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The Dogs of Rome: A Commissario Alec Blume Novel (Hardcover)

By Conor Fitzgerald

$25.00

Usually Ships in 1-5 days

Description

An engrossing novel of murder, organized crime, and politics in contemporary Italy—the first in a series of Italian crime novels by a promising new writer.

On a hot summer morning, Arturo Clemente is sloppily murdered in his Roman apartment by a mysterious slasher. Though the murder appears amateurish, even random, Clemente is no ordinary victim. An animal rights activist campaigning against dogfighting, he is married to a prominent politician and sleeping with Manuela Fusco, the daughter of a dangerous crime boss.

Police inspector Alec Blume has a favorite suspect, but the investigation is already being manipulated by both the Senate and the Fusco crime ring. As the details of the case continue to trickle out, Blume soon realizes he is being watched from on high—and that solving this crime may be the least of his worries. Angry, sleep-deprived, and unsure who to trust, Blume is losing control of his investigation. As the mob tightens its grip on the city, and with the killer still at large, Blume’s struggle for justice may cost more innocent lives.

In this riveting debut novel, we are introduced to Blume, an American expatriate and seasoned police veteran. Intelligent yet sometimes petulant, instinctive yet flawed, Blume is a likable and trustworthy protagonist for this first installment of a gritty and promising series.

About the Author

Conor Fitzgerald has lived in Ireland, the U K, the United States, and Italy. He has worked as an arts editor, produced a current affairs journal for foreign embassies based in Rome, and founded a successful translation company. He is married with two children and lives in Rome.

Praise for The Dogs of Rome: A Commissario Alec Blume Novel…

“If you are looking for a new crime series or are intrigued by murder, organized crime, politics, and Italy, then you will love following along with Blume on this case.”—Savionaire.com

“A sizzling-hot debut that deftly weaves together corrupt politicians, organized crime, and centuries-old tradition.” —Entertainment Weekly

“All of the players in the novel come across as completely believable, because the author avoids the stereotypical, and emphasizes the quirkiness in both large and small characters. The fast-moving plot has several interesting twists, and the tone is tongue-in-cheek. This is the first in a series of Commissario Blume novels, and anyone who reads this one will be looking forward to the next.” —San Francisco Book Review

“Guaranteed to whet the thirst of international crime fiction fans. This promising debut is reminiscent of early Michael Dibdin, and that is more than enough to put Fitzgerald’s series on your radar.” —Booklist

“Impressively plotted…those who like gritty crime thrillers with a European flair will be well rewarded.”—Publishers Weekly

“Commissario Blume is the most appealing detective to come along in years. His genius is that he isn’t a hero or an anti-hero, but the kind of living, breathing human being that you only find in the very best novels, detective or otherwise. The Dogs of Rome is an irresistible and wholly original piece of crime fiction.”—Joe Weisberg, author of An Ordinary Spy and Tenth Grade