The Garden of Evil (Nic Costa)

Just as his protagonist, Nic Costa, has grown and developed as a policeman, so has David Hewson grown and developed as a writer. At the start of this engaging series, Hewson introduced a group of dedicated law enforcement pros based in Rome, and with each succeeding entry, these individuals have coalesced into a team, becoming friends along the way. Hewson's characters are living, fallible human beings, and he doesn't flinch from depicting their weaknesses and mistakes as well as their strengths and successes. Supporting characters are equally well done. Hewson's understanding of Italian society and his knowledge of the Eternal City are prodigious. Each of these novels has approached crime and justice from a different slant. In The Garden of Evil, the author pits an arrogant, powerful, aristocratic serial killer against the Italian legal system. Along the way, he explores the nature of good and evil, the impact of grief, the bonds of friendship, and value of pain and struggle in the lives of us all. The only other writer in this genre who can match Hewson for depth is Donna Leon, who has created another Italian inspector with true humanity. The icing on the cake in Garden is the art history and Christmas tradition that Hewson has seamlessly woven into his tale. I, for one, will never again regard a nun or a cup of cappuccino in the same way! 5 stars, highly recommended for readers who enjoy a dose of intellectual stimulation injected into their adventures.

This is truely one of the better mysteries that I have read. I highly recommend it...and if your going to Rome read the entire series!

David Hewson's Nic Costa series just keeps getting better. Although The Garden of Evil more or less begins with the scene of the requisite gruesome murder, the novel quickly travels well beyond that, examining art history and appreciation, the old adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely, the benefits and drawbacks of a religious life, and love as a destructive as well as a redemptive force. Although I was a bit disappointed to see Gianni, Theresa, and Leo step back out of the spotlight and into their supporting roles, it was in service of really fleshing out Nic's character. In this novel Nic must face the unthinkable, and everything is not tidily resolved at the end of the book. Mr. Hewson excels at character develoment - his characters (even the minor ones) are complex and multi-faceted, not the "cardboard cut-outs" that you see in many suspense novels. Additionally, each of the Nic Costa novels has a strong sense of place - Rome (or Venice, in one book) is almost another character in the book. Evocative, complex, and suspenseful - I truly savor these books and cannot wait for the next one.

At a Roman art studio, Italian police detective Nic Costa and his unit are beginning to work the homicide crime scene; two dead people lie near a painting of a female nude. However, stunningly they find a live hooded gunman, who exchanges fire with the cops. The apparent killer escapes, but not before he adds a third homicide to the total of the dead; former FBI agent Emily Deacon, Costa's wife of three months, is shot dead. The obvious conflict of interest removes the grieving Costa officially from the case. However, Costa's boss assigns him to help art expert Sister Agata Graziano, who is authenticating the nude to see whether it is a priceless Caravaggio original or a fabulous fake. If genuine, the masterpiece may be a valuable clue to the killer's identity so Sister Agata must die. Filled with incredible but plausible twists, this is a strong Italian police procedural that will have the audience reading it in one suspense laden sitting. The story line is fast-paced as Costa works the streets of Rome seeking a killer who affirms death imitates art. David Hewson is at his best with this superb Roman thriller (see THE SEVENTH SACRAMENT). Harriet Klausner

WOW!!! This was a terrific addition to the Costa series. The best one yet. The characters are familiar and well developed. The storyline was totally unpredictable. A fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable experience!