Death in August

Inspector Bordelli investigates a suspicious death during the scorching summer of 1963 in Florence. The wealthy Signora Pedretti is found dead in her bed, with signs pointing to an asthma attack, but certain details trouble the detective. As temperatures soar and the city empties for summer holidays, Bordelli pursues leads through Florence's deserted streets. His investigation brings him into contact with an array of characters from different social classes, from noble families to street vendors. The case forces Bordelli to confront his memories of WWII while navigating the social and political landscape of 1960s Italy. His war experiences and strong sense of justice influence how he approaches both the investigation and his relationships with others in post-war Florence. The novel explores themes of class division, the lingering effects of war, and the contrast between surface appearances and hidden truths in Italian society. Through Bordelli's perspective, the story illuminates the complex moral questions facing those who lived through Italy's transformation from fascism to democracy.

Readers appreciate Inspector Bordelli's complex character development and the vivid descriptions of 1960s Florence during a heat wave. The atmospheric details and post-war Italian setting resonated with mystery fans who enjoy historical context. Common praise focused on the slower, methodical pacing that reflects Italian culture and the believable relationships between characters. Multiple reviewers noted the authentic portrayal of food, coffee, and daily Florentine life. Primary criticisms centered on the meandering plot, with some readers finding the pace too slow. Several reviews mentioned that the mystery element takes a backseat to character studies and scene-setting. A few readers struggled with the translation's occasional stiffness. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (280+ ratings) "Like a leisurely Italian meal rather than fast food" - Amazon reviewer "Strong sense of place but weak mystery" - Goodreads reviewer "Characters feel real but plot lacks urgency" - LibraryThing reviewer

The Kill by Lisa Black A police procedural set in sweltering summer Rome follows Inspector Alec Blume through corruption and crime in modern Italy.

Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon Venice's Commissario Brunetti investigates the death of a conductor in this police procedural steeped in Italian culture and politics.

River of Shadows by Valerio Varesi Commissario Soneri works through floods and fog in Parma to solve murders connected to Italy's wartime past.

The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri Inspector Montalbano tackles political corruption and murder in Sicily while navigating local customs and power structures.

The Monster of Florence by Magdalen Nabb Marshal Guarnaccia investigates cold cases in Florence's historic center while uncovering connections to real-life serial killings.

🌟 Author Marco Vichi based Inspector Bordelli, the main character, on stories from his father and uncles who lived through WWII in Florence 🌟 The novel is set during the intense heatwave that struck Florence in August 1963, which actually happened and caused numerous deaths among the elderly 🌟 The book is the first in a series that has sold over 1 million copies in Italy, where it's considered a modern classic of the giallo (Italian crime fiction) genre 🌟 Many locations in the novel are real places in Florence that still exist today, including Caffè Paskowski and the Piazza della Signoria 🌟 The author intentionally wrote Inspector Bordelli as an anti-fascist character to reflect the political tensions of post-war Italy, drawing from his own family's experiences in the resistance movement