The Alligator, an Italian sort-of criminal turned sort-of detective, and his knockaround pals try to help a client who is involved in murderous games with an S&M group in Massimo Carlotto's The Master of Knots.
The author has had a colorful life of his own, and some of it has obviously seeped into his writing. In this, the second novel I have read in this series, he and his old-school pals find themselves shocked at the world they uncover, including the sinister criminal of the title. The reader too may be shocked by some of the plot developments, not for all tastes.
But center to the story is the relationships between the three detective friends. My favorite character is Rossini, an aging, genteel strongarm with his own curious code of honor. I could very easily see Rossini based on the Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni (as seen in Big Deal on Madonna Street). Their scenes are veined with humor.
Carlotto's world is full of dishonorable lawyers, crooked cops, and gangsters with hearts of gold. I enjoy visiting this world, through the World Noir line.
The author has had a colorful life of his own, and some of it has obviously seeped into his writing. In this, the second novel I have read in this series, he and his old-school pals find themselves shocked at the world they uncover, including the sinister criminal of the title. The reader too may be shocked by some of the plot developments, not for all tastes.
But center to the story is the relationships between the three detective friends. My favorite character is Rossini, an aging, genteel strongarm with his own curious code of honor. I could very easily see Rossini based on the Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni (as seen in Big Deal on Madonna Street). Their scenes are veined with humor.
Carlotto's world is full of dishonorable lawyers, crooked cops, and gangsters with hearts of gold. I enjoy visiting this world, through the World Noir line.
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