The Dogs of Rome: An Alec Blume Novel - Softcover

'A powerful and hugely compelling novel. Dark, worldly and written with tremendous style and assurance' William Boyd 'Well plotted, has fun with the intermeshing of policing and politics in Rome, and the American-born Blume is an engaging hero who might just have to potential to fill the gap left when Michael Dibdin's death ended his Italian detective Aurelio Zen's investigations' Sunday Times 'A sizzling-hot debut that deftly weaves together corrupt politicians, organized crime, and centuries-old tradition' Entertainment Weekly 'Commissario Blume is the most appealing detective to come along in years. His genius is that he isn't a hero or an anti-hero, but the kind of living, breathing human being that you only find in the very best novels, detective or otherwise. The Dogs of Rome is an irresistible and wholly original piece of crime fiction' Joe Weisberg, author of An Ordinary Spy and Tenth Grade

Rome. A city where rules are compromised. And compromise rules. It's one of the hottest days of the year. Chief Inspector Blume is enjoying a rare solitary lunch in a tranquil corner of Trastevere when an unwelcome phone call intrudes with news of a brutal killing a few streets away. Arturo Clemente is no ordinary victim. His widow is an elected member of the Senate, and Blume arrives at the scene to find enquiries well underway, the case itself apparently clear-cut, a prime suspect quickly identified. Blume must fight to regain control of the investigation, but well acquainted with the city's underworld, he knows from bitter experience that in Rome even a murder enquiry must bow to the rules of politics. But when worrying shortcuts sanctioned by one of his superiors are uncovered, it seems events are being manipulated from on high. The complex and uncomfortable truth Blume will unravel will shock even him, and his struggle for justice may yet cost more innocent lives...