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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
The murder mystery is only an excuse to show off arcane corners of Italian society, especially policing. Like many dishes, it is more delicious a few days after you first read it, as all the depictions sink in.
No me gustó casi. Trama muy sosa y personajes planos
Full review at Booklikes
A lovely little mystery.
After reading this, I have to wonder why this hasn’t been adapted to film or shown on PBS. It’s great. It’s funny that the series is named after the Marshal because he spends most of the time sick in bed.
. . .
A lovely little mystery.
After reading this, I have to wonder why this hasn’t been adapted to film or shown on PBS. It’s great. It’s funny that the series is named after the Marshal because he spends most of the time sick in bed.
. . .
Not sure. Having read so many crime drama books of late this new author's novel maybe suffered from not standing out. I also got a little lost on some quick plot elements that I didn't catch so it seemed confusing when the whodunit factor was wrapped up the way it did. I probably try another one, but I'm not sure that this series will make the cut for me. That said, the book was engaging enough and the Italian flavor was there, but tempered by all the English folk (note however the eponymous title character was a bit of a a**hole)
Confusing plot, dialog, and characters. Very hard to follow. It was even hard to tell who the main character was.
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was not familiar with Nabb or this series set in Florence when I received a free copy at a mystery book convention. A little surprised to get the first in the series that was started in the 80's but quickly enjoyed this lovely yet odd book. The writing style was a bit jarring and took some getting used to as characters thoughts and conversations seemed to start and stop and switch from one perspective to another with little warning. The characters were what kept this story strong and it seems that this could be the beginning of a worthwhile series.
A so-so mystery set in Florence. Shortly before Christmas, a retired, loner Englishman is found dead in his flat. A team of Italian policemen joined by 2 English detectives to investigate the murder. I found the book a bit stilted and formal. I didn’t overly identify with any of the characters. The ending was alright though.
An interesting juxtaposition between the Florentine and English cultures with a murder of an Englishman in Florence requiring both the Caribiniere and Scotland Yard to solve. An entertaining read with good insights into daily life in Florence, though the fever dreams of the Marshal get a bit much at times.