The Salati Case

Castagnetti #1

by Tobias Jones

Castagnetti (Casta) is a private detective who doesn't do things by the book. He's dogged and lonely, impatient with the world of appearances and deceit. So when a pompous notary commissions him to verify that a missing person is 'presumed dead' in order to dispose of a dead woman's estate to the other heirs, Casta smells a rat.

Genres: Mystery, Italy, Fiction, Crime, Detective

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2009

About the author

Tobias Jones was on the staff of the London Review of Books and the Independent on Sunday before moving to Parma in 1999. He is a regular contributor for the British and Italian press.

Reviews

[Matthew Ogborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars for this opening Castagnetti effort. It feels like Tobias is finding his feet in the crime genre with a traditional family case. It had enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued, while the descriptions of Italian life are spot on as you'd expect from a writer who has mined great non-fiction territory

[Charles Goodger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this thriller and recommend it to anyone interested in the seedier side of Italian family politics. Jones portrays a deep understanding of the Italian psyche. As an Englishman who has lived in Bel Paese for several decades I can vouch for that.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give this only two stars when I suddenly realised what the author is trying to do - I think he is trying to be a sort of Raymond Chandler for Italy. Having been very impressed by his "Dark Heart of Italy", I was puzzled by the detached and, on the surface, un-nuanced style of the writing in this one. And then I recognised the style. I'm not saying it works - this is Tobias Jones' first detective novel and it will be interesting to see what the more recent ones are like.

[Sid Nuncius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much - a lot more than many other reviewers, it seems. I thought as a private detective mystery it worked very well, with a credible and comprehensible plot which was very well developed in the narrative, and believable, well-drawn characters. Jones (who lives in Parma) also creates an excellent sense of place - Northern Italy in winter - and the mores and politics of the city and of Italy itself, and I found the central character narrating the story interesting and sympathetic in a flawed, human way

Like one or two other reviewers, this book put me in mind of Raymond Chandler. No one, of course, has Chandler's uniquely brilliant style, but the first-person narration by a solitary, fundamentally moral character, the way in which he describes the gumshoe work of talking to people and his semi-co-operative and uneasy relationship with the police were all reminiscent. Even the beekeeping reminded me of Marlowe's chess problems as a way of distancing himself from the moral squalor he has to work with. All this is very much to the good, and Jones's prose has a style of its own which I liked very much: direct, unfussy, rather spare and a pleasure to read.

I found this was a very thoughtful, engrossing and enjoyable book. I hope it is sufficiently successful to develop into a series. I certainly look forward to more and I can see Castagnetti becoming yet another well-loved fictional detective. Perhaps not five stars, but certainly four-plus. Highly recommended.

[Iain McNab · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a total dud but hard to recommend - the author's book of reportage The Dark Heart of Italy was excellent but this first (I think) venture into crime fiction is pedestrian. Crucially, there is very little sense of place as the 'city' - quite possibly Parma - is anonymised and the private dick narrator is way below apparent inspiration Philip Marlowe as a tough guy wiseass. Favourable comparisons to Michael Dibdin on the back cover are way off the mark.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was surprisingly good for a first crime novel. It was an interesting setting and hard-boiled without being exaggerated or unrealistic. Castagnetti's methods are straightforward and believable and he's interesting as a character - as were the rest of the cast in this. I'd read another one. My only criticism was that I wished it was longer as I enjoyed inhabiting this world. - BH.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book following a recommendation (cannt remember from who though!). Was a lot 'lighter' and quick to read than i expected. Author certainly makes good job of describing the location and i did quite enjoy the book but think there are other 'italian' detectives that i have enjoyed more

[Jim Coughenour · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Philip Marlowe-type private-eye investigation set in Parma, Italy – somewhere between diverting and dull, or between sprezzatura and insipid. You get the idea. By the conclusion I hardly cared who did what, and suspected the author felt the same.

[Emily Goddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an alright book. The story and concept was good moving through the space of a week. Was a very quick read ... But the end was a bit disappointing and left you feeling confused over what happened!

[Mikee · Rating 2 out of 5]

An "okay" book. Generic beekeeping private eye. Not memorable

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did little to interest me. Truly a forgettable experience!!

[Mary Warnement · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a Brit who never quite convinced me he was Italian, but I felt I was in Italy. Also, he sent me to maps and dictionaries, trips I enjoy.

[Inrisrini · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice, i like the way it is written.

[Madge · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 2.5/5

Good, simple writing, though nothing out of the ordinary. Built up nicely but fell and felt rather flat towards the ending.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book before I read an old (1988) Magdalen Nabb book. Both are set in Italy. Both with male protagonests. The Nabb book beat this one hands down.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Instantly forgettable...