Dogs of Rome

An engrossing novel of murder, organized crime, and politics in contemporary Italy - the first in the hit series of Italian crime novels'A powerful and hugely compelling thriller. Dark, worldly and written with tremendous style and assurance' William BoydRome. A city where rules are compromised. And compromise rules.It's one of the hottest days of the year. Chief Inspector Blume is enjoying a rare solitary lunch in a tranquil corner of Trastevere when an unwelcome phone call intrudes with news of a brutal killing a few streets away.Arturo Clemente is no ordinary victim. His widow is an elected member of the Senate, and Blume arrives at the scene to find enquiries well underway, the case itself apparently clear-cut, a prime suspect quickly identified. Blume must fight to regain control of the investigation, but well acquainted with the city's underworld, he knows from bitter experience that in Rome even a murder enquiry must bow to the rules of politics.But when worrying shortcuts sanctioned by one of his superiors are uncovered, it seems events are being manipulated from on high. The complex and uncomfortable truth Blume will unravel will shock even him, and his struggle for justice may yet cost more innocent lives...

"A sizzling-hot debut that deftly weaves together corrupt politicians, organized crime, and centuries-old tradition." "--Entertainment Weekly""All of the players in the novel come across as completely believable, because the author avoids the stereotypical, and emphasizes the quirkiness in both large and small characters. The fast-moving plot has several interesting twists, and the tone is tongue-in-cheek. This is the first in a series of Commissario Blume novels, and anyone who reads this one will be looking forward to the next." "--San Francisco Book Review""Guaranteed to whet the thirst of international crime fiction fans. This promising debut is reminiscent of early Michael Dibdin, and that is more than enough to put Fitzgerald's series on your radar." "--Booklist""Impressively plotted...those who like gritty crime thrillers with a European flair will be well rewarded.""--Publishers Weekly""Commissario Blume is the most appealing detective to come along in years. His genius is that he isn't a hero or an anti-hero, but the kind of living, breathing human being that you only find in the very best novels, detective or otherwise. "The Dogs of Rome" is an irresistible and wholly original piece of crime fiction."--Joe Weisberg, author of "An Ordinary Spy and Tenth Grade", “A sizzling-hot debut that deftly weaves together corrupt politicians, organized crime, and centuries-old tradition.”  "—Entertainment Weekly"  “All of the players in the novel come across as completely believable, because the author avoids the stereotypical, and emphasizes the quirkiness in both large and small characters. The fast-moving plot has several interesting twists, and the tone is tongue-in-cheek. This is the first in a series of Commissario Blume novels, and anyone who reads this one will be looking forward to the next.”   "—San Francisco Book Review" “Guaranteed to whet the thirst of international crime fiction fans. This promising debut is reminiscent of early Michael Dibdin, and that is more than enough to put Fitzgerald’s series on your radar.”  "—Booklist"  “Impressively plotted…those who like gritty crime thrillers with a European flair will

Conor Fitzgerald has lived in Ireland, the UK, the United States and Italy. He has worked as an arts editor, produced a current affairs journal for foreign embassies based in Rome, and founded a successful translation company. He is married with two children and lives in Rome.