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Commissario Alec Blume #3
The Namesake
When magistrate Matteo Arconti's namesake, an insurance man from Milan, is found dead outside the court buildings in Piazza Clodio, it's a coded warning to the authorities - a clear message of defiance and intimidation. Commissioner Alec Blume, all too familiar with Rome's criminal underclass, knows little of the Calabrian mafia currently under investigation by the magistrate. Handing control of the murder inquiry to his partner Caterina Mattiola, Blume goes in search of answers, setting off on a journey into the deep dark south of Italy...
357 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 3, 2012
Perhaps I should just start this off by saying Mafia storylines are possibly my least favourite scenarios. Maybe (and probably unfairly) it seems like an easy target, the other possibility is that there's rarely anything new or illustrative about their activities. Either way, I'm acutely aware that this is a personal prejudice which is undoubtedly irrational and unreasonable.
Adding to the complication was THE NAMESAKE being the third Commissario Alex Blume novel, and my not having read either of the earlier ones. This meant that Blume, an interesting, enigmatic and flawed character, was not always quite fully fleshed out in my mind. Whilst not having read the earlier books didn't seem to matter in terms of picking up the plot of this part thriller / part police procedural, somehow I couldn't help wondering if the slightly disconnected feeling I was getting could be partially because it would have been better to have read this series in order. Whilst there were some aspects of Blume's backstory built into THE NAMESAKE, somehow he always seemed slightly distant, fuzzy around the edges. Perhaps other reviewers, who have read the full series, will be able to be much clearer on this requirement.
Given that involvement of the Ndreangheta in the plot, it wasn't all that surprising to find some predictable elements being explored - corruption, loyalty, power plays, so called "honour", vengeance and vendetta. The main plot pits Blume directly against one of the main underworld figures, whilst the sub-plot, the death of a poor unfortunate man who just happens to have the same name as a well-known Magistrate, is left to Blume's colleague (and romantic partner) Caterina and the rest of the team. The pace of the investigation is rapid, although the storyline doesn't always serve that well with the action frequently getting bogged down in a lot of extraneous meanderings into complicated family setups, past and present activities and what seemed like a lot of dead-end alleyways.
The best part of the book was undoubtedly Blume, who is one of those classic strongly principled, but deeply flawed men. Struggling with commitment issues in his personal life, he's professionally decisive especially when it means he can avoid being quite so proactive personally. Although this did lead to a couple of scenes which, seemed somewhat disconnected from the main action, did provide some quite funny moments (I'm never going to park anywhere near a rubbish dump ever again in my life!),
The book also has a strong sense of place and culture. It felt quintessentially Italian in style and tone. Whilst it could very well be that people with more interest in things Mafia would find THE NAMESAKE works as a standalone, to be honest, I wish I'd read the earlier books first, but I'm definitely going to do just that.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Adding to the complication was THE NAMESAKE being the third Commissario Alex Blume novel, and my not having read either of the earlier ones. This meant that Blume, an interesting, enigmatic and flawed character, was not always quite fully fleshed out in my mind. Whilst not having read the earlier books didn't seem to matter in terms of picking up the plot of this part thriller / part police procedural, somehow I couldn't help wondering if the slightly disconnected feeling I was getting could be partially because it would have been better to have read this series in order. Whilst there were some aspects of Blume's backstory built into THE NAMESAKE, somehow he always seemed slightly distant, fuzzy around the edges. Perhaps other reviewers, who have read the full series, will be able to be much clearer on this requirement.
Given that involvement of the Ndreangheta in the plot, it wasn't all that surprising to find some predictable elements being explored - corruption, loyalty, power plays, so called "honour", vengeance and vendetta. The main plot pits Blume directly against one of the main underworld figures, whilst the sub-plot, the death of a poor unfortunate man who just happens to have the same name as a well-known Magistrate, is left to Blume's colleague (and romantic partner) Caterina and the rest of the team. The pace of the investigation is rapid, although the storyline doesn't always serve that well with the action frequently getting bogged down in a lot of extraneous meanderings into complicated family setups, past and present activities and what seemed like a lot of dead-end alleyways.
The best part of the book was undoubtedly Blume, who is one of those classic strongly principled, but deeply flawed men. Struggling with commitment issues in his personal life, he's professionally decisive especially when it means he can avoid being quite so proactive personally. Although this did lead to a couple of scenes which, seemed somewhat disconnected from the main action, did provide some quite funny moments (I'm never going to park anywhere near a rubbish dump ever again in my life!),
The book also has a strong sense of place and culture. It felt quintessentially Italian in style and tone. Whilst it could very well be that people with more interest in things Mafia would find THE NAMESAKE works as a standalone, to be honest, I wish I'd read the earlier books first, but I'm definitely going to do just that.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
December 11, 2019
‘Remember, though, this is a story that will not end well.’
American-born Commissario Alec Blume has lived in Italy since his teens. This gives him an unusual view of the country: an insider’s awareness of Italy’s social and cultural intricacies combined with an outsider’s appreciation of the country’s beauty.
The novel opens with the apparent kidnapping of a teenage girl. Shortly afterwards, a man is found dead outside the court buildings in Piazza Clodio. The man, an insurance agent, had the misfortune of having the same name as a magistrate who is investigating a high-ranking member of the Calabrian mafia, the ‘Ndrangheta.
Blume sees an opportunity to force Agazio Curmaci, the ‘Ndrangheta’s second in charge, to return to Italy from Germany. To do this, he needs to join forces with an undercover agent who may have another agenda.
Part thriller, part police procedural, the story unfolds over a week. There’s a significant amount of detail about the ‘Ndrangheta which is interesting if you are interested in the cultural, political and social factors that have led to its rise. Sometimes the detail is peripheral to the story, but I found it interesting.
This is the third novel to feature Commissario Alec Blume, but the first I’ve read. I’m hoping to add the first two to my reading list.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
American-born Commissario Alec Blume has lived in Italy since his teens. This gives him an unusual view of the country: an insider’s awareness of Italy’s social and cultural intricacies combined with an outsider’s appreciation of the country’s beauty.
The novel opens with the apparent kidnapping of a teenage girl. Shortly afterwards, a man is found dead outside the court buildings in Piazza Clodio. The man, an insurance agent, had the misfortune of having the same name as a magistrate who is investigating a high-ranking member of the Calabrian mafia, the ‘Ndrangheta.
Blume sees an opportunity to force Agazio Curmaci, the ‘Ndrangheta’s second in charge, to return to Italy from Germany. To do this, he needs to join forces with an undercover agent who may have another agenda.
Part thriller, part police procedural, the story unfolds over a week. There’s a significant amount of detail about the ‘Ndrangheta which is interesting if you are interested in the cultural, political and social factors that have led to its rise. Sometimes the detail is peripheral to the story, but I found it interesting.
This is the third novel to feature Commissario Alec Blume, but the first I’ve read. I’m hoping to add the first two to my reading list.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 4, 2018
I’m torn between giving this book 3 and 4 stars. Like other books in the series, I have problems with the lead character, Alex Blume, his actions and his rationales. There were parts of this story line that felt unfinished or oddly resolved. But it also contain some wonderful characterisations e.g. Basile and Ruggiero. Even if I didn’t “believe” all the story threads, it was an engaging read.
July 29, 2014
My least favourite so far, but I shall probably persevere.
May 21, 2021
I liked this story, but I’m a bit confused. I do have some questions about Curmaci’s death. Why did he have to do it? Because of Konrad’s information?
Why was Curmaci being disrespectful to Basile when he sat to talk to him? Will Tony replace Agazio C?
And what happened to Enrico?
I wouldn’t be a good member, I can’t read into innuendoes. Lol
Why was Curmaci being disrespectful to Basile when he sat to talk to him? Will Tony replace Agazio C?
And what happened to Enrico?
I wouldn’t be a good member, I can’t read into innuendoes. Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
In the interspace between the Italian police and the many faces of Mafia-like organizations, Commissario Blume tries to force the hand of one particular man. In doing so, he sets up a series of unexpected but interconnected actions that he then has to try to predict and contain. An interesting story.
Read
August 7, 2021to-read
July 30, 2024
What a cluster f**k. Fitzgerald takes Blume deep into Southern Italy and where he gets mixed up with you know who and what.
Want to read
September 3, 2020#3 in the Commissario Alec Blume series by Conor Fitzgerald. Began, stopped, began again, hit a wall, stopped.
August 16, 2012
This is a review of the book The Namesake, by Conor Fitzgerald. The novel is an Italian crime story, and follows an American-born police commissioner, Alec Blume, as he is drawn into the world of the Calabrian mafia.
I quite enjoy crime fiction. I have a real weakness for a well-written whodunnit, and find it easy to lose myself in that atmosphere. However, I am unused to Italian crime stories, aside from the odd television series like Inspector Montalbano and Rex in Rome. And yes, this does make a difference. For example, the judicial processes in Italy are quite different from what you would see in your usual American or British crime story, in that the judiciary are involved in the investigation from the start, rather than just the trial. For someone unfamiliar with this, it can take some getting used to.
The other thing that makes Italian crime stories different is the common inclusion of the Mafia or other organised crime. Again, if you’re familiar with how it all works and how those families go about their activities, then that’s fine … but if you’re not, it can be a little bewildering.
Of both of these there was some explanation in the glossary at the end, which was definitely welcome. For me, though, it didn’t quite go far enough – while we learnt the equivalents in the UK and US of Blume’s position in the police force, there was no explanation of exactly what role a magistrate plays in a criminal investigation. Even with my smattering of Italian television, I still don’t really understand how that works.
This is all a roundabout way of saying that there were some aspects to this book that I had trouble following. The intricacies of familial structure within the Calabrian community was a little confusing to my uninitiated mind, and at times I felt there were too many aspects to the narrative. Yes, they were all joined up and linked at the end, but it felt a little like a marathon to get them there.
That said, like all good crime fiction I did enjoy it. Trying not to ruin it for anyone with spoilers, I found the Konrad Hoffman story very enjoyable, and I liked the way we got to know those on different sides of the law, so that their actions became more understandable than they would perhaps have been otherwise. Alec Blume was an interesting character in his own right, too, and I felt a genuine sadness when he found the burnt remains of his trusty shellac-coated suitcase. I would have liked to see more of Caterina, and indeed of Matteo Arconti, the murder of whose namesake gave the story its title, but then again this is the third in a series of Alec Blume stories, so perhaps if I were to read the first two I would get more of that aspect of his life.
All in all, it was an entertaining book. When everything came together at the end it was much more satisfying than I had expected it to be, and I feel I have a much better understanding of not just the Italian police and organised crime, but of Italy itself. Sure, it wasn’t all flattering, but that made it feel all the more real and all the more believable. If you like crime novels, it’s well worth checking out.
I quite enjoy crime fiction. I have a real weakness for a well-written whodunnit, and find it easy to lose myself in that atmosphere. However, I am unused to Italian crime stories, aside from the odd television series like Inspector Montalbano and Rex in Rome. And yes, this does make a difference. For example, the judicial processes in Italy are quite different from what you would see in your usual American or British crime story, in that the judiciary are involved in the investigation from the start, rather than just the trial. For someone unfamiliar with this, it can take some getting used to.
The other thing that makes Italian crime stories different is the common inclusion of the Mafia or other organised crime. Again, if you’re familiar with how it all works and how those families go about their activities, then that’s fine … but if you’re not, it can be a little bewildering.
Of both of these there was some explanation in the glossary at the end, which was definitely welcome. For me, though, it didn’t quite go far enough – while we learnt the equivalents in the UK and US of Blume’s position in the police force, there was no explanation of exactly what role a magistrate plays in a criminal investigation. Even with my smattering of Italian television, I still don’t really understand how that works.
This is all a roundabout way of saying that there were some aspects to this book that I had trouble following. The intricacies of familial structure within the Calabrian community was a little confusing to my uninitiated mind, and at times I felt there were too many aspects to the narrative. Yes, they were all joined up and linked at the end, but it felt a little like a marathon to get them there.
That said, like all good crime fiction I did enjoy it. Trying not to ruin it for anyone with spoilers, I found the Konrad Hoffman story very enjoyable, and I liked the way we got to know those on different sides of the law, so that their actions became more understandable than they would perhaps have been otherwise. Alec Blume was an interesting character in his own right, too, and I felt a genuine sadness when he found the burnt remains of his trusty shellac-coated suitcase. I would have liked to see more of Caterina, and indeed of Matteo Arconti, the murder of whose namesake gave the story its title, but then again this is the third in a series of Alec Blume stories, so perhaps if I were to read the first two I would get more of that aspect of his life.
All in all, it was an entertaining book. When everything came together at the end it was much more satisfying than I had expected it to be, and I feel I have a much better understanding of not just the Italian police and organised crime, but of Italy itself. Sure, it wasn’t all flattering, but that made it feel all the more real and all the more believable. If you like crime novels, it’s well worth checking out.
June 5, 2012
While this is the third book featuring Commissario Alec Blume, The Namesake is the first I have read from this British author. Part police procedural/part crime thriller, this series is set in Italy and pits Blume, more often than not, against the organised crime families of Italy. In The Namesake, the body of a man who bears the same name as a Magistrate, is dumped outside of a courthouse in Rome, a threat that Blume attributes to the Ndreangheta. Seizing an opportunity that might force Ndreangheta's second in command, Curmaci, to return from Germany, Blume leaves the investigation of the dead body to his girlfriend and colleague, Caterina and reluctantly working with the DSCA, Blume makes a bold move against Curmaci, that has the potential to backfire spectacularly.
Corruption, vengeance, loyalty and honour are the main themes explored amidst both the justice and organised crime systems of Italy. The main plot involves Blume's desire to bring down Curmaci which is supported by several subplots including the investigation of the namesake killing, the abduction of a young girl, a 'family' tussle for power, the relationship between the sons of Curmaci and his rival Tony, and a man out for vengeance. While the events in the novel take place over only a week, and there is a fair bit of action, The Namesake can be dense with detail at times which slows the pace considerably. The detail is interesting in and of itself, but does not always contribute directly to the story so I found my attention wavering occasionally.
Blume is an enigmatic character, while deeply flawed he is also a man with strong principles. I never really got a handle on his motivation for his determination to bring down Curmaci, though there is a vague mention of a previous incident between them and I think it must be something I missed, not having read the first two books.
Of the supportive characters, it was the teenage Ruggerio that caught my attention. The son of Curmaci, he is not sure of his position in the Ndreangheta family but eventually he makes decisions that sets his path.
The Namesake is a literary crime novel, atmospheric with interesting characters. I would have liked to have read the previous titles in the series, The Dogs Of Rome and The Fatal Touch first but The Namesake does still work as a stand alone.
July 16, 2012
I really love Donna Leon's books, so I was excited when Shelf Awareness sent me The Namesake (an Italian mystery, not to be confused with the novel by Jhumpa Lahiri) for review. It didn't have the same brilliance as Leon's books, but it was still fun, and the mistaken identity premise was intriguing.
In The Namesake, his third Commissario Alec Blume novel, Conor Fitzgerald delves into the mysterious secrets of the 'Ndrangheta--an organized crime syndicate whose constituent families see it as almost a form of religion.
It all starts simply enough: Blume has been working with magistrate Matteo Arconti to investigate a Roman doctor's "suicide," which quickly leads them to the Megale family--key leaders in one of the branches of the 'Ndrangheta. Then a Milanese insurance adjustor, also named Matteo Arconti, is found dead outside the court buildings where Magistrate Arconti works. Blume and his girlfriend, Inspector Caterina Mattiola, quickly realize the dead Arconti was harmless, his murder a warning from the 'Ndrangheta to Matteo Arconti the magistrate.
(Read the rest of my review here).
In The Namesake, his third Commissario Alec Blume novel, Conor Fitzgerald delves into the mysterious secrets of the 'Ndrangheta--an organized crime syndicate whose constituent families see it as almost a form of religion.
It all starts simply enough: Blume has been working with magistrate Matteo Arconti to investigate a Roman doctor's "suicide," which quickly leads them to the Megale family--key leaders in one of the branches of the 'Ndrangheta. Then a Milanese insurance adjustor, also named Matteo Arconti, is found dead outside the court buildings where Magistrate Arconti works. Blume and his girlfriend, Inspector Caterina Mattiola, quickly realize the dead Arconti was harmless, his murder a warning from the 'Ndrangheta to Matteo Arconti the magistrate.
(Read the rest of my review here).
July 5, 2012
Each time I read one of Fitzgerald's books, I like Commissario Alec Blume a bit less. I think this might be my last -- he's just not an appealing character, and I have a hard time putting in so many hours reading a book about someone I dislike.
That's kind of a shame, though, because I think the subject matter is promising, even if the books are a bit too focused on organized crime for my taste. I found this one particularly obtuse, though (I wish I had noticed that there was a glossary at the end before I finished the book, because all of the ranks within the Italian police and the 'ndrangheta were difficult to decipher!) The end was fairly incomprehensible -- even after getting all the way through the book, I'm still not entirely sure what happened.
Well-written enough (although, again, more mysterious than necessary and leaving way too much for the reader to infer), but ultimately not something I'd recommend.
That's kind of a shame, though, because I think the subject matter is promising, even if the books are a bit too focused on organized crime for my taste. I found this one particularly obtuse, though (I wish I had noticed that there was a glossary at the end before I finished the book, because all of the ranks within the Italian police and the 'ndrangheta were difficult to decipher!) The end was fairly incomprehensible -- even after getting all the way through the book, I'm still not entirely sure what happened.
Well-written enough (although, again, more mysterious than necessary and leaving way too much for the reader to infer), but ultimately not something I'd recommend.
June 28, 2014
This is third in the rather wonderful Alec Blume series and I really enjoyed it. Blume, improbably, is an American orphaned in Italy, who manages to become Italian enough to rise to senior rank in the Italian police. His almost complete disrespect for the rules begs the question of why he wasn't fired years before he achieve the exalted rank of Commisario but now that he's there we can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
This time out he becomes involved with the Ndrangheta, the secretive and widespread criminal organization based in Calabria, with hair-raising results. Apparently it's best to leave some criminals in peace. It begins with a murder of a harmless and univolved insurance actuary apparenlty committed simply because he has the same name as a magistrate involved in investigating the Ndrangheta as a warning to him to stop. The book takes off from there and ends in spectacular fashion in the dark heart of Calabria. Resd the whole series, you won't be sorry.
This time out he becomes involved with the Ndrangheta, the secretive and widespread criminal organization based in Calabria, with hair-raising results. Apparently it's best to leave some criminals in peace. It begins with a murder of a harmless and univolved insurance actuary apparenlty committed simply because he has the same name as a magistrate involved in investigating the Ndrangheta as a warning to him to stop. The book takes off from there and ends in spectacular fashion in the dark heart of Calabria. Resd the whole series, you won't be sorry.
January 12, 2016
More of a 3.5 than a 4, but since the ending was better than the beginning, I am feeling generous. I have to say, as others have, that Mafia storylines are some of my least favourite in crime novels. With Mafia stories, the crime is all cold-blooded. And all that cloak and dagger stuff just makes me anxious. I hate head games.
Many of the things I liked about the book were tangential to the main storyline. There was a detailed description of a natural remedy for a headache that makes me want to visit Italy immediately just to sample the lemons. The contrast of and interplay between the German-style arrogance of Konrad Hoffman and the American/Italian arrogance of Blume is priceless, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of it.
But in the end, all the senseless, remorseless death made it hard to come away feeling satisfied. And Blume's arrogant behaviour is so over-the-top, there is no joy there, either. I can only hope the next book dials it back a little.
Many of the things I liked about the book were tangential to the main storyline. There was a detailed description of a natural remedy for a headache that makes me want to visit Italy immediately just to sample the lemons. The contrast of and interplay between the German-style arrogance of Konrad Hoffman and the American/Italian arrogance of Blume is priceless, and I would have enjoyed seeing more of it.
But in the end, all the senseless, remorseless death made it hard to come away feeling satisfied. And Blume's arrogant behaviour is so over-the-top, there is no joy there, either. I can only hope the next book dials it back a little.
December 16, 2012
Did not like this one as much as the previous two. Mostly because the criminals are now Mafia and their offshoots and I find that subject quite stilted and gratuitous. Of course eventually Blume has to deal with Mafia since he is in Italy, but every time they appear in crime novels you get a lot of gratuitous violence and death of innocents. Does not make for enjoyable reading for me. Alec also goes of the rails a good bit in this book as he ends up with an “ends justify the means” mindset. The danger of being corrupted by the force that you fight – you end up like them in your quest for victory.
I liked the ending however – the underground hideout! Very nice.
The German vs Italian ribbing was quite hilarious as well.
I liked the ending however – the underground hideout! Very nice.
The German vs Italian ribbing was quite hilarious as well.
January 20, 2013
This book is hyped on the cover with a cunningly edited Sunday Times Review which suggests it fills the gap left by Michael Dibdin.
They didn't need to do that, as it - and his other books I have read - are in some ways better, to my mind anyhow. Certainly a lot grittier.
It's all about the Ndranghetta, from Calabria, who are if anything better (and nastier) than the Mafia or the Camorra at what they do. You'll be really worried.
The research is impeccable with brilliant insight into why Italy is in such a mess, the hero engagingly fallible and the ending has you biting at your nails.
For me one measure of a good book is how often I find myself going on the internet to look things up. This had me at it constantly.
They didn't need to do that, as it - and his other books I have read - are in some ways better, to my mind anyhow. Certainly a lot grittier.
It's all about the Ndranghetta, from Calabria, who are if anything better (and nastier) than the Mafia or the Camorra at what they do. You'll be really worried.
The research is impeccable with brilliant insight into why Italy is in such a mess, the hero engagingly fallible and the ending has you biting at your nails.
For me one measure of a good book is how often I find myself going on the internet to look things up. This had me at it constantly.
June 16, 2013
Asked the local library ages ago for anything by Conor Fitzgerald and was pleasantly surprised to find The Namesake waiting for me last week. Loved the first two in the Alec Blume series and this one maintained the standard. Enjoyed the background and explanation about the various branches of the criminal empires in Italy. Had to put the book down twice because it was too scary. The bullying scene in a bar/ice-cream parlour involving youths from a football team was frightening in the extreme as was the description of crawling through the underground tunnel to a hideout. Great cast of characters, loved the German v. Italian law enforcers. Some good laughs and a fair amount of nail biting. More please author.
September 14, 2014
I just couldn't get on with this probably because I was listening to it on audiobook and there were so many Italian names and titles that I struggled to remember who anyone was. Also, the Italian was never translated so that didn't help me with comprehension. I also thought that one of the major characters was a Mafia family rather than a man so I was really confused. I kept ploughing on, hoping that there would be a Grand Exposition at the end a la Poirot but that didn't happen so I am still bewildered by it all. On the positive side, the main character was interesting enough (if annoying) and I liked the Konrad plot but, on the whole, I found the Mafia storyline disturbing and I felt the loose ends weren't wrapped up adequately.
July 30, 2012
This is the first Comissario Alec Blume story that I have read and I don't think I would read another. I did not like Alec Blume, his character was a little bland and uninteresting. I did however enjoy the storyline. I love stories about the Mafia and the locale was great. Although it was not my favorite I would definitely recommend this to all my mystery loving friends to decide for themselves.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bloomsbury.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bloomsbury.
October 1, 2012
The third Alec Blume novel and by far the least interesting. Perhaps it is that the Mafia is inherently well-worn territory, or a long, lonely trip for the main character, but this one left me wanting more interesting characters and action. A reasonable plot and the Namesake killing that kicks off the action is fine, but too much Blume internal at the end for me.
Hopefully this series gets back on track with the next one.
Hopefully this series gets back on track with the next one.
January 30, 2013
I liked this less than the other two Blume books. The plot was exceptionally convoluted. The whole Ndrangheta family structure and behavior code is described in excruciating detail - it's a toxic soup of superstition, "honor" and vengeance that has gone on for generations - or centuries. It got to be too much in the end. And Blume is becoming annoying - reckless for no apparent reason, self-centered to the nth degree.
June 16, 2015
I've read a few mafia books, both fact and fiction. I usually don't enjoy them much - I feel most authors glamorize the crime family. Fitzgerald, without using gratuitous violence or gruesome writing, manages to convey the evil of the 'ndrangheta crime syndicate. That sense made me really root for Alec Blume. A great read, and I will definitely pick up more by Fitzegerald.
July 14, 2012
I have read, and liked, all three of Fitzgerald's stories about Comissario Alec Blume. The Dogs of Rome and The Fatal Touch were the first and second books in the series. I think this is the best of the three.
December 11, 2012
I think this was my least favorite of the his three. I found the mafia twists and turns confusing and somewhat uninteresting. I agree with the reviewer who said that Blume is becoming less and less likeable.
October 10, 2012
I'm not a fan of mafia-related mysteries/police procedurals, but the Namesake is so rich in character, emotion and Italian color that it drew me in from the first, and made the plot secondary to the enjoyment of the rest of the reading experience
October 22, 2012
Not so good. Way too many italian names that all sound and read alike, and so a confusing cast of characters. By the end it all pulls together, but unneccessary complications of setting up the story.
May 25, 2015
Great find, interesting, flawed protagonist multi-faceted bad guys and lots of grey area concerning members of the Italian law enforcement. Worth searching out for readers who like police procedure novels
August 7, 2012
I like learning about the Italian scene with the Mafia, Government and the locality angles
October 8, 2012
Dull, dull, dull
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews