Open Road Integrated Media
Pegasus Books
There is a new political movement in Florence Italy, the Frazione Verde. The party's young members are mostly intellectuals, die-hard greens, communists and war protesters. At the party's helm is Niccolo Rosselli, a humble, unassuming individual, who once he is on the podium becomes a charismatic speaker with the innate ability to ignite a crowd and create a following. One evening while addressing his followers he mysteriously collapses. Following this, it becomes known that his wife, Flavia, has disappeared, deserting Niccolo and their newborn son. Then the attacks on the party start.
Soon it is discovered that Flavia has committed suicide at a small beachside resort. Sandro Cellini, a private investigator, becomes involved in the case and he can't believe that someone with so much to live for could commit suicide. And so the investigation begins. The investigation examines some of the ideals that are the basis of the Frazione Verde as well as basic human emotions and desire. Power, control, manipulation and the many facets of love, including altruistic love, are examined through the lives of Niccollo, Flavia, Sandro, Luisa (Sandro's wife), Giuli (Sandro's assistant) and Enzo (Giuli's boyfriend) and a number of other secondary characters.
This story is not a breathtaking race to find out whodunit. This is a mystery about human nature that requires observation, compassion, intellect and common sense to solve. Christobel Kent very skillfully unveils the story by peeling through the layers of human emotions to get at the vulnerable core of the human psyche. The darkness that descends is one that can easily be imagined in today's world and I think that makes it all the more tragic.
I received my copy of this book from NetGalley and did not realize that this is the fourth book featuring the character Sandro Cellini. It seems like it stands alone, but I think if I had been familiar with the characters, the first few chapters would have gone by faster. Once I got to know the characters, however, I liked them, especially Sandro and his wife Luisa.
This is a well-written story by an author who pays attention to the small details that make a person an individual. There are just enough details in the telling to create interesting and believable characters without being a cumbersome read.
This one should be on your "want to read it" list.
A link to an interesting interview with Christobel Kent:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Whats-on-leisure/Books/Some-people-write-for-therapy-but-I-always-wanted-an-audience-Christobel-Kent-20130402115749.htm
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