Milan of 1483 with this intriguing new series, starring the legendary Renaissance man himself-Leonardo da Vinci. 'On a royal whim, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, orders a living chess game to be enacted by members of his own court. Court Engineer Leonardo da Vinci conjures the spectacle in a single night, but his latest success turns bitter when one of the "pieces"-the Duke's ambassador to France-is murdered. 'Given the brutal climate of court politics, even the Duke's closest advisors are suspect. As an outsider, Leonardo is the only man Sforza can trust to conduct the investigation. With his scrupulous eye for detail, and young apprentice Dino gathering information unnoticed, Leonardo uncovers a vile nest of secrets-while danger, like an ill humor, rises to the surface. But the most surprising secret of all may be the true identity of his most talented, most trusted apprentice." The books in the series so far are: The Queen's Gambit Portrait of a Lady A Bolt from the Blue Author's Website
Series Translated from Italian (not all the books have been translated yet)
Andrea Camilleri and his Commissario Montalbano Andrea Camilleri is Italy's most famous writer of gialli. Before he wrote them, he produced them for television, making the acclaimed Maigret series. But it's for his Commissario Montalbano that he's most famous. The books are written in Italian and available in translation in various languages. Montalbano works in Sicily, and when he's not solving crimes and arresting bad guys, he's enjoying the beaches, good wine, great food, and quirky inhabitants of the ancient island. There is also his girlfriend, Livia, who is treated rather shabbily throughout the series, as are pretty much all the female partners, actually. The books in the series are: The Shape of Water (La forma dell’acqua) The Terracotta Dog - (Il cane di terracotta) The Snack Thief (Il ladro di merendine) The Voice of the Violin (La voce del violino) Excursion to Tindari (La gita a Tindari) The Scent of the Night (L’odore della notte) Rounding the Mark (Il giro di boa) The Patience of the Spider (La pazienza del ragno) The Paper Moon (La Luna di Carta) August Heat (La Vampa d'Agosto) The Wings of the Sphinx (Le Ali della Sfinge) The Track of Sand (La pista di Sabbia) The Potter's Field (Il campo del vasaio) L'età del dubbio Le prime indagini La danza del gabbiano My list of this author's books at Amazon.com The series has been filmed for Italian television and is available on DVD. Be prepared for beautiful location filming, some incomprehensible language, and lots of macho men who lie far too easily to their women, who are generally-speaking not treated with much respect. Camillieri website Images from "Il Commissario Montalbano", an Italian series of film-length episodes based on Andrea Camillieri's police procedural novels, several of which have been translated into English. The series stars Luca Zingaretti and is a huge hit in Italy and Germany (a German actress plays his long-suffering girlfriend). The Montalbano series is filmed on location in Sicily which brings stunning locations to the police-dramas. And they score it with Sicilian music for added flavor. Dear to Montalbano's heart is eating, especially at his favorite restaurant with his favorite chef. He's known to lie to colleagues and girlfriend about his whereabouts to conceal his preference for eating over their company. Here are some clips via YouTube. Sicily has beautiful palaces, some of which feature in the location-shot series. Here is one, but you can find others on my Palaces of Sicily page.
Michele Guittari's Michele Ferrara Michele Ferrara is Chief Superintendent of Florence's elite Squadra Mobile. He tackles the most difficult cases and sticks with them until all the nasty facts come to light. The author, Michele Guittari, is a retired Italian State Police Commissioner. His fictional character of Michele Ferrara clearly walks in the author's footsteps, bringing a verisimilitude to the books that other police procedural series may lack. These are the books in the series so far, each translated from the original Italian: A Florentine Death A Death in Tuscany A Death in Calabria The Death of a Mafia Don The Black Rose of Florence Author's Website
Massimo Carlotto / Marco "Alligator" Buratti Marco "Alligator is a Private Investigator with an ex-con and blues singer past. True to his roots, his cases are rough, seamy and full of hidden Italy. His home base is Venice. From the Book's Description of The Master of Knots: "Alligator—ex-convict turned private detective—finds himself pulled into a disturbing case involving an Italy known to few. Helena and Mariano Giraldi lead a secret double life in Italy's clandestine S&M scene. When Helena is abducted, her husband approaches Alligator for help. But Mariano seems more worried about losing his reputation than seeing his wife again. 'As Alligator investigates, he uncovers a world in which brutality, treachery, and passion go hand in hand. Behind Helena's abduction is a shadowy figure known as The Master of Knots—who proves to be as powerful as he is psychotic. As more members of the S&M underground disappear, Alligator races desperately against time to find his true identity." Books in the Alligator Series (not all have been translated yet): La verita dell'Alligatore Il mistero di Mangiabarche Nessuna cortesia all'uscita Il corriere colombiano (The Columbian Mule) Il maestro di nodi (The Master of Knots) Dimmi che non vuoi morire L'amore del bandito (Bandit Love) Author's Website
Carlo Lucarelli / Commissario De Luca and Inspector Grazia Negro The De Luca trilogy is a historical crime trio about Commissario De Luca during the Fascist era through to the post WWII era. *Carte Blanche: "April 1945, Italy. Commissario De Luca is heading up a dangerous investigation into the private lives of the rich and powerful during the frantic final days of the facist regime. The hierarchy has guaranteed De Luca their full cooperation, just so long as he arrests the "right" suspect. The house of cards built by Mussolini in the last months of WWII is collapsing and De Luca faces a world mired in sadistic sex, dirty money, drugs and murder." The Damned Season: "It is 1946. De Luca suffers from insomnia and has lost his appetite. He's got problems with women and a case that he can't crack. In this second installment of the heralded De Luca trilogy,* the Commissario is posing as a certain Giovanni Morandi to avoid reprisals for the role he played during the fascist dictatorship. Exposed by a member of the partisan police, De Luca is forced to investigate a series of brutal murders, becoming a reluctant player in Italy's postwar power struggle." Via delle Oche: "It is 1948. Italy’s fate is soon to be decided in bitterly contested national elections. A man has been found dead in via delle Oche, at the center of Bologna’s notorious red light district. Commissario De Luca is unwilling to look the other way when evidence in the man’s death points to local politicians and members of the Bologna police force. The brutal worlds of crime and politics conspire once again, and in this third and final book in the De Luca trilogy, winner of both the Italian Mystery Award and the Scerbanenco Prize, violence, power, and sex combine to create an atmosphere that becomes more volatile as the trilogy reaches its shocking finale." Carte Blanche The Damned Season Via delle Oche Almost Blue: "A serial killer is terrorising the students of Bologna. Rookie female detective Grazia Negro is determined to solve the case." Author's Website
Valerio Varesi / Commissioner Soneri "River of Shadows is the first of a series of thrillers featuring Commissario Soneri, now the central figure of one of Italy's most popular television dramas." ("Nebbie e delitti" or "Fog and crimes"). Soneri is said to be a bongustai, which is pretty much obligatory in Italy, no? The books in the series of 14 Italian books that have been translated so far into English: River of Shadows Dark Valley Author's Website
Luigi Guicciardi / Inspector Cataldo There are 11 books so far in Italian about Inspector Cataldo, but only the first one has been translated so far and it is called The Criminal Summer. Cataldo is Sicilian but works in Modena. A reviewer describes him thus: "He's tall and blonde, although from Sicily, and does not speak dialect. He never rushes an interview, waiting out the silences with patience. His fondness for surrealist art suggests an intellectual bent." The Book Description: "In a quiet holiday town in the Italian Apennines, during a torrid summer, a string of gruesome deaths stirs up trouble in the local community. A suspected suicide, which Inspector Cataldo is called in to investigate, brings to the surface shady events belonging to the past, and a mysterious foreigner shakes up the delicate social balance of a group of friends who have a lot to hide."
Gianrico Carofiglio / Guido Guerrieri There are 4 books in the lawyer Guido Guerrieri series so far. Here is a description of how the first book begins: "At the beginning of the novel, Italian lawyer Guido Guerrieri splits from his wife and somewhat loses track of his life. He moves into a flat where he knows no one, drinks a bit, and generally doesn't take very good care of himself. Then he gets involved in a controversial trial. " The series is written by a lawyer, so there is much verisimilitude. Involuntary Witness A Walk in the Dark Reasonable Doubts Temporary Perfections
Marco Vichi / Commissario Bordelli In the Italian series Commissario Bordelli works in Florence in the 1970s. In the English series, he becomes an Inspector in Florence in the 1960s. The covers give them an Agatha Christie feel. From the first book's description: "Florence, summer 1963. Inspector Bordelli is one of the few policemen left in the deserted city. He spends his days on routine work, and his nights tormented by the heat and mosquitoes. Suddenly one night, a telephone call gives him a new sense of purpose: the suspected death of a wealthy Signora. 'Bordelli rushes to her hilltop villa, and picks the locks. The old woman is lying on her bed - apparently killed by an asthma attack, though her medicine has been left untouched. With the help of his young protege, the victim's eccentric brother, and a semi-retired petty thief, the inspector begins a murder investigation." These are the books in the series so far: Death in August Death and the Olive Grove Death in Sardinia Author's Website
A Cozy Giallo by Candida Martinelli
An Extra Virgin Pressing Murder by Candida Martinelli Candida has written a satisfying and entertaining country-house cozy-murder-mystery with lovely Tuscan sights, hunky Italian love interests, mysteries, laughs and tugs on the heartstrings. It is in the style of Agatha Christie and the Jessica Fletcher mystery novels, a light touch with little gore or violence, lots of fun characters and a satisfying romance. Julie gladly leaves her retirement home to attend a protégée’s wedding in Tuscany. But when someone is murdered at her welcome party, and the chief suspect is the Italian fiancé, Julie finagles her way into working with the local Marshal to discover the truth. The reader follows Julie along her not-always-smooth path to discover all she can about the possible suspects and motives for the murder. There is some danger for Julie, and for the others involved in the case. The resolution brings clarity and relief, as well as a new beginning for Julie, in Italy. To read Part I (of 8 Parts) which is 6 Chapters (of 40 Chapters), visit the book's page on this website. The trade paperback book is available for 14.99$ via the Createspace.com shop Secure Shopping Page Count: 368 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″ Language: English The Book Trailer	It is also available from Amazon.com The Kindle Version is available from Amazon.com for 6.99$.
Also see my pages: Italian Bestselling Writers Historical Fiction set in Italy Mysteries set in Ancient Rome Non-fiction books about Italy Romances set in Italy Thrillers Set in Italy Children's Books This link goes to the Amazon.com Kindle page for Italy Mysteries. Kindle Italy Mysteries There is a website dedicated to mysteries set in Italy. It is not the easiest site to navigate. But it has some nice interviews with the authors. http://italian-mysteries.com/

Series Written in English

John Galavan's Italian Art Theft Series - Kindle Series

Series Translated from Italian