A
new series of hardboiled crime fiction set in contemporary Naples by the author
of the internationally bestselling Commissario Ricciardi series.
They've
made a fresh start at the Pizzofalcone precinct of Naples. They fired every
member of the investigative branch after they were found guilty of corruption.
Now, there's a group of detectives, a new commissario, and a new
superintendent. The new cops immediately find themselves investigating a high-profile
murder that has the whole town on edge.
Heading
the investigation is Inspector Lojacono, known as "the Chinaman," a
cop with a checkered past who is currently riding a reputation as a crack
investigator after having captured a serial killer known as "The
Crocodile." Lojacono's partner is Aragona, who wants to be known as
"Serpico," but the name doesn't stick. Luigi Palma, a.k.a.
"Gigi," is the Commissario, Francesco Romano, known as
"Hulk," is the slightly self-deluded lieutenant. Lojacono, Aragona,
Palma, and Romano are joined by a cast of cops portrayed by bestselling author
Maurizio de Giovanni with depth and intimate knowledge of the close-knit world
of police investigators.
The Bastards of Pizzofalcone (Police Procedural)
By Maurizio De Giovanni
ISBN # 978-1609453145
Price $18.00
323 Pages (Uncorrected Proof)
Rating 5-Stars
“The Author Is In A Class of His Own.”
Set in
contemporary Naples, the Pizzofalcone precinct is about to be shut down; the
previous detectives had intercepted a drug deal, but only reported a portion of
the merchandise, keeping the rest to sell on the streets. Caught, the precinct
was now called the Bastards because of the bad cops. It’s decided to give them
another chance by bringing in Commissario Luigi “Gigi” Palma, who originally
appeared in THE CROCODILE, and four detectives: Inspector Giuseppe “The
Chinaman” Lojacono, who also appeared in THE CROCODILE; Corporal Aragona Marco;
Warrant Officer Francisco “Hulk” Romano; and Officer 1st Class Alessandra
Di Nardo. All are considered rejects from their old units, and by reassigning
them to Pizzofalcone, they are out of everyone’s hair. Working with them are
Deputy Captain Giorgio Pisanelli and Deputy Sergeant Ottavia Calibreose from
the original squad, whom were proven innocent of the drug deal. The Magistrate,
Dottoressa Piras, introduced in THE CROCODILE, is also a regular cast.
Their
first case is the murder of the wife of an important family. Everything points
to the husband as her killer, but the detectives must find evidence that will
stand up in court. Lojacono and Marco are assigned the murder, while Di Nardo
and Romano are sent to investigate the report of a girl held prisoner in an
apartment. Meanwhile, Calibreose uses her electronics skills to follow the
computer trail the investigators need on suspects. Pisanelli uses his knowledge
of the area, and people, to assist in the investigation while also searching
for a killer he suspects in a series of suicides.
Maurizio
De Giovanni is one of the top mystery writers in the field today. He is in a
class of his own. He is certainly the best writer coming out of Europe that
I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Although the plot and mystery are topnotch,
it is the characters that drive the story. These are characters you want to
know, they are your friends, and you feel their emotions. They keep you turning
the pages, and you never want them to leave you. Highly recommended to mystery
readers, and anyone who loves well-written stories with characters that come
alive.
Tom Johnson
Author of CARNIVAL OF DEATH
