An explosive crime thriller from the author of The Goodbye Kiss, “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir” (Boston Phoenix).
Giorgio Pellegrini, the hero of The Goodbye Kiss, has been living an “honest” life for eleven years. But that’s about to change. His lawyer has been deceiving him and now Giorgio is forced into service as an unwilling errand boy for an organized crime syndicate. At one time, Giorgio wouldn’t have thought twice about robbing, kidnapping, and killing in order to get what he wanted, but these days he realizes he’s too long in the tooth to face his enemies head-on. To return to his peaceful life as a successful businessman he’s going to have to find another way to shake off the mob. Fortunately, Giorgio’s circumstances may have changed, but deep down he’s still the ruthless killer he used to be.
“Carlotto . . . provides a machine-gun pace, a jaundiced eye for political corruption and a refreshing absence of anything approaching a moral vision.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Carlotto’s taut, broody Mediterranean noir is filled with blind corners and savage set pieces. Pellegrini’s deeds are unquestionably loathsome, but his witty Machiavellian perspective, amplified by a class rage well attuned to the current Italian zeitgeist, makes you root for him all the same.”—The New Yorker
“[Carlotto’s] narration allows gruesome glimpses into an unscrupulous psyche.” —Publishers Weekly
“A surprisingly enjoyable romp . . . a very solid noir thriller, and very good (if slightly queasy-making) fun. One of Carlotto’s better works.” —The Complete Review
