In a thriller of astounding menace and power, the acclaimed author of A Season for the Dead returns to the landscape he has made his ownR...
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reviews
Jan 16, 2009
bookczuk
rated it: 
I was so looking forward to reading this, after ejoying HEwson's Lucifer's shadow, but it turned out to be a crime thriller, set in Italy, but without tantalizing tidbits of food and wine that so many books include. The plot was not too bad-- a bit lame in some places, but there was a final twist I didn't expect.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
"In Rome's crowded Campo dei Fiori, a woman rushes up to two carabinieri lounging in their sunglasses and uniforms, insisting that her sixteen-ye More...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
"In Rome's crowded Campo dei Fiori, a woman rushes up to two carabinieri lounging in their sunglasses and uniforms, insisting that her sixteen-ye More...
May 10, 2009
Christian
rated it: 
Now here is the opposite of what Archer Mayor does...an inaccessible series. I am not sure if it was the fact that there were so many assumptions that you had read other books in the series, they way it read as if it had been translated from another language using one of those semi-poor free translation sites, the confusing array of characters or the fact that it took place in a legal/police system so different from our own but I finally gave up trying to slog my way through this.
I More...
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Feb 12, 2008
Nancy
rated it: 
Second in David Hewson's very good series featuring Nic Costa. I beg to differ with many people about this book -- I thought it was quite good, and I've already bought and plan to read next Hewson's Sacred Cut, 3rd in the series. I really enjoy a good mystery and this book did not disappoint. I would recommend it to readers who enjoyed Hewson's first novel in the series, A Season for the Dead, or others who enjoy a fine mystery set in Italy. Now listen: Hewson's book is NOT for people who pick u
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Jan 24, 2009
Chana
rated it:
Depraved, debauched, debased. The writing was inconsistent and confusing and sometimes just outright bad. It all starts with Romulus and Remus, and then centuries later there was this party (go ask Alice) that sets more trouble in motion. Although the characters and writing are pitifully inconsistent, the one thing the writer does well is surprises. One last thought: If this story was anything to go by; gangsters shouldn't have kids, they make terrible (!) parents.
May 14, 2011
Alan
rated it: 
I started reading the Nic Costa series past half way, and have gone back to the beginning to catch up with those i've missed.
A tale of ritual murder, the mafia and dark crimes this is one of the best in the series.
I judge a good book by one that I read in every spare moment, and this one is one of those.
The setting is bought alive by David Hewson's knowledge of Rome and this makes the crimes even more real.
A tale of ritual murder, the mafia and dark crimes this is one of the best in the series.
I judge a good book by one that I read in every spare moment, and this one is one of those.
The setting is bought alive by David Hewson's knowledge of Rome and this makes the crimes even more real.
Jan 11, 2012
Reetta
rated it:
Tuli luettua Costat väärässä järjestyksessä, mikä on suhteellisen ennenkuulumatonta.
Rooma on paikallaan, mafia-jutut mielenkiintoisia ja lopulta päädytään irstaisiin myytteihin ja Dionysos-kulttiin saakka. Naisten syyllistäminen olisi huolestuttanut, jos sitä kolmosta ei olisi tullut luettua jo aikaisemmin.
Aion tulevaisuudessa lukea KAIKKI Moreenin julkaisemat dekkarit. Aah.
Rooma on paikallaan, mafia-jutut mielenkiintoisia ja lopulta päädytään irstaisiin myytteihin ja Dionysos-kulttiin saakka. Naisten syyllistäminen olisi huolestuttanut, jos sitä kolmosta ei olisi tullut luettua jo aikaisemmin.
Aion tulevaisuudessa lukea KAIKKI Moreenin julkaisemat dekkarit. Aah.
Oct 18, 2011
Teresa
rated it:
I love the way Rome itself is such a character in this novel. This book is earlier in the series than the one I previously read and it is easy to see how the characters have developed over the interim. This story also concerns a teenage girl but is different enough so that there is no confusion.
Jan 24, 2010
Allie
rated it:
This book was very slow. It had a lot to set up so that you would understand what was going on but it made the majority of the book about details and description of people. When the reading was the story it was a great story and adventerous but that part was the end few chapters.
May 30, 2009
Evie
rated it:
Fascinating! A good detective read (Nic Costa, Italian detective), mixture of history, Italian police culture, a book I didn't want to put down...then I wanted to move on to the next one just to see what happens to Detective Costa and all the other interesting, somewhat gritty characters.
Sep 04, 2007
LJ
rated it:
THE VILLA OF MYSTERIES (Police Procedural-Rome-Cont) – G
David Hewson – 2nd in series
Macmillan, 2004 – U.K. Hardcover
Detective Nic Costa is investigating the apparent kidnapping of a young woman who bears a striking resemblance to a body found in a peat bog. Because of the dress and items found with the body, the pathologist first thinks the corpse is 2000 years old, but Nic proves the murder to have been much more current and is afraid history is about to repeat itself.
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David Hewson – 2nd in series
Macmillan, 2004 – U.K. Hardcover
Detective Nic Costa is investigating the apparent kidnapping of a young woman who bears a striking resemblance to a body found in a peat bog. Because of the dress and items found with the body, the pathologist first thinks the corpse is 2000 years old, but Nic proves the murder to have been much more current and is afraid history is about to repeat itself.
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Nov 07, 2007
Johnston
rated it:
If you love a good mystery and you've ever been to Rome, David Hewson's books are a must read. His prose can be dense at times, but once you get to know his central characters, Roman detectives Nick Costa and Gianni Peroni, you want to know more and more about them. Start here, with The Villa of the Mysteries. It follows a dark secret cult through Pompeii and gets you hooked on these detectives' unorthodox styles of crimefighting. He has been building this cast of characters for years, you will
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Aug 02, 2011
I enjoy the Roman setting, but the author has a tendency to refer to key plot points that happened in the past, without actually including the plot points in the narrative. Makes you wonder if you missed something.
Jan 04, 2008
Beverly
rated it:
I picked this book up as an unknown author based on the jacket blurb. Now we all know how trustworthy those are - "stupendous....enchanting....marvelous" I've not yet seen one that said "go read something else". But taking a chance expecting I could always give it up if it stunk. I have to say this was a real find. I really enjoyed the characters, at times there seemed almost too many to keep track of, but they were multidimensional and engaging. The plot was good and di
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Dec 15, 2011
Richard
rated it:
Nic Costa gets a new partner. Crime lords and Bacchae in modern Rome. Long, but holds one’s interest. Better than the first novel. Looking forward to more.
Aug 08, 2009
Sounded so promising - police detective in Rome. Not good. Author is mysogynist, not a single woman in the book is normal.
Nov 24, 2011
Linda
rated it:
I like these!!
Great characterisation and story telling!
Nic Costa intriguing guy and flawed in many ways!
Great characterisation and story telling!
Nic Costa intriguing guy and flawed in many ways!
Jun 04, 2009
Karen
rated it:
Loved this book!! The writing style is fantastic, the story made it difficult to put the book down.
David Hewson is quickly becoming my favorite author.
David Hewson is quickly becoming my favorite author.
Jan 08, 2012
Julia
rated it:
This was one of those mysteries admired, but at the same time it made me want to throw up.
A well-crafted mystery, pulling history, archeology, and crime fiction together. Unfortunately, the end is disturbing and sad.
A well-crafted mystery, pulling history, archeology, and crime fiction together. Unfortunately, the end is disturbing and sad.
Oct 17, 2010
Joanne
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2nd in the series. Lots of Roman atmosphere. Good story with lots of twists.
May 20, 2010
Matthew
rated it:
David Hewson brings back Detective Nic Costa in this continuing series. Nic has lost his father and is recovering mentally and physically as well as trying to dry-out. He has a new partner who at first seems very rough around the edges but turns out to be a pretty good guy.
The story revolves around a sixteen year-old body discovered in a peat marsh which unravels into a strange sex-crazed party involving the Italian and American mobs. A very good and interesting read.
The story revolves around a sixteen year-old body discovered in a peat marsh which unravels into a strange sex-crazed party involving the Italian and American mobs. A very good and interesting read.
Apr 27, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
This is one of the earlier books in the Nic Costa series. But nonetheless, it's a great read, with excellent settings in Italy, to make you picture yourself there. It has plenty of great action, when it deals with a missing person, that's connected to a sixteen-year-old murder, and with nasty nefarious characters from the mob. Plenty of suspense in every page-turning chapter, scene and part. Whether you're just starting or have read other books in the series, it's a great read.
Sep 09, 2010
Vivienne
rated it:
I didn't find this quite as strong as the first book in the Nic Costa series. Probably 3.5 stars rather than 4 but still quite a page-turner.
Hewson's use of ancient rituals and some truly macabre scenes engaged my interest. An engaging main character and supporting cast certainly means I shall be continuing to read this series.
Jun 06, 2008
Juliek
rated it:
Oh my. This is not my normal genre. I picked it up because I'm on an Italy kick... reading everything I can set in or about Rome and Amalfi.
It's a detective story set in Rome with a gruesome plot. For some reason I actually enjoyed the book... this is the kinda movie I would watch with Stephen but never see on my own.
It's a detective story set in Rome with a gruesome plot. For some reason I actually enjoyed the book... this is the kinda movie I would watch with Stephen but never see on my own.
Nov 27, 2009
Obisbooks
rated it: 
Nic is back for another case set in Rome, involving ancient rituals, the mob and a new partner.
Aug 04, 2007
ScottK
rated it:
I was lucky to find this book right after it came out in PB, as I have a hard time spending $25.00 for any book in HB. It is a great book,featuring Roman Police Detective Nic Costa,the first in a series.
Jul 31, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
David Hewson just misses the mark. I don't like his detective. Perhaps Hewson should be writing about an English rather than an Italian policeman?
Feb 29, 2008
James
rated it:
I had read a few other books by this author and this one wa his worst. The story never grabed me...
