An interesting comparison occurred to me while reading the book: some parallels woteh TanaFrench's most recent series, based i rural Ireland (particularly with the first book, The Hunter). In both Trinichieri's most recent book (at least) and in French's series there is an emigre American detective on his own (and then partnerec), there is a key young girl who enlists the services of the detective (the girl not quite so young in French's book), and frequent reference to preparing food (more basic in the Irish series, somewhat more Italianm though not totally traditional) in Trnchieri's. There ism of course death in both series, and there is also resisresisstancetence to the interloper detective in both.
But in Trinchieri's book, the American is integrated more smoothly into the community (though not totally welcomed) where as in French's there is always a distance. The dog adopted by the detective in Trinchieri's book helps to ingratiate him, whereas the most prominent animals in French's are a pack of raven's that mock the American despite his attempts to befriend them. And the biggest contrast is that in the Italian-set novel, there is ultimately a comfort in , for the interloper and for the reader, while in French's the American's comfort is much more limited (basically to two other characters), and the community as a whole never ceases to retain a threatening atmosphere. There are in the end cozy qualities to Trinchieri's very readable and enjoyable book, while French (as is typical in her work) goes to a darker place. I can happily recommend both, and would add that we are as readers fortunate to have both to choose from, and to inhabit each according to our taste and mood.
