De verloren dochter

Inspector Pallioti #3

by Lucretia Grindle, Edzard Krol (Translator)

In Florence vertrekt een jonge Amerikaanse studente, Kristen Carson, voor een paar dagen vakantie met haar vriend. Ze laat een briefje achter voor haar kamergenote. Een paar dagen later vliegen haar vader en stiefmoeder voor haar achttiende verjaardag naar Florence. Kristen komt echter niet op de afgesproken tijd in het restaurant opdagen en haar ouders slaan alarm. Kristens vader kent belangrijke mensen en zorgt dat een politieteam onder leiding van Alessandro Pallioti en zijn inspecteur Enzo Saenz, de zaak onderzoekt.
Aanvankelijk zijn noch Pallioti, noch Saenz erg bezorgd. Maar al snel ontdekken de beide mannen tot hun afschuw dat de man waar Kristen mee omging Antonio Tomaselli is, een lid van de notoire Rode Brigades, een extreem-linkse terroristische organisatie. Voordat de politie zich goed en wel in de zaak heeft kunnen verdiepen, verdwijnt ook Kristens stiefmoeder Anna. Enzo raakt verstrikt in een web van valse identiteiten, verraad en wraak. De hele zaak lijkt te draaien om Anna, tot wie hij zich steeds meer voelt aangetrokken maar die hij niet kan vertrouwen.
Terwijl de gruwelijkheden van het verleden boven komen drijven en het leven van beide vrouwen op het spel staat, bevindt Enzo zich op onbekend terrein en speelt hij het dodelijkste spel van zijn leven.
De verloren dochter is een meeslepende, spannende roman over een wanhopige liefde, tegen de overweldigende achtergrond van Ferrara, Rome en Florence, in de jaren zeventig en in het heden.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Italy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Roman, Crime

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Lucretia Grindle was born in Boston Massachusetts and grew up spending half her time in the United States and half her time in the UK. Continuing as she started out, she still splits her time, but now calls the coast of Maine home.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover

Ik ben het nooit vergeten maar in 1978 werd de Italiaanse politicus Aldo Moro ontvoerd, daarmee begint De verloren dochter.

Het is een mooi, ontroerend en boeiend geschreven verhaal over Anna, geboren in Ferrara-Italië. Ze komt in 2010 terug uit Amerika naar Florence omdat haar stiefdochter wordt vermist.

Hoewel het eerste deel van De verloren dochter zich als een thriller ontwikkelt met de zoektocht naar Kristen is het meer het verhaal wat volgt over Anna wat mij zo heeft getroffen.

De tragische liefdesgeschiedenis tussen Anna en Antonio is wat De verloren dochter tot een roman heeft gemaakt. Op de achtergrond zijn het de ingrijpende jaren zeventig met de roerige periode van de ‘Brigate rosse’ wat het verhaal draagt
Zelf was ik toen nog heel jong en misschien heeft daardoor deze oude bewogen tijd zoveel indruk gemaakt.

Zo kon het gebeuren dat er destijds in Europa gewelddadige acties tegen de gevestigde orde ontstonden, ze waren radicaal en explosief. Dit is goed verweven in dit verhaal vind ik.

Tenslotte zijn het de enkele woorden, de enkele zinnen, een beschrijving van de omgeving, de geuren, de kleuren die tot de verbeelding spreken, het is de sfeer van weemoed en nostalgie, van wraak, verraad en van liefde die mij soms rillingen doet bezorgen.

Het eindigd in een laatste dramatische scene uit een opera met een groot crescendo.

  

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Lucretia Grindle's writing - The Faces of Angels and The Villa Triste are two of my all-time favourites, and I was hoping this one would live up to them. Pleased to say that I absolutely loved it. It starts slowly, and you think you might be reading a routine police procedural about the kidnap of a 17 year old American girl, albeit with likeable character detectives in Pallioti and Enzo. Pallioti's very much the professional policeman, the gentleman, a self contained man with strong family values. Enzo's a bit more of a maverick, with an unrequited passion for Pallioti's sister, a ponytail, and a characterful cat at home. But then things turn - we're back in the 70s with the Italian Red Brigades and the kidnap of Aldo Moro, and the past lives of the key characters. Angela the butcher's daughter, her friendship with Barbara, her love affair with Antonio Tomaselli and the way their lives were changed by the dramatic events. This is really superb writing - a taut and compelling modern narrative, a strong sense of place, and a vivid reality in the 70s passages and the lives of real people. There are twists and turns throughout, love and its consequences, and the dramatic finale - and its aftermath - totally compelling. A wonderful unputdownable read, and highly recommended.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in what is called the Inspector Pallioti series, although Inspector Pallioti plays a very modest role in the books. Lucretia Grindle intended it to be a trilogy so, unfortunately this is probably the last one. This book is about Brigate Rosse, the Red Brigades, a militant left-wing organization in Italy that gained notoriety in the 1970s for kidnappings, murders, and sabotage. Its self-proclaimed aim was to undermine the Italian state and pave the way for a Marxist upheaval led by a “revolutionary proletariat.” The story starts with a young American student named Kirstin who has come to study art in Florence. We learn a bit about who she is, why she's come to Florence and also about her flatmate. Then she goes missing while her father and stepmother have just arrived from Italy to celebrate Kirstin's birthday. The story then focuses on the stepmother and her story.
Woven into this is the tragic story of Aldo Moro, who was kidnapped by the Brigate Rosse in 1978.

This is another nicely written historical novel by Lucretia Grindle, taking in more recent historical facts that have caused a lot of trauma in modern Italy. Highly recommended.

[Koen De Feyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucretia Grindle is een prachtige verhalenverteller !

[Dorothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an irritating book that should've been good.

What destroyed it, for me, was the mix of tenses, for no apparent rhyme or reason: events that were set in the book's "present" were sometimes written in the past tense, yet events set in the characters' past were sometimes written in the present tense.

I'm not a fan of present tense for novels anyway, but if an author is consistent right the way through, I eventually get used to it. The constant switching in this book annoyed me so much I gave up about halfway through.

And it was easy to give up, because I couldn't bring myself to care very much about Angela or her daughter. Not surprising, as we weren't given a chance to get to know them in the present day, before the action really began.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. The setting, plot, characters and pace were all perfect. I got absorbed in this story and could see all the people and places in my mind's eye as I was reading. Very well written and put together. I think I've found a new favourite author!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Rona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reading this listlessly until I reached the last page, and I was like, "What? That was it?"

Given my reaction, it’s best to say that the book didn't have my attention throughout the story. There were some points in this book that made me lose my interest.

First, there were characters in the book about whom I couldn’t care less. The author didn’t give me an opportunity to get to know about the characters more, which made them dull and one-dimensional. As a reader myself, I'd like to know about what’s happening inside them so I could relate to them or maybe give more reactions. However, this book didn’t have it, so it felt flat to me. Also, there was a kid in the story who went missing, but there weren’t many stories about her or her relationship with her family, so I didn’t care much at all.

Second, I was confused by how the story was written. The present was written in past tenses, then the backstory was written in present tenses. I mean, I guess it’s not that much of a big deal for some readers, but to me, it’s definitely not my cup of tea.

Lastly, the descriptions of the places or events are nothing special (I am so obsessed with how the places and events can be described in the story that I can finish a particular book even if it has a plot problem).

"For a bald-faced liar, she wasn’t bad."
"The buckets weren’t out." It was too cold, and they’d tip over in the wind. Inside the pavilion, the air was warm and heavy with scent.

There were more lines that described my sentiments well, but I forgot to note them, and now I can’t find them.

Overall, I still don’t regret reading it. It was worth a try, and I can't put it on my DNF list since it’s historical fiction. The said genre is very dear to me

[Nona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I chose because of the reader. I love the voice of Julia BARRIE and she did not disappoint me with this novel, and what is even more favourable is that fact that
Lucretia GRINDLE has written a great story.
The emotion woven through this story ebbs and flows and draws the reader in. At times I am urging Angela to be strong, not so infatuated with Antiono, ah but it is love.
Yes love is story here.
Highly recommended.

[Lucretia Apperloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks 2023 challenge prompt: An author with the same name as you.
I thought this prompt would be the most challenging, but it wasn't! I was shocked and surprised to find a book at my local library with an author with the same first name as me! How exciting!
The book itself was okay - kind of slow at times - so I did a fair bit of speed reading to get through it, but it was well-written! 3.5 stars

[Ila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply engaging story of a spoilt teenager traumatised by her mother's suicide, her loving step mother with a past, Italian police, Florence, Aldo Moro's kidnapping by the Red Brigade...A current day crime connected with a deeply troubled time in Italian politics and society, I remained thoroughly immersed in the tale right to the end.

[Mom2nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without meaning to I have read two books in a row that a daughter is in danger due to her mother's past. This one was by far the better of the two. Based in Italy with a resistance movement comparable to other countries. The characters are well-fleshed, the setting well imagined and the history understandable.

[Bailey Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book for the twists and turns and how engaging it is. Yes there are lists of story lines. Yes sometimes it gets confusing. BUT I think it is so worth the read and it had be sobbing by the finish. The book is lengthy but I enjoyed how detailed it was. It allowed me to really get to know the characters, their motivations, and intentions.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Splendid read by Grindle

This novel is a fascinating historical mystery. The Red Brigade is a part of the focus. The two main characters Antonio and Angie become in evolved and are participants in the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro. Thirty years later they come together again. Love, guilt, grief all bind them in another crime.

[Tina Stillabower · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this could have been a 350 page book instead of a 450 page book. It was slow in a couple of places, but by the last 100 pages, I was in it until the end. Interesting story line with some surprises in the end.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not usually one for mysteries, but I really enjoyed this one. I will have to check out her other books. Some day I'd love to visit Italy.

[Faith Hazelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for summer reading. Predictable and suspenseful with a couple of good surprises.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning I wasn’t sure, there’s a lot of information, you have to keep up! But I really liked the writing style and the characters. Midway to the end I couldn’t put it down.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost interest in this book about mid-way through. I knew I wanted to finish it to see how it all came together but it wasn't keeping me engaged anymore.

[Shruthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read.. definitely recommend it..

[Pauline]

Great story. Prose and writing were beautiful, but mixed with it a political twist. Very good read about Italian extreme terrorists.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, easy read.

[Mrs J M Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Italian people then and now

Jumping between two times of lovers at the heart of this story. Hot blooded Antonio and his beloved Angels who he loved to his death

[Chiquitasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was 15 one of my favorite books. The twists, the ending, I'm going to reread it soon!

[Pat Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved "Villa Trieste" but I think this one is even better. Absolutely loved it and hated it to end. Probably the best book I've read this year.

[Quirkybookwormkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more of the investigator books.....

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Lost Daughter’ by Lucretia Grindle
Published by Mantle, 26 August 2011. ISBN: 978-0-230-74623-7

Seventeen year-old Kristen Carson is an American student studying in Florence. When she is reported missing by her father, who has flown over from the USA to celebrate her birthday, the Italian police are not overly concerned. ‘She will turn up in a few days having been holed up in some hotel with a new boyfriend having an exciting time’, says Alessandro Pallioti, one of Florence’s most senior police officials. But Kenneth Carson is a doctor to the wealthy and famous, and knows people in high places, so reluctantly Pallioti puts his deputy Enzo Saenz onto the case.

After interviewing Kristen’s flat mate alarm bells ring for Enzo, when it appears that Kristen has been dating Antonio Tomaselli, who apart from being some thirty-years older than Kristen is a member of the Red Brigades who were responsible for the kidnap and death of Aldo Moro in 1978, and the death of many others. Whilst they are still casting around trying to get a handle on situation, Anna Carson, Kristen’s stepmother also goes missing.

The main narrators of the story are Enzo Saenz as he struggles to make sense of the two disappearances, and the background to the story which is told by a series of flashbacks from Anna Carson’s past.

So enthralling and descriptive is the writing that I became so immersed in the story that there were occasions when I looked up from the book and was surprised to find I was in the UK, and not in Florence.

This is a thrilling and heartbreaking story of a doomed love affair, which survived for decades. The stunning climax brings with it repercussions for all parties. I urge you all not to miss this exciting and fascinating tale. I see that there are three earlier books by this author, which I now have to read.
------
Lizzie Hayes

[Claar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik ben het nooit vergeten maar in 1978 werd de Italiaanse politicus Aldo Moro ontvoerd, daarmee begint De verloren dochter.

Het is een mooi, ontroerend en boeiend geschreven verhaal over Anna, geboren in Ferrara-Italië. Ze komt in 2010 terug uit Amerika naar Florence omdat haar stiefdochter wordt vermist.

Hoewel het eerste deel van De verloren dochter zich als een thriller ontwikkelt met de zoektocht naar Kristen is het meer het verhaal wat volgt over Anna wat mij zo heeft getroffen.
De tragische liefdesgeschiedenis tussen Anna en Antonio is wat De verloren dochter tot een roman heeft gemaakt. Op de achtergrond zijn het de ingrijpende jaren zeventig met de roerige periode van de ‘Brigate rosse’ wat het verhaal draagt
Zelf was ik toen nog heel jong en misschien heeft daardoor deze oude bewogen tijd zoveel indruk gemaakt. Het is een tijd waarin er nog ambachtelijk gewerkt werd maar waarin de werkloosheid en onvrede zeker onder de jongeren zegevierde.
Zo kon het gebeuren dat er destijds in Europa gewelddadige acties tegen de gevestigde orde ontstonden, ze waren radicaal en explosief.
In De verloren dochter heeft Lucretia Grindle deze specifieke situatie bijzonder goed omschreven.

Tenslotte zijn het de enkele woorden, de enkele zinnen, een beschrijving van de omgeving, de geuren, de kleuren die tot de verbeelding spreken, het is de sfeer van weemoed en nostalgie, van wraak, verraad en van liefde die mij soms rillingen doet bezorgen.

Het dramatische en droevige laatste deel van De verloren dochter roept bij mij
herinneringen op aan de laatste klanken van een Italiaanse opera, onvolmaaktheden zijn vergeven, applaus is wat erover blijft.

Claar van Lieshout maart2013

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly light, enjoyable read, bringing together events in Rome, 1978, when the Red Brigades kidnapped and murdered Aldo Moro, father figure of Italian politics, with an American student, Kristen Carson, who goes missing in Florence thirty-two years later. Linked to the two separate events are the notorious Antonio Tomaselli, who served time for the kidnap of Moro, and Anna Carson, step-mother of Kristen, who also goes missing shortly after arriving in Florence.

The plot is full of twists and turns as Pallioti and Enzo, detectives from Florence, hunt down Anna Carson and search for her lost daughter. The book did keep my attention, jumping from the past to the present to explain how events from the past are affecting current circumstances, and it's a dramatic love story as well as a thriller. But it didn't quite do it for me. I found some of the writing rather laboured, almost as though the author was trying too hard, and somehow I found the ending a little too neat and I found myself a touch disappointed at the end. It kept my interest to the end but for me it lacked that something special.