The fifth novel in the series sees Zen sent to Naples, and having a whale of a time. All he has to do is keep out of the way, check in at the office once in a while, and enjoy himself. It would all go swimmingly were it not for an awkward murder that seems to be undue political attention, and the sudden disappearance of a number of prominent local citizens from the cities streets.
These Zen novels just get even more superb as the series goes on, and I'm amazed at how Dibdin does it. Cosi Fan Tutti is a sun-drenched melodrama of a story, told in an absolutely charming style, rather reminiscent of an opera (Dibdin's intention, clearly). It has a completely different tone and tenor to the previous novels; it has a lighter feel to it that suits the series even better than the previous one. Of all the novels, this is the one I've enjoyed most so far, and it's mostly because of this shift in style, this melodramatic, operatic touch (the final 10 pages are an absolute triumph!) Zen is, as always, his usual brilliant self: cynical and cunning, his every endeavour aimed at giving himself an easy life. Until a bit of inconvenient crime shows up, anyway.
Really, I've got to plead with you: read this series! If you're a fan of crime fiction (if you like Rankin or Connelly, or if you adore the disenchanted eye of Donna Leon) then you can't let Zen and Dibdin pass by. Start with Ratking, and then sit back and enjoy. You won't regret it for a minute.
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