Top Italian Criminal Novels to Engross This Summer (Anticipate a Shiver or Two!)
In the world of crime fiction, Italian authors have carved a niche for themselves with their captivating narratives and atmospheric storytelling. Here, we delve into some must-read Italian noir and crime novels that span across centuries and genres.
Carlo Lucarelli's latest offering, Peccato Mortale (2023), transports readers to 1943 Italy, a time of relentless bombings and political chaos. The story unfolds as Commissario De Luca investigates a grisly discovery - a decapitated body found in a canal, believed to be that of a powerful politician, Silvio Luparello, who is said to have died of a heart attack.
Travel back in time to 1327 with Umberto Eco's classic, The Name of the Rose. The story is set in a Benedictine abbey, where a monk's murder sparks an investigation led by William of Baskerville. The investigation reveals a string of murders linked to a mysterious library, weaving together crime investigation with medieval scholarship.
Donato Carrisi, a master of psychological thrillers, presents The Whisperer (2009). The chilling narrative revolves around the disappearances of five young girls, with Goran Gavila and Mila Vasquez leading the investigation. The story takes an unexpected turn when each grave found contains a left arm.
A more modern take on the noir genre is Piergiorgio Pulixi's Stella (2023), set in Sant'Elia, a deprived neighbourhood in Cagliari. The novel paints a poignant portrait of a sacrificed youth, an abandoned city, and a team of women willing to risk everything to uncover the truth behind the death of a young woman named Stella, whose mutilated body is found on a beach.
For those seeking a hardboiled noir feel set in southern Italy, consider Andrea Camilleri's The Shape of Water (1994), the first instalment of the famous inspector Montalbano series.
In a different vein, Carlo Lucarelli's Peccato Mortale quickly becomes entangled with police corruption, military scheming, and the dark secrets of a nation on the brink. Meanwhile, Donato Carrisi's La Casa delle Luci (2024) delves into the thin line between psychiatry and the supernatural, involving a renowned hypnotist named Pietro Gerber who is called in to help a child named Eva with strange fits and a disturbing imaginary friend.
As the investigation unfolds, Eva begins to reveal precise memories of a tragedy connected to Pietro Gerber's own childhood: the disappearance of his friend. The discovery of a sixth arm calls everything into question, adding another layer of mystery to this intriguing narrative.
These selections provide a good starting point for exploring Italian noir thrillers, ranging from the classical to the modern. Whether you're drawn to the intrigue of medieval monasteries, the gritty streets of southern Italy, or the psychological depths of contemporary crime fiction, there's a Italian noir novel waiting to captivate you.
Delve into the engaging language of lifestyle beyond crime fiction, where books like Andrea Di Robilant's A Venetian Affair (2021) offer an enchanting exploration of travel through the captivating city of Venice during the 18th century, as young Alvise Soranzo navigates a whirlwind romance with an American heiress.
In the realm of entertainment, immerse yourself in the vibrant world of popular music through Paolo Valentini's 'The Soundtrack of Summer' (2021), a captivating memoir that recounts the author's journey as a leading lyricist for Italian pop stars, documenting the highs and lows of the industry while delving into the intricacies of friendship, love, and professional rivalries.
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