A real find for anyone who likes their crime novels atmospheric, discursive, humorous and thought-provoking.

Over the course of his police procedurals, Vichi shows us ever more secret and dark sides to an otherwise sunny and open city. But his happiest creation, in my opinion, remains the character of Inspector Bordelli, a disillusioned anti-hero who is difficult to forget.

Vichi's stellar first in a new mystery series introduces endearingly melancholic Inspector Bordelli… [and] delivers a plausible solution worthy of a golden age crime novel. Readers will look forward to seeing more of this flawed hero.

[Italian] writers are justifiably growing in popularity here: Marco Vichi deserves to be among them… [Bordelli] is stubborn, womanless, cynical and impatient, but strangely appealing.

Vichi is a splendid, thoughtful novelist who wanders and wonders, and who pulls the crime novel to the limits of its potential.