Thirteen-year-old Giacomo Pellissari disappears from his
Florence grammar school during a
torrential downpour. His father, late in picking him up
because of the same unrelenting rain, is told by the
janitor that he saw his son run out and head in the
direction of his home. Giacomo is never seen again. The police
are investigating, led by experienced Inspector Franco
Bordelli and his dedicated team.
A hunter sees a small foot partially eaten by animals, and he calls the police.
They uncover the nude, bruised body of Giacomo. The medical examiner finds
Giacomo was "drugged with morphine, raped by at least three men, then
strangled to death." Inspector Bordelli, reels from
the shocking account and swears to find the sadistic
killers.
Nature steps in as the banks of the River Arno overflow
and cause a devastating flood. The people of Florence must deal with the huge
task of getting rid of the water, mud, wrecked cars, and trees; all are anxious to
return to their homes and businesses. Bordelli is desperate to continue his
investigation but his priority is helping with the
vast clean-up.
DEATH IN FLORENCE is the third Italian crime drama written
by exciting author Marco Vichi. I give him high praise
for this thrilling adventure. Bordelli is a character I loved. Handsome, he is
not focused on his health. He smokes non-stop, loves
Tuscan cuisine, wines and never refuses dessert. He tells
himself tomorrow he will quit smoking and over eating. A
bachelor who loves the ladies, he is always seeking his
forever love. In the meantime, he enjoys the company of
Rosa, a retired prostitute who is caring, always listens,
and gives a good massage too. He is creative and
imaginative in his sleuthing methods. The side plot of a
romance with young and beautiful Eleonora was a fun-filled
addition to the chase to find the detestable beasts
responsible for the death of a young boy. DEATH IN FLORENCE was
one of my best reads this year, and I look forward to his
next book.
When a young boy vanishes, the police fear the worst,
which brings Inspector
Bordelli into an increasingly desperate investigation, in
the new mystery from
critics' favorite Marco Vichi.
Florence, 1966. The rain is never-ending. When a young boy
vanishes on his way home
from school the police fear the worst, and Inspector
Bordelli begins an increasingly
desperate investigation.
Then the flood hits. During the night of November 4th the
swollen River Arno, already
lapping the arches of the Ponte Vecchio, breaks its banks
and overwhelms the city.
Streets become rushing torrents, the force of the water
sweeping away cars and trees,
doors, shutters and anything else in its wake.
In the aftermath of this unimaginable tragedy the mystery
of the child's
disappearance seems destined to go unsolved. But obstinate
as ever, Bordelli is not
prepared to give up.