Detective Nic Costa finds himself a stranger in a strange land when he’s sent to infiltrate the mob in a remote part of southern Italy. Roman police detective Nic Costa has been sent undercover to Italy’s beautiful, remote Calabrian coast to bring in the head of the feared mob, the ‘Ndrangheta, who has offered to turn state witness for reasons of his own. Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the …
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob. As the tension rises, it’s clear the operation is not going to plan. Is Nic Costa getting too close to the enemy for comfort – and is there a traitor among them …’more
Many thanks to Black Thorn, David Hewson, and Netgalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
My thoughts:
When I requested this on Netgalley, I wasn’t certain this was a good choice. I’d never read David Hewson’s work, wasn’t certain if jumping midway into a series was a terrific idea, and wasn’t sure if the premise even appealed to me. Organized crime in fiction is a bit hit or miss with me.
The Savage Shore was a delight to read, and I’ll be looking for more books by David Hewson. Here’s why:
1. The quality of the writing is superb.
Hewson is a gifted writer who has honed his craft. It’s obvious. Every sentence, every detail, every word is chosen with care. There was one passage that was incredibly beautiful and as I copied it into my notes, I wrote, “Beautiful. I want to explicate it in a paper.” (I love dissecting literature, and it’s never diminished my joy in the story.) It’s literary quality, but it’s never boring or pointless. You can read and re-read this book, and even after knowing the plot twists, you’ll discover some new aspect that you hadn’t seen before.
2. The characterizations are rich and deep.
Peroni is one of my favorite characters in the book. Because of a long-ago mistake, he has lost rank in the police. But he is still a terrific detective, skilled at reading people, and perceptive. “There was too much staring at blinking screens, too little staring into people’s faces,” he thinks (part 2), and he spends his time looking into people’s faces. He has compassion, insight, and internal conflict about the team’s deception, as well as long experience with criminals, and based on experience, he is apprehensive about whether their mission will be accomplished. Whether it even can be accomplished. He became a character I cared about.
The same could be said for all the characters, and that includes the “bad” ones. Hewson creates characters who are complex, inclined toward good or evil but capable of either. The police team has stepped outside of the official legal system and into the playing field of the mafia. As Peroni warns, “We’re as bad as them. Sometimes they can be as good as us. It’s not black and white anymore” (Part 2).
3. The plot twists are unexpected.
Hewson’s twists are surprising but in retrospect, they make sense. The clues are all right there–I should have seen them–but I didn’t because of how well hidden-in-plain-sight they are. Suspense writers (and writers in general) can learn a lot from his techniques.
Speaking of plot, this is one that initially appears to move slowly. (Note the word appears.) Each of the seven sections opens with a selection from the “Calabrian Tales,” ostensibly written by Lo Spettro’s grandfather. These parts may seem irrelevant, but they do connect with the Nic Costa story.
Hewson kept me turning pages. I never wanted him to hurry up and get on with it, as I have with other novels. Instead, I hung onto every word. He strikes the right balance between action, dialogue, and description. Everything serves to move the story forward.
Every moment is filled with tension. Nothing’s wasted.
Loved it. Five stars.
Roman police detective Nic Costa has been sent undercover to Italy’s beautiful, remote Calabrian coast to bring in the head of the feared mob, the ‘Ndrangheta, who has offered to turn state witness for reasons of his own.
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob.
I’ve read & really enjoyed all of the previous Costa books & started to think there wouldn’t be any more so was thrilled to receive this the tenth in the series from NetGalley. A different setting but still a very enjoyable read. The descriptions are always detailed & make the settings come alive. This book could be read on its own but some of the relationships are better understood if you’ve read previous books. There are twists & turns & just when I thought I’d worked things out another twist is added. I hope there’s more to come in the series & the wait for the next one isn’t so long!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read