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The Fallen Angel (Nic Costa #9)

3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 · rating details · 207 ratings · 57 reviews

Acclaimed author David Hewson returns with this mesmerizing new thriller featuring Nic Costa and the detectives of Rome's Questura. This time Costa must solve a case with roots buried deep in one of the ancient city's most infamous episodes--a story of incest, murder, and martyrdom.
It's August in Rome, and Nic Costa's vacation is about to be cut short by a scream, a girl...more

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by MacMillan

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Nov 30, 2011 Renee Alarid rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads and I have to say that I wish I knew about this series and the author before I read the novel because I know that I have probably missed some very valuable insight on the characters and the back-story of the book.

With that said, The Fallen Angel intrigued me from the start. I love murder mysteries and this was not a disappointment! Mr. Hewson made me want to get to know the characters and why or why not they were apart of the novel. The novel wa...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Blair McDowell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: my-reviews

I am an avid detective story fan, especially when the story is set in a place I love and the detective involved is thoughtful, insightful and intelligent – someone I would enjoy knowing outside the pages of a book. Donna Leon’s Venetian detective Guido Brunetti is the prime example I have encountered thus far in this genre. So when I compare David Hewson’s Roman police officer, Nic Costa, favorably to Leon’s Commissario Brunetti, it is the highest praise I can offer. Such books and such characte...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Lizzie Hayes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

On the last weekend of August Nic Costa is sitting on a bench on the Garibaldi Bridge in Rome with Agata Graziano, when he is attracted by a commotion and sees a pyjama clad girl with blood on her sitting next to a body on the ground, saying in English ‘Daddy’. The papers the next day report the tragic accident of British academic Malise Gabriel who fell to his death from a Rome apartment.

But Nic Costa senses that something is wrong, and that this is not a simple accident. The girl Mina brings...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Suspense Magazine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This ninth Nic Costa book follows closely on the heels of “City of Fear.” Nic's present adventure takes the reader deep into Rome, not only into the complex family life of the man, Gabriel, who has apparently plunged to his death from a faulty scaffold, but deep into the ancient Cenci family and the mythology that surrounds that fateful clan.
Three days into his August holiday, Nic comes upon a young English girl, Mina Gabriel, bending over her father’s dead form. The similarities to Beatrice Ce...more This ninth Nic Costa book follows closely on the heels of “City of Fear.” Nic's present adventure takes the reader deep into Rome, not only into the complex family life of the man, Gabriel, who has apparently plunged to his death from a faulty scaffold, but deep into the ancient Cenci family and the mythology that surrounds that fateful clan.
Three days into his August holiday, Nic comes upon a young English girl, Mina Gabriel, bending over her father’s dead form. The similarities to Beatrice Cenci, a tragic Roman figure, are striking. As are the parallels between the Gabriel family and the Cenci family. To begin with, the death happened on Via Beatrice Cenci, where the family has been staying. Something about the accident, about the way Mina looks at him and about the way her brother disappears after an enigmatic statement, ‘She's safe now,’ compels Nic to investigate, even thought it’s August and, as everyone reminds him, he’s on holiday.
So is almost everyone else at the Questura, the police department where Nic works. This makes investigation a little more difficult. The fact that the other police don’t at first think the death is suspicious gives Nic more problems. Why was Mr. Gabriel, an intelligent, popular, respected academic, reduced to living in this dilapidated building in the ghetto? Is the answer in the family’s tangled history or in further links to the Cenci history? Mina and her mother are obviously holding something back, but nothing will make them reveal what it is.
An ancient organization, The Brotherhood of the Owls, with links to Galileo, may hold some clues. But then, again, it may just add to the confusion.
Meanwhile, an attraction to Agata Graziano—a beautiful woman who has given up the vocation of nun—is tugging at Nic. Will the memory of his deceased wife let him pursue whatever might become of a relationship with her?
It was great fun to delve into Roman history and a modern mystery with Nic Costa.

Reviewed by Kaye George, Author of “Choke”, for Suspense Magazine
(less)

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Jun 28, 2011 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Every time I read a book by David Hewson I wonder how it is that THE DAVINCI CODE was a best seller. I wonder how the blockbuster movie on which it was based was so successful. Neither has a plot, an interesting character, or anything that suggests it is something other than a cartoon.

On the other hand -

David Hewson has created three of the most interesting and diverse characters to ever grace a page. Nic Costa, just thirty at the beginning of THE FALLEN ANGEL, Gianni Peroni, his partner, and Le...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Kathy Davie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, mystery

Ninth in the Nic Costa mystery series set in contemporary Rome, Italy.

The Story
Nic is fascinated with the history of Rome as well as its art and in Fallen Angel we get a double helping with the tale of the injustice done to Beatrice Cenci by the Church in 1599. Accused of plotting the murder of her pedophiliac father with her mother and brother, the three of them are tortured into confessing and executed for not accepting the father and his friends' attentions.

The relevance is the similarity tha...more

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Nov 20, 2010 Marleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

ARC, to be published February 4, 2011.
This book was send to me by EASON Book Club for me to review.

This is the ninth book in the Nic Costa series and before I begin my review I have to admit that I didn't read any of the previous titles.
The story starts with Rome detective Nic Costa being the first person on the scene when British acadamic Malise Gabriel falls to his death from an appartment, where he finds the death man being craddled by his young daughter Mina. From that first moment onwards C...more ARC, to be published February 4, 2011.
This book was send to me by EASON Book Club for me to review.

This is the ninth book in the Nic Costa series and before I begin my review I have to admit that I didn't read any of the previous titles.
The story starts with Rome detective Nic Costa being the first person on the scene when British acadamic Malise Gabriel falls to his death from an appartment, where he finds the death man being craddled by his young daughter Mina. From that first moment onwards Costa is intrigued by the teenager and the impression she gave of having something she needed to say but couldn't.
Although it's not immediately clear that this was more than a tragic accident a tentative investigation is started by the police. An investigation that gains speed when the appartment is emptied of its contents within a day of the death and the disappearance of Mina's brother.
When another death occurs in the same building and the family of the acadamic proves not only very uncooperative but also uninterested in discovering what happened everybody's suspicions are roused.
The death shows shocking similarities to the 16th century legend of Beatrice Cenci, a young noble woman who was tortured and executed by the Vatican after she and her family killed her father, who was abusing her.
Is this really a case of history repeating itself, or is there a darker, more hidden explanation. And with none of the people involved prepared to give honest answers to questions, will Costa and his colleagues ever get to the bottom of this case.
This is a very well written book. It is as much about the characters involved, the relationships between them and their emotions as it is about the mystery. Rome is a wonderful setting and almost a character in the story in itself.
The mystery is well plotted. Everytime the reader thinks she knows what's going on another twist is introduced. And when I finally thought I had it all worked out, the author had one more surprise in store for me.
Yes, I think I might have gotten more out of this book if I had read the previous titles in the series, but I don't think I missed out on much. This book can very well be read and enjoyed on its own, although it might entice you to go back and read the first 8 books. I know I will be looking for those now. I found myself another author to add to my list of "must reads".(less)

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Feb 01, 2011 Miles rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

When I began reviewing books in August last year, one of my main goals was to challenge myself and explore titles I wouldn’t normally read – on the whole I think I’ve done quite well but I need to do better as an old and inspirational teacher once said to me! - Think outside the box lad!

With that in mind I received an ARC of David Hewson’s “The Fallen Angel” from Pan Macmillan a few weeks ago and although a crime thriller and well within my comfort zone – it was my first Italian mystery and one...more When I began reviewing books in August last year, one of my main goals was to challenge myself and explore titles I wouldn’t normally read – on the whole I think I’ve done quite well but I need to do better as an old and inspirational teacher once said to me! - Think outside the box lad!

With that in mind I received an ARC of David Hewson’s “The Fallen Angel” from Pan Macmillan a few weeks ago and although a crime thriller and well within my comfort zone – it was my first Italian mystery and one I was sure would offer the challenge I was seeking!

Set in its entirety in the ghettos of Rome, “The Fallen Angel” is marvellous blend of historical and fictional narrative - one Hewson carries off remarkably well I may add - as we follow Detective Nic Costa and his colleagues in their quest to solve another crime.

I must confess before I began reading Hewson’s book I had very little interest in Italian history – sure most of us have studied Roman history at one point or other in school or university – but I honestly wouldn’t have gone out of my way to pick up a book that for the greater part spent time revisiting 16th century history in Rome.

However, once I began reading, and bear in mind this is my introduction to David Hewson’s work, I was mesmerized by the Italian beauty contained within. Hewson’s captivating prose and his obvious passion for all things Italian is clear for all to see - it ignited an interest I really didn’t expect; the author’s passion is certainly infectious.

The first half of the book explores the fascinating history surrounding the events that lead to the tenuously legal execution of Beatrice Cenci in the 16th century. Daughter of the violent and abusive Francesco Cenci, an immoral aristocrat who found himself in trouble with the Pope on more than one occasion, the family as a whole suffered at his hands but due to the leniency afforded nobility in those times he escaped long sentences.

Full review on my Blog:- http://www.milorambles.com/2011/02/01...
(less)

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Jan 12, 2011 Sue G rated it 4 of 5 stars

The book gets down to business pretty quickly, with the death of a British academic who has been living in Rome with his family. Investigation of the mysterious death stalls when his family seems to be reluctant to contribute to the investigation, however Costa develops a friendship with the dead man’s daughter which provides him with an insight into their relationships.

A feature of Hewson’s books is the blending of modern Rome with historical aspects – in this case the story of the Cenci family...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Rick rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow. Thank you Goodreads for the ARC. This was a great book. If it is not at the top of best seller lists for a long time I will be surprised and disappointed. I think this book is as good as, if not better than the "The girl who..." books that have been best sellers for weeks now.

The first 50 pages or so were a little slow for me. The authors sentence structure was awkward for me at first and I had to re-read sentences. Also I do not know much about things Roman or Italian. Once I got used to t...more

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Jun 02, 2011 Susan rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, historical-fiction

The theme of incest and multiple ways of solving the mystery are rather Chandleresque, but Hewson's writing is sentimental and wordy. I chose The Fallen Angel because it is based on the much-embroidered 16th-century tale of Beatrice dei Cenci, a teenager whom the Vatican executed for the crime of patricide. Hewson fills the book with his research on this young woman who fired up Guido Reni, Shelley, Stendhal, Dumas, Moravia and Artaud, and takes us on a dangerous scooter ride through the piazzas...more

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May 10, 2011 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Second of the Nic Costa novels I've read. Really did like this so I think I'll go back to the beginning (this is #9 in the series...other I read was 'in Venice'...of COURSE) and see how this team of charcters all started. I liked the mystery, too...although I wonder if this is typical that 'all comes out' in one big swoosh of reveal (from things we didn't and couldn't know). Oh well. Maybe that is not the point. Nice writing and terrific characters for me (not especially 'Italian' ...but again,...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Francois rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A plot rich with a potentially fascinating subject (the faith of a contemporary British teen in Rome which apparently mirrors that of another teen several centuries earlier in the same city) with undercurrents of sex, incest and murder lets you expect a book with deep and engrossing historical and philosophical observations and speculations.

Personally I was bitterly disappointed, I have to admit. In the novel, Costa, the main character complains of the cheap treatment of the affair by the medias...more

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May 27, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-crime

As a teen, Rome detective Nic Costa was fascinated with the sensational story of Beatrice Cenci, a young woman who in the 16th century was executed for killing her abusive father. Now Nic, on "stay-cation" and thus off duty, witnesses the fall of Malise Gabriel from the scaffolding of his apartment, very close to Palazzo Cenci, Beatrice's home. Nic comforts the dead man's young daughter, Mina, and while the Questura initially believes the death was accidental, they gradually begin to suspect fou...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Vivienne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, thriller, police-procedural

Again Hewson weaves history and art into his story. It captivated me from the start. I have grown to love these characters and very glad that I read the series in order seeing how events and time has changed them.

I know I shall be very sad if this turns out to be the last in the series now that David Hewson's attention is elsewhere with the highly anticipated novels based on 'The Killing' series.

Still, I felt this was one of the best in the series, so if proves a swan song for Nic and his pals...more

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May 25, 2012 Sylence rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So far i have read just about everything David Hewson has written and I love all of the books. This one is no exception. One of the reasons i like his books is that it keeps me guessing. Im never sure how it is going to turn out and you really become invested in the characters, both the recurring ones as well as the latest "victims". I also love that it takes place in Italy, usually around Rome and peppers the stories with historical references and obscure artists. It always makes me go look up...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-modern

C2011: This was a random pick from the library for me and what a seductive book this is. The writing starts off at a slow meandering and languorous pace to match the pace of life in a hot and humid Rome in August. Then plots, suspects and action start to take place at a rapid speed. Bewildering for the detectives on the case and bewildering for the reader. I thought I had guessed it towards the end, then I changed my mind and I certainly did not expect the ending. In the middle of the book, I ha...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Kandice rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-read-in-2012, mystery

I have read all of the Nic Costa series, and Hewson just keeps getting better and better. His character development is excellent with his characters growing and developing throughout the series. The stories have a depth that you don't often find in mysteries. And the stories are always artistically rendered and leave you thinking long after you finish reading.

In this book, a father falls to his death after being alone with his daughter. As more and more comparisons are made between this family...more

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Apr 21, 2011 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-adult, first-reads, goodreads-giveaways, mystery

I was very excited to get this book as an ARC. I'm always looking for a good suspense novel, and its clear David Hewson knows how to write them!

The Fallen Angel manages to have a constant stream of plot twists that keep you guessing and an ending you wont expect, but despite all the times you try to wrap your head around the ending, once you get there you'll say "Of course!". Althought, let me warn you (in a good way), you may have the "of course" moment twice! Hewson has quite a twist planned...more I was very excited to get this book as an ARC. I'm always looking for a good suspense novel, and its clear David Hewson knows how to write them!

The Fallen Angel manages to have a constant stream of plot twists that keep you guessing and an ending you wont expect, but despite all the times you try to wrap your head around the ending, once you get there you'll say "Of course!". Althought, let me warn you (in a good way), you may have the "of course" moment twice! Hewson has quite a twist planned for you and things are not as they seem!

The suspense aspect of this novel, is of course there. The beginning starts at a nice pace, introducing you to the characters and setting of the story. The murder of the Englishman Malise Gabriel happens right around the beginning of chapter three. The first 100 pages or so go at a medium pace, giving you time to piece together the clues but then after that, the book becomes impossible to put down. The evidence comes streaming in and the painful thing (in a good-writing way of course) is that you get to see what different characters now, and of course people are quite tricky and frustrating at times, so you have to be reading the book yelling at them to do something that they don't want to do quite yet.

The characters are amazing. I think the important thing is that characters always have depth, and these definitely do. Everyone has a back story and although this book in the Nic Costa series doesn't cover everyone's, you at least get a hint of what it would be. The people in the Gabriel family of course have a more detailed background (as the death is in their family) but they become a great mystery within itself.

Another great part of this book: it involves history. The book has a great incorporation of the story of Beatrice Cenci who was executed in Rome. The incorporation of this part of history brings you around Rome and to the controversy that surrounds Beatrice Cenci's death (that if you read the author's note, does exist in Rome but not such a high awareness level). I think this added pluck of history greatly adds to the story and constantly reminds the reader "You are in Rome" (which, if you are reading intently enough, you really will feel that you are in Rome).

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a good suspense novel! Although it is probably nice to have read the previous books in the series first (1-8), I think this was is easily enjoyed standing on its own!

I think this was a great read and I am definitely going to read more of Hewson's writing. He has a true talent for creating suspense novels that keep you constantly guessing.

Note: I struggled with how many stars to give this book so its somewhere in the mushy center between four and five!

*I received this book free through a Goodreads Giveaway.(less)

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Apr 28, 2011 Hersilia Press rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a native Italian I can be very picky when it comes to novels set in Italy, and I was really looking forward to this, my first read in the Nic Costa series.

The story starts with the untimely death of Malise Gabriel, a British academic living in Rome, an event which initially seems an accident but soon it emerges it might be all but. The dysfunctional family of the deceased are hiding something from the police and investigator Nic Costa, who is captivated by the mystery and naivety Malise’s te...more

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Feb 12, 2012 RunRachelRun rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, romans-policier

There was a large "ICK" factor with this plotline, which gave serious hints that Costa would lose his moral compass and fall into a very uncomfortable relationship with a 17-year old who had witnessed the death of her father. Couldn't really determine if he was "befriending" her to find out why her father died or if it was because he was attracted to her. Very strange - maybe Hewson wanted that ambiguity or whatever... Other than that, the story was okay. Still, ICK.

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May 18, 2011 Diane S. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When the Da Vinci code was so popular a friend of mine told me that her husband read the Nic Costa sories by Hewson and like them much better tha he had liked the Da Vinci Code. So I picked one up and thought he was absolutely right. Not only are they more centered and less frantically paced but the characters are more developed and the storylines are wonderful, filled with a lot of historical details about Rome and its churches and art. The Fallen Angel did not disappoint.

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Jun 09, 2011 Mike Violano rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another strong story in the Nic Costa police procedural series set in Rome. Filled with high drama, colorful scenes throughout Rome, a great cast of characters and more than a few twists and surprises along the way. Hewson mixes historical incidents in a modern thriller of a family caught in a series of tragic decisions with life-ending and life-changing consequences. Forensic detail and Costa's digging into the clues adds to enjoyment and propels the story to a satisfying conclusion.

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May 15, 2011 Miriam rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, mystery

Things I liked: Character development; plot complexity and final surprises (I really was surprised by some things); detailed depiction of place; interesting new knowledge I gained about Roman history and mythology.

Things I didn't like so much: slow pacing at first, which was a bit boring; dark themes; a few too many gritty details. This kind of mystery isn't my favorite--I like my mysteries a bit cleaner; I like them to be more about character and logic than about blood and guts.

However, this...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Squamoza rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Second Nic Costa novel i've read. A good story of Beatrice Cenci, an Italian noblewoman who in the 16th century was executed for killing her abusive father. Captivated me from the start. It takes place in Rome and peppers the stories with historical references and obscure artists. I had never hear before of Beatrice Cenci and whose story was fascinating. Rome is vividly described. The police characters and their description are realistic and they are very human. I want to go the restaurants and...more

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Jul 05, 2011 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, mystery, contemporary, world

I really liked this mystery. It had some squeamish moments, but the plot really moved along, and only at the beginning did I feel a little lost when points came up that hinted at previous events in the series. I'm looking forward to reading the first books in the set. The details of Italy are well described, and I'm certainly interested in checking out the restaurants Hewson mentions (Sora Margherita, Al Pompiere, and Da Baffetto)!

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Apr 30, 2011 Judi Niermann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was privileged to receive a free copy of this book from Goodreads.
Since it was free, I didn't expect much. Boy, was I mistaken.
This is a complicated murder mystery set in Rome. It's the ninth Nic Costa novel, so I guess I have some back reading to do! The book is not idealistic. Every character has very human flaws and strengths.
The first chapter started slow for me. It took awhile for me to pick up the rhythm of the prose and get my bearings in the streets of Rome. I now want to go the res...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, mystery

I always enjoy mysteries that keep me second-guessing - even until the end - and even when I know I'll never get it right. For much of this novel, I thought I had already figured out the secrets behind the real crime. All I have to say is, thank you David Hewson, for bringing me back to Earth (small pun intended).

Although this one started out slower than usual for me (and I'm still not sure how I feel about Agata Graziano), the novel definitely picked up and explored a new mature side to Nic. T...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Jacq rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Took a bit to get into ... Nic Costa is not a detective that is usually on my list ... but the lure of Rome, a mystery that seems to get more and more confusing, and the enigmatic family that it involves – at one point I wanted to scream in frustration – just one straight forward answer!!! But that’s half the draw...

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May 13, 2011 Jess Kittelson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I recieved this book from a giveaway. My version was an advanced uncorrected proof- which I think was pretty awesome to be able to own! I have never heard of David Hewson so I'm glad I was given the chance to check out one of his books. I love a good mystery and this one has so many twists and turns that the ending was a surprise to me! Basicly there are a group of Rome police officers looking into a suspicous death and find themselves knee deep in more murders, drugs, and incest too!

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About David Hewson

DAVID HEWSON was born in Yorkshire in 1953. He has written sixteen novels, as well as several travel books. Until 2005 he was a weekly columnist for the Sunday Times until becoming a full-time author. David lives in Kent but visits Italy frequently. All 11 of his Italian books are now in development as TV movies.

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The Fallen Angel (Nic Costa #9)

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