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Leone Scamarcio #2
The American
The second Leone Scarmacio thriller.
As autumn sets in, the queues outside the soup kitchens of Rome are lengthening and the people are taking to the piazzas, increasingly frustrated by the deepening economic crisis.
Detective Leone Scamarcio is called to an apparent suicide on the Ponte Sant Angelo, a stone’s throw from Vatican City. A man is hanging from the bridge, his expensive suit suggesting yet another businessman fallen on hard times. But Scamarcio is immediately troubled by similarities with the 1982 murder of Roberto Calvi, dubbed ‘God’s Banker’ because of his work for the Vatican Bank.
Scamarcio’s instincts are soon proved correct when a cardinal with links to the bank is killed. And when US Intelligence warn Scamarcio to drop his investigation, he knows that the stakes are far higher than he first realised.
Ignoring their threats, Scarmarcio pushes on, but his progress is being monitored by some of the world’s most powerful men, who will stop at nothing to make sure their dirty work stays under cover. In breathtaking developments that link 9/11, America’s dirty wars, Vatican corruption, the Mafia, and Italy’s violence against it own people, Scarmacio has to deal with responsibilities far above his pay grade.
As autumn sets in, the queues outside the soup kitchens of Rome are lengthening and the people are taking to the piazzas, increasingly frustrated by the deepening economic crisis.
Detective Leone Scamarcio is called to an apparent suicide on the Ponte Sant Angelo, a stone’s throw from Vatican City. A man is hanging from the bridge, his expensive suit suggesting yet another businessman fallen on hard times. But Scamarcio is immediately troubled by similarities with the 1982 murder of Roberto Calvi, dubbed ‘God’s Banker’ because of his work for the Vatican Bank.
Scamarcio’s instincts are soon proved correct when a cardinal with links to the bank is killed. And when US Intelligence warn Scamarcio to drop his investigation, he knows that the stakes are far higher than he first realised.
Ignoring their threats, Scarmarcio pushes on, but his progress is being monitored by some of the world’s most powerful men, who will stop at nothing to make sure their dirty work stays under cover. In breathtaking developments that link 9/11, America’s dirty wars, Vatican corruption, the Mafia, and Italy’s violence against it own people, Scarmacio has to deal with responsibilities far above his pay grade.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2015
About the author
Nadia Dalbuono
5 books35 followersNadia Dalbuono spent 15 years working in factual TV in the UK before turning to crime writing. The Few is her first novel, with a sequel scheduled for 2015.
REVIEWS FOR THE FEW:
'Gripping, you won't be able to put down this unsettling tale.'
THE SUN
'A professional and confident foray into the realms of crime fiction . . . Nadia Dalbuono drives her complex plot as though it were [an] Alfa Romeo Spider . . . This detective has many more novels in him than the modest two-volume series planned so far.'
PICK OF THE WEEK, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD AND THE AGE
'Dalbuono has a nose for the topical and the gritty undercurrents of Italian society. And at the end there are enough unanswered questions for another enthralling tale to come.'
Verdict: Compelling, unsettling
COURIER MAIL
'One of Raven Crime's top 5 books of 2014. An astounding debut...It is a delight to encounter a protagonist who I would be keen to meet again, and given such a promising beginning to a potential series, I very much hope this will be the case in subsequent books. The Few is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking debut.
RAVEN CRIME READS
Powerful, tightly plotted and with chilling echoes of real life events, The Few is an emotive and exhilarating read, and Scamarcio a character who could quickly become another cult detective.
WE LOVE THIS BOOK.COM
Has Donna Leon met her match?
Maxim Jakubowski. LOVEREADING.CO.UK
REVIEWS FOR THE FEW:
'Gripping, you won't be able to put down this unsettling tale.'
THE SUN
'A professional and confident foray into the realms of crime fiction . . . Nadia Dalbuono drives her complex plot as though it were [an] Alfa Romeo Spider . . . This detective has many more novels in him than the modest two-volume series planned so far.'
PICK OF THE WEEK, SYDNEY MORNING HERALD AND THE AGE
'Dalbuono has a nose for the topical and the gritty undercurrents of Italian society. And at the end there are enough unanswered questions for another enthralling tale to come.'
Verdict: Compelling, unsettling
COURIER MAIL
'One of Raven Crime's top 5 books of 2014. An astounding debut...It is a delight to encounter a protagonist who I would be keen to meet again, and given such a promising beginning to a potential series, I very much hope this will be the case in subsequent books. The Few is a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking debut.
RAVEN CRIME READS
Powerful, tightly plotted and with chilling echoes of real life events, The Few is an emotive and exhilarating read, and Scamarcio a character who could quickly become another cult detective.
WE LOVE THIS BOOK.COM
Has Donna Leon met her match?
Maxim Jakubowski. LOVEREADING.CO.UK
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 4, 2019
The American is a complex, intricate tale of international espionage and intrigue that weaves through Italy, the US and the walls of the Vatican. It is the follow-up to Nadia Dalbuono's stunning debut, The Few, featuring her flawed protagonist, Leone Scamarcio, who is back in The American.
Detective Scamarcio is called to the scene of an apparent suicide, one who appears to be an American businessman. But Scamarcio is suspicious when he discovers plaster in the man's pockets. The set-up is reminiscent of a decades old murder of "God's Banker," the Vatican's treasurer. When a Cardinal with links to the church's bank is killed and the US government sends in "agents" to threaten Scamarcio, he knows he is onto to something big - and something dangerous. He's right. As the investigation continues, there are links to every dirty war, conspiracy, "hit" job throughout the past few decades and Scamarcio becomes the target of mobs, governments and the church who all have something to hide and do whatever is necessary to keep their secrets hidden.
The American is an expertly written, fabulously researched and an intensely laid out thriller. There have been times when I've read international authors where I became a bit "lost in translation," but that never was the case with The American. It is a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat story that will hold your attention throughout. If ever a series should be put on the screen, it is this one! The intrigue and suspense is palpable throughout.
I did read The Few, the first book in this series, and I like how Scamarcio is evolving as a character. There are times when a flawed protagonist gets worse or their bad behavior becomes piggish, that is not the case with Scamarcio. He is handled very deftly. Because this is the second in the series, I would strongly suggest that you begin with The Few. While this could be read as a stand alone, I wouldn't recommend it. I do, however, absolutely recommend both books to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense, international intrigue or well written fiction!
Thank you #Netgalley, and #ScribeUS for my copy of this terrific thriller
Detective Scamarcio is called to the scene of an apparent suicide, one who appears to be an American businessman. But Scamarcio is suspicious when he discovers plaster in the man's pockets. The set-up is reminiscent of a decades old murder of "God's Banker," the Vatican's treasurer. When a Cardinal with links to the church's bank is killed and the US government sends in "agents" to threaten Scamarcio, he knows he is onto to something big - and something dangerous. He's right. As the investigation continues, there are links to every dirty war, conspiracy, "hit" job throughout the past few decades and Scamarcio becomes the target of mobs, governments and the church who all have something to hide and do whatever is necessary to keep their secrets hidden.
The American is an expertly written, fabulously researched and an intensely laid out thriller. There have been times when I've read international authors where I became a bit "lost in translation," but that never was the case with The American. It is a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat story that will hold your attention throughout. If ever a series should be put on the screen, it is this one! The intrigue and suspense is palpable throughout.
I did read The Few, the first book in this series, and I like how Scamarcio is evolving as a character. There are times when a flawed protagonist gets worse or their bad behavior becomes piggish, that is not the case with Scamarcio. He is handled very deftly. Because this is the second in the series, I would strongly suggest that you begin with The Few. While this could be read as a stand alone, I wouldn't recommend it. I do, however, absolutely recommend both books to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense, international intrigue or well written fiction!
Thank you #Netgalley, and #ScribeUS for my copy of this terrific thriller
February 10, 2016
The American – A Brilliant Follow Up
When Nadia Dalbuono made she crime debut with The Few it earned rave reviews, for not just its brilliant storyline, or being based in Rome or the excellent use of prose, it was a mixture of all with a stunning pace thrown in. A major new talent, with a bright future ahead of her and with her latest thriller has not only equalled but surpassed The Few, but The American is simply brilliant.
The American asks some tough questions of Detective Leone Scamarcio whether he can balance his own private life during an investigation and not bring Rome’s Flying Squad in to disrepute. This is not easy for him when both the Church and the State, and its allies are conspiring against the police investigation and anyone he may come in contact with.
This is a brilliantly researched thriller that gives nods to the Years of Lead and American interference through the CIA, in Italian and European affairs during the Cold War. As well as how CIA funds were funnelled through the Vatican for Solidarity and Contras in Nicaragua and how that double dealing is starting to unravel around the CIA and the Vatican. At the same time the conspiracy theories that run wild about the actions of the Americans in the Middle East. The scope of this thriller is it literally crosses the seas and back and everyone from a Pope down could be a suspect. This is a world where nobody can be trusted, all have blood on their hands and at times some of the honest men are the criminals.
Detective Leone Scamarcio is on duty and called out to a body under the Ponte Sant’Angelo an apparent suicide with a nod to an historic murder of the Vatican Banker in London during the 80s. Scamarcio rapidly learns things are not going to be easy, especially when the body of the dead man disappears from the morgue. With the murder of a Cardinal in the Vatican a couple of days later Scamarcio is convinced there is a connection but getting blocked at every attempt to move forward.
At every move he realised that he is being watched, at the same time upsetting a mafia family as well as being blocked and threatened at every turn by some unknown Americans. He is not helped by his own State machinery as they attempt to close down his investigation at every attempt.
Leone Scamarcio character is developing yet further throughout this novel as we see his tenacity as he attempts to uncover the truth. At the same time we also see that Scamarcio cannot escape his past and that of his father as he is often reminded of it at any opportunity. He also realise the conflict that gives him especially as every time he tries to up hold law and order it is the justice system that lets him down every time.
Nadia Dalbuono’s writing impresses yet again in The American as she weaves together an intricate plot, taking the Cold War, CIA, Mafia, history, Vatican, politics and secrets in to a wonderful story. Dalbuono’s intricate plot could easily fail with so many strands but she has successfully brought everything together and gives us a stunning thriller. The prose that she uses makes this book an absolute pleasure to read, keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This is an intelligent crime thriller that delivers on every level and takes you through the beauty of Rome to the depths of society.
When Nadia Dalbuono made she crime debut with The Few it earned rave reviews, for not just its brilliant storyline, or being based in Rome or the excellent use of prose, it was a mixture of all with a stunning pace thrown in. A major new talent, with a bright future ahead of her and with her latest thriller has not only equalled but surpassed The Few, but The American is simply brilliant.
The American asks some tough questions of Detective Leone Scamarcio whether he can balance his own private life during an investigation and not bring Rome’s Flying Squad in to disrepute. This is not easy for him when both the Church and the State, and its allies are conspiring against the police investigation and anyone he may come in contact with.
This is a brilliantly researched thriller that gives nods to the Years of Lead and American interference through the CIA, in Italian and European affairs during the Cold War. As well as how CIA funds were funnelled through the Vatican for Solidarity and Contras in Nicaragua and how that double dealing is starting to unravel around the CIA and the Vatican. At the same time the conspiracy theories that run wild about the actions of the Americans in the Middle East. The scope of this thriller is it literally crosses the seas and back and everyone from a Pope down could be a suspect. This is a world where nobody can be trusted, all have blood on their hands and at times some of the honest men are the criminals.
Detective Leone Scamarcio is on duty and called out to a body under the Ponte Sant’Angelo an apparent suicide with a nod to an historic murder of the Vatican Banker in London during the 80s. Scamarcio rapidly learns things are not going to be easy, especially when the body of the dead man disappears from the morgue. With the murder of a Cardinal in the Vatican a couple of days later Scamarcio is convinced there is a connection but getting blocked at every attempt to move forward.
At every move he realised that he is being watched, at the same time upsetting a mafia family as well as being blocked and threatened at every turn by some unknown Americans. He is not helped by his own State machinery as they attempt to close down his investigation at every attempt.
Leone Scamarcio character is developing yet further throughout this novel as we see his tenacity as he attempts to uncover the truth. At the same time we also see that Scamarcio cannot escape his past and that of his father as he is often reminded of it at any opportunity. He also realise the conflict that gives him especially as every time he tries to up hold law and order it is the justice system that lets him down every time.
Nadia Dalbuono’s writing impresses yet again in The American as she weaves together an intricate plot, taking the Cold War, CIA, Mafia, history, Vatican, politics and secrets in to a wonderful story. Dalbuono’s intricate plot could easily fail with so many strands but she has successfully brought everything together and gives us a stunning thriller. The prose that she uses makes this book an absolute pleasure to read, keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This is an intelligent crime thriller that delivers on every level and takes you through the beauty of Rome to the depths of society.
January 17, 2016
Reviewed on my blog - Books by Proxy
5 Stars
The Few, Nadia Dalbuono’s first Leone Scamarcio crime thriller, was a stunning debut and came out on top in my favourite reads of 2015. But now there is a serious contender to take its crown with the 2016 release of the next Leone Scamarcio thriller – The American.
This is a complex, intricately woven tale led by a conflicted and intelligent protagonist who consistently finds himself drawn into the darker side of Rome, whilst hindered by the, ever frustrating, Italian justice system. And it completely blew me away. This is a thriller rooted in conspiracy with a scope so huge that it stretches far across the globe; with a surfeit of criminals and mobsters, politicians and priests, this is a narrative embroiled in the darkest depths of world politics which is at once utterly absorbing and incredibly difficult to put down. This is a world where no one’s hands are clean and nobody can be wholly trusted.
-
When a man is found hanged at the Ponte Sant’Angelo with apparent links to an historic case, Detective Leone Scamarcio finds himself entangled in a complex web of conspiracy which stretches across time and history with far reaching implications. With suspicious links to the Vatican and little to no communication from the Vatican Police, the apparent and bloody involvement of the mafia, and a mysterious American secret service agency vying to counter his every move, Scamarcio must countermand his superiors to solve the crime before he becomes just another body floating down the river.
The American is a superbly crafted, incredibly tangled and ultimately thrilling tale which completely absorbed me from start to finish. Rome is depicted in a violent clash of blood and beauty, coming to life with the expert portrayal of both its stark and rich splendour and its dark and dirty underworld. Dalbuono does not romanticise but her writing is so rich and her descriptions are so vivid that it’s not hard to feel an instant connection to the city, and indeed, the case.
Leone Scamarcio continues to develop as a conflicted protagonist who, despite his best efforts to enforce justice, consistently finds himself stonewalled by the Italian judiciary system which is mired in an excess of bureaucracy. With a past firmly rooted in the mafia, Scamarcio must constantly choose between this defunct system of government and the dangerous but effective trade of information and favours which tie him to the criminal organisations of his past. And, with time against him, who he decides to place his trust in could quite literally be a matter of life and death.
Dalbuono’s writing continues to impress as she weaves her incredibly tangled web of cold war tension, world politics, government secrets and organised crime. And she doesn’t drop the thread once. The American is a fast-paced, thrilling tale which deserves a reputation amongst the greats of crime fiction and will undoubtedly remain a favourite of mine for years to come. Dalbuono, whilst consistently compared to Donna Leon, has a scale and scope to her writing which is so great, and a narrative so thrilling and rooted in danger, that the Leone Scamarcio thrillers deserve to be recognised in their own right.
-
The American is a novel which will have you on the edge of your seat, casting an eye of suspicion upon powerful governments across the globe and, whilst there are hints and links back to The Few throughout the novel (and perhaps a few spoilers), can essentially be read as a stand alone novel. By the time it comes to a close however, you will be in desperate need of another Scamarcio fix as Dalbuono leaves you thrilled, amazed and on tenterhooks for her next novel. If you a hungering for a fast-paced and intelligent crime thriller, then you must try out the writing of Nadia Dalbuono – she never fails to impress.
5 Stars
The Few, Nadia Dalbuono’s first Leone Scamarcio crime thriller, was a stunning debut and came out on top in my favourite reads of 2015. But now there is a serious contender to take its crown with the 2016 release of the next Leone Scamarcio thriller – The American.
This is a complex, intricately woven tale led by a conflicted and intelligent protagonist who consistently finds himself drawn into the darker side of Rome, whilst hindered by the, ever frustrating, Italian justice system. And it completely blew me away. This is a thriller rooted in conspiracy with a scope so huge that it stretches far across the globe; with a surfeit of criminals and mobsters, politicians and priests, this is a narrative embroiled in the darkest depths of world politics which is at once utterly absorbing and incredibly difficult to put down. This is a world where no one’s hands are clean and nobody can be wholly trusted.
-
When a man is found hanged at the Ponte Sant’Angelo with apparent links to an historic case, Detective Leone Scamarcio finds himself entangled in a complex web of conspiracy which stretches across time and history with far reaching implications. With suspicious links to the Vatican and little to no communication from the Vatican Police, the apparent and bloody involvement of the mafia, and a mysterious American secret service agency vying to counter his every move, Scamarcio must countermand his superiors to solve the crime before he becomes just another body floating down the river.
The American is a superbly crafted, incredibly tangled and ultimately thrilling tale which completely absorbed me from start to finish. Rome is depicted in a violent clash of blood and beauty, coming to life with the expert portrayal of both its stark and rich splendour and its dark and dirty underworld. Dalbuono does not romanticise but her writing is so rich and her descriptions are so vivid that it’s not hard to feel an instant connection to the city, and indeed, the case.
Leone Scamarcio continues to develop as a conflicted protagonist who, despite his best efforts to enforce justice, consistently finds himself stonewalled by the Italian judiciary system which is mired in an excess of bureaucracy. With a past firmly rooted in the mafia, Scamarcio must constantly choose between this defunct system of government and the dangerous but effective trade of information and favours which tie him to the criminal organisations of his past. And, with time against him, who he decides to place his trust in could quite literally be a matter of life and death.
Dalbuono’s writing continues to impress as she weaves her incredibly tangled web of cold war tension, world politics, government secrets and organised crime. And she doesn’t drop the thread once. The American is a fast-paced, thrilling tale which deserves a reputation amongst the greats of crime fiction and will undoubtedly remain a favourite of mine for years to come. Dalbuono, whilst consistently compared to Donna Leon, has a scale and scope to her writing which is so great, and a narrative so thrilling and rooted in danger, that the Leone Scamarcio thrillers deserve to be recognised in their own right.
-
The American is a novel which will have you on the edge of your seat, casting an eye of suspicion upon powerful governments across the globe and, whilst there are hints and links back to The Few throughout the novel (and perhaps a few spoilers), can essentially be read as a stand alone novel. By the time it comes to a close however, you will be in desperate need of another Scamarcio fix as Dalbuono leaves you thrilled, amazed and on tenterhooks for her next novel. If you a hungering for a fast-paced and intelligent crime thriller, then you must try out the writing of Nadia Dalbuono – she never fails to impress.
December 1, 2015
The second book to feature the Italian detective Scamarcio builds upon the dark nature of the character touched upon in THE FEW; the clean cop who wants justice, yet one who is willing to venture into the badlands of the other side of the law to get it. His close association with a prominent underworld figure is key as Scamarcio fights politics, corruption, and religion to solve two murders.
THE AMERICAN is a crime mystery swathed in unpredictability. Author Nadia Dalbuono never lets the reader get too comfortable as motives, corruption, and lies move like the undercurrents of a murky river camouflaging the truth.
I love reading international crime fiction and THE AMERICAN provides a nice avenue for adventure into other parts of the world; a mechanism to explore, if only from a birds eye view the procedural aspects which intertwine fact with fiction to formulate a complex narrative that is as readable as it is believable across different continents.
THE AMERICAN is a well paced book that outshines its predecessor, THE FEW, and has an explosive ending that is sure to send ripples throughout the later books in the series. I really liked this one.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
THE AMERICAN is a crime mystery swathed in unpredictability. Author Nadia Dalbuono never lets the reader get too comfortable as motives, corruption, and lies move like the undercurrents of a murky river camouflaging the truth.
I love reading international crime fiction and THE AMERICAN provides a nice avenue for adventure into other parts of the world; a mechanism to explore, if only from a birds eye view the procedural aspects which intertwine fact with fiction to formulate a complex narrative that is as readable as it is believable across different continents.
THE AMERICAN is a well paced book that outshines its predecessor, THE FEW, and has an explosive ending that is sure to send ripples throughout the later books in the series. I really liked this one.
http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
January 24, 2016
Having waxed lyrical about Dalbuono’s debut The Few (which also earned a well deserved place in my Top 5 of 2014), I approached The American with an equal sense of excited anticipation and hesitation- could it honestly be the equal of the first one? I can, however, confidently say with its scope, intelligence, and assured writing that it’s even better. What Dalbuono exhibits in this second book is a further growth in her writing and storytelling that is totally mesmerising. Not only does she have the firm foundation of a mercurial, interesting and multi-faceted central detective who owns every scene he inhabits, but there is an intelligence to her plotting and central storyline that keeps the reader hooked throughout.
June 4, 2016
Nadia Dalbuono's novel The American is a complex thriller set in Rome. It's the second story in the Leone Scarmacio series and follows Detective Scarmacio's investigation into the death of a man that draws him in to the world of the Mafia and corruption in the Vatican. I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways and look forward to reading more books in this series.
Read
June 8, 2018A rollercoaster ride … Unsettling but compelling.
The Sun
[P]its the little guy against the global forces that shaped the late twentieth and early twenty first century behind the scenes … a taut, well constructed thriller.
PS News
The Sun
[P]its the little guy against the global forces that shaped the late twentieth and early twenty first century behind the scenes … a taut, well constructed thriller.
PS News
January 20, 2016
It takes a certain level of chutzpah to tackle big global themes in a police procedural, but an equal if not greater measure of panache to pull off. Luckily for readers, Nadia Dalbuono has both in spades and The American, a sequel to her brilliant debut The Few, is a novel that amply demonstrates the author’s not inconsiderable talents.
Once again we are with Detective Leone Scamarcio, of the Rome police Flying Squad. The son of a Mafiosi, he is distrusted by many of his colleagues in the police force. While this suspicion is on the whole unjust – he is an honest cop committed to the rule of law - he remains conflicted between a desire to turn his back on the mafia once and for all and the ease through which he can short cut the infamous clunking Italian judiciary by use of his uncle’s criminal contacts. As with the previous novel, the Faustian Pact he strikes and his attempt to walk the tightrope between legality and illegality adds a gripping undercurrent of existential risk to Scamarcio’s character arc.
The main plot involves an even bigger conspiracy than that which appeared in The Few, though the child pornographers and killers from that story remain in the background and may well seek some sort of vengeance in a future book. This time Scamarcio attends the scene of an apparent suicide only to be dragged into a conspiracy that embraces the world of international espionage and great power politics.
But this is no purely fictional scandal. Like Oliver Stone with his film JFK, Dalbuono utilises a strong factual base to weave her story. The Vatican’s role in supporting both the Solidarity movement in Poland and less wholesome movements in Latin America is touched upon. As is Operation Gladio, the so-called stay behind armies, which the United States prepared in Western Europe in the 1960’s for the event that the continent fell to a Soviet invasion. The links between Gladio and the political violence Italy experienced in the 1970’s is also dealt with. All of this is well-documented historical fact and Dalbuono weaves it into her narrative without ever overburdening the story or slowing the pace.
Finally she adds the fictional layer that drives her story forward to the present day. Or at least, I sincerely hope it’s fictional. And this is where my earlier comparison with Oliver Stone’s JFK is apt. For as Stone took historical detail from the era of Kennedy’s assassination and used it to build a narrative suggestive of conspiracy, Dalbuono takes the facts outlined above and uses them to suggest that 9/11 was the Vatican and Gladio’s bastard offspring.
I’m generally sceptical of conspiracy theory. The idea that there are dark actors pulling the strings of history seems fanciful to me. Gladio is a good illustration of this: while some might argue that the political violence that Italy suffered in the 1970’s was a desired outcome of the plotters, that it prevented the country from going Communist, an equally strong case could be made for it being a disaster borne of ineptitude. Much of the evidence to emerge on Gladio over the past forty years is that the CIA armed a plethora of far right nutcases, fantasists and lunatics, that they had little control over their proxies, and that the violence of the seventies led to the whole deck of cards collapsing.
If this seems like I’m going off on a tangent, then bear with me. For what I’m suggesting is that while on the whole I’m suspicious of conspiracy theory and would never normally entertain the notion that 9/11 was a US plot, the brilliance of this book is that by the end of it I was starting to doubt my own certainty. This book had me almost convinced the Sept 11th attacks were a put up job, that Osama bin Laden was nothing but a CIA puppet, and that the whole edifice of the “war on terror” was a cynical plot to persuade Western publics to support war with no end.
If this review makes The American sound too heavy, more textbook or polemic, then please don’t misunderstand. The American is a compelling page-turner of a thriller, complete with likeable protagonist in Leone Scamarcio. But while Nadia Dalbuono has been compared to Donna Leone, I would argue that a better comparison would be with the greats of alternate and counterfactual history, writers like James Ellroy and David Peace.
Brilliant and inspired, this is a novel you don’t’ want to miss and I applaud the scale of Nadia Dalbuono’s talent and ambition.
Once again we are with Detective Leone Scamarcio, of the Rome police Flying Squad. The son of a Mafiosi, he is distrusted by many of his colleagues in the police force. While this suspicion is on the whole unjust – he is an honest cop committed to the rule of law - he remains conflicted between a desire to turn his back on the mafia once and for all and the ease through which he can short cut the infamous clunking Italian judiciary by use of his uncle’s criminal contacts. As with the previous novel, the Faustian Pact he strikes and his attempt to walk the tightrope between legality and illegality adds a gripping undercurrent of existential risk to Scamarcio’s character arc.
The main plot involves an even bigger conspiracy than that which appeared in The Few, though the child pornographers and killers from that story remain in the background and may well seek some sort of vengeance in a future book. This time Scamarcio attends the scene of an apparent suicide only to be dragged into a conspiracy that embraces the world of international espionage and great power politics.
But this is no purely fictional scandal. Like Oliver Stone with his film JFK, Dalbuono utilises a strong factual base to weave her story. The Vatican’s role in supporting both the Solidarity movement in Poland and less wholesome movements in Latin America is touched upon. As is Operation Gladio, the so-called stay behind armies, which the United States prepared in Western Europe in the 1960’s for the event that the continent fell to a Soviet invasion. The links between Gladio and the political violence Italy experienced in the 1970’s is also dealt with. All of this is well-documented historical fact and Dalbuono weaves it into her narrative without ever overburdening the story or slowing the pace.
Finally she adds the fictional layer that drives her story forward to the present day. Or at least, I sincerely hope it’s fictional. And this is where my earlier comparison with Oliver Stone’s JFK is apt. For as Stone took historical detail from the era of Kennedy’s assassination and used it to build a narrative suggestive of conspiracy, Dalbuono takes the facts outlined above and uses them to suggest that 9/11 was the Vatican and Gladio’s bastard offspring.
I’m generally sceptical of conspiracy theory. The idea that there are dark actors pulling the strings of history seems fanciful to me. Gladio is a good illustration of this: while some might argue that the political violence that Italy suffered in the 1970’s was a desired outcome of the plotters, that it prevented the country from going Communist, an equally strong case could be made for it being a disaster borne of ineptitude. Much of the evidence to emerge on Gladio over the past forty years is that the CIA armed a plethora of far right nutcases, fantasists and lunatics, that they had little control over their proxies, and that the violence of the seventies led to the whole deck of cards collapsing.
If this seems like I’m going off on a tangent, then bear with me. For what I’m suggesting is that while on the whole I’m suspicious of conspiracy theory and would never normally entertain the notion that 9/11 was a US plot, the brilliance of this book is that by the end of it I was starting to doubt my own certainty. This book had me almost convinced the Sept 11th attacks were a put up job, that Osama bin Laden was nothing but a CIA puppet, and that the whole edifice of the “war on terror” was a cynical plot to persuade Western publics to support war with no end.
If this review makes The American sound too heavy, more textbook or polemic, then please don’t misunderstand. The American is a compelling page-turner of a thriller, complete with likeable protagonist in Leone Scamarcio. But while Nadia Dalbuono has been compared to Donna Leone, I would argue that a better comparison would be with the greats of alternate and counterfactual history, writers like James Ellroy and David Peace.
Brilliant and inspired, this is a novel you don’t’ want to miss and I applaud the scale of Nadia Dalbuono’s talent and ambition.
January 22, 2016
When I was offered the opportunity to read this book for review and to participate in the official blog tour to celebrate its publication, I was thrilled. You see, the book cover claims that if you don't love it as much as Donna Leon, you can have your money back.
Now, I adore Venice: it is one of my soul places. Following our wonderful week on Dorsoduro in October 2007, it calls me back and I long to return. One of my dear blog-friends, Britt-Arnhild, suggested I might enjoy the books of Donna Leon and I have done so, ever since. I feel that, in her books, Venice is as much a character as the wonderful Commissario Guido Brunetti, so that it is like visiting the place all over again.
So, I imagined reliving our 2011 week in Rome when reading The American, with my map and maybe guide book to hand, as well as revisiting my holiday snaps to illustrate this blog post.
I remember feeling overwhelmed by the concentration of so much antiquity in Rome. It is very beautiful and full of interest, so much to see and fat more than one can really see and absorb in a week.
We took an open bus tour from beside the Terminale on our first day, to orientate ourselves to the city, so we saw a lot of places and sights. Most of our sightseeing was by bus and on foot, a struggle for me as I walk with two sticks and have balance problems in crowded places, but I pushed my limits and enjoyed seeing this beautiful city (and the Vatican City, of course: separate yet very much woven into the fabric of Rome itself).
I think perhaps it is a disservice to compare Nadia Dalbuono's books to those of Donna Leon. Yes, both are about detectives working to solve crime in their own Italian cities, but otherwise they are quite, quite different in style, atmosphere and scope. Whereas Brunetti has a comfortable and happy family home life to sustain him, Scamarcio is much more of a loner. Both a pleasure to read, but divergent experiences.
The American reveals a maze of issues, from corruption in high places to caring for one's loved ones. Lovers of conspiracy theories (maybe fans of Dan Brown, for instance, but don't let that put you off if it threatens to do so) will find plenty to enjoy in this excellent book. The hard thing in reviewing a novel is not to spoil the surprises in the unfolding of the twists and turns of the plot, so I'll leave the tale for you to discover. I found this story shocking, haunting and highly credible, beautifully written with good character development and excellent pacing. There were subtle insights into contemporary Roman living, and of course one does not see one's home as visitors see it. We take for granted what is around us all the time. It did, however, make me feel I want to return and spend time in Trastevere, which we missed out on last time.
Do read The American, and watch out for more of Nadia Dalbuono's intelligent, engaging, entertaining and thrilling writing - I am now planning to read its prequel, The Few. The American is a cracking book.
Now, I adore Venice: it is one of my soul places. Following our wonderful week on Dorsoduro in October 2007, it calls me back and I long to return. One of my dear blog-friends, Britt-Arnhild, suggested I might enjoy the books of Donna Leon and I have done so, ever since. I feel that, in her books, Venice is as much a character as the wonderful Commissario Guido Brunetti, so that it is like visiting the place all over again.
So, I imagined reliving our 2011 week in Rome when reading The American, with my map and maybe guide book to hand, as well as revisiting my holiday snaps to illustrate this blog post.
I remember feeling overwhelmed by the concentration of so much antiquity in Rome. It is very beautiful and full of interest, so much to see and fat more than one can really see and absorb in a week.
We took an open bus tour from beside the Terminale on our first day, to orientate ourselves to the city, so we saw a lot of places and sights. Most of our sightseeing was by bus and on foot, a struggle for me as I walk with two sticks and have balance problems in crowded places, but I pushed my limits and enjoyed seeing this beautiful city (and the Vatican City, of course: separate yet very much woven into the fabric of Rome itself).
I think perhaps it is a disservice to compare Nadia Dalbuono's books to those of Donna Leon. Yes, both are about detectives working to solve crime in their own Italian cities, but otherwise they are quite, quite different in style, atmosphere and scope. Whereas Brunetti has a comfortable and happy family home life to sustain him, Scamarcio is much more of a loner. Both a pleasure to read, but divergent experiences.
The American reveals a maze of issues, from corruption in high places to caring for one's loved ones. Lovers of conspiracy theories (maybe fans of Dan Brown, for instance, but don't let that put you off if it threatens to do so) will find plenty to enjoy in this excellent book. The hard thing in reviewing a novel is not to spoil the surprises in the unfolding of the twists and turns of the plot, so I'll leave the tale for you to discover. I found this story shocking, haunting and highly credible, beautifully written with good character development and excellent pacing. There were subtle insights into contemporary Roman living, and of course one does not see one's home as visitors see it. We take for granted what is around us all the time. It did, however, make me feel I want to return and spend time in Trastevere, which we missed out on last time.
Do read The American, and watch out for more of Nadia Dalbuono's intelligent, engaging, entertaining and thrilling writing - I am now planning to read its prequel, The Few. The American is a cracking book.
October 20, 2015
An excellent conspiracy narrative.
My View:
A complex, intriguing and engaging tale of corruption, manipulation, politics and greed – the perfect book to make you think about the global village we live in.
What I love about this novel? Many things, including the complexity of the narrative – written with intelligence, the plot is so plausible, you can imagine something like this has actually happened/ is happening. The sub plot- regarding the Mafia and how a basically good man can be corrupted /exploited is interesting to observe. The characters – are empathetic and realistic – reasonable individuals placed in difficult situations and did I mention the settings - so visual, I could easily imagine myself sitting in a café in a little side street in a small town or city in Italy drinking my espresso, watching the world go by.
This great thriller will engage and intrigue, unfortunately we now have to wait till the next book is released to find out what happens next to Scarmarcio.
My View:
A complex, intriguing and engaging tale of corruption, manipulation, politics and greed – the perfect book to make you think about the global village we live in.
What I love about this novel? Many things, including the complexity of the narrative – written with intelligence, the plot is so plausible, you can imagine something like this has actually happened/ is happening. The sub plot- regarding the Mafia and how a basically good man can be corrupted /exploited is interesting to observe. The characters – are empathetic and realistic – reasonable individuals placed in difficult situations and did I mention the settings - so visual, I could easily imagine myself sitting in a café in a little side street in a small town or city in Italy drinking my espresso, watching the world go by.
This great thriller will engage and intrigue, unfortunately we now have to wait till the next book is released to find out what happens next to Scarmarcio.
September 14, 2015
The American is the second in a series featuring Leone Scamarcio, a detective in Rome.
Although the plot is stand alone I think it would have added to my enjoyment to have read The Few (the first book in the series) to gain background on the main characters.
The protagonist is assigned to a murder where his investigation leads to the involvement of governments, The Vatican, the Mafia and the conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11.
I loved the bravery and commitment of Scamarcio in his efforts to solve this case.
The American is a complex, sophisticated thriller that held my attention from start to finish.
Hopefully there will be other books in this series.
I was lucky enough to win this book through Goodreads.
Thank you to the publisher.
Although the plot is stand alone I think it would have added to my enjoyment to have read The Few (the first book in the series) to gain background on the main characters.
The protagonist is assigned to a murder where his investigation leads to the involvement of governments, The Vatican, the Mafia and the conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11.
I loved the bravery and commitment of Scamarcio in his efforts to solve this case.
The American is a complex, sophisticated thriller that held my attention from start to finish.
Hopefully there will be other books in this series.
I was lucky enough to win this book through Goodreads.
Thank you to the publisher.
January 20, 2016
Review can currently be seen at https://crimeworm.wordpress.com/ - will cut and paste as soon as I get to my laptop!
June 1, 2021
The American is a detective novel that is intriguing.
Detective Scamarcio is called to a suicide, close to the Vatican, where an American man has hung himself off a bridge. Soon a Cardinal who works at the Vatican is also killed, and the suicide doesn't seem like a suicide anymore. There are things that Scamarcia is troubled by. Things that don't make sense. But the more he pries into the circumstances, the more he is threatened by American men who appear to be CIA? FBI? He isn't sure, but they definitely want him off the case. But he can't give up, and that gets him in trouble.
Scamarcio has his own personal issues, involving a romance the gets even more complicated because of this case. It makes him human and personal issues are helpful to become attached to characters in a series of books. The American is the second in the series and not having read the first did not seem to impact my enjoyment of this one, although things like his relationships carry over from the first novel.
There are a lot of characters, and it would have helped if I had read this book more quickly (which never seems to happen anymore.) The American is a bit more complex than some who-done-its that I read, and I don't mean that as a negative. The ending had a surprise that I didn't see coming which added even more to my positive opinion.
If you enjoy police procedurals with a lot of intrigue and guessing, I think you will like The American. I may go back and read the first book, The Few. There are currently a total of five books in the series.
Detective Scamarcio is called to a suicide, close to the Vatican, where an American man has hung himself off a bridge. Soon a Cardinal who works at the Vatican is also killed, and the suicide doesn't seem like a suicide anymore. There are things that Scamarcia is troubled by. Things that don't make sense. But the more he pries into the circumstances, the more he is threatened by American men who appear to be CIA? FBI? He isn't sure, but they definitely want him off the case. But he can't give up, and that gets him in trouble.
Scamarcio has his own personal issues, involving a romance the gets even more complicated because of this case. It makes him human and personal issues are helpful to become attached to characters in a series of books. The American is the second in the series and not having read the first did not seem to impact my enjoyment of this one, although things like his relationships carry over from the first novel.
There are a lot of characters, and it would have helped if I had read this book more quickly (which never seems to happen anymore.) The American is a bit more complex than some who-done-its that I read, and I don't mean that as a negative. The ending had a surprise that I didn't see coming which added even more to my positive opinion.
If you enjoy police procedurals with a lot of intrigue and guessing, I think you will like The American. I may go back and read the first book, The Few. There are currently a total of five books in the series.
September 15, 2019
This is a fast-paced thriller with some entertaining villains and a conflicted hero who you can't help but root for; Leone Scamarcio, son of an Italian mobster, is a wonderful creation, a resourceful, ambitious human being put in some awful positions. The book takes conspiracy theories far too seriously, in my opinion, particularly the truther nonsense about 9/11. Still, it was entertaining enough that I would read another in the series.
I wonder if Scamarcio's first name is an homage to Donna Leon, a master of the inferential conspiracy thriller genre.
This book would have benefited from a much tighter editing job. At one point (pages 222-223 in the paperback edition), there's a number string that Scamarcio converts into an alpha-numeric string, an address, by use of a simple decoding method. The problem is that the first four numbers, he decides, should remain as numbers, specifically, "3762". Unfortunately, those are not the first four numbers as originally presented. Twenty pages later, Scamarcio is reportedly riding on 95 South in Toyota that "was rasping at 120 kmph".
I wonder if Scamarcio's first name is an homage to Donna Leon, a master of the inferential conspiracy thriller genre.
This book would have benefited from a much tighter editing job. At one point (pages 222-223 in the paperback edition), there's a number string that Scamarcio converts into an alpha-numeric string, an address, by use of a simple decoding method. The problem is that the first four numbers, he decides, should remain as numbers, specifically, "3762". Unfortunately, those are not the first four numbers as originally presented. Twenty pages later, Scamarcio is reportedly riding on 95 South in Toyota that "was rasping at 120 kmph".
March 10, 2018
This was quite a complicated book to read, and just as I was beginning to believe that conspiracies are alive and well, the story turned on its head. Quite a page-turning book, to be read slowly and carefully, as I became quite confused at times. It wasn’t immediately obvious that the flashbacks belonged to Carter, but there were so many names beginning with the same initials eg the Pathologist and Scarmarcio’s boss were similar and I had to think twice each time they were mentioned. I felt all the loose edns were not tied up, there were still dark forces lurking in the Vatican. I was disappointed that I couldn’t connect with the Scarmarcio and found myself not caring if he solved the case or not. There was nothing particularly likeable about him and was pleased when his girlfriend moved to Germany.
September 23, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author but it will not be the last. It is the second book in this series (I'm going back to read the first!!) and it really kept me on the edge of my seat!! Leone Scamarcio is a very likeable but very flawed character. I found myself wanting to shake him. I would love to see him serialised on TV. I will definitely be following him in future (and past) books. I highly recommend this book!!
September 21, 2017
This is the first of this author that I have read and I have found it immensely enjoyable and thought provoking! i would recommend this to anyone and plan on reading the other is the series!
Thanks Nadia for a great book!
Thanks Nadia for a great book!
May 10, 2020
with a 1/2 because set in Rome! The second in the series and to be candid I found it somewhat laborious to read. I enjoyed the first much more than the follow up. Robert Calvi's death on Blackfriar's bridge come to mind....
October 12, 2020
A disappointment, no depth to any of the characters especially our lead detective. A long, contrived story that at times read like a history book. I got three if but that is it for me. The end of the line.
October 17, 2021
This is an interesting read with all the theories it raises. I hope they're not accurate, sound like conspiracy theories, but somehow they also seem to make some sense.
Another good book from Nadia Dalbuono with good characters and lots going on
Another good book from Nadia Dalbuono with good characters and lots going on
January 4, 2022
I was a bit disappointed in this one, having enjoyed The Few. I got the feeling I was attending a conspiracy theory convention, and with so many hares set racing - Calvi, Poland, the Red Brigade, Moro, the Contra, Bin Laden - the plot got lost and I really didn't care by the end.
September 22, 2017
A scarily believable, fast-paced thriller, set in Italy. Full of atmosphere and surprises. If I hadn't read it stave by stave with The Pigeonhole, I'd have devoured it in one or two sittings!
September 22, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Scamarcio is a flawed but engaging character and I love the atmosphere painted in these books.
January 15, 2018
More complex than I expected, good Italian context, great plot and characters. Pleased there are more to go!
July 11, 2020
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November 9, 2020
Not for me this one. Very complicated, difficult to follow. Felt absolutely no connection with the main character.
February 22, 2016
No, I did not like it, despite it having been recommended and me then checking it out on Amazon. I should have remembered that I found Michael Dibdin's police culture alien (and certainly didn't love this as much as Donna Leon), am disinterested in politics in a plot and find alien names hard to assimilate. So far, so my personal view. But I also found the writing wooden and the characters lacking in dimension and ultimately the whirlwind of coincidence and whodunwhat and why became too muddled to really care.
February 26, 2016
I received a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaways, the author and publisher.
The American by Nadia Dalbuono is a tale of political intrigue, murder and corruption.
For me this story was ‘slow to boil’ and did not live up to my expectations. However it did gain momentum towards the end which enhanced my reading experience.
The American by Nadia Dalbuono is a tale of political intrigue, murder and corruption.
For me this story was ‘slow to boil’ and did not live up to my expectations. However it did gain momentum towards the end which enhanced my reading experience.
March 4, 2016
I enjoyed Nadia Dalbuono's first novel featuring Leone Scarmacio but I couldn' get past the first couple of chapters of this one. Maybe its because I just don't care about a new conspiracy involving the Vatican because there have been so many of them, fiction or not.
February 20, 2016
Firstreads book, probably would have enjoyed it more if I'd read first book, I thought story was quite good but a few loose ends that will probably be tied up in next book
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