The Viper

Sandro Cellini faces his demons...

Sandro Cellini hasn't set foot in La Vipera, a derelict farmhouse just outside Florence that was once home to a free-living commune, for forty years - until the discovery of two bodies nearby leads him back there.

At the start of his career, Cellini investigated an accusation that minors were being corrupted at La Vipera, but no charges were ever brought. Now, tasked with tracking down former members of the community, he has a chance to finally discover what really went on all those years ago.

But in order to learn the true nature of the commune's mission, he must face his own traumatic memories. As he sifts through the lies, those closest to him are placed in danger. Only Cellini can unravel the final mystery of La Vipera, and so protect those he loves.



Christobel Kent's previous books include

A Time of Mourning,

A Party in San Niccolo, Late Season, A Florentine Revenge,

A Fine and Private Place and

The Dead Season. She lives near Cambridge with her husband and family.



Death, espresso, and political manoeuvering... An ex-cop plying his trade outside the boundaries of normal Italian police procedure.

Brooding Italian noir.



Like Dibden's Zen, Cellini is a reluctant inquirer... fascism, the mafia and revolving-door post-war governments have left many secrets that score dark marks on the surface of daily life.

Taut and thoughtful mystery that draws on the contrast between location... and the savage passions and politics that lie underneath.



Dark, gloomy and often sinister... An

intelligent and convincing thriller with fleshed-out

characters you want to meet again.



Bridging the gap left by Michael Dibdin...

Suspense, atmosphere, and the architectural beauty of Florence... Fantastic.



Thoughtful, lugubrious, adorable Florentine Sandro Cellini has become my comfort-detective of choice... He make me almost long for a cold so I can go to bed and read.