THREADING THE NEEDLE (Book #3)
Milan. Bianca’s curiosity gets a young university student murdered, but not before he gives her a file that details a secret weapon under development with defense contractor Adastra. Guilt may drive her to find justice for the slain Charlie Brooks, but she is warned by the mysterious Loki to stay away from this case that runs deep with conspiracy. Bianca must find a way to uncover government secrets and corporate alliances without returning Italy to one of its darkest hours, the decades of daily terrorism known as the “Years of Lead.”
“It is even more to Gabriel Valjan’s credit that with Threading the Needle he, as an American, was nonetheless capable of unusual insight into the Misteri Italiani, the Italian Mysteries, without taking any prejudicial standpoint, one way or the other, or putting the blame on anyone, but rather inviting readers to judge for themselves.”
—Claudio Ferrara, Italian journalist and translator
“But after the first few pages, I knew I was committed to the end of the book ... and would be reading the two earlier books…Characters, plot, ideas, background: In Threading the Needle, Valjan weaves it all into an international crime novel worth the read.”
—Beth Kannell of Kingdom Books, a specialty mystery bookshop in northeastern Vermont.
Author's Bio:
Gabriel Valjan lives in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the author of the Roma Series, available from Winter Goose Publishing. Gabriel has also written numerous short stories and essays found online and in print.
My Thoughts
With Threading the Needle, the third book in the Roma series, Bianca is back in Italy, Milan. Bianca is involved, along with a few familiar figures from the previous books, in the death of an American college student, Charlie Brooks. Before Charlie runs off, he hands her a jump drive. Charlie ends up being killed by operatives who then end up dead themselves in a murder/suicide. Bianca can't stay out of the situation as she feels guilty that Charlie was killed. Along with investigator Isidore Farrugia and his friend Gennaro, they find that there is a secret type of weapon being developed. We have political conspiracies tied to terrorism that Bianca and her friends have to sift through to find out why Charlie was killed. Bianca's friend, cyber person Loki, warn her off this path that Bianca finds herself on. Another fast paced character driven story that explores more of Italy's darker part, along with the cuisine and wine that is typical of the area. Science and history play a big part in this series and each book is unique in that respect. I am thoroughly enjoying this series!
This review is voluntary.
With Threading the Needle, the third book in the Roma series, Bianca is back in Italy, Milan. Bianca is involved, along with a few familiar figures from the previous books, in the death of an American college student, Charlie Brooks. Before Charlie runs off, he hands her a jump drive. Charlie ends up being killed by operatives who then end up dead themselves in a murder/suicide. Bianca can't stay out of the situation as she feels guilty that Charlie was killed. Along with investigator Isidore Farrugia and his friend Gennaro, they find that there is a secret type of weapon being developed. We have political conspiracies tied to terrorism that Bianca and her friends have to sift through to find out why Charlie was killed. Bianca's friend, cyber person Loki, warn her off this path that Bianca finds herself on. Another fast paced character driven story that explores more of Italy's darker part, along with the cuisine and wine that is typical of the area. Science and history play a big part in this series and each book is unique in that respect. I am thoroughly enjoying this series!
This review is voluntary.
Giveaway:
Prizes:
5 winners get a paperback copy of CC
5 winners get an ebook copy of CC
1 winner gets whole set of Roma series in paperback (signed)
1 winner gets whole set of Roma series in ebook format
12 winners total
Print copies open to USA and ebooks open international
Giveaway ends Dec 17
Thank you for reading and persisting with patience. I try my best to engage readers in a mystery, but also a different culture. Hope you continue onward with Bianca and the gang.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt I will enjoy the next two books!
ReplyDelete