The Blue Demon // City of Fear — David Hewson

Welcome to Italian police detective Nic Costa's Rome: the side of the city the tourist board does not want you to see.

"Hewson does more than provide a thrilling read. He saves you the airfare to Italy. When you turn the last page, you'll think you've been there" LINWOOD BARCLAY

"David Hewson's Rome is dark and tantalizing, seductive and dangerous, a place where present-day crimes ring with the echoes of history" TESS GERRITSEN

"David Hewson is one of the finest thriller writers working today" STEVE BERRY

"No author has ever brought Rome so alive for me - nor made it seem so sinister" PETER JAMES

"[Hewson is] a master plot maker" BOOKLIST

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World leaders are gathering in Rome - but a twisted killer is in their midst

It's the height of the tourist season in Rome, and security is tight as world leaders gather for a G8 summit at the illustrious Quirinale Palace. But the event is thrown into chaos when a politician is found ritually murdered, seemingly by a strange young man dressed as an Etruscan god.

Twenty years ago, a mysterious terrorist group known as the Blue Demon terrorised the city, committing a series of ritualistic crimes inspired by ancient Etruscan culture. Detective Nic Costa, of Rome's police, suspects that the old case was never really solved, and the Blue Demon has risen once again.

As the Eternal City spirals into panic, Costa vows that nothing will stop him from catching the culprit and putting an end to this fresh campaign of violence. But it soon becomes clear that there is much more to the history of the Blue Demon than anyone wants to admit . . .

Fans of Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti, Andrea Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano and Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen, as well as Louise Penny, Jeffey Siger and Martin Walker, will love this thrilling mystery series - perfect for readers who enjoy dark and complex character-led mysteries with multiple twists.

PRAISE FOR CITY OF FEAR:

"Packs more twists and action into its brilliantly plotted pages than half a dozen other thrillers combined" Linwood Barclay

"In past reviews, we've called this series a 'superb mix of history, mystery, and humanity.' That assessment is further reaffirmed with each new entry" Booklist Starred Review

"Well-drawn characters, a brisk pace, and some unexpected plot twists provide a satisfying read for the political thriller fan" Publishers Weekly

"Compelling storytelling and elegant prose . . . [an] intelligent and addictive series" Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Twists and turns. Fascinating plot with many surprises. I will read more books by this author. Could not put it down" Patricia H. G., 5* GoodReads review

"I recommend this book without reservation to all lovers of literate detective stories and all lovers of Rome. It will not disappoint." Blair M., 5* GoodReads review

"I am hooked, must now read all of these books" Audrey, 5* GoodReads review

"The Author never lets you down. His knowledge of the Italian history and mind set is without unnerving. Top read" Dai Dai, 5* GoodReads review

THE NIC COSTA MYSTERIES, IN ORDER:

1. A Season for the Dead
2. The Villa of Mysteries
3. The Sacred Cut
4. The Lizard's Bite
5. The Seventh Sacrament
6. The Garden of Evil
7. Dante's Numbers (aka The Dante Killings)
8. City of Fear (aka The Blue Demon)
9. The Fallen Angel
10. The Savage Shore