City of Devils

The Lombroso Series #1

by Diana Bretherick

1887. James Murray, a Scottish scientist fascinated by the developing research into the study of criminal behaviour, travels to Turin to be apprenticed to Cesare Lombroso, the world-renowned criminologist. But just hours after his introduction to his new mentor, the discovery of a mutilated body in a public square and a note that appears to implicate Lombroso throws his visit in a whole new direction.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Italy

464 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Author Diana Bretherick is a former criminal barrister and a criminologist. She lectures in crime and popular culture and criminal law at the University of Portsmouth.
Her first novel, City of Devils (published by Orion Books), is an historical thriller set in the Italian city of Turin in 1887, featuring the world’s first criminologist Cesare Lombroso. In 2012 it won the first Good Housekeeping Magazine new novel competition and in 2013 it was selected for the ITV3 Crime Thriller Book Club.
She is currently working on a sequel. Diana lives in Southsea, Hampshire with her husband and a small but extremely destructive cat.

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm.

This book won an award and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why. City of Devils is a historical mystery placed in Turin. Murray (whose first name I cannot remember--James?) shows up to apprentice himself to Professor Lombroso, who is the pretty much the authority on criminology. Coinciding with his arrival is a string of murders, with the victims all having an association with Lombroso and found holding notes that say "A Tribute to Lombroso." Lombroso himself doesn't want to investigate; one faction of the police wants to pin the murders on him, the other feels he's innocent. To figure out what's what, Murray and his fellow apprentice Ottolenghi decide to join the investigation of Tullio, the man who believes Lombroso is innocent or at least wants to investigate the matter scientifically.

As a murder mystery, I found this one juvenile. It didn't engage my interest at all, it wasn't particularly twisty or turny, and while the murderer isn't entirely obvious, neither is it entirely surprising. The writing was entirely bland. None of the characters are really fleshed out. I feel the most realistic one was Sophia, who at least had an interesting character background, but who seems to have been included solely because Bretherick wanted a sexy love interest for Murray. She brings nothing by mysterious babble to the story itself. If you're going to have a sexy love interest in a mystery, at least give her something useful to do other than play damsel in distress. Even Dan Brown's Heroine-Of-The-Book usually has something to do with the mystery other than look sexy and hint at things that she knows but doesn't care to reveal.

The investigators themselves, Murray included, were a bunch of bumbling idiots. Lombroso's brand of criminology is one that is laughable nowadays, which makes him hard to empathize with because it's clear that he's just making stuff up, and that Ottolenghi, Murray, and company buy into it makes it hard to take them seriously. They stagger about, every now and then asking someone a few questions, but ultimately never figure anything out. Nothing would have ever been figured out if the killer hadn't chosen to reveal himself. Indeed, the story would probably have ended very much the same whether Murray was involved or not.

Bretherick is clearly setting this up as the first in a series of books, but I have absolutely no interest in reading the rest of them. This one was barely tolerable, and I'm astounded it's gotten the acclaim that it has.

1.5 stars out of 5.

[Marion Grassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Big thank you to Diana Bretherick! That being said, the following is my considered review of the book.
This historical thriller is set in late 19th century Turin and is based around the real-life criminologist, Cesare Lombroso who believed that criminals could be identified by their physical traits.
Although quite lengthy, I found this novel engrossing and enjoyable. The complex murder mystery storyline had me gripped and the many twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. It is well written and reminded me of the tales of Conan Doyle.
Wonderfully detailed descriptions convey an authentic feel and an atmospheric setting. The characters are vividly described, interesting and likeable.
All in all recommended for anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

[Michael Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts with a good plot and quite an interesting background given the period. Dragged on a little for my liking.

[Jo Dervan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story takes place in the 1890s in Turin, Italy. A young Scottish doctor, James Murray, comes to Turin to work with Dr. Lombroso, a professor of the budding science of criminology. James has a secret reason for studying with the professor. As soon as James arrives, a gruesome murder takes place in the city and a note left on the mutilated body implicates Dr. Lombroso. Several other murders are committed and notes left for the professor. So he and his assistants, Dr. Murray and Dr. Ottolenghi, as well as some friends decide to solve the mystery of who is murdering these folks.
The story is based on a real person. Dr. Cesare Lombroso, a professor of criminology who invented a prototype of the lie detector. Lombroso's work was discredited for many years. However some of his work was recently translated into English and a museum dedicated to his work, opened in Turin in 2009.

[Karina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave this a fair whack - only abandoned it on page 225, almost half way through.
It had a great premise, and is based on a real figure - but then the over worked prose slows the pace of the story to such an extent that you may, as I did, lose interest, heart and almost the will to live...
I think there may be a touch of Dan-Brownitis involved; no noun or verb is knowingly unaccompanied by adjective or adverb, which quickly becomes tiresome. Do I really need to hear that 'chandeliers hang magnificently' or that 'waiters circle deferentially'?
I gave up.

[Catalina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot stress enough how hard I went through this book. I felt as if it was empty. Nothing kept me on my toes; it was too stuffy, way too many detail that didn't help the story, a love story introduced just to have some salt and pepper I guess, but yet again felt like an extra, unnecessary element just to increase the length of the novel. The only reason I persisted in reading it, it's because I had to for my reading club. But I don;t really know what in the world we caould talk about about this book; guess I'll just have to live and see :d

[Annmarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy obtained through Goodread's giveaways

This book is a historical thriller set in the late 1800s and is based on the works of criminologist - Cesare Lombroso.

I really liked it. The characters are engaging, the murders gruesome, and overall it is well written. Although, I would argue that it is a little too descriptive in parts.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into criminology in the late 1880s. Carefully researched and beautifully narrated, a good read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intriguing fictional tale involving the real father of forensic psychology/anthropology.

[The Usual · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t dish out many one and two star ratings. That’s partly down to the fact that I enjoy reading – the actual process of reading. I get a kind of atavistic pleasure out of holding a book in my hands, turning pages, entering into someone else’s mind; it makes me feel warm and safe, hiding away from a potentially hostile world. Then, too, I’ve got quite good over the years at weeding out things that won’t appeal to my admittedly eclectic taste whilst still taking the odd punt.

This, though…

Granted I’ve somehow laid my hands on an uncorrected proof copy, so it might be a little rougher about the edges than the author intended…

This, though, manages two stars, not by being bad, exactly, but by being tiresomely middle-of-the-road. It looked interesting, but wasn’t. The thing’s not fast-paced enough to be thrilling; it’s not graphic enough to be shocking; it’s not cerebral enough to be a decent puzzle, descriptive enough to conjure up distant prospects, or prettily written enough for me to luxuriate in the language. It’s just, sort of, there. It proved remarkably easy to put down, and rather harder to pick back up.

And I’m sorry, because writing a novel is not easy, and I’m pouring cold water on someone else’s labour of love. I wanted to like it and I couldn’t.

I’m very, very sorry, but this book was not for me.

[Muriel Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite looking forward to reading this as I like historical mysteries based on real people. It got off to a good start but halfway though it got bogged down. I struggled to keep going with it. When I got three quarters of the way through I found myself getting frustrated with it. It was repetitive and finally boring. I flipped to the end to discover the perpetrator a cliche.! It would have been better with a lot of cutting and some rigid editing. I gave it an extra star for the premise but I don't think there's another book in it.

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess sometimes execution matters. I loved the idea of this story: 1800s historical fiction in the early days before science was used to solve murders. But instead of being a psychological thriller it read more like a philosophical (not so much) thriller where brilliant academics just sat around and argued about what makes a person a criminal instead of getting off their asses and trying to stop additional murders.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love crime books, especially Sherlock Holmes style stories.... and this didn’t disappoint. This book was a slow burner to begin with but just got better and I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.... I liked the characters James and Sofia and found Lombroso both likeable and annoying, which made for interesting reading. I loved that Lombroso was a real person. I also feel drawn to plan a trip to Turin soon :)

[Janet Panter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read as it is set in Turin, a city I know well, but the story drags a bit and there are too many characters, which makes the plot confusing at times. Not sure I'll bother looking to see what else this author has written.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it but it was slow. Really, really slow.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected to enjoy this much more than I did. It failed to grip and just dragged on.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing book based on the findings of early criminologist, Lombroso. Set in Turin, it waffles along a bit and could have been condensed considerably.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diana Bretherick’s historical mystery, City of Devils, is a novel of characters, both real and invented, so I’d like to begin my review with brief descriptions of a few of them.

Among the historical characters, we have Cesare Lombroso and Dr. Joseph Bell. Lombroso, a major figure in the history of criminology, was convinced that criminals were born, not made. He claimed that different types of criminals had different physical characteristics and that one could determine whether or not an individual was a criminal by appearance alone. In the present day his theories seem ridiculous, but in his time, he was viewed as a major scientific figure. Bell doesn’t actually make a personal appearance in the novel, but as the main character’s mentor he is a psychological presence throughout. A 19th Century lecturer in medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Bell is viewed as the founder of forensic science and was cited by Arthur Conan Doyle as being the inspiration for the character Sherlock Holmes.

The invented characters include James Murray, originally from Scotland and a student of Bell, who has traveled to Italy to study with Lombroso in order to avoid both personal tragedy and straightened circumstances. We also get several members of the two different law enforcement units charged with keeping Turin safe, and who are at constant territorial odds with one another; Sophia, a lovely prostitute-turned-housekeeper who works for Lombroso and provides the novel’s romantic interest (of course, there has to be a romantic interest); and Salvadore Ottolenghi, Lombroso’s chief assistant.

A series of murders springs up, coinciding with Murray’s arrival in Turin. The corpses are multilated, the mutilations inflicted on parts of the anatomy that Lombroso identifies as being useful for identifying “criminal types.” Each corpse also bears a paper with a message written in blood: “A tribute to Lombroso.” The leader of one law enforcement group is determined to pin these crimes on Lombroso; the representative of the opposing camp imagines the killer will be someone other than Lombroso.

As these descriptions of characters and situation make clear, City of Devils offers an interesting read, both in terms of history and of narrative. If you enjoy historical mysteries—and particularly if you’re interested in the early antecedents of today’s CSI-style labs—you’ll be kept engaged throughout the books rather substantial length.

Where this novel falls short is in the development of Murray, the central character. The reader would assume that, having worked first with Bell and now with Lombroso, Murray would be a figure of some intelligence—but over and over in this novel Murray is given clues he can’t identify. The this-rings-a-bell-but-I-can’t-remember-what-it-reminds-me-of move makes Murray come across as an inattentive, absent-minded figure, hardly the sort on would expect to find at the side of scientists like Bell and Lombroso.

And when those responsible for the killings are revealed this happens not through any deductions on Murray’s part, but via a summons to meet at a particular time and location issued by a killer and sent to Lombroso. In other words, Murray thinks about things, but doesn’t follow through on clues, and the culprits are identified through their own hubris and not through skilled detective work.

Bretherick is clearly leaving open the possibility of a return of Murray and further criminal investigations. Such works could be quite interesting—but only if Murray develops into a more intelligent, self-directed character.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This debut novel, winner of the 2012 Good Housekeeping new novel competition, is set in 1887 Turin. Doctor James Murray has left Edinburgh to study under Professor Cesare Lombroso, the father of criminology. However, no sooner has he arrived and been taken on as an assistant when there is the first of a series of horrific murders - each body mutilated and left with a note saying, "A tribute to Lombroso." Lombroso himself is unwilling to investigate, but Marshal Machinetti, his sworn enemy, is keen to implicate him in the crimes. Can Murray, fellow assistant Ottolenghi and Tullio, a younger and more modern member of the Public Security Police, find the murderer?

There are good and bad things about this novel. It is both descriptive (often overly so) and atmospheric. Lombroso seems to have made an enemy of almost everyone and the storyline is helped by fellow academics who are visiting Turin for a symposium. These include the American alienist Walter B. Horton, the exotic Madame Tarnovsky, Monsieur De Clicy, Viennese Dr Reiner and Lombroso's lawyer Borelli. These characters, along with the disapproving Father Vincenzo, help show the beginnings of early criminal anthropology and bring interest to the plot. The problem is that most of the characters either disagree, or disapprove, of Lombroso's findings and this includes James Murray. You find yourself asking whether, if Murray is so unconvinced by Lombroso's methods, he should have been so keen to study with him in the first place. Also, despite a whole string of murders, Murray often doesn't arrive on the scene until well after the action and is unsure of how to investigate, which slows the storyline down. Of course there is a love interest, in Lombroso's servant Sofia, who has worked on the streets and who Murray spends half the book lusting after and half trying to tell himself she is totally unsuitable. Overall, it is a slow, unconvincing read, which drags towards the end and then seems wrapped up a little too neatly. The author can certainly write well, but this was a long, and ambitious, first novel which never really takes off.
2.5 stars

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

o Dr. James Murray has come to the University of Turin in 1867, to become the assistant of Professor Cesare Lombroso, who is teaching the newly-established field of criminal anthropology. This was the era that science first started to be used in criminal investigations, and James assisted with that in Edinburgh before coming to Italy. His father was involved in the study of the criminal brain, so this field is natural to him. James left behind a sister with a religious aunt as since his parents died, he has been the breadwinner and needs a proper job to do that. Right in the middle of his interview for the assistant position, the carbinieri (police) come in and inform Professor Lombroso of a gruesome murder they would like his assistance with, as his name has been mentioned in a note left by the killer.

Sofia, one of Lombroso’s servants intrigues James with the way she has no problem looking right at him, far different from the reserved manner of Scottish women. Lombroso is having a symposium at the university and has invited scholars from all over Europe to assist him. James is excited to be invited to go because he will finally get to meet all the people whose work he has read about. As the symposium continues, more and more people are being killed as a “Tribute to Lombroso”. Will they ever be able to figure out who the killer is and why he or she is doing this? To find out read this fascinating book. 4 stars.

I had never heard of Cesare Lombroso, although I had heard of Dr. Bell. Forensic and criminal anthropology have been fascinating to me for awhile, as is true crime, so I was interested, after reading the book, to read the author’s note at the end which described the field and its champion. My biggest gripe with the book was the middle part, which really dragged, and nearly made me lose interest. Another thing to mention about the book is that the killings were pretty horrific, and definitely not for the faint of heart.

Disclaimer: I received this advanced reader’s copy book via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

1887. When James Murray, a young Scottish doctor fascinated by the workings of the criminal mind, travels to the vibrant city of Turin, it is to study with Cesare Lombroso, the world-renowned criminologist. But just hours after his introduction to Lombroso, the discovery of a horrifically mutilated body in the nearby Piazza Statuto, and a note that appears to implicate the celebrated criminologist himself, changes everything.
With the help of his fellow apprentice, a local investigator and Lombroso's beautiful but enigmatic housekeeper, Murray must put his learning to the test and endeavour to understand the mind of a serial killer if he is to stop the rapidly escalating bloodbath and clear the name of his mentor.
Meet the world's first criminologist in this compelling, fast-paced historical thriller.

I was alerted to this book whilst watching the ITV3 Thriller Club and I liked the whole concept of the book, a Victorian era criminologist, who did actually exist, set in Turin and a series of gruesome murders.

I absolutely loved this book, what a refreshing read. A real person and a tale of fiction worked around him and the whole book worked. Reviews I have read have stated that the book is slow to get going but I didn't find that, I found it setting the scene and the prose used was wonderful and it kept me hooked.

I never reveal the plot or the murderer but at the end of the book I do wonder if there may be a follow up, if there is then I will certainly not hesitate to read it! A wonderful debut novel and at last a book I've bought from a review I have enjoyed.

[Jenny Hotchkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really exciting, pacey historical thriller about a serial killer terrorizing Turin in the 1890s. The main characters are James Murray, a Scottish student of criminology, and Cesare Lombroso (who apparently was the world's first ever criminologist!!). The increasingly gruesome murders all make reference to some theory of Lombroso's about criminals and criminality. At first it appears that Lombroso might be involved with the murders in some way (each victim is known to him) but we quickly realize this isn't the case as James, along with Lombroso's foppish assistant Ottolenghi and a local policeman named Tulio, begins to investigate the murders.
The characters are amusing and likeable - Lombroso and Madame Tarnovsky, especially - and the plot is absorbing, leading you off with various twists and turns before the final revelation!
This seems to be the first book in a series as the ending leaves several plot lines unfinished and I look forward to reading more from this author soon.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book I got from First Reads. The story is set in Turin, Italy in the late 1800's when medicine and science were starting to influence law enforcement. A young Scot comes to the city to learn from an esteemed scientist, Cesare Lombroso, who had theories about how you could tell who was a criminal by scientific means. Cesare Lombroso actually existed and the novel is based on his research and theories, which held that a person's physical appearance could determine their criminal character. Just at the time of the protagonist's arrival a series of gruesome murders in which the perpetrator is taunting Professor Lombroso by deforming the bodies in ways based on the professor's theories. There are times that the story seems to get lost in the professor's aloofness and his unwillingness to pursue the killer by any means other than theorizing, but that it somewhat made up for by the historical and geographical contexts. It is an interesting read for those reasons.

[Gram · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a first novel it's not bad, but I only managed to get half way through before flicking to the last pages to find out what happened. I found the storyline on the debate as to whether criminals are born or made to be a good idea but the writing seemed far too involved with minute detail. In one chapter, almost every step through the streets of Turin was described in depth and I found it wearing, as if I was making the journey myself and becoming bored in the process. In general I found the hardback version of the book - at 450 plus pages - to be too long, although that's a common complaint with a lot of books I read these days. Having damned the book, I must praise Diana Bretherick's attempt to tackle difficult subjects in the setting of a crime mystery and I wish her well with her next book.

[Mirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1887, the City of Devils’ protagonist is based on a real historic person named Cesare Lombroso who founded a bizarre museum of bizarre human oddities. The story takes place in the beautiful city of Torino (Turin). When a body is found at the foot of a statue, all clues point to Lobroso as the culprit, and this whodunit begins.

Author, Diana Bretherick, won the 2012 Good Housekeeping new novel award with this story. The author’s style is engaging and very descriptive. The novel is a bit elongated, but it keeps the reader captivated and guessing to the very end. There were plenty of secrets and clues and red herrings, as well as great characters and a mild love story weaved into the plot.

For those who love mysteries with a bit of the odd and unusual in exotic settings, then this is the novel for you. A very nice debut novel for this author!

[Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting in that it deals with the beginnings of forensics in solving crime, something we are all familiar with as a result of TV shows like CSI and books about the exploits of such as Kate Scarpetta. It deals with a fictional set of events affecting Cesare Lombroso who was an early experimenter in the field. Unfortunately like many at the time he thought criminals could be identified by physical characteristics. The novel is set in Turin and told through the eyes of a young Scots doctor who goes to study with Lombroso to deal with devils of his own. While I found the subject matter interesting I was less enamoured by the author's style. I find it difficult to put a finger on what I disliked other than to say I found it almost childish.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confesso di averlo comprato per puro campanilismo.
Sono Torinese, follemente innamorata della mia città. Non potevo proprio lasciare sullo scaffale un libro ambientato a Torino, scritto addirittura da una straniera.
Che dire, a tratti ho patito e ho provato fastidio per il modo in cui viene sottolineato il lato "esoterico" e quasi "demoniaco" di Torino.
Fortunatamente la scrittrice è stata brava ad equilibrare le descrizioni della Torino oscura, con le descrizioni della Torino barocca, con i suoi viali, i suoi portici e i suoi palazzi.
A parte la location, Lombroso è un personaggio senza dubbio affascinante, l'epoca storia anche, la storia è particolare e originale. Scritto bene, scorrevole anche se forse un po' sbrigativo nella parte finale.

[Kedren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great book, the characters were very two dimensional and not really believable as real characters, which is more frustrating when you find out that Lombroso is a real person.

This reminds me of The Da Vinci Code only not as descriptive in the setting and bringing the characters to life.

The ending was disappointing also when it's finally revealed who dunnit. Would be interested to read further books of this writer though to see what else they write and if like Dan Brown they find their leading characters.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sono rimasto sorpreso e deluso allo stesso tempo. La trama parte un po' lenta per finire poi con un ritmo talmente serrato da non dare poi il tempo di captare bene gli indizi per capire chi sia l'assassino. Purtroppo a 100 pagine dalla fine non un pò di arguzia si riesce a capire chiaramente chi sia e secondo me la scrittrice poteva fare di meglio per tenerlo ancora più celato.
Tuttavia la storia ha ottime basi ed è costruita abbastanza bene, da apprezzare l'originalità della storia. Buon libro.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm hesitant with debut novels as sometimes they can be really bad; this wasn't one of them. I really enjoyed this serial-killer historical novel. It was certainly a different twist on modern forensics. I've studied a lot of nineteenth century literature and history so could appreciate that the views being explored were very much those of the time rather than necessarily reflecting modern thought. I'll be interested in reading her next book.