so-soI enjoyed this crime novel about a serial killer in Florence. The police aspects feel authentic (the author draws from his own experience) and I liked the Florence setting & some of the characters. The theme of homophobia troubled me although I read it as a reflection of society rather than the author‘s own views. His wife was one-dimensional. So it lacked the interest & banter that enrich Donna Leon‘s or Louise Penny‘s books for example.
pickI‘m learning Penelope Fitzgerald was a special writer. Fell in love with The Blue Flower earlier this year, and have now read this one - a bad good marriage in 1950‘s Florence with a doctor too rational to acknowledge his emotions. Ok, that‘s humble. Now hand it over to Penelope and her backhanded, almost absurd, striking lines. 🥰
pickAugust 1963.Florence,Italy,a deserted city. Searing heat. Bleary-eyed,sleep deprived Inspector Bordella,a chain-smoker in his mid-50s.Biting hordes of mosquitoes torment him at night.Flashbacks to his years as a soldier in WWII are interspersed throughout.His new police protégé is coincidentally the son of his soldier partner.A highly unusual,deviously clever murder of a wealthy, elderly Signora.A wonderful,eclectic cast characters:semi-retired?
It‘s only Monday, but what a day at work! Popcorn, Sam Adams October Fest (split with my husband), & a book. He is making dinner.🧡
pickAfter my trip to Italy I wanted to learn more about this family.
pickSerendipity lead me to this novel at the Library, it‘s been around for a while. I do enjoy a good historical mystery, and this generally fits the bill, although the historical premise is a bit shaky. Wilson posits a fictional reason for the disappearance of Hans Holbein in 1543 that involves the (factual) Prebendaries Plot to bring down Thomas Cranmer and restore Catholic rule. I enjoyed “meeting” his protagonist, London goldsmith Thomas Treviot.
📬 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒍 📚
𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢 is a new-to-me author whose writing I can enjoy thanks to the generosity of Bibliolifestyle & William Morrow Books.
I love World War II-era historical fiction based on actual events & heroes. A daughter of the Greatest Generation, I love learning more about that time period because my father served while my mother waited for him to return. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 sounds riveting!
pickA solo travel book and a discussion of the benefits of alone time.
pickAn American stenographer and a German photographer meet in Italy.
Both women are trying to save the art the Germans are taking and hiding.
Art aficionados and art historians will devour this beautifully written book that tells of how art was protected during WWII. 4/5
FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/46b74ha9
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