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Nic Costa #10
The Savage Shore
Detective Nic Costa finds himself a stranger in a strange land when he's sent to infiltrate the mob in a remote part of southern Italy.
Roman police detective Nic Costa has been sent undercover to Italy's beautiful, remote Calabrian coast to bring in the head of the feared mob, the 'Ndrangheta, who has offered to turn state witness for reasons of his own.
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob. As the tension rises, it's clear the operation is not going to plan. Is Nic Costa getting too close to the enemy for comfort - and is there a traitor among them ...?
Roman police detective Nic Costa has been sent undercover to Italy's beautiful, remote Calabrian coast to bring in the head of the feared mob, the 'Ndrangheta, who has offered to turn state witness for reasons of his own.
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob. As the tension rises, it's clear the operation is not going to plan. Is Nic Costa getting too close to the enemy for comfort - and is there a traitor among them ...?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 2018
33 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
David Hewson
109 books523 followersDAVID HEWSON was born in Yorkshire in 1953. His books range from the Nic Costa series set in Italy to adaptations of The Killing in Copenhagen and the Pieter Vos series in Amsterdam.
He's adapted Shakespeare for Audible and in 2018 won the Audie for best original work for Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, narrated by Richard Armitage.
2019 sees the release of a new, full-cast Audible drama set in New York, Last Seen Wearing, and a standalone novel set in the Faroe Islands, Devil's Fjord.
Series:
Nic Costa
Pieter Vos
The Killing
He's adapted Shakespeare for Audible and in 2018 won the Audie for best original work for Romeo and Juliet: A Novel, narrated by Richard Armitage.
2019 sees the release of a new, full-cast Audible drama set in New York, Last Seen Wearing, and a standalone novel set in the Faroe Islands, Devil's Fjord.
Series:
Nic Costa
Pieter Vos
The Killing
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 17, 2019
I downloaded this from netgalley as I like the author then didn't read it for a few months. When I did I decided by the synopsis I wasn't going to like it and then ended up proving myself wrong because I found it really engrossing and couldn't put it down. Luckily I'm on a heavy travel schedule for work so I didn't have to and for to actually keep the pages turning.
The whole book takes place over a number of days and Costa is taking part in an undercover operation to bring in head of crime family 'Ndrangheta and some extra villains he has promised the team. Surprisingly the majority of this goes smoothly but there is always a risk in undercover operations and one small mistake leads to all kinds of problems.
I've read quite a few Costa books so I'm familiar with the characters and so already invested in them but I enjoyed seeing all of the team out of their comfort zone here and we get some different sides of personality. I normally don't like gangster books (or TV/film) but this book focuses so much on the people that I didn't mind. Really enjoyed this and looking forward to the next in the series.
The whole book takes place over a number of days and Costa is taking part in an undercover operation to bring in head of crime family 'Ndrangheta and some extra villains he has promised the team. Surprisingly the majority of this goes smoothly but there is always a risk in undercover operations and one small mistake leads to all kinds of problems.
I've read quite a few Costa books so I'm familiar with the characters and so already invested in them but I enjoyed seeing all of the team out of their comfort zone here and we get some different sides of personality. I normally don't like gangster books (or TV/film) but this book focuses so much on the people that I didn't mind. Really enjoyed this and looking forward to the next in the series.
July 19, 2019
The Savage Shore by David Hewson is an extremely well-written novel that is decribed in magnificent detail. The way Hewson describes the detail makes you feel like you are in the setting. That being said, the storyline just didn't grab my full attention. I do want to read this entire series in order because I agree with others that David Hewson is one fantastic writer.
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Thorn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
*Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Thorn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 18, 2019
Nic Costa goes undercover in Calabria to help bring in an 'Ndrangheta leader, Lo Spettro - "The Ghost" - who wants to turn informer ("pentito") in return for witness protection for him and his family. Nic's colleagues - Teresa Lupo, Leo Falcone, Gianni Peroni and their computer expert, Silvio - wait impatiently, cooling their heels in a small Calabrian seaside town - their "holiday home" linked by encrypted computer to their bosses in Rome.
Nic has to learn to behave as a gang member in order to be accepted by various criminal gang leaders due to meet for a conference during which Italian police hope to arrest them. He is helped by Lo Spettro's daughter, Lucia with whom he forms a close relationship. Then Silvio is taken as "hostage" by Lo Spettro's family and the plans of the Rome-based police bosses seem to be going awry. The tension is notched up. What will happen to Nic and will the police bring in Lo Spettro who has promised they will also capture another major criminal - a Sicilian mob boss who's been on the run for years.
Hewson writes beautifully and the book's introduction features an extract from Calabrian Tales by Constantino Bergamotti, originally published in 1949. That and further chapter introductions mix the area's history, religion and culture alongside various local traditions, including a dramatic description of locals fishing for swordfish. Calabria is in southwest Italy and its people are always ready to point out that they have always been ignored by the politicians in Rome. In this part of Italy however, it is the 'Ndrangheta who rule.
We learn something of Calabria's violent history, past and present, and the ’Ndrangheta's criminal operations which include the smuggling of African immigrants into Italy where the men are used as a source of cheap labour and the women turned out as prostitutes.
This is more than just an absorbing crime thriller, as the author's descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of the Calabrian region verge on the poetic. Neither is the unfolding action straightforward as we realise that - in some instances - there isn't much difference between Nic and his colleagues and the men of the 'Ndrangheta.
I've read and enjoyed all 9 of the previous Nic Costa novels and even the wait of 7 years for the 10th has been worth it. This book is a fine addition to the series. Recommended for crime thriller fans.
My thanks to the publisher Black Thorn and to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in return for an unbiased review.
Nic has to learn to behave as a gang member in order to be accepted by various criminal gang leaders due to meet for a conference during which Italian police hope to arrest them. He is helped by Lo Spettro's daughter, Lucia with whom he forms a close relationship. Then Silvio is taken as "hostage" by Lo Spettro's family and the plans of the Rome-based police bosses seem to be going awry. The tension is notched up. What will happen to Nic and will the police bring in Lo Spettro who has promised they will also capture another major criminal - a Sicilian mob boss who's been on the run for years.
Hewson writes beautifully and the book's introduction features an extract from Calabrian Tales by Constantino Bergamotti, originally published in 1949. That and further chapter introductions mix the area's history, religion and culture alongside various local traditions, including a dramatic description of locals fishing for swordfish. Calabria is in southwest Italy and its people are always ready to point out that they have always been ignored by the politicians in Rome. In this part of Italy however, it is the 'Ndrangheta who rule.
We learn something of Calabria's violent history, past and present, and the ’Ndrangheta's criminal operations which include the smuggling of African immigrants into Italy where the men are used as a source of cheap labour and the women turned out as prostitutes.
This is more than just an absorbing crime thriller, as the author's descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of the Calabrian region verge on the poetic. Neither is the unfolding action straightforward as we realise that - in some instances - there isn't much difference between Nic and his colleagues and the men of the 'Ndrangheta.
I've read and enjoyed all 9 of the previous Nic Costa novels and even the wait of 7 years for the 10th has been worth it. This book is a fine addition to the series. Recommended for crime thriller fans.
My thanks to the publisher Black Thorn and to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in return for an unbiased review.
July 12, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and Severn House Publishers Ltd for an advance copy of The Savage Shore, the tenth novel to feature detective Nic Costa of the Rome police.
Nic and the team are in Calabria to bring in an Ndrangheta leader, Lo Spettro, who wants to turn informer in return for guarantees of protection for him and his family. Nic agrees to go undercover to assist the effort while the others cool their heels waiting for instructions from Lo Spettro.
Wow, it's been a long wait for this latest instalment of the series, one of my all time favourites, but well worth it as I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a meticulously planned novel, mixing inaction, action, tension and believable reactions with relevant local myth and legend. It had me hooked from start to finish, even during the very tense moments when I could hardly bear to turn the pages, such was my dread of what was coming next. I'm in awe of Mr Hewson's skill as nothing is as it seems, except perhaps, Italian bureaucracy and the civil servants, and even then, the randomness of chance and human nature are added to the mix to produce a gripping, believable read. I like that the police team are dancing to someone else's tune for once so the reader sees a different side to their dynamic, out of their comfort zone and uncertain.
The novel is told in the third person, mostly in a linear time line but with one recap back to where it started, and from various points of view, mostly Nic and his best friend and work partner Gianni Peroni. This works extremely well and I didn't find it distracting in the slightest, as I often do, because it shows two halves of the whole, the danger Nic is facing and the frustration of inactivity for the rest of the team. I also liked the fact that the novel opens with this situation and only later gives the explanation of how it comes about. It underlines the uncertainty of the situation, ratchets up the tension and makes it clear that the police are no more than puppets in someone else's drama. It's addictive from start to finish.
The characterisation is unusual in this novel with only Nic Costa having a full role as the others are relegated to the role of waiting bystanders. Their personalities are still apparent and vital in vignettes throughout the novel but it's strange to see them so inactive. Even Nic Costa who is the only active member of the team is not autonomous and has to do as he's told. It's interesting reading and a fresh take on well established characters.
The Savage Shore is a great read, one of the best so far this year for me, so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Nic and the team are in Calabria to bring in an Ndrangheta leader, Lo Spettro, who wants to turn informer in return for guarantees of protection for him and his family. Nic agrees to go undercover to assist the effort while the others cool their heels waiting for instructions from Lo Spettro.
Wow, it's been a long wait for this latest instalment of the series, one of my all time favourites, but well worth it as I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a meticulously planned novel, mixing inaction, action, tension and believable reactions with relevant local myth and legend. It had me hooked from start to finish, even during the very tense moments when I could hardly bear to turn the pages, such was my dread of what was coming next. I'm in awe of Mr Hewson's skill as nothing is as it seems, except perhaps, Italian bureaucracy and the civil servants, and even then, the randomness of chance and human nature are added to the mix to produce a gripping, believable read. I like that the police team are dancing to someone else's tune for once so the reader sees a different side to their dynamic, out of their comfort zone and uncertain.
The novel is told in the third person, mostly in a linear time line but with one recap back to where it started, and from various points of view, mostly Nic and his best friend and work partner Gianni Peroni. This works extremely well and I didn't find it distracting in the slightest, as I often do, because it shows two halves of the whole, the danger Nic is facing and the frustration of inactivity for the rest of the team. I also liked the fact that the novel opens with this situation and only later gives the explanation of how it comes about. It underlines the uncertainty of the situation, ratchets up the tension and makes it clear that the police are no more than puppets in someone else's drama. It's addictive from start to finish.
The characterisation is unusual in this novel with only Nic Costa having a full role as the others are relegated to the role of waiting bystanders. Their personalities are still apparent and vital in vignettes throughout the novel but it's strange to see them so inactive. Even Nic Costa who is the only active member of the team is not autonomous and has to do as he's told. It's interesting reading and a fresh take on well established characters.
The Savage Shore is a great read, one of the best so far this year for me, so I have no hesitation in recommending it.
October 29, 2018
Nic Costa, together with Teresa Lupo, Leo Falcone and Gianni Peroni, returns for the first time in seven years in David Hewson’s tenth book in the series. This time the Roman team are well out of their comfort zone having been dispatched to Calabria, in Italy’s toe, in preparation for the defection of a mafia crime boss. While the team pose as holidaymakers in a coastal town, Costa has gone undercover in the ‘Ndrangheta.
It has been quite a while since I first discovered David Hewson’s Italian-set crime series with ‘The Seventh Sacrament’ and I am so glad I got past that novel’s title and cover which, to my mind, were positioned to take advantage of the success of Dan Brown and the like - in truth the series could not be further from that type of thriller. Hewson writes very literate, thought-provoking mysteries with well-drawn, sympathetic characters, and ‘The Savage Shore’ is no exception.
The story is told at a slow, perhaps old-fashioned, pace but that is not a criticism. The prose is beautiful, poetic, and the setting, in one of Italy’s least well-known regions, is brought vividly to life.
“Hands running through dust on the ancient balustrade, they descended and walked out into the empty piazza by the church. The last of the summer sun dappled the snaking, shimmering channel that stood between Calabria and Sicily, a distant necklace of street lights defining the shore. Across the strait stood the mound of Etna, the only clouds around clinging to its side like needy children, the red haze of its volatile summit a dim rim of fire against the darkening sky.”
The book is a mixture of the romanticism and reality of life in an area seemingly forgotten by Italian, and European, politics - on one side, the myths and legends with which each chapter begins and which tell how the Calabrian people came to inhabit this rugged landscape; on the other, the petty crime, the forced servitude of African immigrant sellers of fake luxury items. Despite clear evidence of these realities, Nic Costa is subtly enticed by the ‘idea’ of the ’Ndrangheta, described in the fictional guide as “Criminals ‘full of a strong goodness’”, and it is clear that David Hewson fell for Calabria when researching the novel, but that is forgivable perhaps, given how much I want to see the region after reading about his version of it. I really enjoyed ‘The Savage Shore’ and hope it won’t be another seven years before we revisit the characters.
It has been quite a while since I first discovered David Hewson’s Italian-set crime series with ‘The Seventh Sacrament’ and I am so glad I got past that novel’s title and cover which, to my mind, were positioned to take advantage of the success of Dan Brown and the like - in truth the series could not be further from that type of thriller. Hewson writes very literate, thought-provoking mysteries with well-drawn, sympathetic characters, and ‘The Savage Shore’ is no exception.
The story is told at a slow, perhaps old-fashioned, pace but that is not a criticism. The prose is beautiful, poetic, and the setting, in one of Italy’s least well-known regions, is brought vividly to life.
“Hands running through dust on the ancient balustrade, they descended and walked out into the empty piazza by the church. The last of the summer sun dappled the snaking, shimmering channel that stood between Calabria and Sicily, a distant necklace of street lights defining the shore. Across the strait stood the mound of Etna, the only clouds around clinging to its side like needy children, the red haze of its volatile summit a dim rim of fire against the darkening sky.”
The book is a mixture of the romanticism and reality of life in an area seemingly forgotten by Italian, and European, politics - on one side, the myths and legends with which each chapter begins and which tell how the Calabrian people came to inhabit this rugged landscape; on the other, the petty crime, the forced servitude of African immigrant sellers of fake luxury items. Despite clear evidence of these realities, Nic Costa is subtly enticed by the ‘idea’ of the ’Ndrangheta, described in the fictional guide as “Criminals ‘full of a strong goodness’”, and it is clear that David Hewson fell for Calabria when researching the novel, but that is forgivable perhaps, given how much I want to see the region after reading about his version of it. I really enjoyed ‘The Savage Shore’ and hope it won’t be another seven years before we revisit the characters.
September 27, 2018
I like the way David Hewson thinks bringing three brothers from Spain to Italy in the formation of the Cosa Nostra or Mafia or Ndrangheta. Of course we start years after they were started when one of the old men wanted out. What he offered to a team of Rome policemen was one of Sicily's head of the Mofia. The story revolves around this theme of getting this head of the Mofia after years of trying. It goes from slaves of the Ndrangheta to the widow of a Ndrangheta member. To captive policemen involved with the Ndrangheta to following orders to the tee to make them a member I won't give away but just say it ends very noir. David tells small tales thoughtout the story which gives it a quality of actually happening during this episode. I like this history lesson within the story, such as hunting sailfish with spears. It fits right in. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
Read
November 17, 2018did not like the book and will not read other Nic Costa books
May 30, 2019
Thriller set in CALABRIA
The Savage Shore is set in Calabria – the region of Italy facing Sicily across the Straits of Messina. It has its organised crime equivalent of the Mafia called the ‘Ndrangheta. Perhaps not as famous / infamous as their Sicilian cousins, but every bit as deadly. The head of the family, Lo Spettro (the ghost), has decided he has had enough – and wants to give himself up to the authorities. Information in exchange for a new identity.
He needs to do so with maximum security and secrecy – people will be out to kill him. The local police (many of whom are in the pay of the ‘Ndrangheta) cannot be trusted. Roman detective, Nic Costa, is the person designated to bring him in. Nic has to go deep undercover to win the trust and respect of those surrounding Lo Spettro. It is a highly dangerous mission – one mistake could put him and his team in grave peril. Lo Spettro is arranging a meet of the local family heads, together with the Mafia bosses from across the Straits. His deal with Nic is that he will deliver them all to the Roman SWOT team in exchange for immunity and a new life.
It is, of course, not as simple as it seems. There is treachery and double crossing aplenty as the story builds to a thrilling climax.
David Hewson is one of TripFiction’s favourite authors. His books are extremely exciting, and extremely well and intelligently written. He also evokes a brilliant sense of location. The Savage Shore really takes you to the desolate southernmost tip of Italy. Largely off the tourist beaten track, it is where the ‘Ndrangheta dominates the local economy and way of life. It is wild country inhabited by wild men. You really feel immersed in this fascinating area and the way it operates.
Highly recommended.
The Savage Shore is set in Calabria – the region of Italy facing Sicily across the Straits of Messina. It has its organised crime equivalent of the Mafia called the ‘Ndrangheta. Perhaps not as famous / infamous as their Sicilian cousins, but every bit as deadly. The head of the family, Lo Spettro (the ghost), has decided he has had enough – and wants to give himself up to the authorities. Information in exchange for a new identity.
He needs to do so with maximum security and secrecy – people will be out to kill him. The local police (many of whom are in the pay of the ‘Ndrangheta) cannot be trusted. Roman detective, Nic Costa, is the person designated to bring him in. Nic has to go deep undercover to win the trust and respect of those surrounding Lo Spettro. It is a highly dangerous mission – one mistake could put him and his team in grave peril. Lo Spettro is arranging a meet of the local family heads, together with the Mafia bosses from across the Straits. His deal with Nic is that he will deliver them all to the Roman SWOT team in exchange for immunity and a new life.
It is, of course, not as simple as it seems. There is treachery and double crossing aplenty as the story builds to a thrilling climax.
David Hewson is one of TripFiction’s favourite authors. His books are extremely exciting, and extremely well and intelligently written. He also evokes a brilliant sense of location. The Savage Shore really takes you to the desolate southernmost tip of Italy. Largely off the tourist beaten track, it is where the ‘Ndrangheta dominates the local economy and way of life. It is wild country inhabited by wild men. You really feel immersed in this fascinating area and the way it operates.
Highly recommended.
October 29, 2018
Roman police detective Nic Costa has been sent undercover to Italy’s beautiful, remote Calabrian coast to bring in the head of the feared mob, the ‘Ndrangheta, who has offered to turn state witness for reasons of his own.
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob.
I’ve read & really enjoyed all of the previous Costa books & started to think there wouldn’t be any more so was thrilled to receive this the tenth in the series from NetGalley. A different setting but still a very enjoyable read. The descriptions are always detailed & make the settings come alive. This book could be read on its own but some of the relationships are better understood if you’ve read previous books. There are twists & turns & just when I thought I’d worked things out another twist is added. I hope there’s more to come in the series & the wait for the next one isn’t so long!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Hoping to reel in the biggest prize the state police have seen in years, the infamous Butcher of Palermo, Costa and his team are aware the stakes are high. But the constant deception is taking its toll. Out of their depth in a lawless part of Italy where they are the outcasts, not the men in the hills, with their shotguns and rough justice, the detectives find themselves pitched as much against one another as the mob.
I’ve read & really enjoyed all of the previous Costa books & started to think there wouldn’t be any more so was thrilled to receive this the tenth in the series from NetGalley. A different setting but still a very enjoyable read. The descriptions are always detailed & make the settings come alive. This book could be read on its own but some of the relationships are better understood if you’ve read previous books. There are twists & turns & just when I thought I’d worked things out another twist is added. I hope there’s more to come in the series & the wait for the next one isn’t so long!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 3, 2019
Organized crime families that have infiltrated the fabric of society, that own the soul of a community, are a phenomenon that terrify me. I am awed by the bravery of the investigators and police who voluntarily take them on. In “The Savage Shore”, Hewson’s long running character, Nic Costa, embeds in a crime family, loosely controlled and supervised by his colleagues who are living “undercover” in a small town in Calabria.
The tension level runs high as the team waits for the criminal who has essentially summoned them to participate as he sets up his last play. I wanted to close my e-book and turn my head, but simultaneously keep reading to find out what happens next. I was completely blindsided by Hewson's clever plotting, and thoroughly enjoyed everything about this novel.
The tension level runs high as the team waits for the criminal who has essentially summoned them to participate as he sets up his last play. I wanted to close my e-book and turn my head, but simultaneously keep reading to find out what happens next. I was completely blindsided by Hewson's clever plotting, and thoroughly enjoyed everything about this novel.
June 12, 2019
Na een wat stroef begin, moet dit boek het toch echt hebben van het staartje.
August 23, 2019
Review coming soon
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stephanietiner.weebly com
November 9, 2018
The Savage Shore is the first outing for Detective Nic Costa since 2011's The Fallen Angel. It's not a series I'm familiar with but I loved David Hewson's Juliet and Romeo earlier this year so couldn't resist reading this new title. I certainly didn't feel at a disadvantage not having read previous books in the series as David Hewson has incorporated little snippets of the returning characters' backstories which meant I soon had a good impression of who they were.
The novel actually opens with an extract from Calabrian Tales by Constantino Bergamotti and tells the tale of the founding of the Garduña - 'a band of holy villains' and the legend of three Garduña brothers who fled Spain and after being shipwrecked on Sardinia went their different ways. One brother to Naples, one to Sicily and the third to Reggio in Calabria. In turn, they formed three criminal organisations - the Camorra, Cosa Nostra and the 'Ndrangheta. Further extracts from this guide - supposedly written by a relative of one of the characters in the novel - precede each part of the book and provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the area. It soon becomes clear that the myths told still have their part to play in this mysterious and wild part of Italy.
Nic Costa and his colleagues have been drawn to Calabria after being informed that a powerful local gang boss, Lo Spettro - The Ghost - wishes to turn pentito and become a state witness against his peers in return for freedom for him and his family. They are undercover in a fishing village but as seasoned officer, Peroni soon realises, this isn't their mission and as much as they might like to think they are in control here, it is the 'Ndrangheta who are calling all the shots. Their plan is uncompromising and dangerous - Nic must join the gang in the guise of a distant relative from Canada - Tomasso (Maso) Leoni in order to convince Lo Spettro that he can trust them to handle his defection.
Nic's transformation from Roman police officer to a member of the 'ndrina is tense yet strangely captivating. There's never any doubt as to the danger he is in but as he learns more about their ways and beliefs and is forced to undertake tasks which will convince others of his legitimacy, there's also the sense that he's becoming part of the legend of this elusive group too. He becomes increasingly close to Lo Spettro's daughter, Lucia as boundaries between cops and criminals become blurred. As the plan is gradually brought to fruition the reader is given more access to what each of the various factions within the story is up to than they are themselves. This sense of knowing more certainly ratchets up the tension as the book progresses but even when I thought I'd guessed what might happen, I was reminded that nothing is ever straightforward here.
As a suspenseful thriller, The Savage Shore is a gripping read which vividly captures the dangerous world of organised crime and the risks involved in infiltrating them. However, its exploration of choices and expectations is equally as compelling. Although it may seem that the lives of the 'Ndrangheta and the police are far apart, they are both often caught 'tra Scilla e Cariddi' - between a rock and a whirlpool, and perhaps not quite so different as it would first appear. The setting is described so evocatively, I could almost smell the bergamot and thyme that permeates the air of the Aspromonte and there's a swordfishing scene which is so beautifully written, I had to read it twice. I couldn't fail to be entranced by this book, it's a complex, nuanced novel which so magnificently evokes the essence of an area from the rugged landscape and its enigmatic inhabitants to the myths and legends which have persisted for millennia. David Hewson transported me to the Mezzogiorno in The Savage Shore and it's undoubtedly one of my favourite novels of the year. Just wonderful!
The novel actually opens with an extract from Calabrian Tales by Constantino Bergamotti and tells the tale of the founding of the Garduña - 'a band of holy villains' and the legend of three Garduña brothers who fled Spain and after being shipwrecked on Sardinia went their different ways. One brother to Naples, one to Sicily and the third to Reggio in Calabria. In turn, they formed three criminal organisations - the Camorra, Cosa Nostra and the 'Ndrangheta. Further extracts from this guide - supposedly written by a relative of one of the characters in the novel - precede each part of the book and provide a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the area. It soon becomes clear that the myths told still have their part to play in this mysterious and wild part of Italy.
Nic Costa and his colleagues have been drawn to Calabria after being informed that a powerful local gang boss, Lo Spettro - The Ghost - wishes to turn pentito and become a state witness against his peers in return for freedom for him and his family. They are undercover in a fishing village but as seasoned officer, Peroni soon realises, this isn't their mission and as much as they might like to think they are in control here, it is the 'Ndrangheta who are calling all the shots. Their plan is uncompromising and dangerous - Nic must join the gang in the guise of a distant relative from Canada - Tomasso (Maso) Leoni in order to convince Lo Spettro that he can trust them to handle his defection.
Nic's transformation from Roman police officer to a member of the 'ndrina is tense yet strangely captivating. There's never any doubt as to the danger he is in but as he learns more about their ways and beliefs and is forced to undertake tasks which will convince others of his legitimacy, there's also the sense that he's becoming part of the legend of this elusive group too. He becomes increasingly close to Lo Spettro's daughter, Lucia as boundaries between cops and criminals become blurred. As the plan is gradually brought to fruition the reader is given more access to what each of the various factions within the story is up to than they are themselves. This sense of knowing more certainly ratchets up the tension as the book progresses but even when I thought I'd guessed what might happen, I was reminded that nothing is ever straightforward here.
As a suspenseful thriller, The Savage Shore is a gripping read which vividly captures the dangerous world of organised crime and the risks involved in infiltrating them. However, its exploration of choices and expectations is equally as compelling. Although it may seem that the lives of the 'Ndrangheta and the police are far apart, they are both often caught 'tra Scilla e Cariddi' - between a rock and a whirlpool, and perhaps not quite so different as it would first appear. The setting is described so evocatively, I could almost smell the bergamot and thyme that permeates the air of the Aspromonte and there's a swordfishing scene which is so beautifully written, I had to read it twice. I couldn't fail to be entranced by this book, it's a complex, nuanced novel which so magnificently evokes the essence of an area from the rugged landscape and its enigmatic inhabitants to the myths and legends which have persisted for millennia. David Hewson transported me to the Mezzogiorno in The Savage Shore and it's undoubtedly one of my favourite novels of the year. Just wonderful!
July 12, 2019
After a rather long absence of this series, Roman police detective Nic Costa returns in The Savage Shore. Author Hewson sets this episode in Calabria where Nic poses as a distant cousin of the local 'ndrangheta crime family. The head of the 'ndrangheta has decided to turn himself in and aid in the capture of the Sicilian capo in order to protect his family. Nic's task is to ensure all goes well. It does not.
The author weaves interesting background information and myths about the 'ndrangheta and Calabria as a prologue for each chapter. The characters and settings are well drawn and the story moves along at a brisk pace to an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. All of Nic's colleagues from Rome and books past are on hand although their purpose seems to be as anxious bystanders waiting for Nic's return than real contributors to the case.
The author weaves interesting background information and myths about the 'ndrangheta and Calabria as a prologue for each chapter. The characters and settings are well drawn and the story moves along at a brisk pace to an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. All of Nic's colleagues from Rome and books past are on hand although their purpose seems to be as anxious bystanders waiting for Nic's return than real contributors to the case.
September 30, 2018
David Hewson brings back Nic Costa in his latest book. Leaving Rome behind, Nic and his team are in Calabria to make contact with the head of the ‘Ndrangheta, the local mafia. Lo Spettro has spent a lifetime in the organization and wouLd like to retire but he is in a position where retirement is not an option. In exchange for assistance in safely hiding his family, he is willing to set up the heads of other mafia families for arrest.
While the remainder of the team pose as a business group celebrating a successful business deal in Cariddi, Nic gos undercover with the Bergamotti family as Masa Leoni, a relative rom Canada. As he waits for the trap to be set, he works with Lo Spettro’s daughter Lucía to familiarize himself with the area and his son Rocco to prove that he is worthy of joining the family. As the time passes he becomes closer to Lucía, but back in Cariddi the waiting takes its’ toll on the team.
Hewson mixes his story with the history of the area and the rise of the mafia. Superstition and tradition are a part of the society and the ‘Ndrangheta plays a large part in everyone’s lives, providing their own version of law and order. The Savage Shore moves at a steady pace leading to the trap, but as it is set in motion deceptions are revealed and the action takes off. It is not only Nic who is living with a false identity. When the trap goes wrong, Nic is determined to find the truth.
It has been several years since the last Nic Costa book and this is a welcome return. He is supported by members of his team who are familiar to Hewson!s fans, but those who are new to the series will quickly become involves with the team members and their relationships.. I would recommend this book not only for the engaging story, but also for the vivid picture that Hewson paints of the coast of Italy. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for allowing me to provide my honest review of this book.
While the remainder of the team pose as a business group celebrating a successful business deal in Cariddi, Nic gos undercover with the Bergamotti family as Masa Leoni, a relative rom Canada. As he waits for the trap to be set, he works with Lo Spettro’s daughter Lucía to familiarize himself with the area and his son Rocco to prove that he is worthy of joining the family. As the time passes he becomes closer to Lucía, but back in Cariddi the waiting takes its’ toll on the team.
Hewson mixes his story with the history of the area and the rise of the mafia. Superstition and tradition are a part of the society and the ‘Ndrangheta plays a large part in everyone’s lives, providing their own version of law and order. The Savage Shore moves at a steady pace leading to the trap, but as it is set in motion deceptions are revealed and the action takes off. It is not only Nic who is living with a false identity. When the trap goes wrong, Nic is determined to find the truth.
It has been several years since the last Nic Costa book and this is a welcome return. He is supported by members of his team who are familiar to Hewson!s fans, but those who are new to the series will quickly become involves with the team members and their relationships.. I would recommend this book not only for the engaging story, but also for the vivid picture that Hewson paints of the coast of Italy. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for allowing me to provide my honest review of this book.
July 13, 2020
The Savage Shore (Nic Costa #10), David Hewson.
My lists show Carnival For The Dead as Nic Costa #10, which I read earlier....This is listed as #11?
There is a lot of history starting each section of this book about the formation of the various mafia clans, origins over the centuries and also a good amount of culture and nature history of various Italian islands and especially the Calabrian coast. However, later in the storyline moves around quite a bit.
It’s rather unique to imagine a group quite high up police from Rome settling in undercover to try and catch several Sicilian mafia while doing a deal with the Ndrangheta mafia for their safety.... Meanwhile Nic is taken as a pawn and given a new identity to live with them and get close to effect the turn over! There are some interesting characters here with the old man running the run down estate, a brother and sister, an aunt, etc...
As in all these books Nic of course has to have a love affair with someone! Seems a pattern.
The walks through nature and details of rustic life were wonderful.
The stories of the refugees that were put into service as slaves by the two mafia groups were rather depressing but if you have spent any time in Italy the last couple of decades, it actually works!
There are squabbles amongst the cops from Rome having to wait so long to get to the sting. It is rather nice that if you have read more of the series, many of the characters are known and expanded upon.
Things get quite dramatic but most of the mysteries are tidied up nicely by the end.
Interesting series...must take a writer an amazing amount of research and travel, even living in an area quite awhile to enable such a lot of detail
October 31, 2018
My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of David Hewson’s ‘The Savage Shore’.
I have been an avid fan of David Hewson for some time; enjoying not only the Nic Costa series from its inception but also his adaptations of ‘The Killing’ and various stand-alone titles. As the last Nic Costa book was published in 2011, I had wondered if the series had been retired, so this was indeed a welcome return.
The plot finds Nic on a dangerous undercover assignment in a remote area of southern Italy while members of his team remain nearby monitoring events. Things naturally become complicated for all concerned.
A few times the phrase ‘Christ stopped at Eboli’, an expression made famous by the 1945 memoir by Carlo Levi, is referenced indicating that history (and to a degree Christianity) has passed by the people of this region. This is also reflected in a series of extracts from a fictional guidebook, ‘The Calabrian Tales’, that head each chapter giving details on myths and legends of the local area.
I only have praise for David Hewson’s writing. The rich descriptions of the landscape, its inhabitants and even cuisine were vivid and made me feel very connected to the setting throughout. The story itself had its twists and turns and was very satisfying. I also appreciated the history and culture woven into the narrative as well as the workings and traditions of the Italian crime organisations featured.
I feel this novel will certainly please his existing readers and also serve as an introduction for those new to his works.
On a very minor note, loved that the Montalbano television series was given a passing mention.
I have been an avid fan of David Hewson for some time; enjoying not only the Nic Costa series from its inception but also his adaptations of ‘The Killing’ and various stand-alone titles. As the last Nic Costa book was published in 2011, I had wondered if the series had been retired, so this was indeed a welcome return.
The plot finds Nic on a dangerous undercover assignment in a remote area of southern Italy while members of his team remain nearby monitoring events. Things naturally become complicated for all concerned.
A few times the phrase ‘Christ stopped at Eboli’, an expression made famous by the 1945 memoir by Carlo Levi, is referenced indicating that history (and to a degree Christianity) has passed by the people of this region. This is also reflected in a series of extracts from a fictional guidebook, ‘The Calabrian Tales’, that head each chapter giving details on myths and legends of the local area.
I only have praise for David Hewson’s writing. The rich descriptions of the landscape, its inhabitants and even cuisine were vivid and made me feel very connected to the setting throughout. The story itself had its twists and turns and was very satisfying. I also appreciated the history and culture woven into the narrative as well as the workings and traditions of the Italian crime organisations featured.
I feel this novel will certainly please his existing readers and also serve as an introduction for those new to his works.
On a very minor note, loved that the Montalbano television series was given a passing mention.
September 10, 2018
Finally, after waiting so long, another episode in the Nic Costa series.
This episode however is not set in Rome but in Calabria in the south of Italy.
Nic goes undercover when the illusive capo of the 'Ndranghetta "Lo Spettro" wants to turn pentito and promises to deliver the notorious capo of the Maffia, il Macelaio (the Butcher) as well.
In the mean time Nic's colleagues and chief are forced to sit on their hands and have a kind of enforced holiday on the Calabrian coast.
The pace in this book is entirely set by the Calabrian family of "Lo Spettro" which has it's effect on the relations between the team members. It also makes the role of Nic Costa in the book bigger compared to the others and earlier books.
At the start of the book I found that it took off rather slow but about one quarter into the story it set of like a rocket.
One thing I didn't understand and found a bit lacking in the book is the way Rosa Prabakaran, Nic's partner, is send home quite suddenly at the beginning of the story, never to be heard of in the whole book, which a found a bit of a loose end.
I loved the descriptions of Calabria and the background about the 'Ndranghetta, which always made me see the region in my mind even though I have never been there.
4/4,5*
Hope we don't have to wait another couple of years for the next Nic Costa book.
Many thanks to Netgalley for making available an advance copy for this review.
This episode however is not set in Rome but in Calabria in the south of Italy.
Nic goes undercover when the illusive capo of the 'Ndranghetta "Lo Spettro" wants to turn pentito and promises to deliver the notorious capo of the Maffia, il Macelaio (the Butcher) as well.
In the mean time Nic's colleagues and chief are forced to sit on their hands and have a kind of enforced holiday on the Calabrian coast.
The pace in this book is entirely set by the Calabrian family of "Lo Spettro" which has it's effect on the relations between the team members. It also makes the role of Nic Costa in the book bigger compared to the others and earlier books.
At the start of the book I found that it took off rather slow but about one quarter into the story it set of like a rocket.
One thing I didn't understand and found a bit lacking in the book is the way Rosa Prabakaran, Nic's partner, is send home quite suddenly at the beginning of the story, never to be heard of in the whole book, which a found a bit of a loose end.
I loved the descriptions of Calabria and the background about the 'Ndranghetta, which always made me see the region in my mind even though I have never been there.
4/4,5*
Hope we don't have to wait another couple of years for the next Nic Costa book.
Many thanks to Netgalley for making available an advance copy for this review.
May 22, 2024
Nic Costa is undercover as a Canadian cousin of the ‘Ndrangheta in Calabria; his fellow police officers Gianni Peroni, Leo Falcone, Teresa Lupo and Silvio di Capua, are pretending to be wealthy businessmen celebrating a deal in a pretty Calabrian village. Their real purpose, however, is to bring in the local capo, an elderly man known as El Spettro because he’s ghost-like in his ability to hide; that individual has decided to turn States’ evidence in prosecuting organized crime families in Italy. However, nothing in Calabria is as it seems, and nobody is exactly who they say they are…. This is the 10th and I think most recent (2018) book in the Nic Costa series and it’s full of detail about life in Calabria (a very strange place, by all accounts), while the relationships between the main characters continue to evolve and deepen such that the long-time reader has really come to see them as “family.” I would not suggest starting the series with this book because the reader would miss too much nuance, but the entire series is very well-written, full of tales of the history and peoples of Italy while maintaining a very sharp awareness of here and now; but beware, the whole series has occasional scenes of extreme violence, so the squeamish reader might be forewarned. I haven’t seen anything about a new Nic Costa novel coming anytime soon, but I certainly hope this isn’t the last of them! Recommended.
March 16, 2019
I'm one of those mystery addicts for whom a strong sense of place is a key element of the genre. Donna Leone's Venice, Martin Walker's Dordogne Valley, and Tony Hillerman's Four Corners keep me coming back time and again. David Hewson's Nic Costa series is headquartered in Rome, but this episode is set in the remote hills of Calabria and at the coastal village of Carriddi (formerly Charybdis) on the Straits of Messina, where local fishermen stalk swordfish by using strange boats with a tall tower (for spotting the fish), and an extremely long metal prow. For centuries, the ancient countryside has been under the sway of the 'Ndrangheta crime family, one of several warring crime families in Italy. The main crop is a bitter, misshapen lemon known as bergamot (a twist of bergamot is the key ingredient in Earl Grey tea).
I won't attempt to outline the convoluted plot, which is excellent, or the characters, who are distinctive but elusive. You could categorize this as a police procedural, since Nic is a police officer from Rome. But the operation is so clandestine and irregular that it's more like a spy story.
The main attraction for me was the heritage and atmosphere of Calabria, rendered with the eye of a painter and the ear of a poet. The writing is evocative, so I read it slowly, to savor every word.
I won't attempt to outline the convoluted plot, which is excellent, or the characters, who are distinctive but elusive. You could categorize this as a police procedural, since Nic is a police officer from Rome. But the operation is so clandestine and irregular that it's more like a spy story.
The main attraction for me was the heritage and atmosphere of Calabria, rendered with the eye of a painter and the ear of a poet. The writing is evocative, so I read it slowly, to savor every word.
October 31, 2018
Another great one in the Nic Costa series.
As usual David Hewson writes with great detail & flair. Set on the Calabrian coast, it has terrific location descriptions & it made me aware of whole part of Italy which I previously knew very little about. Fascinating local customs. Great scenery & overall background, so vivid one can almost feel the heat. It is a total change from some of Costa's previous Roman adventures.
Several of his chief characters feature again Peroni, Falcone & of course Nic. They are all portrayed in depth with some of their flaws partially explained by back stories. A small group under cover their interactions grow heated. Nic is embedded, in even deeper undercover, inside the 'Ndrangheta itself. This is a crime novel which could easily be read as a stand alone, but it seems better to me when read after the previous 9 Nic Costa books.
I heartily recommend the whole series (see below) , particularly if you enjoy Donna Leon, Andrea Camilleri, Magdalen Nabb, & etc.
A Season for the Dead (2003) The Villa of Mysteries (2004) The Sacred Cut (2005) The Lizard's Bite (2006) The Seventh Sacrament (2007) The Garden of Evil (2007) Dante's Numbers (2008) The Blue Demon (2010) The Fallen Angel (2011) The Savage Shore (2018)
As usual David Hewson writes with great detail & flair. Set on the Calabrian coast, it has terrific location descriptions & it made me aware of whole part of Italy which I previously knew very little about. Fascinating local customs. Great scenery & overall background, so vivid one can almost feel the heat. It is a total change from some of Costa's previous Roman adventures.
Several of his chief characters feature again Peroni, Falcone & of course Nic. They are all portrayed in depth with some of their flaws partially explained by back stories. A small group under cover their interactions grow heated. Nic is embedded, in even deeper undercover, inside the 'Ndrangheta itself. This is a crime novel which could easily be read as a stand alone, but it seems better to me when read after the previous 9 Nic Costa books.
I heartily recommend the whole series (see below) , particularly if you enjoy Donna Leon, Andrea Camilleri, Magdalen Nabb, & etc.
A Season for the Dead (2003) The Villa of Mysteries (2004) The Sacred Cut (2005) The Lizard's Bite (2006) The Seventh Sacrament (2007) The Garden of Evil (2007) Dante's Numbers (2008) The Blue Demon (2010) The Fallen Angel (2011) The Savage Shore (2018)
July 14, 2024
Nic Costa and a posse of other Roman police officers from Rome are sent to Calabria to help with the exfiltration of a N’Dranghetta boss, nicknamed Lo Spettro (The Ghost) for its evasiveness, for which Nic himself needs to go undercover to… well, to something, not clear what.
As the proverbial “cousin from America” that returns to Italy, Nic becomes Tommaso or Maso and enmeshes himself in the workings of an ‘ndrina, an autonomous unit, going through the motions of graduating as a “malavitoso” in order to meet Lo Spettro and organize the operation to take him somwhere else.
Things become messy, and also a bit fuzzy. Plausibility is thin on the ground of this fantasy land that looks a lot like Souther Italy. The author is at his best when describing the landscape, when tying the action to the terrain. But there are many subthreads that do not make a lot of sense, even more so in hindsight at the end. The introductions from the book of Calabrian myths do not seem to work, at least for me; they are not so related to the action and they seem mostly fake. For color, we have the landscape, the swordfish hunt stories, and so on, which work pretty well.
As the proverbial “cousin from America” that returns to Italy, Nic becomes Tommaso or Maso and enmeshes himself in the workings of an ‘ndrina, an autonomous unit, going through the motions of graduating as a “malavitoso” in order to meet Lo Spettro and organize the operation to take him somwhere else.
Things become messy, and also a bit fuzzy. Plausibility is thin on the ground of this fantasy land that looks a lot like Souther Italy. The author is at his best when describing the landscape, when tying the action to the terrain. But there are many subthreads that do not make a lot of sense, even more so in hindsight at the end. The introductions from the book of Calabrian myths do not seem to work, at least for me; they are not so related to the action and they seem mostly fake. For color, we have the landscape, the swordfish hunt stories, and so on, which work pretty well.
July 17, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
The 10th in the Nic Costa series sees Nic, the Roman Police Detective, sent undercover to the Calabrian coast to take in the Butcher of Palermo (the boss of the 'Ndangretha, a fearsome crime syndicate), who supposedly wants turn state's evidence. For Costa and his team this is one of the most important cases of their careers, a real feather in their cap.
This case is so sensitive and important and the area where they're operating so dangerous, the men are under extreme stress and there's dissension in the ranks. The armed men in the hills prove an extreme danger to Costa and his men as well, adding to the feel of being in the lawless Wild West of Italy.
This was my 1st in the series and I could probably have benefited from reading at least some of the previous books, so I would be familiar with the cast of characters. Nonetheless I found this quite a good read and will at some point pick up others, especially as I liked the Italian setting and Costa and would enjoy more of his backstory and older cases.
The 10th in the Nic Costa series sees Nic, the Roman Police Detective, sent undercover to the Calabrian coast to take in the Butcher of Palermo (the boss of the 'Ndangretha, a fearsome crime syndicate), who supposedly wants turn state's evidence. For Costa and his team this is one of the most important cases of their careers, a real feather in their cap.
This case is so sensitive and important and the area where they're operating so dangerous, the men are under extreme stress and there's dissension in the ranks. The armed men in the hills prove an extreme danger to Costa and his men as well, adding to the feel of being in the lawless Wild West of Italy.
This was my 1st in the series and I could probably have benefited from reading at least some of the previous books, so I would be familiar with the cast of characters. Nonetheless I found this quite a good read and will at some point pick up others, especially as I liked the Italian setting and Costa and would enjoy more of his backstory and older cases.
August 18, 2018
I must admit to been a long term fan of the Nic Costa series and this has been a long time coming, thankfully it was well worth the wait.
In the Savage Shore we find Costa has been sent undercover to the remote Calabrian coast to the bring in the head of the feared Ndrangheta who for his own reasons want to turn informer. Here Costa and his team are outcasts in a lawless region.
Maybe not your usual crime novel in that Costas team play almost incidental bystander roles, even Costa has to play to someone else’s tune but in part that’s what makes this a different and such an addictive, highly enjoyable read.
This is a wonderfully written crime novel with a style of prose that David Hewson brings to most of his novels, colourful, full of depth, rich in detail.
The landscape is as much a central character in the story and there is an obvious passion for the area with plenty of research into the landscape which comes across on the pages so much so that you can feel yourself there watching the action unfold.
The action and pace of the story is spot on, wonderfully plotted with dialogue to match and descriptive passages that make the pages sing.
Sit back unwind, relax and be transported to Italys southern coast for a gripping and most pleasurable read one that will stay with you.
In the Savage Shore we find Costa has been sent undercover to the remote Calabrian coast to the bring in the head of the feared Ndrangheta who for his own reasons want to turn informer. Here Costa and his team are outcasts in a lawless region.
Maybe not your usual crime novel in that Costas team play almost incidental bystander roles, even Costa has to play to someone else’s tune but in part that’s what makes this a different and such an addictive, highly enjoyable read.
This is a wonderfully written crime novel with a style of prose that David Hewson brings to most of his novels, colourful, full of depth, rich in detail.
The landscape is as much a central character in the story and there is an obvious passion for the area with plenty of research into the landscape which comes across on the pages so much so that you can feel yourself there watching the action unfold.
The action and pace of the story is spot on, wonderfully plotted with dialogue to match and descriptive passages that make the pages sing.
Sit back unwind, relax and be transported to Italys southern coast for a gripping and most pleasurable read one that will stay with you.
August 23, 2019
This is the 10th book in the Nic Costa series by David Hewson about a Roman police detective. In this book, Costa leaves Rome for a secret mission in southern Italy. He and a group of his colleagues are assigned to smuggle an aging Mafia boss out of the area when he turns on his fellow Mafia families and agrees to lure their leaders to a meeting where the police will arrest them. The story is set against the background of Calabria and Sicily. It's a unique and secretive culture with Mafia families playing a significant behind-the-scenes role in daily life. Memorable characters are scarce in the story of the secret mission. The pompous Roman bureaucrat who ultimately takes the blame for the failure of the sting operation is a good example of the hubris of many ignorant and stupid people. It's difficult to keep track of all the minor characters and several of them fall by the wayside.
I found it a challenge to enjoy this book. There is no mystery and no thriller characteristics. What is interesting is the Mafia family and how they interact with Nic and his colleagues in their plot to turn in their competitor families. Nothing is as it seems, but there is little suspense in the storytelling. Nic's search for the Mafia leader's daughter after the end of the sting operation is an interesting conclusion to a lifeless story. Readers are not encouraged to keep reading to find out what happens next. I recall that earlier books in the series are much better stories than this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Black Thorn, for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this eBook. The comments about it are my own.
September 21, 2018
I've been wishing and hoping for a new title in the Nic Costa series for quite some time, and was excited to see this listed in NetGalley. This time, Nic and his team are in Calabria, in the poorer, rural south of Italy, attempting to meet with a 'Ndrangheta capo who is willing to help them capture a high ranking member of the Sicilian Mafia. Much of the story involves the waiting, by Nic in the household of the prospective turncoat, and his team in a nearby town, waiting to hear from him. Although I found the story interesting, I was not as engaged as in previous titles, and I had determined before the end that all was not as Nic was being led to believe. Nonetheless, I do recommend The Savage Shore, with the caveat that it will be more meaningful to those who have read the rest of the series and so understand the relationships between the characters.
Many thanks to Creme de la Crime/Severn House and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance copy.
Many thanks to Creme de la Crime/Severn House and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance copy.
January 12, 2019
Geen moment ben ik in dit boek gekomen. Het is amper te geloven dat dit geschreven is door dezelfde auteur die de reeks met Pieter Vos & Laura Bakker schrijft. Die boeken lezen zoveel vlotter. Het was stroef en ging niet vooruit.
Tussendoor zaten er dan nog stukken Calabrese vertellingen die het verhaal helemaal dood sloegen op het moment dat ik er dan eindelijk een beetje in kwam.
Als dit representatief is voor de reeks met Nic Costa was dit meteen het einde van de reeks voor mij.
Het enige wat ik aan dit boek heb overgehouden is een indruk van het desolate en ruwe Calabrië. Misschien een locatie om ooit eens op vakantie naar toe te gaan, dat had ik dan zonder dit boek niet geweten. Als ik dan toch iets positief moet benoemen aan dit boek.
Tussendoor zaten er dan nog stukken Calabrese vertellingen die het verhaal helemaal dood sloegen op het moment dat ik er dan eindelijk een beetje in kwam.
Als dit representatief is voor de reeks met Nic Costa was dit meteen het einde van de reeks voor mij.
Het enige wat ik aan dit boek heb overgehouden is een indruk van het desolate en ruwe Calabrië. Misschien een locatie om ooit eens op vakantie naar toe te gaan, dat had ik dan zonder dit boek niet geweten. Als ik dan toch iets positief moet benoemen aan dit boek.
October 25, 2018
Nic Costa and his team from Rome are fish out of water when they go to Calabria with plans to bring in Lo Sprettro, an infamous criminal and a leader of Ndrangheta. Calabria is a stew of corruption, murder, and anger, even more than they anticipated. This is notable for the depth of understanding that Hewson brings to the region and the criminal enterprise, as well, I think for Nic's character. I'd not read any of the earlier books in this series so I might not have appreciated some of this, especially the personal interactions, as much as I should. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read in an interesting setting.
April 17, 2021
back on the shelf at page 139
I enjoyed Hewson's Nic Costa series and was glad when he returned to it a few years ago. Jim read it and warned me off, but with Hewson publishing a new one this year (2021), I thought I had to catch up; however the setting in rural southern Italy among the 'Ndrangheta. I enjoy the group dynamic of Hewson's characters, bu it beggars belief that the pathologist and her ass't would join an undercover operation. It's okay but just not grabbing me. I'm stopping at an interesting description of fishing for swordfish, but not enough to keep me there. Too many other books to read in my pile. And the new Hewson is not part of the Costa series.
I enjoyed Hewson's Nic Costa series and was glad when he returned to it a few years ago. Jim read it and warned me off, but with Hewson publishing a new one this year (2021), I thought I had to catch up; however the setting in rural southern Italy among the 'Ndrangheta. I enjoy the group dynamic of Hewson's characters, bu it beggars belief that the pathologist and her ass't would join an undercover operation. It's okay but just not grabbing me. I'm stopping at an interesting description of fishing for swordfish, but not enough to keep me there. Too many other books to read in my pile. And the new Hewson is not part of the Costa series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2018
This is one of those books that i’m glad I stuck with as it just kept getting better and better. For around the first third I found it a bit slow going, and maybe it’s just me, but with the many Italian people and place names I found it hard to keep track of who was who and what significance each place held.
However, I kept reading and i’m so glad I did as the story is tense, exciting and very dramatic towards the end. The action really ramps up in the last third of the book and it’s the kind of story I could see making a good movie plot.
However, I kept reading and i’m so glad I did as the story is tense, exciting and very dramatic towards the end. The action really ramps up in the last third of the book and it’s the kind of story I could see making a good movie plot.
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