Black August

Commissario Trotti #4

by Timothy Williams, Tim Gerard Reynolds (Reading)

Called to the scene of a brutal murder, Commissario Trotti of Italy's Polizia di Stato finds that an old friend, schoolteacher Rosanna Belloni, is the victim. Winner of the Crime Writers' Association Award for 1992.

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Timothy Williams was born in Walthamstow, England in 1946. He went to Chigwell School, Essex and the Universities of St. Andrews and Manchester. He has taught at various schools and the universities of Poitiers, Bari and Pavia. He now lives and teaches in Guadeloupe.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't feel I needed to have read the three previous books to follow this one, except perhaps for the appearance the Uruguayan character Eva, where I felt there had to have been a previous backstory. As for the story itself, I felt it moved s-l-o-w-l-y at times, so that by the time Trotti confronted the killer I didn't really care much, nor really "get" how he got there, but glad it was over. Not to say that the writing itself is dull, but more that the author's pacing isn't what I'd consider ideal. The book did serve to pass time, with characters who varied enough to keep me from feeling a sense of plodding along. As a matter of fact, at some points the narrator varied the voices so much I thought there may be more than one reader!

Would I read the next (final) story? I doubt it. Would I recommend this one? Perhaps to hardcore Italophiles.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish this book so I can't comment on the quality of the mystery itself. The writing style is driven by dialogue and, sadly, I didn't find the dialogue to be very compelling at all. I didn't find myself drawn to any of the characters. Made it about a third of the way and just didn't care enough to keep going. I wanted to be transported to Italy. I wasn't. I wanted to be intrigued by the story. I wasn't.
However the author was considered one of the top ten crime writers in Europe so obviously his writing appeals to many.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family murder. Or is it? A pretty complicated case, with a very gothic backstory in the history of the victim and her family, that Trotti is invested in because he is fond of the victim. His fondness causes him to make some major mistakes. It’s good but I like these books better when they are centered on Italian society, not family dysfunction.

[Desiree · Rating 2 out of 5]

i rather liked the previous Trotti novels, at least the first and second one but I found this one confusing, the main character becoming more and more an ass. Don't know if I will read the last Trotti novel. Probably will, but hope it is better than this one.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a period piece novel, set in Genoa c. 1990. The details make it interesting, but I didn't find the characters particularly engaging. The plotting was a bit random as well. But for many readers the setting will offset the rather wooden writing.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh! Yet another irritable self absorbed fanatical police inspector. The book had a serviceable plot and observations of modern life in provincial Northern Italy.

[Mikee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book of the series and the best so far. A really enjoyable read. Good characters. The plot still as convoluted as always, but I didn't really care. Trotti is older (62) and more singleminded and impatient. People who love him call him on some of his shortcomings. People get hurt. Things are left unsaid and unanswered. Like life.

[June Finnigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another clever Trotti thriller

Our aging detective is shocked to hear of the death of a former headmistress and friend, but he is ordered to stay off the case. Being Trotti he investigates anyway and opens a nasty can of worms with a twist in the tale. Very good.
June Finnigan - Writer

[Margaret Bryant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. The dialogue was stilted and often repetitive.