The death of a jockey, a long time couple whose passion is ignited in the most unexpected circumstances, with a strength that may go far beyond their imagination. Runaway Horses by the legendary Italian crime writer duo Carlo Fruttero and Franco Lucentini is published by Bitter Lemon Press in a translation by Gregory Dowling.
Set in Siena, one of Italy´s most beautiful cities, the story is built around Palio, a horse race organised since the Middle Ages. The atmosphere, as well as particular city descriptions add a layer of authenticity to the story.
I promised myself this year to read more in Italian, but I couldn´t refuse the chance of this translation, especially after, as usual, reading about the impressive credentials of the translator. Although relatively short - a bit over 200 pages - this crime novel is bubbling with humour, unexpected turns and a course of events that no one may predict. This guarantees a perfect immersion into the story, and an almost direct communication with the characters.
The crime story is integrated into a specific ambiance, with the authors adding a lot of specific histories and details that make you feel the place in a very different way. Enzo and Valeria, the couple founding itself in the middle of the crime, may not be necessarily very relatable, but they don´t let you indifferent either.
The book may inspire you thoughts that are far beyond the crime setting itself, with meditations about life, power and human behavior in general.
Reading this book I made a not to myself to explore more Italian crime novels, maybe another one from the six works of fiction Fruttero&Lucentini wrote. It promises a lot of good reading time.
Rating: 5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
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