Dante's Numbers (Nic Costa)
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Dante's Numbers is the seventh novel in David Hewson’s Italian-set crime sequence. His protagonist is the resourceful Nic Costa, and Costa’s stamping grounds -- Venice and Rome -- are conjured for the reader in novels that combine atmosphere with judicious plotting. A selection of writers from England and America have elected to locate their books in Italy, and Hewson is among the most accomplished of such literary travellers.
Dante’s Numbers is a particularly winning outing for Nic Costa. A death mask of the great Italian writer Dante is to be displayed to tie in with the premiere of a new film based on the poet’s classic Inferno. But when the time arrives for the display, a macabre death mask of Allen Prime, the film's star, is discovered to have been substituted for the invaluable original. Shortly after, the leading lady, Maggie Flavier, is menaced before her assailant is shot. Is a demented fan of Dante behind the mayhem? The caribinieri think so – but (as usual) Nic Costa refuses to take the establishment line, and he travels to the film’s next showing in San Francisco. His task: recover the mask – and prevent more deaths.
Hewson fans will be in no doubt as to the effortless level of storytelling acumen on offer here – the only mystery is why Hewson’s books (popular though they are) aren’t yet as celebrated as many a less accomplished series. --Barry Forshaw
Product Description
The seventh novel in David Hewson's stunning Italian crime series
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
David Hewson had assured me,on his website, that the fact that the Rome detectives would be 'crossing the pond' for this latest instalment in the Nic Costa series would not detract from the enjoyment of this essentially Italian crime series. I still had my doubts but was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt until I'd read the book. Well, sad to say that although the novel is beautifully written as always it lacks the excitement and taughtness of the previous books. It starts off so well: an American actor is murdered in gruesome fashion before the Italian premiere of 'Inferno' a big budget movie that sees the return to directing of Roberto Tonti, an Italian who started his career in the USA working on Hitchcock's 'Vertigo'. There is the usual antagonism between the Carabineri and the state police which is amusing and leads to Costa,Falcone and Peroni going to San Fransisco to guard the precious artefacts that form part of an exhibition alongside the movie itself-all dealing with Dante-the author of The Divine Comedy the subject of the movie. The fourth member of the 'team' Teresa Lupo,the pathologist pays her own way to get there as she is convinced that the movie has a lot to do with the death of the actor. Great up to now but as soon as the action moves to San Francisco the pace and the story seems to fall into just the same kind of limbo that Dante described in the play. Peroni, a loveable,ugly,old fashioned cop is shunted to the sidelines in the story, Falcone spends much of the time yearning for a San Francisco detective who does not reciprocate his attractions, Teresa, while becoming heavily involved seems out of her milieu, and Costa is the only one left to do anything much. It is a very clever book,perhaps too clever,and although enjoyable leaves you yearning for the sights and smells of Rome where the protagonists can be themselves again. Costa's somewhat cathartic relationship with the actress Maggie Flavier, his first since the death of his wife in the last book was handled well, but you fervently hope that it remains a brief interlude in his life. Roll on the next book, but let it be wholly Italian this time. Why spoil a winning formula by involving another continent?
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another brilliant book from David Hewson - as usual. Nice change to have some of the story set in America too
Format:Paperback
Another excellent mind game book by Hewson. The storyline runs from a film being shot in Rome called Inferno deeply referenced to Dante and then to San Francisco where it encompasses references to the Hitchcock film Virtigo, itself a deeply psychological film of its day. The characters of Nic Costa and Theresa Lupo work well together pooling their information whilst Peroni and Falcone are the back up questioning the many implications of the various murders. Not a book easily put down you want to get to the next chapter to solve the plot.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dante's Numbers
Great book, typical of this series. Refreshing to have it set in another country but I missed the Italian backdrop.
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Jack Russell
Complex story, expertly handled
I have followed the whole of Hewson's Rome series featuring the thoughtful detective, Nic Costa and I wasn't disappointed by this latest book. Read more
Published on 6 May 2009 by Bluebell
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