The Disappearance of Signora Giulia by Piero Ciara

Pushkin Vertigo has been publishing a series of unavailable International crime and mystery stories, including Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac from France, Augusto de Angelis from Italy, Masako Togawa and Soji Shimada of Japan, and this Italian mystery, The Disappearance of Signora Giulia by Piero Chiara. One of the most celebrated writers of the post-war period in Italy, he has won dozens of literary prizes and novels have been adapted for TV and film. This is the first of his titles to be translated into English.

Both men are puzzled when high powered lawyer Esengrini comes to his colleague and friend Commissario Sciancalepre with the news his beautiful young wife has disappeared without a trace. Suitcases, identification and jewellery are all missing - did she run off to a lover? Soon the Commissario discovers there have been lovers, but none are involved. As years pass, gossip dies down and life continues - until she is found. The husband Esengrini was assumed guilty by all, detained and questioned but always proclaiming innocence as he asserts an ironclad alibi and irrefutable proof another man was involved. The named man comes forward and presents irrefutable proof he is innocent, and Esengrini is guilty.

This was an unusual mystery offering dead end clues over a long period of time. Commissario does investigate but most of the mystery is taken up by Esengrini's theories - I was being told instead of shown, and as the plot twisted in complexity I waited for the end where it would be wrapped up. This was a mistake as I was left a little in the lurch, causing me to flip back and review the last pages. Even then, I read both arguments over and, like the Judge, was still in the dark! Commissario wasn't a strong enough character to recommend - but this was a mystery about a puzzle not personalities. Though I found it slightly dry, it's complex and interesting.

A modest recommendation, I've not read anything like it.

1970 / Tradeback / 122 pages