Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A Party in San Niccolo by Christobel Kent

 

Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011

A Party in San Niccolo

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The February post with a list of books that the other people taking part are reading this month has already been posted. February Reviews

This is a thriller with a realistic Italian background, although as first published in 2003 there are a couple of points that remove it from the 21C and the Italy that we know. The lira is no longer the currency and the wave of immigrants, although still a big problem, as I expect many of you reading this are aware, will often be of different  nationalities to those featured.  The depth of description of the ex-pat community in Florence reminds me in some ways of A Room With A View, although this is much more detailed and not set in 1908 but modern days. The author clearly knows and loves Florence and is not afraid to write about the drugs, corruption and prostitution that are part of the city and I suppose most big cities in the world these days. As far as I understand though Florence is not generally a dangerous place, just maybe a bit rough around the edges. She also describes beautifully the countryside outside Florence, in Tuscany and the Maremma, including Thermal Springs to be found in the countryside that I have enjoyed bathing in myself if not the particular ones described.

A week in the springtime in Florence, what could be a better way for Gina Donovan to unwind from the pressures of family life while visiting an old friend from university. Gina’s holiday turns out to be not at all the week of relaxation that she was anticipating as through her we meet the motley cast of characters that form part of the expat community. The main ones are Jane her university friend, who runs a cookery school, her successful architect husband Niccolo who has English and Italian parentage plus his daughter Beatrice. The aristocratic Frances a widow in her seventies is a character central to the story as is her Birthday party that is planned for the end of the week. Frank is the journalist within the community, although not a terribly successful one and young Ned, Beatrice’s boyfriend.

The plot is complex with many other characters besides the few I have mentioned. Within the first few pages we learn of the two murders but it is only the second body that is discovered immediately. Before the end of the week not only death but love,memories and secrets will all have intruded on Gina’s time in Italy. I think that is enough information to have tempted you if you like the sound of a murder mystery in an Italian setting. There is enough suspense skilfully built into the story that kept me turning the pages to make this a very quick and entertaining read.

 

Christobel Kent

A Party in San Niccolo was Christobel Kent’s first published novel and since then she has written and published four more novels set in Florence. They all feature a Florentine private investigator Sandro Cellini that she created and has written this series around. These titles may well be of interest to those of you taking part in the Italy in Books - Reading Challenge 2011

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I also post these ‘Italy in Books’ reviews on my other blog

News From Italy

23 comments:

  1. This book sounds very interesting. I especially like to read books with settings that are familiar to me so Florence is a draw for me. However, I can see I am going to have to start a Book Wish List with title to hunt for the next time my travels take me through Heathrow! My local library does have The Drowning River in its catalog so I am going to try that one. Thanks for recommending this new author to me.

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  2. Patrica@ Take a look at Bookmooch, very acvtive in the USA and may well be of use to you, tracking down some of the books I mention.

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  3. Will do, Linda. Haven't heard of Bookmooch but I will find it. I always check PaperbackSwap but it is the UK books I have trouble finding. I just discovered Douglas Kennedy and I loved Pursuit of Happiness. Seems he is finally being published in the US!

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  4. Patricia@ I have now left the link on your blog. I was introduced to Douglas Kennedy by my sister, have only read two so far but throughly enjoyed them.

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  5. Helloooo,

    Guess what? I finished The Marriage Bureau book. I liked it but saw what you meant about it being light reading. I think it'll give our book group a springboard to talk about the underlying issues though (I hope!!).

    Sarahx

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  6. Sarah@ I hope it provides a good base for your book group discussions.

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  7. Hi Lindy! Gosh, you're a voracious reader! :) I wish I could read as fast as you do :)

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  8. Len@ I certainly am but I am not a very fast reader really, just I make time to read every day, although blogging does seem to have slowed my book reading, which I am seeking to rectify.

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  9. Hi LindyLouMac - your response to a comment above in particular caught my eye. I have found that blogging has slowed my reading down greatly. Not that I am complaining but it is great when I read blogs where other people have had the time to read and review. Then I feel I'm combining both things to a certain extent.

    Really enjoyed your post. :-)

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  10. Happy Frog@ So pleased you enjoyed the post and maybe I have tempted you to read this one.

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  11. I've been meaning to pick up a Cristobel Kent book for a while, having enjoyed Magdalen Nabb's books this summer. They both remind me of Donna Leon (who sets her mysteries in Venice). Like you said, I find this type of expat literature interesting.

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  12. Enjoyed the review and love Italy Have become a friend and follower as I read a lot and probably should join your reading challenge. Hope you will consider becoming a friend and follower too

    I appreciate your comment on my kayak pictures.

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  13. Enjoyed your post! I love learning about new books and believe that I will be reading this one soon.
    Thank you for visiting my blog today! I really enjoyed touring yours.

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  14. Somebirds@ She is definitely worth trying, I plan to read more of her novels if possible.

    Honey at 2085@ Welcome as a follower, I do hope you will consider joining the challenge.

    Kate@ Thankyou for calling by and if you do read this book I do hope you will come back and let me know your thoughts.

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  15. Thanks for following from the blog hop. I am following back. Where in Italy are you?? My brother is living there now.

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  16. Welcome and thankyou, am I! I will go and visit your blog straight away to see and answer your question there.

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  17. Great review as always Lindy.

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  18. Vibha@ Thanks for your appreciation.

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  19. This book sounds like it would be worth a read. This was a very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share.

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  20. I wanted to report back that we had the book group and it was a HUGE success. The book led us onto talking about all sorts of things: arranged marriage, the caste system, racism, prejudice.

    A good evening was had by all!

    Sarahx

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  21. Shanae@ Welcome, It is a pleasure, your interest is appreciated.

    Sarah@ Thanks for taking the time to let me know your choice for your book group was a success.

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  22. Thanks for reminding me about this author. I've read something of hers - will now look her up.

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  23. Susie@ She was new to me but I have already managed to get hold of one of the other titles. I doubt I would have thought about reading her work though if had not been set in Italy.

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