Synopses & Reviews
Personal clashes with professional for Michele Ferrara in the second book in the series of compelling and authentic Italian police procedurals In the picturesque Tuscan hill town of Scandicci, the body of a girl is discovered, scantily dressed and lying by the edge of the woods. After a week the local police investigating the case haven't even identified her, let alone gotten to the bottom of how she died. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Chief Superintendent Michele Ferrara, head of Florence's elite Squadra Mobile, decides to step in. Because toxins were discovered in the girl's body, many assumed that she died of a self-inflicted drugs overdose, but Ferrara quickly realizes that the truth is darker than that: he believes that the girl was murdered. When he delves deeper, there are many aspects to the case that convince Ferrara that the girl's death is part of a sinister conspiracya conspiracy that has its roots in the very foundations of Tuscan society.
Review
"A crime author with impeccable credentials: Giuttari is no less than the former head of the Florence police force, where he was on the case of the notorious serial killer The Monster of Florence. Who better to write about the dark undercurrents beneath the surface of the city?" —Booklist "“Giuttari offers extremely credible procedure, a hero who gets more fascinating with each book, and scenes of Florence that may even surpass Donna Leon’s of Venice.” —Booklist on The Black Rose of Florence
Review
"Giuttari, who once headed the Florence police force, smoothly ratchets up the suspense." —Publishers Weekly
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"Michele Giuttari knows of what he writes . . . his books set their insights into the reality of police work against an authentic Italian backdrop." Independent
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"The plot is intricately woven, with enough gasp-worthy twists to sustain a reader to the end." Financial Times
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"Astonishing plot range and emotional depth." —Booklist
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"...a tremendously satisfying book, a travelogue and murder mystery rolled into one." –Suspense Magazine
Synopsis
'It was a night that would be long remembered. The Florence police would come to call it a night of horror, the start of a new nightmare . . .'After enduring years at the mercy of an infamous serial killer, the people of Florence rejoice at news of his death - until a senator is found brutally murdered.
To Chief Superintendent Michele Ferrara the case is very much alive. But, with a powerful adversary conspiring against him, he is trapped in a spiral of corruption and deadly speculation. As the truth comes to light, Ferrara is left standing face-to-face with something truly rotten at the heart of the city . . .
The Dark Heart of Florence is an evocative, gripping work of detective fiction, and a major bestseller across Europe.
Originally published in Italian as I Sogni Cattivi di Firenze.
'A crime author with impeccable credentials: Giuttari is no less than the former head of the Florence police force, where he was on the case of the notorious serial killer The Monster of Florence. Who better to write about the dark undercurrents beneath the surface of the city?' Booklist
Synopsis
An evocative, gripping work of detective ficiton, from a major European bestseller
It was a night that would be long remembered. The Florence police would come to call it a night of horror, the start of a new nightmare . . .
After enduring years at the mercy of an infamous serial killer, the people of Florence rejoice at news of his death—until a senator is found brutally murdered. To Chief Superintendent Michele Ferrara the case is very much alive. But, with a powerful adversary conspiring against him, he is trapped in a spiral of corruption and deadly speculation. As the truth comes to light, Ferrara is left standing face-to-face with something truly rotten at the heart of the city.
About the Author
Michele Giuttari is the former head of the Florence Police Force (1995-2003), where he was responsible for reopening the Monster of Florence case and jailing several key Mafia figures. He is now a special adviser to the interior minister in Rome, with a special remit to monitor Mafia activity.