The Last Enemy

"The Last Enemy" is the first book in Grace Brophy's Commissario Alessandro Cenni Investigation series and it is a knockout debut effort. Set principally in the Umbrian cities of Assisi and Perugia, "The Last Enemy" is a complex, layered murder mystery that is populated with wonderful, well-developed characters and a taut story line that barrels through right to the book's epilogue. The story revolves around the return of an Italian-American woman, Rita Minelli, to her dead mother's Umbrian homeland. The woman is subsequently murdered after she imposes on the hospitality of her aristocratic and snobbish Italian relatives, occupying a prized room in their in their Medieval palazzo in Assisi long beyond the acceptable three days. When Rita Minelli turns up dead in the family burial vault, her Italian relatives react strangely to the death. The story moves on from that weirdly staged crime to reveal almost a dozen murder suspects with strong motives for the ultra-cool Commissario Cenni to sort through before uncovering the true killer or killers. Along with a great story line, author Brophy provides a rich portrait of Assisi and Perugia and an insightful look into contemporary Italian politics and society. Brophy knows a lot about the country and its people and has built that knowledge and an obvious affection for Italy into a fine story of murder, sexual intrigue, and dysfunctional family behavior. This is an interesting read--great fun throughout--and promises the potential of a wonderful series of books. With the great losses of Michael Dibdin and Magdalen Nabb in the past year, Grace Brophy's arrival on the Italian crime scene is timely and very heartening for readers who love the locale.

What a treat this novel is. As an avid reader of mystery fiction as well as a lover of travel, I found Brophy's book to be doubly rewarding. Her characters are richly drawn, and her knowledge of Italian culture, art, and politics make the book more than just another mystery. Brophy captures the allure of Assisi and its charming atmosphere. I was sorry when I came to the end of this story but I'm looking forward to getting to know Commisario Cenni and his colleagues better in future books. This was one of the most enjoyable mysteries I've read in a long time.

The Last Enemy is a terrific read, an Italian police procedural that caught me up in a conflict between turning its pages fast and slowing down to savoring its luscious tastes, fascinating vignettes, and sights full of Umbrian local color. From its very first chapter, where the Penitente parade winds its way through the streets of Assisi and we learn of Count Casati's childhood failures and subsequent treatment of his own family (which includes the murder victim), we are hooked. The story is told with an Austen-like wry wit from the point of view of its appealing and sensitive but sexy Police Commission Alessandro Cenni, whose fiancé had been kidnapped years ago by political terrorists. This is what has spurred him into his work with the State Police, and the novel's back-story promises many engaging return runs. Brophy's lush prose makes its host of vivid characters come alive in all their quirky individuality: Rita Minelli, the murder victim, the priest with whom she had an affair, the Count and Countess Casati and their daughter Artemesia, one of the first women curators of a regional art museum, the Croatian immigrant Sophie who tends the cemetery where Rita's body is found. Some characters, I hope we meet again, including Elena and Piero, his seconds in command, Cenni's twin brother Renato, and even Cenni's cat, Rachel, with her late night wake-up ritual. This is a must-read and a new name to watch out for avidly.

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, combining a twisted plot with even more twisted suspects. The characters are wonderful, with villains on both sides of the law. I love Assisi, and the beautiful ancient town is such an interesting part of the whole experience. Sit down with a cappuccino and a biscotti and enjoy a great read. I can't wait to see what lies in store next for Alex Cenni and company.

Brophy's terrific writing seamlessly immerses the reader in her story. Be prepared to read it in only a few sittings because you won't want to put it down. But it isn't just a page-turner. The characters are multi-dimensional with quirks and imperfections that not only endear them to the reader (and sometimes repulse the reader) but make the reader think. I loved her use of Umbria and the city of Assisi and Italian politics, art and culture - no gratuitous descriptions of lovely architecture and countryside or trite comments on food and art, but rather the action and intrigue are woven into the characters living in the place such that the mood of the city and life there comes alive realistically and moves the plot along. I'm looking forward to the next installment.