Book description
After his adventures under sun-drenched Neapolitan skies in Cosi
Fan Tutti, Aurelio Zen finds himself back in Rome, sneezing in a damp
wine cellar and being given another unorthodox assignment: to release
the jailed scion of an important wine-growing family who is accused of
a brutal murder. Zen travels north to an Italy as outwardly serene as
Naples was manic. Amid the quiet fields, autumnal skies and crumbling
farmhouses of Piedmont, Zen must try to penetrate a traditional
culture in which family and soil are inextricably linked. Here secrets
can last for generations, and have a finish as long and lingering as
that of a good Barbaresco. Zen must also face up to mysteries from his
own past, as well as grapple with the greed, envy, hatred and love
that are the human components of any landscape.
Michael Dibdin lived in Italy for many years and had 11 Zen
books published which continue to entertain readers around the world.
He died in 2007. His novels won many awards including the Crime
Writers Association Gold Dagger for Ratking.
