Category: Mystery
Publisher: Soho Press
ISBN-13:9781569474969
Series: Commissario Cenni, #1
Pub. Date: May 2008
Date Read: July 2008
“Rita’s new life started the day they interred her mother in the family vault in Assisi. She had no intention of returning to Brooklyn, although she had neglected to mention this to her uncle or to his wife.”
Poor Rita had big plans to finally live a full life in Italy after her mother died and left her quite wealthy. Rita thought that after everything her mother had put her through, it was now her due to live a full life and she was going to do it in Italy. After she told her uncle and his wife that she was planning to stay longer than just for her mother’s burial, she takes on a job at their English school and lives with them even though they don’t really seem to want her there.
Then on Good Friday just as the town and Rita’s family is awaiting the ritual procession near the town square, Rita’s lifeless body is found in the family mausoleum. Commissario Alessandro Cenni is called in to investigate and in his mind all clues point to the family. The uncle, who still prefers to be referred to as Count Casati, his wife, their daughter Artemisia, and their son’s daughter, Paola. They all didn’t care much for Rita and aren’t even embarrassed to admit it.
Commissario Cenni must tread carefully but he vows that aristocratic or not the family will be investigated. As he looks for more suspects, he finds out that Rita was also involved with a young, Canadian John Williams, who has some secrets of his own. There is also the attractive Sophie Orlic who Cenni is sure must know more than what she is telling.
This book almost feels like a travel guide to the beautiful city of Assisi. Set in the heart of Umbria, the reader is able to peak into the world of museums, the historic ruins and all the while hoping to figure out the mystery. The author goes in depth into each of the characters and their possible reasons for committing murder giving this novel a very intimate feel. You not only feel like you’ve gotten to know the city but the motivations and characters.
Commissario Cenni has a good group of investigators working with him and also a good backstory to Cenni is introduced. He is a man who will fight for justice because he owes it to someone very special who was once in his life. The book is a bit slow going but it’s perfect for taking your time to savor the mystery. I will look forward to the second book in what promises to be a great series.