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Daniel Leicester #1
A Quiet Death in Italy
'The locale is brought to life . . . the plot keeps you guessing' The Times'A slow-burning, tense and brooding thriller' The Herald Scotland'Tom Benjamin's debut novel blows the lid off a political cauldron in which Leftist agitators, property moguls, the police and city elders struggle for survival and dominance' Daily Mail'It's an immensely promising debut, which leaves the reader feeling they really know the city.' Morning Star city of secrets, suspicion . . . and murderWhen the body of a radical protestor is found floating in one of Bologna's underground canals, it seems that most of the city is ready to blame the usual the police.But when private investigator Daniel Leicester, son-in-law to the former chief of police, receives a call from the dead man's lover, he follows a trail that begins in the 1970s and leads all the way to the rotten heart of the present-day political establishment.Beneath the beauty of the city, Bologna has a dark underside, and English detective Daniel must unravel a web of secrets, deceit and corruption - before he is caught in it himself.A dark and atmospheric crime thriller set in the beautiful Italian city of Bologna, perfect for fans of Donna Leon, Michael Dibdin and Philip Gwynne Jones.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2019
189 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Tom Benjamin
6 books48 followersTom began his career as a reporter in north London before becoming a spokesman for Scotland Yard where he was a frequent visitor, for strictly professional reasons, to its famed Black Museum. He went on to work in international aid and public health before moving to Bologna with his Italian wife. Tom's first job in Bologna as a doorman at a homeless canteen exposed him to an Italy less travelled and helped inspire his debut A Quiet Death In Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 25, 2020
Tom Benjamin begins a terrific crime series set in the beautiful Italian city of Bologna, with a British PI, Daniel Leicester, a former investigative journalist, having lost his wife, Lucia, with a teen daughter, Rose. He has chosen to live with his Italian family, preferring their culturally close knit family structure. He works with his father-in-law, a now retired Comandante, with his close links with the police with whom he has a collaborative relationship, the titular head of their Faidate Investigations agency, where his brother-in-law, Jacapo, is also employed. Paulo Solitudine's body has been discovered under Bologna's underground canal system, and the Mayor, Carlo Manzi's wife, Marta Finzi, calls in the agency to find out what happened to Paolo, suspecting her husband may have had a hand in his death. Paolo was her lover, a radical political activist, who spent 7 years in prison for attempted robbery.
The mayor is promoting the development of the historic and medieval Bologna, claiming that this is instrumental and necessary in securing its future, with property developers looking to redevelop the abandoned and dilapidated buildings. Fiercely resisting his agenda is the still beating heart of Bologna's radicals and anarchists, located at the back of the Osteria della Luna, of which Paolo was an integral part. They see this as a continuation of the powerful elites corrupt attempts to prosper whilst slamming the door on and excluding ordinary Italians. Daniel finds himself uncovering a murky and dangerous history of radicalism that goes back to the 1970s and 1980s, of agent provocateurs, betrayal, police corruption, black squads, and black money, manipulation, machinations, where some feel free to act as judge, jury and executioner, a world which he discovers his family is indelibly tainted with.
Benjamin establishes his characters and his location with aplomb, his research is impressive as he utilises Bologna's political and social history through his characters and Paolo's journal in his terrific blend of fact and fiction in the novel. His rich descriptions of Bologna make the city come alive for the reader, and his protagonist, Daniel, is a family man, with a foot inside Italian society, whilst maintaining the sense of being an outsider, a man with a strong sense of morality, compassion, as can be seen in his relationship with the young Dolores, and justice. This is an impressive beginning to the series, I adored the Italian location and Daniel and his family, it is an entertaining, compulsive and well plotted crime read. I am already looking forward to the next in the series! Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
The mayor is promoting the development of the historic and medieval Bologna, claiming that this is instrumental and necessary in securing its future, with property developers looking to redevelop the abandoned and dilapidated buildings. Fiercely resisting his agenda is the still beating heart of Bologna's radicals and anarchists, located at the back of the Osteria della Luna, of which Paolo was an integral part. They see this as a continuation of the powerful elites corrupt attempts to prosper whilst slamming the door on and excluding ordinary Italians. Daniel finds himself uncovering a murky and dangerous history of radicalism that goes back to the 1970s and 1980s, of agent provocateurs, betrayal, police corruption, black squads, and black money, manipulation, machinations, where some feel free to act as judge, jury and executioner, a world which he discovers his family is indelibly tainted with.
Benjamin establishes his characters and his location with aplomb, his research is impressive as he utilises Bologna's political and social history through his characters and Paolo's journal in his terrific blend of fact and fiction in the novel. His rich descriptions of Bologna make the city come alive for the reader, and his protagonist, Daniel, is a family man, with a foot inside Italian society, whilst maintaining the sense of being an outsider, a man with a strong sense of morality, compassion, as can be seen in his relationship with the young Dolores, and justice. This is an impressive beginning to the series, I adored the Italian location and Daniel and his family, it is an entertaining, compulsive and well plotted crime read. I am already looking forward to the next in the series! Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
January 30, 2021
All reviews are about the reader, not the book. Some more than others. Cautions apply when reading what follows.. :)
3.5
A Quiet Death in Italy left me speechless, disconcerted and somewhat appalled. “Is this the way we appear? Is this all we are? He did understand zero, nil... or How does he dare?” These were some of the thoughts flashing along my mind while reading this book. But while insulting my sense of self he was dragging me screaming in to his nightmare. What seemed a mystery novel was revealing itself as a dark and disturbing noir. (Particularly dark and disturbing if you are a bolognese, mind you..)
It has a slow start, with many many nits (a skewed view of history and actuality, heavy stereotyping, etc) and I thought it wasn’t such a gripping read... until I found my self in quicksand and drowning, that is...
I need time to come to grip with the story it tells and some of its characters too. I’m not sure I’ll ever come to terms with the image of Italy it shows, though. But then it would be my problem, wouldn’t it?
For all those readers out there who love European style noir.
We just need to give his editor a map of Bologna so s/he can check better some street names.... (the only revenge this book will allow me....)
3.5
A Quiet Death in Italy left me speechless, disconcerted and somewhat appalled. “Is this the way we appear? Is this all we are? He did understand zero, nil... or How does he dare?” These were some of the thoughts flashing along my mind while reading this book. But while insulting my sense of self he was dragging me screaming in to his nightmare. What seemed a mystery novel was revealing itself as a dark and disturbing noir. (Particularly dark and disturbing if you are a bolognese, mind you..)
It has a slow start, with many many nits (a skewed view of history and actuality, heavy stereotyping, etc) and I thought it wasn’t such a gripping read... until I found my self in quicksand and drowning, that is...
I need time to come to grip with the story it tells and some of its characters too. I’m not sure I’ll ever come to terms with the image of Italy it shows, though. But then it would be my problem, wouldn’t it?
For all those readers out there who love European style noir.
We just need to give his editor a map of Bologna so s/he can check better some street names.... (the only revenge this book will allow me....)
May 25, 2020
Murder mystery set in BOLOGNA
Catch our You Tube review: https://youtu.be/C8rIfZ8zWH0
Bologna never seems to get a real look-in on the tourist trail around Italy. People travel through on the high speed trains to Florence, Pisa, Rome and further South and often don’t give a second glance to this rather wonderful city, brilliantly portrayed in A Quiet Death In Italy. It has Roman and Renaissance heritage, especially along the Via Zamboni, it also has underground canals (which feature in the this mystery). Stop at Ristorante Diana and the Mercato delle Erbe, feast on piadini, which is a thin Italian flatbread popular in the region of Emilia Romagna. An excellent and evocative setting for a murder mystery!
Basically, the scene is beautifully set for literary wanderlust and the story weaves its way through this ancient city. The city has a recent history of political activism, back to the period of the Red Brigades (the Central Station was bombed in 1980 killing 85 people). Now, the body of radical protestor Paolo Solitudine is found floating in one of the underground waterways of the city. The police have been a loggerheads with a group of anarchists, holed up in the old hospital of Santa Maria Maddalena. How did he die? Did the police maybe kill him?
Daniel Leicester is the son-in-law of the former, now retired, Comandante and together they are soon investigating the murky world of local italian politics and dodgy governmental dealings. Daniel discovers that Marta Finzi, wife of Bologna’s mayor, Carlo Manzi, was having an affair with the dead man. Plenty of reason, perhaps, for the man to have been killed. Their relationship however seems to have gone back over years and there even seems to be a link to days of political activism back in the 1970s.
Daniel is an investigator who has had his fair share of difficulty in life. He lost his wife Lucia in an unfortunate car accident and he is now bringing up his 13 year old daughter, with the support of her family. He is a thoughtful man and – even though he is British – speaks pretty good Italian, which holds him in good stead!
A great read for fans of Philip Gwynne Jones and Donna Leon (Venice). Between them they almost have the Northern Italy murder mystery genre covered 😉 and I look forward to his next book The Hunting Season.
Catch our You Tube review: https://youtu.be/C8rIfZ8zWH0
Bologna never seems to get a real look-in on the tourist trail around Italy. People travel through on the high speed trains to Florence, Pisa, Rome and further South and often don’t give a second glance to this rather wonderful city, brilliantly portrayed in A Quiet Death In Italy. It has Roman and Renaissance heritage, especially along the Via Zamboni, it also has underground canals (which feature in the this mystery). Stop at Ristorante Diana and the Mercato delle Erbe, feast on piadini, which is a thin Italian flatbread popular in the region of Emilia Romagna. An excellent and evocative setting for a murder mystery!
Basically, the scene is beautifully set for literary wanderlust and the story weaves its way through this ancient city. The city has a recent history of political activism, back to the period of the Red Brigades (the Central Station was bombed in 1980 killing 85 people). Now, the body of radical protestor Paolo Solitudine is found floating in one of the underground waterways of the city. The police have been a loggerheads with a group of anarchists, holed up in the old hospital of Santa Maria Maddalena. How did he die? Did the police maybe kill him?
Daniel Leicester is the son-in-law of the former, now retired, Comandante and together they are soon investigating the murky world of local italian politics and dodgy governmental dealings. Daniel discovers that Marta Finzi, wife of Bologna’s mayor, Carlo Manzi, was having an affair with the dead man. Plenty of reason, perhaps, for the man to have been killed. Their relationship however seems to have gone back over years and there even seems to be a link to days of political activism back in the 1970s.
Daniel is an investigator who has had his fair share of difficulty in life. He lost his wife Lucia in an unfortunate car accident and he is now bringing up his 13 year old daughter, with the support of her family. He is a thoughtful man and – even though he is British – speaks pretty good Italian, which holds him in good stead!
A great read for fans of Philip Gwynne Jones and Donna Leon (Venice). Between them they almost have the Northern Italy murder mystery genre covered 😉 and I look forward to his next book The Hunting Season.
August 31, 2023
Made me feel like i was in Bologna - loved it
July 6, 2020
Although a debut novel, A Quiet Death in Italy has the feel of a book part way through a series. I mean that in a good way as its location – the Italian city of Bologna – and its main characters seem so very well realised. In particular, the author has given private detective, Daniel Leicester, a back story that makes him both a sympathetic character and leaves open plenty of possibilities for future story lines. There’s a great cast of secondary characters as well – Rose, Jacopo, Alba and Dolores. Not forgetting Daniel’s boss and father-in-law, the formidable Comandante for whom the phrase “We are family” is more than mere words, it’s a credo to live – and act – by.
But perhaps the key character is Bologna itself; a city in which ancient and modern exist cheek by jowl. So fashionable bars and restaurants are housed in former Renaissance palaces with trompe l’oeil ceilings and behind the high walls of family homes are hidden gardens and courtyards.
The satisfyingly intricate plot skilfully encompasses both past and present Italian political history involving a complex web of relationships, recrimination and revenge, and encompassing all levels of society. There are exciting action scenes and dramatic moments that make the most of city locations. And there is delicious sounding food – tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragu, zuppe inglese to name but a few. (The book has a useful glossary in which, among other things, you can learn about ‘the Italian Banksy’ and the dish you should never ask for in a restaurant in Bologna.)
I really enjoyed A Quiet Death in Italy. An assured debut, it promises to be the start of a terrific new crime series. It won’t do the tourist industry of Bologna any harm either. My review copy came with a bonus – an excerpt from the next book in the series, The Hunting Season. I, for one, shall be eagerly awaiting its publication in November.
But perhaps the key character is Bologna itself; a city in which ancient and modern exist cheek by jowl. So fashionable bars and restaurants are housed in former Renaissance palaces with trompe l’oeil ceilings and behind the high walls of family homes are hidden gardens and courtyards.
The satisfyingly intricate plot skilfully encompasses both past and present Italian political history involving a complex web of relationships, recrimination and revenge, and encompassing all levels of society. There are exciting action scenes and dramatic moments that make the most of city locations. And there is delicious sounding food – tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragu, zuppe inglese to name but a few. (The book has a useful glossary in which, among other things, you can learn about ‘the Italian Banksy’ and the dish you should never ask for in a restaurant in Bologna.)
I really enjoyed A Quiet Death in Italy. An assured debut, it promises to be the start of a terrific new crime series. It won’t do the tourist industry of Bologna any harm either. My review copy came with a bonus – an excerpt from the next book in the series, The Hunting Season. I, for one, shall be eagerly awaiting its publication in November.
October 6, 2020
A very assured debut which reminds me of some of the excellent crime novels of the past. Daniel Leicester is a well drawn, likeable character who will garner many fans I'm sure. Full of political intrigue and corruption, it is a uniquely an Italian tale. The author also brings in the history, geography and culture of Bologna which adds a richness to the book. One to curl up and loose yourself in.
February 14, 2021
3.5 stars.
Entertaining mystery set in Bologna, location was the best bit.
Entertaining mystery set in Bologna, location was the best bit.
August 22, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Set in Bologna, the writers descriptions of place had me feeling I was walking with him in that beautiful city. A good read.
April 13, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of A Quiet Death in Italy, the first novel set in Bologna to feature PI Daniel Leicester.
The Mayor’s wife, Marta Finzi, asks Daniel and his father-in-law to investigate the death of her lover, left wing activist Paolo Solitudine. The Police believe his death was an accident, his fellow activists believe the Police murdered him and Daniel comes to believe that there is more to Paolo than anyone suspects.
I enjoyed A Quiet Death in Italy after a while as it is a book of two halves, slow to start then quite exciting as the action ramps up and the plot comes together. The novel is told in the first person from Daniel’s point of view which is a good idea as the reader can work the case alongside him and see what he sees. It gives the novel an intimate feel and at the same time allows for a certain objectivity as he is an outsider, an Englishman with an Italian family.
I found the first half of the novel slow and quite unappealing. I have little interest in corruption (what else in Italy?) or the idealism of The Red Brigade or the modern protest movement and the novel covers these elements at length to set the scene. There is also a sort of ambiguity built in to the narrative and I never really felt on solid ground. I’m glad, however, that I persevered as the second half is much more interesting. The reader has all the information required by then so it’s more a matter of putting it all together. It is full of action, twists and doesn’t pull any punches with betrayal being the name of the game.
The novel doesn’t paint a glamorous picture of Bologna showing as it does the rot below the picturesque surface. The corruption, though, is of a different magnitude with its roots in the anarchy of the 1970s. This is explained, well perhaps not explained, signposted might be a better word by excerpts from Paolo’s diary from that era. They are very human and paint a rather naïve picture of the times.
This is a clever novel in the way it is constructed with so many links between the characters and their shared past. Very few of the characters come out of it unblemished and that’s a touch depressing but power and influence require a certain ruthlessness that is never appealing.
A Quiet Death in Italy is an interesting read and I would like to see how the author develops his characters.
The Mayor’s wife, Marta Finzi, asks Daniel and his father-in-law to investigate the death of her lover, left wing activist Paolo Solitudine. The Police believe his death was an accident, his fellow activists believe the Police murdered him and Daniel comes to believe that there is more to Paolo than anyone suspects.
I enjoyed A Quiet Death in Italy after a while as it is a book of two halves, slow to start then quite exciting as the action ramps up and the plot comes together. The novel is told in the first person from Daniel’s point of view which is a good idea as the reader can work the case alongside him and see what he sees. It gives the novel an intimate feel and at the same time allows for a certain objectivity as he is an outsider, an Englishman with an Italian family.
I found the first half of the novel slow and quite unappealing. I have little interest in corruption (what else in Italy?) or the idealism of The Red Brigade or the modern protest movement and the novel covers these elements at length to set the scene. There is also a sort of ambiguity built in to the narrative and I never really felt on solid ground. I’m glad, however, that I persevered as the second half is much more interesting. The reader has all the information required by then so it’s more a matter of putting it all together. It is full of action, twists and doesn’t pull any punches with betrayal being the name of the game.
The novel doesn’t paint a glamorous picture of Bologna showing as it does the rot below the picturesque surface. The corruption, though, is of a different magnitude with its roots in the anarchy of the 1970s. This is explained, well perhaps not explained, signposted might be a better word by excerpts from Paolo’s diary from that era. They are very human and paint a rather naïve picture of the times.
This is a clever novel in the way it is constructed with so many links between the characters and their shared past. Very few of the characters come out of it unblemished and that’s a touch depressing but power and influence require a certain ruthlessness that is never appealing.
A Quiet Death in Italy is an interesting read and I would like to see how the author develops his characters.
April 26, 2020
'The door opened onto a small park. I shouldn't have been surprised - the city was built around its hidden spaces.'
A promising start to what will be, hopefully, a series. Our setting is Bologna: 'not only La Grassa, the fat, and La Dotta, the learned, but also, La Rossa, the Red.' Set against the backdrop of the famous university and an old town desperate to reinvent, and renovate, itself for the tourist market, it is also a city where the past lives on, in this shape of its partisan and Communist past which cast a shadow over the events in the novel.
Our intrepid PI, Daniel Leicester, is an Englishman who married his Italian wife Lucia, with whom they had a daughter Rose. Now a widow, Daniel works with his father-in-law Giovanni, Bolgna's ex-police chief, still well-regarded enough to be called the Comandante. Their company, Faidate Investigations, is hired by the wife of the mayor to look into the suspicious death of a local activist, Paolo Solitudine, which opens up a whole can of worms. As Daniel battles to find the truth he has to deal with police and political corruption, an angry gang of protestors and the long shadow of 1970s Italian politics.
This is a thoroughly engaging and well crafted crime thriller. The setting is certainly authentic, and adds a layer of reality and atmosphere to the events; the characters, outside the stock two-dimensional cops and hoodlums, are well rounded and add a very personal touch to Daniel's investigations. He is a very human central character, suitably flawed and emotionally damaged, but a loving father and dutiful family man. His status as both an outsider and a man with Italian family puts him in a certain position:
'An English detective in Italy has certain advantages. For a start, Italians adore the British - or rather, at least until they made a hash of Brexit - deeply admired them for representing everything they believe they are not: sober, pragmatic and trustworthy.'
The first-person narrative also brings the reader closer to Daniel, through whose eyes we see events and make the connections as he does.
Sometimes you just need a good escape into a crime novel, with a suitably foreign setting as a backdrop, and a nice tying up of loose ends for a conclusion. There is plenty here to look forward to more in the series, and I can't wait. Thoroughly recommended.
A promising start to what will be, hopefully, a series. Our setting is Bologna: 'not only La Grassa, the fat, and La Dotta, the learned, but also, La Rossa, the Red.' Set against the backdrop of the famous university and an old town desperate to reinvent, and renovate, itself for the tourist market, it is also a city where the past lives on, in this shape of its partisan and Communist past which cast a shadow over the events in the novel.
Our intrepid PI, Daniel Leicester, is an Englishman who married his Italian wife Lucia, with whom they had a daughter Rose. Now a widow, Daniel works with his father-in-law Giovanni, Bolgna's ex-police chief, still well-regarded enough to be called the Comandante. Their company, Faidate Investigations, is hired by the wife of the mayor to look into the suspicious death of a local activist, Paolo Solitudine, which opens up a whole can of worms. As Daniel battles to find the truth he has to deal with police and political corruption, an angry gang of protestors and the long shadow of 1970s Italian politics.
This is a thoroughly engaging and well crafted crime thriller. The setting is certainly authentic, and adds a layer of reality and atmosphere to the events; the characters, outside the stock two-dimensional cops and hoodlums, are well rounded and add a very personal touch to Daniel's investigations. He is a very human central character, suitably flawed and emotionally damaged, but a loving father and dutiful family man. His status as both an outsider and a man with Italian family puts him in a certain position:
'An English detective in Italy has certain advantages. For a start, Italians adore the British - or rather, at least until they made a hash of Brexit - deeply admired them for representing everything they believe they are not: sober, pragmatic and trustworthy.'
The first-person narrative also brings the reader closer to Daniel, through whose eyes we see events and make the connections as he does.
Sometimes you just need a good escape into a crime novel, with a suitably foreign setting as a backdrop, and a nice tying up of loose ends for a conclusion. There is plenty here to look forward to more in the series, and I can't wait. Thoroughly recommended.
August 3, 2024
A 3.5 for this one I think.
November 26, 2020
Daniel Leicester is the perfect character for me. Both an outsider (a Brit and his daughter living in Italy, with his Italian wife now deceased) and an insider (his wife’s father was part of the police department, and now he and Daniel form a private investigator agency). He knows about Bologna, it’s politics, a corrupt past and the shady characters who live there, he clearly has a love of the city, but is still treated like an outsider throughout the book. It’s complex and expertly carried off.
The plot is full of suspense and questions that keep you reading far too late into the night for your boss to be happy with you, but beyond the plot, there is an in depth knowledge of the local people, the politics and the history of Bologna, which for me makes this book stand out far beyond other crimes I’ve read. The description of Bologna is vivid and beautiful, and the characters are incredibly well formed, flawed but very likeable, and instantly recognisable.
I was gutted to finish this book, and I can’t wait for the next one!
The plot is full of suspense and questions that keep you reading far too late into the night for your boss to be happy with you, but beyond the plot, there is an in depth knowledge of the local people, the politics and the history of Bologna, which for me makes this book stand out far beyond other crimes I’ve read. The description of Bologna is vivid and beautiful, and the characters are incredibly well formed, flawed but very likeable, and instantly recognisable.
I was gutted to finish this book, and I can’t wait for the next one!
November 14, 2019
A great read, full of suspense and intrigue, it rattles along at a fine pace, seasoned with the sights, sounds, tastes and history of Bologna in particular and life in Italy in general. Tom Benjamin's main character, Daniel Leicester, narrates a story from the heart of the family business into which he married and for which he is increasingly going to be responsible, just as he is responsible for bringing up his teenage daughter and guiding his young brother and sister in law. As an Englishman in Italy he has a foot in both cultures and uses this to his advantage where he can. We learn alongside him of the history of political struggle since the war, the present standoff between the city authorities and the anarchists and we are plunged with him into the murky depths of an ancient canal system now buried beneath the city's bustling streets. The story of a quiet death has as many twists and turns as the subterranean canals as the characters involved slip from one shadow to another never quite being who they seem or claim to be. Daniel Leicester makes his entrance with this story, we applaud him and wait eagerly for more.
April 11, 2021
Set in contemporary Bologna, Daniel Leicester, a former investigative journalist turned private detective, is asked to investigate the death of a former anarchist, Paolo Solitudine (the surname means solitude).
Bologna is definitely one of the main characters of this first novel, written by a British author who moved to Italy permanently some time ago. He shows he knows the customs of Italian life thoroughly, but in doing so he sometimes neglects to involve the reader closely on the road to discovering who murdered Paolo and why. That being said, for those who remember this dark period in recent Italian history the book takes the reader back to the days when people were killed for ideological divergences alone.
The main themes in the novel – apart from murders – seem to be the classical ones of love and betrayal, with more than a smattering of corruption; and though I find it hard to put my finger on it exactly, the writing leaves something to be desired. Quite an enjoyable read, but overall not memorable.
Bologna is definitely one of the main characters of this first novel, written by a British author who moved to Italy permanently some time ago. He shows he knows the customs of Italian life thoroughly, but in doing so he sometimes neglects to involve the reader closely on the road to discovering who murdered Paolo and why. That being said, for those who remember this dark period in recent Italian history the book takes the reader back to the days when people were killed for ideological divergences alone.
The main themes in the novel – apart from murders – seem to be the classical ones of love and betrayal, with more than a smattering of corruption; and though I find it hard to put my finger on it exactly, the writing leaves something to be desired. Quite an enjoyable read, but overall not memorable.
April 27, 2020
When I stumbled upon A Quiet Death in Italy by Tom Benjamin, I was looking for something different, new ideas, original storytelling techniques, and it didn’t take me more then reading the first few pages to realise that I had found my new go-to author.
The novel is set in today’s Bologna, an important, but not too big town in the North of Italy where I lived for three years. I was piqued.
One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the author’s ability to describe the lively city and its long history without distracting the reader from the multitude of plot twists and the main characters: he does it with a unique spin, namely a very British point of view of a very Italian context.
In brief, if you are interested in a catchy novel AND want to learn something about Italy (without trite stereotypes), I suggest you give it go.
The novel is set in today’s Bologna, an important, but not too big town in the North of Italy where I lived for three years. I was piqued.
One of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the author’s ability to describe the lively city and its long history without distracting the reader from the multitude of plot twists and the main characters: he does it with a unique spin, namely a very British point of view of a very Italian context.
In brief, if you are interested in a catchy novel AND want to learn something about Italy (without trite stereotypes), I suggest you give it go.
July 8, 2020
Set in the slightly lesser known Italian city of Bologna, this detail rich, debut novel, follows an investigation into the death of a political protester. With the police 'unwilling' to investigate and possibly even involved, it's left to out main character, Englishman and private investigator Daniel Leicester to find out the truth. And boy does it take him on a winding and involved story of Italian politics, corrupt government, and political protesters. If you like your crime fiction to really have a sense of time and place this is a book for you.
A slow moving and multi layered novel which does a marvellous job at describing and evoking a city lesser known to the tourists which flood into Italy year after year. The feel of the city with it's history and it's wonderful food and architecture are wonderfully described as well as the complicated and age old political and government situations, which are used to their fullest within the story line and plot.
I found Daniel a wonderful character, and felt I had already meet him before yet this is the first book in a new series. A recent widower, having lost his Italian wife 3 years previously, he lives with his daughter Rose, father-in-law and two other family members. The adults also work together in the family owed business and this connection adds a lovely touch to the story, giving it a lighter thread to follow and grow.
There are a number of characters within the book whom all add their own authenticity and backdrop to the story, and make this a well written, enjoyable, believable and evocative read.
Thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on the tour and to the publishers Constable Books for my digital copy which has a wonderfully interesting glossary at the end of the book, along with the first 2 chapters of the next book in this series, The Hunting Season!
A slow moving and multi layered novel which does a marvellous job at describing and evoking a city lesser known to the tourists which flood into Italy year after year. The feel of the city with it's history and it's wonderful food and architecture are wonderfully described as well as the complicated and age old political and government situations, which are used to their fullest within the story line and plot.
I found Daniel a wonderful character, and felt I had already meet him before yet this is the first book in a new series. A recent widower, having lost his Italian wife 3 years previously, he lives with his daughter Rose, father-in-law and two other family members. The adults also work together in the family owed business and this connection adds a lovely touch to the story, giving it a lighter thread to follow and grow.
There are a number of characters within the book whom all add their own authenticity and backdrop to the story, and make this a well written, enjoyable, believable and evocative read.
Thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on the tour and to the publishers Constable Books for my digital copy which has a wonderfully interesting glossary at the end of the book, along with the first 2 chapters of the next book in this series, The Hunting Season!
May 13, 2020
With thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for a digital copy of this book. I am a great fan of literary detectives and always ready to welcome a new detective to the genre.
‘ An English detective in Italy has certain advantages. For a start, Italians adore the British...admired them for representing everything they believe they are not: sober, pragmatic and trustworthy. ‘ Thus Benjamin establishes the credentials for his new detective, Daniel Leicester. Daniel possesses all three of those qualities: he is a widow with a young child; fluent in Italian; working in a private detective agency after years being a journalist. He is ‘a stranger in a strange land’, investigating the suspicious death of a political radical, unravelling a case deeply embroiled in politics and corrupt property dealings. Daniel is told, ‘This is not England, this is not fair play’, and indeed the novel presents an often violent and shocking picture of Italian police, politicians and civic leaders. The novel is set in Bologna and the sense of place is very powerful with extensive descriptions of the city, its buildings and infrastructure, the heavy furnishings of its dark apartments I greatly enjoyed reading A Quiet Death - there’s a pace and tension as the investigation unfolds, a powerful depiction of political corruption and a human back story of Daniel and his family building up their lives after their loss. Daniel is an interesting addition to the world of literary detectives. I particularly liked the way in tricky or dangerous situations Daniel was clearly tense or frightened and this added to the tension about how, or whether the situation would resolve. I very much hope Daniel will have another case and I do think this would be rather a good film.
‘ An English detective in Italy has certain advantages. For a start, Italians adore the British...admired them for representing everything they believe they are not: sober, pragmatic and trustworthy. ‘ Thus Benjamin establishes the credentials for his new detective, Daniel Leicester. Daniel possesses all three of those qualities: he is a widow with a young child; fluent in Italian; working in a private detective agency after years being a journalist. He is ‘a stranger in a strange land’, investigating the suspicious death of a political radical, unravelling a case deeply embroiled in politics and corrupt property dealings. Daniel is told, ‘This is not England, this is not fair play’, and indeed the novel presents an often violent and shocking picture of Italian police, politicians and civic leaders. The novel is set in Bologna and the sense of place is very powerful with extensive descriptions of the city, its buildings and infrastructure, the heavy furnishings of its dark apartments I greatly enjoyed reading A Quiet Death - there’s a pace and tension as the investigation unfolds, a powerful depiction of political corruption and a human back story of Daniel and his family building up their lives after their loss. Daniel is an interesting addition to the world of literary detectives. I particularly liked the way in tricky or dangerous situations Daniel was clearly tense or frightened and this added to the tension about how, or whether the situation would resolve. I very much hope Daniel will have another case and I do think this would be rather a good film.
May 25, 2025
A Quiet Death in Italy is a political mystery thriller and the first book in the Daniel Leicester series—and what a start it is!
As I read through the story, I found myself completely immersed in the writing. The words felt like they came from someone who truly understands how to craft a narrative, and it made perfect sense when I discovered that Tom Benjamin had been a journalist. His prose is just beautiful—like an artist painting with words. The descriptions almost leapt off the page, so vivid and rich, they made it easy to picture each scene clearly.
One of the things I really appreciated was the inclusion of Daniel Leicester’s family life. It made him feel so much more real and relatable. Those glimpses into his personal relationships showed his flaws and vulnerabilities, which gave the story more depth and helped me connect with him as a character.
What I particularly loved was the contrast between Bologna’s stunning architecture and the gritty, criminal underworld that Daniel finds himself investigating. That clash of beauty and darkness added so much atmosphere. The way the setting was woven into the narrative felt so natural, and it really brought the book to life for me.
There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, too—just what you'd want from a mystery thriller. Each one added to the tension and kept me eagerly turning the pages.
All in all, A Quiet Death in Italy was a brilliant read—smart, atmospheric, and full of intrigue. I’m so glad I picked this up, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series to see where Daniel Leicester heads next. If you enjoy a clever, character-driven thriller set somewhere a little different, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
As I read through the story, I found myself completely immersed in the writing. The words felt like they came from someone who truly understands how to craft a narrative, and it made perfect sense when I discovered that Tom Benjamin had been a journalist. His prose is just beautiful—like an artist painting with words. The descriptions almost leapt off the page, so vivid and rich, they made it easy to picture each scene clearly.
One of the things I really appreciated was the inclusion of Daniel Leicester’s family life. It made him feel so much more real and relatable. Those glimpses into his personal relationships showed his flaws and vulnerabilities, which gave the story more depth and helped me connect with him as a character.
What I particularly loved was the contrast between Bologna’s stunning architecture and the gritty, criminal underworld that Daniel finds himself investigating. That clash of beauty and darkness added so much atmosphere. The way the setting was woven into the narrative felt so natural, and it really brought the book to life for me.
There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, too—just what you'd want from a mystery thriller. Each one added to the tension and kept me eagerly turning the pages.
All in all, A Quiet Death in Italy was a brilliant read—smart, atmospheric, and full of intrigue. I’m so glad I picked this up, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series to see where Daniel Leicester heads next. If you enjoy a clever, character-driven thriller set somewhere a little different, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.
August 28, 2024
Why aren't more people reading this book. I was looking for thrillers that aren't set in the UK or the USA and I stumbled upon this one.
So happy I did, Tom Benjamin for a start knows what he is talking about and he clearly lives or lived there and knows the area like the back of his hand. Same with the people. This is not written by someone who is looking from the outside in or a visitor to the place. This is someone who's made a effort to get the know the city and the people and it is a joy the read because you can see it in your minds eye and believe that this thing could happen and that these people could exist in that place.
Daniel is quite wonderful to follow as a main character, he's personality, his family (I love that he is single father who manages to be both interested in his work and his daughter. Men in real life manage to care about both but it is rarer in fiction) and his place in society fit this story so well. He juggles the Britishness and local to an Italian city (Bologna) so well. I can see how these dual aspects of his personality would fit in the job that he does.
As to the mystery, if you hadn't said where this was set I would have guessed Italy. All these characters again feel so organic to Bologna, the culture and its history. The mystery and different players work perfectly for Italy, but if you'd tried to put it elsewhere it wouldn't have translated half as well. So that right there is a skilled writer at work.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
So happy I did, Tom Benjamin for a start knows what he is talking about and he clearly lives or lived there and knows the area like the back of his hand. Same with the people. This is not written by someone who is looking from the outside in or a visitor to the place. This is someone who's made a effort to get the know the city and the people and it is a joy the read because you can see it in your minds eye and believe that this thing could happen and that these people could exist in that place.
Daniel is quite wonderful to follow as a main character, he's personality, his family (I love that he is single father who manages to be both interested in his work and his daughter. Men in real life manage to care about both but it is rarer in fiction) and his place in society fit this story so well. He juggles the Britishness and local to an Italian city (Bologna) so well. I can see how these dual aspects of his personality would fit in the job that he does.
As to the mystery, if you hadn't said where this was set I would have guessed Italy. All these characters again feel so organic to Bologna, the culture and its history. The mystery and different players work perfectly for Italy, but if you'd tried to put it elsewhere it wouldn't have translated half as well. So that right there is a skilled writer at work.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
January 8, 2022
The reason why I picked up A Quiet Death in Italy is entirely due to its setting. I've been "traveling" around Italy, solving mysteries one after the other, but I had yet to sample one set in Bologna. I thought it was time to "visit" a new location.
The portrait resident Tom Benjamin paints of Bologna is one of unrest caused by some of the usual suspects: corrupt police, corrupt government officials, and greedy property developers, with the added flavor of very vocal and active radical protesters. Some of the scenes set during protests were very well-written, making me feel as though I were right in the streets with the main character.
Former investigative journalist and widower Daniel Leicester is a British ex-pat living in Bologna with his young daughter and working for his father-in-law as a private investigator. He has a very strong sense of right and wrong and is willing to stand up for his principles-- but not at the expense of his common sense. When you're a single parent of a young child, you do have to draw a line somewhere, and I was happy to see that Leicester could make this distinction.
As well-written as A Quiet Death in Italy is, and as much as I learned about present-day Bologna, the story and its main character never really captured my interest or my imagination. Your mileage may certainly vary, so if you're looking for a mystery set in a different Italian location, you may definitely want to give this book a try.
The portrait resident Tom Benjamin paints of Bologna is one of unrest caused by some of the usual suspects: corrupt police, corrupt government officials, and greedy property developers, with the added flavor of very vocal and active radical protesters. Some of the scenes set during protests were very well-written, making me feel as though I were right in the streets with the main character.
Former investigative journalist and widower Daniel Leicester is a British ex-pat living in Bologna with his young daughter and working for his father-in-law as a private investigator. He has a very strong sense of right and wrong and is willing to stand up for his principles-- but not at the expense of his common sense. When you're a single parent of a young child, you do have to draw a line somewhere, and I was happy to see that Leicester could make this distinction.
As well-written as A Quiet Death in Italy is, and as much as I learned about present-day Bologna, the story and its main character never really captured my interest or my imagination. Your mileage may certainly vary, so if you're looking for a mystery set in a different Italian location, you may definitely want to give this book a try.
September 17, 2023
When in Italy as they say, I’ve read this during my Italian holiday and it’s a perfect read for warm evenings and beach lounging.
The body of a radical protester is found floating in one of Bologna’s canals, most people are ready to blame the police. Daniel Leicester, private detective and son-in-law to the ex chief of police gets a call from the dead man’s lover and starts on a trail that takes him back to the 1970’s, deceit, corruption and the rotten core of the current political establishment.
Having reading the second in the series, The Hunting Season, I found this, the first book when we first meet Daniel Leicester, the best (and only) private detective in Bologna. Daniel is a widower with a teenage daughter and an Italian family. It oozes Italy, the descriptions, the little Italian asides, you can feel the heat and visualise the little streets. Plus it’s a great plot, it twists and turns and I liked the flashbacks to the 1970’s, it all gets threaded together with dexterity and gives us understanding of some of the characters history too.
A fantastic book, gripping, full of atmosphere and transports you to the real Italy.
The body of a radical protester is found floating in one of Bologna’s canals, most people are ready to blame the police. Daniel Leicester, private detective and son-in-law to the ex chief of police gets a call from the dead man’s lover and starts on a trail that takes him back to the 1970’s, deceit, corruption and the rotten core of the current political establishment.
Having reading the second in the series, The Hunting Season, I found this, the first book when we first meet Daniel Leicester, the best (and only) private detective in Bologna. Daniel is a widower with a teenage daughter and an Italian family. It oozes Italy, the descriptions, the little Italian asides, you can feel the heat and visualise the little streets. Plus it’s a great plot, it twists and turns and I liked the flashbacks to the 1970’s, it all gets threaded together with dexterity and gives us understanding of some of the characters history too.
A fantastic book, gripping, full of atmosphere and transports you to the real Italy.
April 28, 2021
A beautifully written mystery thriller set in Bologna, Italy introduces Private Investigator, Daniel Leicester and his family who run the Agency he works for.
Steeped in Italian history, this book is the story of the investigation into the death of Paolo Solitudine, a member of an anarchist party who’s body washes up in the underground canal system.
A story full of political intrigue, police corruption and money, this is an excellent start to a new series.
Daniel is an enticing protagonist who has suffered tragedy yet Tom Benjamin doesn’t make that the be and end all of the story, which can often be the case.
The family investigative team are easy to like and in particular Daniel’s Daughter Rose looks like a well crafted character who will grow into the series as she becomes older and even more inquisitive than she already is.
The locations are superbly drawn, and the mystery is crafted with skill and its almost an effortlessly good read.
Fantastic Start and a series to watch out for and follow..
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Steeped in Italian history, this book is the story of the investigation into the death of Paolo Solitudine, a member of an anarchist party who’s body washes up in the underground canal system.
A story full of political intrigue, police corruption and money, this is an excellent start to a new series.
Daniel is an enticing protagonist who has suffered tragedy yet Tom Benjamin doesn’t make that the be and end all of the story, which can often be the case.
The family investigative team are easy to like and in particular Daniel’s Daughter Rose looks like a well crafted character who will grow into the series as she becomes older and even more inquisitive than she already is.
The locations are superbly drawn, and the mystery is crafted with skill and its almost an effortlessly good read.
Fantastic Start and a series to watch out for and follow..
🔥🔥🔥🔥
September 23, 2023
Tom Benjamin's lead, an Englishman who's moved to Bologna, repeatedly calls himself cynical but the author himself has written a mystery informed by an Italian brand of cynicism in which the bad guys are never brought to justice, or rather, not arrested or convicted. I got a little confused in the middle of some double crosses but managed to understand. I knew the encounter with the old drunk would be meaningful. Desdemona the cow's fate was as bad as her namesake. That broke my heart. The book seemed as if it had found its ending several times in the last 100 pages, but we got there. I will read Benjamin's next in the Daniel Leicester series, not least because Jim already bought it. This one Jim bought at Daunt our first day in London, and he got the next near the end of our trip at the Waterstone's in Trafalgar Square., with two others. Jim was a reading fiend on our vacation, all those train trips.
I've never been to Bologna but Benjamin led me through the streets. I appreciated the glossary at the back and would have loved a map, but I could look that up as necessary.
I've never been to Bologna but Benjamin led me through the streets. I appreciated the glossary at the back and would have loved a map, but I could look that up as necessary.
May 22, 2020
This crime novel set in the historic city of Bologna delves deep into the gritty history of the city.
The protagonist of the story is Daniel, a former investigative journalist who now works with his father in law at the family Investigative agency. Daniel is hired by Marta, wife of the Mayor, Carlo Manzi to investigate the suspicious death of her lover Paolo Solitudine, a radical political activist.
Daniel uncovers a dangerous history, of radicalism, betrayal and police corruption.
This story started off a little slow but soon picks up with tension and plot twists. The descriptive style really makes you feel like you’re there in the ancient city. Even though there are many different characters introduced, they were all well developed and didn’t lead to any confusion.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the digital ARC.
The protagonist of the story is Daniel, a former investigative journalist who now works with his father in law at the family Investigative agency. Daniel is hired by Marta, wife of the Mayor, Carlo Manzi to investigate the suspicious death of her lover Paolo Solitudine, a radical political activist.
Daniel uncovers a dangerous history, of radicalism, betrayal and police corruption.
This story started off a little slow but soon picks up with tension and plot twists. The descriptive style really makes you feel like you’re there in the ancient city. Even though there are many different characters introduced, they were all well developed and didn’t lead to any confusion.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to reading more in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the digital ARC.
February 13, 2022
I have had this one in my read pile for a while and finally got around to reading it. It is different to the other Italian based crime fiction I have read, being by a British author based in Italy, and the protagonist a British ex journalist who is working in his families firm of private investigators run by his ex Carabinieri father in law.
I have to say I thought it was a superb read and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fresh and the action and plot was well thought out and paced. The setting being Bologna was new to me also with plenty set in Venice, Naples etc.
So far there are another two books in the series and I'm looking forward to getting around to them too in the future.
The family dynamic of the book is also an intrigue and I'm looking forward to seeing how that develops in the series.
All in all a solid first book with lots of potential.
I have to say I thought it was a superb read and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fresh and the action and plot was well thought out and paced. The setting being Bologna was new to me also with plenty set in Venice, Naples etc.
So far there are another two books in the series and I'm looking forward to getting around to them too in the future.
The family dynamic of the book is also an intrigue and I'm looking forward to seeing how that develops in the series.
All in all a solid first book with lots of potential.
June 27, 2024
A reasonable start to a series. Introducing Daniel Leicester as an Englishman absorbed into his Italian wife’s family, working in the family detective business with his ex-police father-in-law. Set in Bologna there are some vivid and interesting scenes drawn of Italian life past and present. Settings are good and like Morse and Oxford there is the potential for an ongoing engagement. Written well, this could run and run.
But only three stars as it’s a lumpy, uneven book: The writing does not flow as compellingly as it might; the characters are often a bit cardboard; the detective widowed by a wife dead in an accident; the cliched teenaged daughter bought up by the extended family both brattish and spoilt; the willingness of the police to cooperate with non-official investigators and the corruption all just jarred. Pity.
But only three stars as it’s a lumpy, uneven book: The writing does not flow as compellingly as it might; the characters are often a bit cardboard; the detective widowed by a wife dead in an accident; the cliched teenaged daughter bought up by the extended family both brattish and spoilt; the willingness of the police to cooperate with non-official investigators and the corruption all just jarred. Pity.
March 13, 2023
Daniel Leicester lives in Bologna and works with his father-in-law in what is a private detective agency. They take on a case which is looked on as an accident by the police but their client wants to know if her husband (the mayor) was involved in the death.
The main story is bedded in the past but in the present we have anarchists, police raids, violence, corruption and Bologna.
This is not my usual fair, reading-wise, I usually read slightly lighter things but I really enjoyed this. Daniel was a decent character, terrier-like in his determination to get to the bottom of things and I liked how strands were tied up before the end but left the main bit hanging till then. I’ve got book two now.
The main story is bedded in the past but in the present we have anarchists, police raids, violence, corruption and Bologna.
This is not my usual fair, reading-wise, I usually read slightly lighter things but I really enjoyed this. Daniel was a decent character, terrier-like in his determination to get to the bottom of things and I liked how strands were tied up before the end but left the main bit hanging till then. I’ve got book two now.
January 8, 2025
This is the first book in the Daniel Leicester series that now numbers six titles. The stories are set in Bologna, where Leicester (an Englishman) is living with his teenage daughter while working for his Italian father-in-law who runs an investigation agency. They’re not twisty or particularly testing plots but they’re quite good mysteries and Bologna is an interesting location to read about. (The books are recommended for fans of Donna Leon and Michael Dibdin.) This story concerns the death of a political activist. Was it murder or just an accident? The clue is the word politics. Easy to read and very enjoyable.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
May 28, 2020
An excellent and fascinating book that kept me hooked till the end.
It's realistic, well researched, gripping and entertaining and I was left wondering if the author lived in Bologna because the descriptions and the characters are so realistic, one of the best mystery set in Italy I read in quite a long time.
The plot is well crafted, full of twists and turns, and the characters are well thought.
I can't wait to read other books by this author and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's realistic, well researched, gripping and entertaining and I was left wondering if the author lived in Bologna because the descriptions and the characters are so realistic, one of the best mystery set in Italy I read in quite a long time.
The plot is well crafted, full of twists and turns, and the characters are well thought.
I can't wait to read other books by this author and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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