Old Bones in Puglia: A thrilling detective novel set in the stunning wilds of Italy

by Tom Benjamin

'The first division of crime writers' - Daily Mail

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Discover Italy's bewitching region of Puglia with the seventh Daniel Leicester mystery, the most propulsive yet . . .

English detective and Bologna resident Daniel Leicester has been summoned by a dying relative to the wildest corner of Puglia, home to revered saints, fearsome mafia clans, hidden catacombs and sinister ceremonies.

As Daniel discovers that his Italian family's history runs deep in the veins of the region, old grudges resurface and life is breathed into ancient superstitions. He is enchanted by the mysteries of the region and joins a search for stolen antiquities, but when a contact is gruesomely murdered by mobsters, it's clear that mafia rule is more powerful than local mysticism.

Lured by magic but trapped by the mob, Daniel finds himself unable to return to his beloved Bologna. His family is bound to Puglia more tightly than he ever imagined, and powerful people want answers he can't give.

And when Daniel's daughter is snatched during a Holy Week procession, he sees first-hand just how far they're prepared to go . . .

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Readers love Tom Benjamin's Daniel Leicester mysteries!

'A galloping and topical read' - The Florentine

'Evocative, easy to read, and immersive... Old and new mysteries come together in a satisfying, and moving finale. Highly recommended.' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'There's plenty of Bologna, lots of mystery and conspiracy, and even some heartbreak via Daniel's past. Highly recommended!' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I have read all this series and loved every single one... I really didn't want to put it down and read it in only a couple of days' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A real treat. One of the few series that I've read throughout and this is the best of the lot. Beautifully drawn characters, a wonderful evocation of Bologna, a twisty plot and a genuinely moving and clever callback to an earlier event. Oozes class.' - Trevor Wood, author of the DCI Jack Parker series

'This brilliant series is consistently unmissable and The Bologna Vendetta is no exception; intriguing, intelligent and thoroughly compelling, it's the best yet!' - Karen Cole, Hair Past Freckle book review blog

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

About the author

Tom began his career as a reporter in north London before becoming a spokesman for Scotland Yard where he was a frequent visitor, for strictly professional reasons, to its famed Black Museum. He went on to work in international aid and public health before moving to Bologna with his Italian wife. Tom's first job in Bologna as a doorman at a homeless canteen exposed him to an Italy less travelled and helped inspire his debut A Quiet Death In Italy.

Reviews

[Jan Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

[Peter Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

A break in Puglia, back to the family roots and a last chance to visit a dying relative might not be the most attention-grabbing beginning, but prophetic last words, directed at Rose, hint at mystery ahead. Rural small-town Puglia is a world away from Bologna, a region where myth, superstition and tradition still have a firm grip. Where Easter is bound up in centuries old tradition, adding a mystical flavour to the storyline and a hint of the supernatural.

The Comandante made his name in the carabiniere whilst working in the region, so he is a natural choice of private investigator for a delicate matter. There has been a scheme involving stolen antiquities, which if made common knowledge would embarrass the local museum and old Professor Malaparte. The substitution of fakes for the real thing suggests sophistication and resources, bearing the hallmarks of organised crime. The local crime gang has managed to keep the bigger organisations at bay with a combination of fear and legend, making territorial challenges not worth the risk.

The story moves along at a brisk rate, in that Daniel and the Comandante immediately latch onto a productive lead. We may be straight into the search, but there are twists aplenty ahead, in a story in which characters and their motivations are not always what they appear. An investigative minefield to be negotiated and one that places them in real danger. Its nicely constructed, the build up to the finale is an excellent blend of thrills and surprises, with a dash of confusion added for good measure. Not quite what I was expecting.

Much of the story revolves around the relationship between Daniel and the Comandante. The former learns more about his late wife’s family and the latter must reveal his secrets, as it becomes clear that his return is not welcomed by some. Dolores and Rose are on the trip but go camping for much of the story, before returning to play significant parts in the final third. Daniel is captivated by assistant professor Persefone, a strong, intelligent and attractive woman, who delights in showing him the sights and more. I particularly enjoyed the old ‘dinosaur’ communists in the story.
There are rural scenes that could have been from hundred years ago, along with the ancient buildings, that give a timeless quality. The Easter parade is one that traditionally ends with fireworks and flames. The most arresting scenes take place underground though, in an abandoned city within troglodyte caves. A magical and mystical and labyrinthine to negotiate, they provide a perfect setting for what is to come.

A wonderful blend of tradition and mysticism within a conventional crime story. A bit unusual and certainly freshens up the series.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Old Bones in Puglia’ is full of treachery, intriguing characters, and a story that ends up knee-deep in the mafia! This is the seventh book in this brilliant series, but it can be easily read as a standalone story. I do recommend reading the whole series, though, as they are excellent. It is helped that the author is immersed in Italian culture, and therefore authenticity radiates off the page.

Daniel Leicester is meant to be on holiday. His family have decamped to Puglia, where his late wife’s family originated. Soon, he and ‘The Comandante’, aka his father-in-law, are wrapped up in a case that involves counterfeit antiquities, an insular community, and unfortunately, the mafia!

The sense of location was on point in this outing. Puglia is not somewhere I really know much about, so the rich descriptions and useful introduction to its culture and history were very interesting! It seemed as if you stepped back in time in comparison to the rest of Italy. All the little details included allowed the reader to vividly picture the action, and it gives the book a real authentic feel.

As an avid reader of this series, it was great to see the exploration of Daniel and his father-in-law’s relationship and how ‘The Comandante’ deals with confronting demons from his past. Especially the capture of a serial killer when he was posted there as a young man in the military police. It is not all serious though, as it is peppered with bits of humour and ultimately has quite a hopeful feel to it. I can't wait for the next instalment!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

" The error is to think you are superior, that you can out-smart this land because you have an education, but it laughed at your learning. It will out-last, out-live, out-think you."

Old Bones in Puglia is the seventh in Tom Benjamin's Daniel Leicester series; this time the intrepid private investigator travels south with his daughter to attend the death bed of an elderly relative but from his arrival along with his father-in law, The Comandante, they find themselves drawn into the world of fake historical artefacts. The local museum discovers that forgeries have been created and a local art teacher is missing.

Daniel finds himself pulled into a world where no-one is to be trusted and when murder enters the frame then the mafia rear its ugly head. Against a backdrop of Easter week celebrations, mysticism, local superstitions and dark forces collide. Who is behind the forgeries and at what price can the full picture be revealed?

This is a great addition to the series - fast paced, culturally intriguing and twist and turns- who can be trusted?

This could be read as a standalone novel but reading the series in order always gives you extra layers of the characters that could otherwise be missed but ultimately it is Tom Benjamin's close personal knowledge of Italian life that gives this crime read the upper edge of many others.

Thank you to Constable publishing and Netgalley for the advance copy

[Chris Scotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest volume in Tom Benjamin's Bologna novels, featuring English private investigator Daniel Leicester, takes the action out of the city this time, into the rural south. On a holiday following family connections initially and then involving missing ancient artefacts, kidnap, revenge and more than likely, for Daniel, feuding mafia families; the change of setting is fascinating, the locales coming alive under some wonderful descriptive narrative, (essential for the plot!) and I thoroughly enjoyed the new over the top characters that came into play. Although, no, they're just being southern Italian, and the descriptions and language were pitch perfect.

There's some violence but, as ever, it feels almost apologetic and is never the main theme in these novels; thus, when it comes it's a bit of a shocker and extremely effective.

I've not read this series in logical order (something I'm usually a stickler for!) And while of course the avid enthusiast will do so, it's really not essential. So, dive in, meet some wonderfully understated characters and enjoy the ride. Then go back and read the others, if you haven't already.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You see all these people? These sets of eyes? You’re looking at a town of the blind, my boy.”

Book 7 in the author’s English Detective series and a change of scenery. Summoned by a dying relative, Daniel and his family leave Bologna - the setting of previous novels- for Puglia where they are confronted by stories from the past, old grudges and, of course, the shadowy, simmering presence of the Mafia. A love interest for Daniel; the long and unforgiving fingers of the past memories for his father in law and the worst possible choice imaginable for Rose.

I have become so engrossed in this series and in particular with its characters. The move to Puglia presented a welcome change of scenery and some interesting new dynamics. Where everything has been relatively familiar territory after the previous stories, Puglia sets the reader and the detective seriously off balance; disorientating and wrong footing. This felt more dangerous; the characters more vulnerable and the threat more deadly and unknown.

So many things set this series apart: the writing; the setting and the characters. it’s entirely possible to read each of these as a stand alone, but you’d miss the subtleties of the relationships. In particular Daniel and his Father in law. There is a really beautiful moment of tenderness between them after a swim-
“the only times I had seen him cry were at his wife and daughter’s funerals where the water dripped down his expressionless face like now. “ I know I am a cantankerous old man, but you are indeed a blessing.”
No doubt reading this you will feel its tenderness; but after spending 7 books with this wonderful duo that moment is something else indeed!

This was fast and furious, unsettling, and has probably the most dramatic finale of the series so far!

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series I’ve read a few now and they are what I love in a detective crime thriller.
Full of action, great characters and well written. You could read them in any order or as a standalone but I think to get the full character development reading them all gives more information.
There are lots of suspense and suspicious characters in this book which keeps the reader guessing as to what will happen.
I cannot wait to see where Daniel goes next.

[Davinia Hinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting and intriguing book. Full of depth and completely immersive it's a great ride. I especially like a book that ends up with mafia involvement and this one didn't disappoint.

I genuinely felt like I was in Bologna alongside the characters who are mostly likeable as we work to solve the case.

It's part of a series but I read as a standalone and it easily readable as such but I would definitely hope to read the rest of the series.

Definitely highly recommended

[Pree&Vi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

I loved how this mystery kept getting more and more complex. When I had only four or five chapters left, I still had no clue what was going on and how all the different occurrences were connected. But the author did a brilliant job of creating a satisfying conclusion in the last couple of chapters.

The book reminded me a little of the Dan Brown novels, as it had a little bit of history mixed in. But I enjoyed it even more than those.

I'll be reading more books from this series!

[J S · Rating 5 out of 5]

New town new narrative

Enjoyable change of scene and pace but a good read. Time for rose to develop as a character look forward to seeing the next one

[Beachcomber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars rounded down. This is seventh in the series, but the second one I’ve read. The sense of place is palpable, and you feel like you’re right in the south of Italy, with the outsiders and traditions. For me, the superstition part of the plot pulled it a little into the Dan Brown sphere of mystery books, which is the only reason I rated it a little lower than the previous book. Your mileage may vary though, and it is well written as you’d expect by book seven in a series.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.