The Day of the Dead bookcover

The Day of the Dead

The Autumn of Comissario Ricciardi
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Description

The fourth Commissario Ricciardi historical mystery--following Everyone in Their Place--is "a superb novel for fans of Italian noir" (Library Journal, starred review).

Commissario Ricciardi has visions. He sees and hears the final moments in the lives of those who have suffered violent deaths. It may be a talent or it may be a curse, but it has helped him become one of the most successful homicide detectives in the Naples police force. It's a rainy autumn in 1930s Naples as its inhabitants celebrate the week of the dead. Ricciardi's instincts tell him that the death of a street urchin is actually murder, but investigating the homicide is not going to be easy. The authorities want to avoid any sign that things are not as they ought to be in Naples, for they are preparing for the state visit of Benito Mussolini. Ricciardi will have to conduct his investigation hidden from the eyes of his superiors. What's worse, his sixth sense is no help to him this time; the scene of the crime is silent, still, not a word or a sign, or even a scream from the dead. Has his unwelcome gift finally faded? Or is something more sinister at work?

"De Giovanni's slashing wit cuts deeply into his cameo portraits of the high and mighty, even as his elegant style ennobles the wretched lives he views with such compassion."--The New York Times Book Review

"De Giovanni is a masterful plotter and sub-plotter; it's a joy to ease into his complete command of his craft . . . These are murder mysteries raised to a brilliant level."--Open Letters Monthly

Product Details

PublisherEuropa Editions
Publish DateMarch 05, 2014
Pages320
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconPaperback / softback
EAN/UPC9781609451875
Dimensions8.2 X 5.2 X 1.2 inches | 1.0 pounds

About the Author

Maurizio de Giovanni lives and works in Naples. He is the author of three previous books in the Commissario Ricciardi series, I Will Have Vengeance, Blood Curse, Everyone in their Place, and the contemporary Neapolitan thriller, The Crocodile.

Reviews

Praise for Maurizio de Giovanni

" A superb novel" - Library Journal Starred Review

"De Giovanni's slashing wit cuts deeply into his cameo portraits of the high and mighty, even as his elegant style ennobles the wretched lives he views with such compassion." - The New York Times Sunday Book Review

"In Ricciardi, De Giovanni has created one of the most interesting and well-drawn detectives in fiction, and this book is a real treat that should not be missed by crime lovers."--"The Daily Beast" (Weekly "Hot Read")

"In "I Will Have Vengenace" The combination of an unusual detective, historical setting and Italian opera was impossible to resist."--"Crimetime.co.uk"

"A wonderfully suspenseful novel in which de Giovanni restores life to the cliche of the world-weary detective""--Kirkus Starred Review"

"Such detailed images in the novel that will haunt me for a long time to come"--"Books and Writers"

"A colorful novel that imparts a strong sense of time and place...there's more than a touch of Agatha Christie in this tale"--"Curious book fans"
Praise for Maurizio de Giovanni

"In Ricciardi, De Giovanni has created one of the most interesting and well-drawn detectives in fiction, and this book is a real treat that should not be missed by crime lovers."--"The Daily Beast" (Weekly "Hot Read")

"In "I Will Have Vengenace" The combination of an unusual detective, historical setting and Italian opera was impossible to resist."--"Crimetime.co.uk"

"A wonderfully suspenseful novel in which de Giovanni restores life to the cliche of the world-weary detective""--Kirkus Starred Review"

"Such detailed images in the novel that will haunt me for a long time to come"--"Books and Writers"

"A colorful novel that imparts a strong sense of time and place...there's more than a touch of Agatha Christie in this tale"--"Curious book fans"
Praise for Maurizio de Giovanni

"In Ricciardi, De Giovanni has created one of the most interesting and well-drawn detectives in fiction, and this book is a real treat that should not be missed by crime lovers."--"The Daily Beast" (Weekly "Hot Read")

"In "I Will Have Vengenace" The combination of an unusual detective, historical setting and Italian opera was impossible to resist."--"Crimetime.co.uk"

"A wonderfully suspenseful novel in which de Giovanni restores life to the cliche of the world-weary detective"" - Kirkus Starred Review"

"Such detailed images in the novel that will haunt me for a long time to come"--"Books and Writers"

"A colorful novel that imparts a strong sense of time and place...there's more than a touch of Agatha Christie in this tale"--"Curious book fans"

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