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3.05 AVERAGE
3.05 AVERAGE
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Solid Italian police procedural
I dont often re-read books but I fancied reading this series again, as enjoyable as I remembered. A great plot and charcaters and I enjoyed the case and reveal.
There is a slight trigger warning of a child being molested, it isn't seen as bad in the book (typical masculine view). I'll be honest I forgot about it and it is not something that detracts from the story.
I'm looking forward to delving into this series again, I do wish more from it would be translated.
There is a slight trigger warning of a child being molested, it isn't seen as bad in the book (typical masculine view). I'll be honest I forgot about it and it is not something that detracts from the story.
I'm looking forward to delving into this series again, I do wish more from it would be translated.
Death in August is an interestingly complex introduction to Marco Vichi’s Inspector Bordelli series. Set in the sweltering heat of Florence in 1963, the novel follows Inspector Bordelli as he investigates the mysterious death of a wealthy elderly woman during a scorching August. What initially looks like a natural death quickly turns into a murder case, and Bordelli is left to untangle a web of family secrets, hidden motives, and long-buried resentments.
One of the things that really drew me in was the vivid sense of place. Vichi’s descriptions of a hot, nearly deserted Florence in the height of summer made me feel like I was right there, sweating along with the characters. The oppressive heat adds to the tension of the story, and it felt like a fitting backdrop for a mystery filled with simmering emotions and secrets waiting to explode.
Inspector Bordelli is far from your typical detective. He’s gruff, cynical, and weary from his experiences in World War II, but he also has a deep sense of compassion and justice. I found him to be a fascinating character, especially as the novel reveals his disillusionment with society and the legal system. His reflections on life, morality, and his memories of the war give the story emotional depth, and you really get a sense of how his dark haunting past shapes the way he approaches his cases.
One of the things that really drew me in was the vivid sense of place. Vichi’s descriptions of a hot, nearly deserted Florence in the height of summer made me feel like I was right there, sweating along with the characters. The oppressive heat adds to the tension of the story, and it felt like a fitting backdrop for a mystery filled with simmering emotions and secrets waiting to explode.
Inspector Bordelli is far from your typical detective. He’s gruff, cynical, and weary from his experiences in World War II, but he also has a deep sense of compassion and justice. I found him to be a fascinating character, especially as the novel reveals his disillusionment with society and the legal system. His reflections on life, morality, and his memories of the war give the story emotional depth, and you really get a sense of how his dark haunting past shapes the way he approaches his cases.
Not convinced that the facts are historically correct ✅
Just couldn’t get into it and I wasn’t enjoying the writing or descriptions
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual content
Another book I picked up for Italy. Picked out purposely as it's Italian and set in Florence. A delightful read. Reminiscent of an Agatha Christie.
I think it’s important to start by saying there is a long, extremely graphic scene of child sexual abuse. Not related to the crime, but to the detective’s past. I don’t think it helps the reader understand the detective any better and his memories of it are disturbingly romanticized.
The mystery itself was interesting - not so much for the who or the why, but the how. The scenes questioning the suspects were relentless.
Inspector Bordelli was an interesting character who collected unusual friends, wanted to quit smoking, and was haunted by vivid images from the war.
Not as much about Florence as I had hoped. Mostly sweating and mosquitoes.
Might have given three or four stars, but the child abuse scene was entirely unnecessary to plot or character development. It seemed to only try to explain that he was obsessed with an attractive young woman because she reminded him of his abuser.
The mystery itself was interesting - not so much for the who or the why, but the how. The scenes questioning the suspects were relentless.
Inspector Bordelli was an interesting character who collected unusual friends, wanted to quit smoking, and was haunted by vivid images from the war.
Not as much about Florence as I had hoped. Mostly sweating and mosquitoes.
Might have given three or four stars, but the child abuse scene was entirely unnecessary to plot or character development. It seemed to only try to explain that he was obsessed with an attractive young woman because she reminded him of his abuser.
Non mi è piaciuto. Potrei fermarmi qui.
Lento. Non intrigante. Noioso. Difficile da spiegare come un libro giallo riesca a non incuriosire.
Peccato.
Lento. Non intrigante. Noioso. Difficile da spiegare come un libro giallo riesca a non incuriosire.
Peccato.
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes