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8797999's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, different to what I was expecting (a police procedural) and an interesting introduction to the main character.
A plot focusing on the accusation of a child murder by a Senegalese migrant. Some good backstory and character building and an enjoyable plot with great conclusion. I look forward to the next in the series.
A plot focusing on the accusation of a child murder by a Senegalese migrant. Some good backstory and character building and an enjoyable plot with great conclusion. I look forward to the next in the series.
boosmummy's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book, first time I've read a book by this author and will definitely read more. Loved the central character including his flaws and how his vulnerable side comes across.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
A quite well done court room drama set in Bari, Italy featuring an Italian lawyer who is going through a personal crisis when he is asked to take on the defense for a Senegalese peddler charged with the abduction and murder of a young boy. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Sean Barrett who I wished sounded a bit more Italian.
bgg616's review against another edition
3.0
this was 3 and 1/2 stars for me. A satisfying police procedural set in Italy.Guido Guerrieri is a lawyer defending a Senegalese peddlar charged with the murder of a boy. Guerrieri is at sixes and sevens and at a point in his life where he seems aimless. He appears to be in his 30's and much of the book is taken up with his state of mind.
onlyinbooksworlds's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
renee_conoulty's review against another edition
3.0
This book was originally written in Italian. I listened to the English translation audiobook. The narrator was well spoken with a British accent.
This court drama set in Italy made me realise how different the legal systems can be in different countries. In Australia, this case would never have made it into court in the first place as all the evidence was circumstantial. The story is told from the POV of Guido, the lawyer defending an African man who was charged with kidnapping and murdering a young boy. We are also given some insight into Guido's personal life.
This is the first book in a series. While I enjoyed the book, I have no immediate plans to read the next one.
This court drama set in Italy made me realise how different the legal systems can be in different countries. In Australia, this case would never have made it into court in the first place as all the evidence was circumstantial. The story is told from the POV of Guido, the lawyer defending an African man who was charged with kidnapping and murdering a young boy. We are also given some insight into Guido's personal life.
This is the first book in a series. While I enjoyed the book, I have no immediate plans to read the next one.
mae1210's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
uncle_shai's review against another edition
3.0
I generally liked the writing and became quite fond of Guido. But I found the lawyering and detective work very primitive.
We learn at the beginning that the prosecutor has a strong case against the defendant. But the case seemed totally flimsy, and I thought up many more lines of possible detective work that could have exonerated the defendant.
It also would have been nice to learn more about the defendant and make him a much more important part of the book.
We learn at the beginning that the prosecutor has a strong case against the defendant. But the case seemed totally flimsy, and I thought up many more lines of possible detective work that could have exonerated the defendant.
It also would have been nice to learn more about the defendant and make him a much more important part of the book.
ericwelch's review against another edition
4.0
"Whole worlds pass by us and we don't notice." Guido Guerrieri is an Italian advocate just coming out of a rough patch of depression. His wife has left him and he's just been struggling along until he's assigned the case of an African immigrant accused of killing a young boy. Abdou Thiam, the client, absolutely refuses to settle in spite of overwhelming circumstantial evidence against him. So the case goes to trial. The trial has a surface appearance of fairness, but at its core there is a subtext of racism that reminds us of sham trials of blacks in the U.S. After all, all those "niggers" look the same, as one of the witnesses insists
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Those who dislike legal dramas heavy on courtroom settings will be disappointed. I love those kinds of scenes so this book really held my interest.
Very interesting legal drama that reveals some of the similarities and differences between the American and Italian legal system. Clearly the pressure to settle and plead out a case is tremendous. The cost of a trial, the "discount" in the sentence available to those who plead, the time required; all conspire to encourage everyone, even the innocent, to "cop" a plea.
I will certainly read/listen to more in the series. Very ably read as always by Sean Barrett.
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Those who dislike legal dramas heavy on courtroom settings will be disappointed. I love those kinds of scenes so this book really held my interest.
Very interesting legal drama that reveals some of the similarities and differences between the American and Italian legal system. Clearly the pressure to settle and plead out a case is tremendous. The cost of a trial, the "discount" in the sentence available to those who plead, the time required; all conspire to encourage everyone, even the innocent, to "cop" a plea.
I will certainly read/listen to more in the series. Very ably read as always by Sean Barrett.