The Colombian Mule

When Colombian Arias Cuevas is caught trying to smuggle drugs through Venice airport, his fear isn't fueled by the idea of prison. He's much more frightened of his aunt — it was her coke he took off with. He comes clean to avoid her wrath. The cops set up a sting to find out who was to be the recipient of the drugs, and art smuggler Nazzareno Corradi falls straight into the trap. But he's been set up. His lawyer hires "the Alligator," and his fixer, Max, to find out what's going on. Soon it becomes apparent why Cuevas was so afraid — the aunt, La Tia, has left a bloody trail in her wake, and is now looking to do some business in Italy, and she's not about to let anybody get in her way.

“Carlotto is the reigning king of Mediterranean noir.” The Boston Phoenix

“The best living Italian crime writer.” Il Manifesto

One of Italy's most popular authors and a major exponent of the Mediterranean Noir novel, Carlotto has been compared with many of the most important American hardboiled crime writers. His novels have been translated into many languages, enjoying enormous success outside of Italy, and several have been made into highly acclaimed films.