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Commissario Scala #1

The Year of the Mantis

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A murdered executive. Key suspects with bulletproof alibis. Can a headstrong investigator catch the killer before the trail disappears?

Rome, Italy. Detective Maurizio Scala has a strong debt of honor to the victims of brutal crimes. So when a well-liked man is found dead in his car, Scala becomes determined to deliver deserved justice. But with every suspicious person appearing to have proof of innocence, the driven sleuth fears he won’t be able to bring peace to the deceased.

As he uncovers the powerful family’s dark secrets, Scala’s investigation takes a shocking turn as his list of potential culprits suddenly widens. And with new information upending his search, he dreads the perpetrator will slip through his fingers and strike again.

Will Scala outsmart the elusive assassin before he vanishes in the night?

The Year of the Mantis is the first suspenseful book in An Inspector Scala Mystery series. If you like police procedurals, gritty heroes, and surprising twists, then you’ll love P. J. Mann’s thrilling whodunit.

Buy The Year of the Mantis to solve the case before it goes cold today!

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2021

29 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

P.J. Mann

18 books67 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,400 reviews78 followers
August 8, 2023
4.5 stars
I read PJ's books out of order so have gone back to the beginning and making sure I get all the goodness. I have really enjoyed the other books in this series and was excited to see where it all began.

The Year of the Mantis is the first book in this A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome crime series. This book may be part of a series, but it reads just as easily as a standalone novel.
Detective Maurizio Scala is on a case in the beautiful city of Rome, Italy.

He gets caught up in tangled in a web of lies and deceit. It is not in his nature to give up even if it leads danger to his door. It is a gripping murder mystery that is full of action, suspense, and a few twists and turns to keep you interested. It is fast paced with lots of tension and suspense and realistic interactions and banter between characters.

This whodunnit is well written and kept me intrigued throughout.

If you enjoy a crime story, you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Toni Kief.
Author 28 books199 followers
February 15, 2022
A successful businessman is found dead in his car, and the facts gather, but just don't feel right. A detective with years of experience, he just knows there is something more. The nosey neighbor has more to offer, but it takes dedication, and a gut feeling there is so much more. A great read.
Profile Image for ANGELA.
231 reviews12 followers
July 3, 2023
Lentissimo, affatto coinvolgente, piatto
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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