The Blue Demon

Nic Costa #8

by David Hewson

Twenty years ago, a mysterious group called the Butteri committed a series of bizarre crimes evoking the lost race of the Etruscans, and leaving in their wake a several bodies, a cryptic message, and a kidnapped child. Now, the leaders of the G8 are descending on Rome for a summit at the Quirinale Palace. But when a politician is found ritually murdered, seemingly by a strange young man dressed as the Etruscan blue demon, detective Nic Costa suspects that the old case was never really solved. The Butteri have returned – and are planning to unleash a devastating sequence of attacks on the city. Officially sidelined from the investigation but encouraged by the wily old Italian President, Dario Sordi, Costa and his team start to dig deeper into the past. There are still too many questions left unanswered – and much more to the history of the Butteri than anyone wants to admit...

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Italy, Thriller, Ebooks, Audiobook

392 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2010

About the author

DAVID 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

Reviews

[Arshad KT · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLUE DEMON, by David Bernstein was a story that hit hard, emotionally and “visually”. We start off with a happy family, Dan and his son, Cal Langston bonding over the BLUE DEMON cartoon series–one that had only lasted three seasons during Dan’s youth–but was eventually released on DVD. The character was a loyal, yet vicious, protector; brutally killing or maiming those that wronged the people in need, who called upon him. In fact, young Cal loved it so much that all he wanted for his birthday was a Blue Demon action figure.
Although only a small amount were ever produced–and now sold for hundreds or thousands of dollars on the internet–Dan happens upon one in an old comic store.
Unfortunately, that is the end of the “happy”part.
This story was emotionally potent–I sympathized so strongly with Cal and the misfortunes that kept piling up around him, that I read this book in a single day. Of course, the Blue Demon comes into play in a large way, but to say anymore would ruin the entire reading experience.
Bernstein has created a real page-turner with this one, filled with great tension, characters you care about, and enough blood and carnage to keep any horror fan satisfied.  Each question Cal has, each horrific event that befalls him, will have you wondering whether there is any truth to a comic book legend.
If so, is that the kind of creation you want to be in league with???
Highly recommended!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 stars - I have always enjoyed this series, but I think that this is the weakest so far, because the strength of the stories has been based on strong central characters and their interactions, whilst, in this book, the plot is much too complex and, at times, confusing. I appreciate the attempt to fictionalise history, but it did not work that well.

[Chetan Tyagi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blue Demon is an interesting concept which isn't executed in the best possible way. There was scope to make this a much more intriguing story but it falls a little flat towards the end.

The fact that this has a real life background might have made this interesting. However, it comes across as a dramatic version loosely based on these events. Maybe that was the intention to start with but it gave a distinct "Bollywood" feel about the narrative. That's not a bad thing in itself but it stole a star off my final rating for that reason.

The other irritating bit was that they constantly went on and on about Rome not feeling real due to security related restrictions... I had to ask myself many times wherever a couple of days curfew is really that big a deal. Would people not be safe rather than not have security in the face of a terrorist threat? Logical human being in me says they'd rather be safe but the book kept suggesting otherwise which felt odd. Maybe that's just me not understanding how an everyday Italian's life philosophy works - an assumption somehow justified by the country's COVOlD response I guess.

The writing styles is pretty good and the narrative moves at a brisk pace. Hewson managed to get the various storylines interconnected quite nicely and there was a reasonably logical closure at the end.

All in all, a decent read and I would've rated at 3 star. However, given this was a gift from my daughter, the standard notchup takes this to 4 stars!

[Alison C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rome is in for a bit of turmoil when the current prime minister invites the heads of the G8 to attend a meeting there; much of the city is locked down in anticipation of the event, to the displeasure of residents. Things take a much darker turn when a terrorist cell takes advantage of the attention and launches a string of highly visible attacks, some relatively benign and others deadly. Nic Costa and his fellow police officers are sidelined by both the Carabiniere and the security forces of the Quirinale, the home of the titular head of state, the president, while the real political head of country, the prime minister, is determined to keep all the glory for himself….This is the eighth book in the Nic Costa series, published in 2010 and exploring the possible consequences of a real-life shadowy authority set in place in Europe after WWII with the purpose of preventing the Soviet Union from turning Europe’s countries into communist satellites by steering the public toward voting for conservative politicians - even if they’re fascist ones. Fascinating from a historical point of view, and also fascinating in the ongoing series, which continually deepens and enriches the relationships between the main characters while also providing a window on the politics and social beliefs of Italy in the 21st Century. Recommended.

[Geert De Vooght · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het was enkele jaren geleden dat ik nog een Nic Costa boek van David Hewson gelezen had. Toen las ik de reeks graag omdat de auteur spannende misdaadverhalen op vernuftige wijze combineert met interessante (cultuur- en kunst)historische onderwerpen. Om één of andere reden (teveel andere leuke boeken, en minder tijd om te lezen?) was ik gestrand na zeven boeken.

Deze achtste wou ik oorspronkelijk maar drie sterren geven. Het boek bevat wel heel veel (niet altijd even interessante) achtergrondinformatie, en het verhaal dat daardoor pas laat op gang komt, blinkt niet uit door originaliteit of spanning. En dan, als je denkt dat je de climax van het boek gehad hebt en aan de afronding bezig bent, schrijft Hewson nog enkele hoofdstukken (pakweg 20 bladzijden) met een plotwending waar je van achterover valt, en die (vermoed ik) de krijtlijnen uittekent voor de twee volgende boeken .

Dus toch (net) vier sterren, en Nic Costa #9 op mijn verlanglijst.

[Fabian Davy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il DEMONE AZZURRO

THE BLUE DEMON, by David Hewson ranks among one of the best books I've read this year. I am fortunate enough to own and read this book, it being the later works of Hewson where his ingenuity and word-weaving craftsmanship, shined through. It took me a while to love this book - postponing to read it fully for more than a month because it was difficult to pick up at first. Had even contemplated in selling it back, or swapping it for another because I was convinced the depth was too much. Glad I didn't (and that was because the cover with the bluish tint of St Petersburg was so beautiful).

THE STORY: A Junior Minister (of the Ministry of the Interior) was kidnapped, his driver killed - all within a few days where the G8 meeting is about to take place in the Quirinale Palace. Him being one of the people in charge of the security of the place. The authorities suspected that a terrorist cell, in guise of the returning BLUE DEMON is about to benefit from the gathering of world leaders. Murders - past and present began to unfold together in the form of old Etruscan myths, cryptic codes and conspiracy deeper than ever thought. Who did it? Who was involved? And what was the real story. You go and get this book to know all.

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A WORD OF WARNING THOUGH: this book is deep and can be very confusing.

As for this, I would advise anybody who attempt to read this with greater understanding to, (a) take hold of a pen and paper, and (b) have ready access to the internet. There were many central characters of this book that recur over and over again, playing deep significance that ties the story together. 90% of them were Italian, with exotic Italian names which Hewson loved to refer by Surname or First name alone (depending on the role). Hewson also had this tendency to explain who they were, what his/her rank was, and the story that each of the embodied - ONCE within the whole book. If you didn't took notice of who were who, be prepared to do a lot of back tracking. This is the first book where I need to write down the names of the characters so that I didn't get lost. And... try not to resume reading the book after a long break. The lost of continuity is real.

The whole action took place in Italy, mostly Rome. And this is where the second complexity may befell us. Hewson had no inhibition in using a lot of Italian terms and words in describing ranks, places, food (but of course Italian food is famous by now) and mostly - Italian art, culture and history. For those with limited knowledge of landmarks and locations - don't be afraid in firing up the net to look up on something. It gave a better understanding of what's happening. For once, this is one of the issues of authors who tend to leave much of the thinking to the reader - self-indulgency. Something which I tend to dislike. Yet Hewson managed to disguise this fact by clever writing (but that doesn't mean that I forgive him).

Did I mention that I like Hewson's approach to writing? Written in third-perspective but never did I felt like a back-seat passenger. Non-existant usage of 'he said', 'she mentioned' - which irked the daylight of me. Hewson took the measure of dialogues into an interesting tone: fluid-flow of ideas that went seamlessly. Less repetition of an idea/context which in turn created a fact-ladden book just by a few chapters alone (and may get you lost somewhere). Honestly, Hewson regard his readers of the highest intelligence when he refused to explain the many things - choosing instead to go ahead with the main storyline. Can be a nuisance I tell you!

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The plot is amazing. The twist and turns were unexpected and unfold at the very end. About 30 pages from the end, the action still fired away. And if you were still unable to detangle yourself from the mess of the storyline: don't worry. A few last chapters explained the whole she-bang very well (so don't read the later pages if you hate to early spoilers). There were little 'what if?' issues that arose from the tale - most resolved as the conclusion was revealed. And I like the idea of how the chapters were arranged. Some short and mostly medium lengthiness, that focus on one event at a time. You could just put a hold on a chapter and resume the next day without loss of continuity.

Most of the plots and sub-plots revolved around the idea of political movement, centered on the actual history of Italy itself. From the threat of Communist Soviet, to Afghanistan, past involvement of USA, and the present internal conflict within the Italian administration. This was not a book that tried to hoop on the mystery-religious-symbology craze, but used very few elements of that in recreating a satisfying tale. Vatican City is almost non-existent, and no mention at all of Christianity. Least of what you expect from a Rome-based action-thriller huh?

Yes, there were some reference to a puzzling symbology item - but that part played very minor role. In no way, it was a Goose chase around locations, getting to the next clue. The only mystery here is getting to understand what really happened in the past, so that the present is explained. And it's not easy. Relations between character is intricate and need to be remembered because they will recur later somewhere. This happened a lot.

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The Blue Demon is not a light read. Heavy in fact, mostly because of the data-digesting marathon. But satisfying in the end. Take a week the least to savour the grandeur.

Totally sealed my faith in Hewson's work. I put his name in mind when looking for my next purchase.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading the Nic Costa series out of order, but that doesn't seem to matter as each one stands by itself. The Blue Demon centres on the apparent resurgence of a long-dead terrorist group, and is set in Rome, where Nic Costa and his team try to uncover the identity of the Blue Demon and prevent any further murders. It's an interesting idea and I enjoyed the story, there is a lot of incidental detail about the places, which I also liked.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is also entitled “city of fear“. Ferrone, Peroni, Nic and his team pursue terrorists known as the Blue Demon which is a name taken from an Etruscan tomb on the outskirts of Tarquinia. Several lives lost in trying to hunt down this terrorist group and so many cover-ups—no one knows who to trust. The author bases some of this book on the actual Gladio Organization developed after WWII by NATO and the CIA based in Rome - a secret anti-communist group.

[Jim Mcmanus · Rating 2 out of 5]

really struggled finishing this. sometimes a series just runs out of steam. weak compared to the previous books in the series.

[Patricia H Guice · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍

Twists and turns. Fascinating plot with many surprises. I will read more books by this author. Could not put it down.

[Aki · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF for now because I have no idea who the characters are.

[Maureen Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best so dar, this impronanly complicated story is based on factual examples of corruption in Italy's power structues.

[Christoph Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad, but overall lacking action.

Maybe it would have been more fun if I had read more of the previous books before this one.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I doubt I would ever have considered reading this title had it not been for the Italy in Books Reading Challenge for 2011. Thrillers and mysteries are a genre I do not read a great deal of although I have a few authors of this genre I enjoy. In fact I usually only read this genre if it is one my husband has read and recommends to me. This was the case with this one and also to be honest I was hunting around our bookshelves for something set in Italy for the final book of the challenge. So although this title would maybe not be my first choice I did find it a good read and the fact that it was set in places I am familiar with added to the interest considerably.

With mainly Italian characters, lots of references to Italian history, art and culture, use of Italian and familiar places how could I fail to enjoy this novel. Having visited some of the Etruscan tombs in this region it was fascinating to read a novel weaved around the legacy of the lost race of the Etruscans. The storyline is complex with many twists and turns and will keep you guessing right to the very end.

The story commences with the kidnapping of a government minister and his driver murdered, just days before an important conference with leaders of the G8 in Rome. When a ritual murder takes place, performed it seems by someone dressed as The Blue Demon from Etruscan history. It is then that Detective Nic Costa suspects that a twenty year old case where a mysterious group committed a series of crimes in the style of the infamous Blue Demon of Etruscan history was never really solved. The group has reformed and are planning attacks on Rome with devastating consequences. Old Etruscan myths, conspiracy and murders old and new are all part of the investigation.

Well worth reading if you are not only a lover of all things Italian but enjoy a good mystery.

More can be read at LindyLouMac's Book Reviews
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...

[Blair McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eighth book in the Nic Costa series is the best yet. Our intrepid team, including the young detective’s friend and partner Peroni, the pathologist Teresa, and their boss Falcone, are trying to keep Rome safe during a meeting of the leaders of the G-8 nations in the Quirinale. After an aborted terrorist attack, the city closes down as if under siege. The conflicts between the Carabiniere, the military police, and the Polizia di Stato runs through the narrative.

The story takes us back to the earliest settlers of the region north if Rome, the Etruscans, and to one of their gods, the “blue demon” of the title. It is a twisted tale, (as are all of Hewson’s book in this great series) involving terrorism and the political motivations behind it. Much of it could have been taken from the pages of recent newspapers, although I am relieved to say the destruction of one of my favorite Roman monuments is a purely fictional moments in this exciting read. I wish I had read the end notes before I read the book. One of the shocking aspects of Hewson’s writing is how much of it is based on recent events. His faction is laced with fact and his characters are out of the pages of recent Italian history.

I am impressed more with each book in this series at the level of scholarship Hewson brings to his writing. His knowledge of Italian history is encyclopedic, and his love of Italian art and architecture shines through the pages. I find myself lingering over the beauty of his descriptive passages, bookmarking them and rereading them.

I recommend this book without reservation to all lovers of literate detective stories and all lovers of Rome. It will not disappoint.

[Rinske · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I didn't really got into the book. This is not the first Costa-book I have read, but somehow, this one cost me a little more trouble. At the end however, when things are finely starting to happen, it was as I remember: fast pacing and down to the point.

What I like about this series is the connection with Roman/Italian history. In this one, this connection is very thin. There is a minor connection to the Etruscans, but that is about it. The Blue Demon of the title refers to a painting of a blue demon found in Etruscan tombs. It represents a kind of the devil. In modern times it refers to a terrorist group in the 1980's.

So in the end, where does it comes down to is: all politicians are lairs and only after they're own benefit. You cannot trust anyone, except a very close circle of friends.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Hewston's nic Costa Series of mystery thrillers involving a small squad of police officers in Rome are remarkably layered with great little grace notes about Italian food, art, culture and snippets of real Rome...This particular story set around a meeting of the G-8 in Rome has it all...corrupt politicians, mendacious CIA agents, deeply disturbing conflicts between security forces and marvelous thread of convincing intrigue stretching back to the end of World War II and the founding of the CIA and all the way into the mysterious camps of Al Queda on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan...great story with some very nice twists....if you like your thrillers with an esspresso hit and a side of grappa...go for it.

[Anderson's Bookshops · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris said: "In a slight change of direction for this series starring Nic Costa and his team of Rome's Polizia di Stato, terrorist threats escalate and a politico is murdered as the city prepares for a G8 summit. Minutes into their investigation, with panic spreading throughout the city, they're pulled off the case by the Ministry of Interior security chief and the Prime Minister.
But the President (an old Costa family friend) has other ideas. He sends them off to work in secret, reporting only to him.

I've loved this series since the beginning and this one has an additional historical tie in: Operation Gladio was a real network of clandestine undercover partisans created in part by CIA founder Allen Dulles after WWII."

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has in the past touched upon political issues and has featured agents of various organisations. Here though the emphasis does shift from crime to an international threat from terrorists as Nic and his associates take on a special assignemnt at the request of a highly placed member of the Italian government.

This was the first book I read following a course of medication that messed with my ability to concentrate on the printed word. Given its complexity in terms of the twists and turns, cross and double-crosses it took me longer than expected to get to grips with the story-line.

Still that was my issue and while I should probably have chosen something lighter as my first book, this proved another excellent thriller.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In David Hewson's City of Fear, the 8th installment of the City of Fear, Nic Costa and his crew at the Questura tackle their toughest case yet. It all started with the abduction of a politician and escalated to his murder from there. For Nic and his fellow policemen, they believe they were up against the Blue Demon terrorist cult group that resurfaced from twenty years ago and now targeted on politicians and didn't want anyone to stand in their way. The closer to the truth to what laid beyond their evil plans, they undergone scrutiny from the Italian government and their peers, when it became personal for them--when one was of their own was killed. They would stop to nothing to end the terrorism in their country.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think David Hewson is a wonderful story teller. His characters, who continue in each book, are clearly defined and very realistic. One feels he is in Rome due to the authors descriptions of the locations in the story. The plot has many curves. City of Fear is loosely based on an historical event in the 40's in Italy. So, along with the enjoyment of the story itself, there is something to learn. I've read all of Hewson's Nic Costa books and recommend them all. However, it would be better to begin with the first.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Nic Costa book since The Garden of Evil. The two novels have several things in common - a breakneck pace, a decades-long conspiracy, and a race around Rome to prevent future murders. I appreciate the fact that Hewson doesn't dumb things down (history and literature lessons abound), and his ensemble, with Nic at the core, gets stronger with each book. I made it through this one in about three days; and look forward to the next, which, according to the ending of City of Fear, should be even more exciting.

[Kandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite book in the series. I have always liked this series because of the stories pertaining to the main characters' development throughout the different books. This book focused more closely on the actual mystery without much in the way of the investigative team's personal issues. It also signals a change in direction for the detectives as they pursue a new criminal element. While I have really enjoyed Hewson's work, I will have to see what direction he is going in before I know whether I will continue with his works or not.

[Linda Howe Steiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spies and police and terrorists in Rome during a meeting of the G8. Nicely done fictionalization of some aspects of Italian politics. Lots of intersecting character groupings, sometimes a bit confusing, sorting the good guys from the bad guys. Many twists and turns. But then that's sort of the point. A decent amount of blood and gore, but not too much. Less "action" than some thrillers, not much running across the rooftops being chased by sharp-shooters--thank goodness. Don't miss the afterword, with its discussion of how this plot relates to actual history. Makes one think...

[Mike Violano · Rating 4 out of 5]

City of Fear, set in Rome over a three day period, has many elements of a great thriller-- conspiracy, political assassinations,hunt for a band of terrorists, some Etruscan history and a bit of modern Italian history. The characters are finely drawn; the story moves along briskly; and there are some fascinating scenes and twists leading to a grand climax. The best place to start this Nic Costa series and meet the main cast would be at the Villa of Mysteries.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a complex thriller revolving around the Rome police team of Nic Costa, Gianni Peroni, Rosa Prabakaran and Teresa the phorensic scientist. The Blue Demon is associated with the Etruscan s and thought up by political and secret service members in the 1970's to combat the expected threat of the spread of communism. The current threat has been evollved by contact with religious sects of the Taliban in Afganistan. Currently the attacks are against the G* summit and the president Dario Sordi.

[Izzy Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd David Hewson book that I have read and enjoy the fact that the books are set in Rome. The book was not in my opinion as good as A season for the dead. It is about the return of a Blue demon group that was last heard of twenty years ago, during the visit to the city of the G8 who are attacked by terrorists.

[Steve Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery/political thriller featuring Nic Costa. He and his team are back in Rome, this time tasked by the President of Italy to investigate the return of a shadowy terrorist organization known as The Blue Demon. Action moves between Rome and Tarquinia, where ruins of the Etruscan civilization may provide a clue.

[Mei · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really liked some of the books in this series, I found this one a really tough slog. It wasn't really that gripping and sadly I found I didn't really care that much about the characters - they weren't as well developed, perhaps, or their personalities didn't come out as clearly. It's a shame but my attention really wandered in and out and it took me much longer to finish as a result.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very engaging mystery with plenty of plot twists. The setting of Rome and the nearby areas of Italy add to the plot especially the history of the area adding verisimilitude to the plot. Also very scary in that the US has done so much that contributes to the political instability of Italy and the Middle East.