Much of the best detective writing these days is coming out of Italy, and Lucarelli's Ispettore Negro novels are a worthy addition to the oeuvre. Negro herself is a tiger of a detective; determined, clever and always in at the death, but it is the structure and deft control of narrative that lift Lucarelli's books above the competition. Day After Day leads the reader from a state of confusion ("what is going on? who are these people? what is their connection? who is doing the killing?") to a realisation of the facts that is mirrored by the progress of the investigation itself.
If you like Camilleri, Carofiglio, Donna Leon or the much-mourned Michael Dibdin, Lucarelli will be a treat to enjoy.