‘The Lizard Strategy’ by Valerio Varesi

Published by Maclehose Press,
28 June 2018.
ISBN: 978-0-85705-613-9 (TPB)

Modern-day Parma, and Commissario Soneri has two small mysteries on hand: a ringing telephone which nobody has reported lost, and a patient with senile dementia who has apparently wandered off from a secure hospital.

This complicated Italian Police Procedural delves into the corrupt heart of Parma, with bribery, drugs, intimidation and links with the camorra spreading from small businessman level up to the Mayor and city council. The mournful Soneri spends a lot of the book discussing ways in which the police and judiciary can counter corruption at such a universal level, and has several meetings with Ugolini, the spider at the heart of the web. The intricate links between players are gradually uncovered, and the ‘lizard strategy’ explained.

A slow-moving Italian PP about city corruption.

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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Valerio Varesi has been the Parma correspondent for La Stampa and La Repubblica. Gold, Frankincense and Dust is the third in a series of thrillers featuring Commissario Soneri.

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  Marsali also does a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.

Click on the title to read a review of her recent book
Deathon a Shetland Isle

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk