A psychopathic killer of university students is on the loose in Bologna. Rookie detective Grazia Negro is put in charge of this critical investigation, with only her gut instincts to guide her. She gets an unexpected breakthrough when she meets Simone, a young blind man who spends his days at home alone, listening to jazz and to the sounds of the city on his scanner. From A psychopathic killer of university students is on the loose in Bologna. Rookie detective Grazia Negro is put in charge of this critical investigation, with only her gut instincts to guide her. She gets an unexpected breakthrough when she meets Simone, a young blind man who spends his days at home alone, listening to jazz and to the sounds of the city on his scanner.

1. Carlo Lucarelli

From the multiple perspectives of the detective, the blind man, and the assassin, Lucarelli weaves a gripping thriller.Carlo Lucarelli, one of the most exciting young writers in Europe, has written eleven novels, all of them noirs. He also hosts a television series, teaches writing in Torino, sings in a post-punk band, and edits an on-line magazine, Incubatoio 16.

This was not a good book. On the cover, the Guardian says it’s a “compact and powerful masterpiece”, but I think they meant “thank God this piece of shite is only short” and it was apparently shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger award (it must have been a really long shortlist that year). A serial killer - later dubbed The Iguana because he takes on the physical traits of his victims - is ‘terrorising’ Bologna and a rookie Detective - Grazia Negro - is assigned to the case. The only witness is a This was not a good book. On the cover, the Guardian says it’s a “compact and powerful masterpiece”, but I think they meant “thank God this piece of shite is only short” and it was apparently shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger award (it must have been a really long shortlist that year). A serial killer - later dubbed The Iguana because he takes on the physical traits of his victims - is ‘terrorising’ Bologna and a rookie Detective - Grazia Negro - is assigned to the case.

The only witness is a blind man, Simone, who eavesdrops on the city with scanners. Translated from the Italian, that might explain some of the terrible sentence structures and pointless lines, but not all of them. Lucarelli, almost as if he’s a fifteen year old boy, is fascinated with the workings of Grazia’s body (she’s due her period for the first third of the book, she’s often sweaty and comments on it and when she takes her clothes off, the text seeme to revel in her nakedness) and whilst that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it didn’t add anything to this (nor does the ludicrous sex scene towards the end). Add in a blind man it’s difficult to care about, a serial killer who is only revealed in clippings from files (show, not tell, Carlo!) and Grazia’s boss who constantly calls her ‘bambina’, you can tell things aren’t going well.

Combine them with a plot that jumps days and weeks without concern, pays little attention to logic or timelines and you’re left with a short novel that has little respect for the reader. Almost as bad as Patricia Connwell’s “The Front” (which I read back in 2009), I would find it very difficult to recommend this to anyone at all. “This voice is different, less liquid, hazier, smoky, like thick fog.”From the blurb: A serial killer is terrorising the people of Bologna and rookie Detective Inspector Grazia Negro is determined to solve the case. She only has one witness who can identify the killer – and he is blind.

Simone spends his days listening to Chet Baker and scanning the radio waves of the city, eavesdropping on other people’s lives. He imagines what people are like – based on the ‘colour’ of their voices – and his a “This voice is different, less liquid, hazier, smoky, like thick fog.”From the blurb: A serial killer is terrorising the people of Bologna and rookie Detective Inspector Grazia Negro is determined to solve the case. She only has one witness who can identify the killer – and he is blind. Simone spends his days listening to Chet Baker and scanning the radio waves of the city, eavesdropping on other people’s lives. He imagines what people are like – based on the ‘colour’ of their voices – and his acute hearing sets alarm bells ringing when he tunes in to the killer. Together Simone and Negro are the only people able to stop him.I seem to be having a bout of the DNFs at the moment.

Maybe I am just getting more ruthless with my reading. If I’m not loving it, out it goes.This one’s a funny one, and I can see why it was CWA Gold Dagger shortlisted. Grazia is a great lead investigator (although why why why the author chose to make her pre-menstrual is beyond me, did he want to ramp up the blood quotient even further?) – prickly, independent, tired of being treated as cute and useless because she’s a woman in a man’s worldI liked the idea of a blind witness too, and an unhelpful one at that – Simone (and this frustrated me too – why not switch to Simon? Simone is a woman’s name in English – I know that Simone is the Italian men’s name but in translation it’s confusing) is difficult with his mother, and with Grazia when she visits, and generally seems to be a bit away with the fairies.What made me put this book down was the incredibly short chapters, switching back and forth from Grazia to the killer to Simone. I thought the killer’s voice could have been left out for a much smoother novel. Anyway it was too jumpy and I got fed up.

I have to say that I was disappointed by this book. It started so well, grabbing and pulling me in but, so suddenly, it shifted track and lost its focus. Lucarelli can write so beautifully, his ability to describe something is wonderful, and he understands drama, but here, in 'Almost Blue' I feel he's tried to be too clever, too bloody and too melodramatic. We constantly shift between the tortured, chameleon-like murderer, the blind boy/man who spends his time scanning the wavelengths, and the p I have to say that I was disappointed by this book. It started so well, grabbing and pulling me in but, so suddenly, it shifted track and lost its focus. Lucarelli can write so beautifully, his ability to describe something is wonderful, and he understands drama, but here, in 'Almost Blue' I feel he's tried to be too clever, too bloody and too melodramatic. We constantly shift between the tortured, chameleon-like murderer, the blind boy/man who spends his time scanning the wavelengths, and the policewoman.

Too much shifting, not enough focus. At times Lucarelli even tries to make the city, Bologna, acquire reality but he doesn't focus and fails to place us there in that fascinating place.I liked some of the wonderful writing but, in the end, I didn't like the book. So disappointing. A novella (at only 169 pages) that is a real page turner. Its brevity perhaps does not allow for as much character development and background as would be ideal. It is, however, a very creative work with some unique characters and with a story spoken from different characters’ points of view. There are some interesting insights into the worlds of the mentally ill, the blind, as well as being a woman and living in a misogynistic culture and profession.

And any book that makes so much reference to A novella (at only 169 pages) that is a real page turner. Its brevity perhaps does not allow for as much character development and background as would be ideal. It is, however, a very creative work with some unique characters and with a story spoken from different characters’ points of view. There are some interesting insights into the worlds of the mentally ill, the blind, as well as being a woman and living in a misogynistic culture and profession. And any book that makes so much reference to jazz and Chet Baker can’t be all bad! It would have been nice if the book were another fifty pages or so to provide some meaningful background or better context to the story. But all in all, I think that Lucarelli does pack a wallop in this 169 page “action thriller”.

I didn't like it so much. The story could be really interesting: a serial killer who takes the appareance of his victims, a police woman who wants to resolve the case and a blind boy who listen everything through some scanners.The problem was that i didn't like the way in which it was written: ok, that's a thriller book and it's necessary to be mysterious, but in this case the structure of the book (the characters keep on alternating) is too complex and not so clear in some points.This book must I didn't like it so much. The story could be really interesting: a serial killer who takes the appareance of his victims, a police woman who wants to resolve the case and a blind boy who listen everything through some scanners.The problem was that i didn't like the way in which it was written: ok, that's a thriller book and it's necessary to be mysterious, but in this case the structure of the book (the characters keep on alternating) is too complex and not so clear in some points.This book must probably be read at least twice to be well understood, and i'll probably do in a future.maybe i will change my mind. Prior to Almost Blue I had only read Lucarelli's historical mysteries, the Commissario De Luca Trilogy.

They are more about politics than murder, so I was surprised by Almost Blue, which features some very gruesome murders. Set in modern Bologna, this book focuses on a someone who is killing students at the University of Bologna. A young female detective named Grazia Negro is on the case. The female detective usually hooks me, and she's an intriguing protagonist, but the real treat in this book Prior to Almost Blue I had only read Lucarelli's historical mysteries, the Commissario De Luca Trilogy.

They are more about politics than murder, so I was surprised by Almost Blue, which features some very gruesome murders. Set in modern Bologna, this book focuses on a someone who is killing students at the University of Bologna. A young female detective named Grazia Negro is on the case.

The female detective usually hooks me, and she's an intriguing protagonist, but the real treat in this book is the blind man.Simone is a young blind man who spends his days and nights up in his attic room listening to jazz much of the time, but also amusing himself by listening to the police scanner and to people's cell phone conversations. The book is narrated from a number of perspectives, including the murderer's, but Simone is by far the most interesting narrator. He associates voices with colors and because he's blind, he hears nuances in voices that no one else can hear. As the corpses pile up in Bologna, the result of a serial killer, Simone realizes that he has heard the murderer speak to one of his victims. He contacts Grazia Negro and together they track a murderer.

In the meantime, they also fall in love. Simone describes Grazia's voice like this: 'There's a bit of the South in her voice. Low and warm. Violet, with red highlights. The bluest voice I've ever heard' (p. Blue is good. Green is bad.

Here's how Simone describes the murderer's voice: 'His voice is green. It sidles up to the distorted bass playing in the background, pushing it back like a flap of skin. His voice is green because it has no color. It's only slightly stronger than the voice of a synthesizer, only slightly fuller.

It's a fake, green voice' (p 36). Pretty soon the guy with the green voice finds out about Simone and goes looking for him. I'll admit it.

I was freaking out.The murderer is a very scary guy and the mystery has many layers and convolutions. I was surprised by the narrative complexity.

The murder was called The Chameleon, because the assumed the identity, the appearance, of his last victim. Very weird.This book is #2 in the Grazia Negro series, but #1 hasn't been translated into English.

Hello, is Europa Editions listening? These books need to be translated into English! They published the De Luca Trilogy and now it's time to give us Grazia Negro! Oh Lucarelli, you.rock.

so much! Ok, again, I can't vouch for the translation as I have Einaudi's edition (in Italian) which I can't find here.

Anyway, this is a crime story, of course. What else can Lucarelli write? Hm, maybe 'thriller' or 'noir' fit the plot better, but.anyway, the characters are, as usual, well rounded and well written.

Grazia Negro, the main character, is a tough female detective whose work is to track and capture serial killers. Simone, a blind guy, is just as nicely wri Oh Lucarelli, you.rock. so much!

Ok, again, I can't vouch for the translation as I have Einaudi's edition (in Italian) which I can't find here. Anyway, this is a crime story, of course. What else can Lucarelli write? Hm, maybe 'thriller' or 'noir' fit the plot better, but.anyway, the characters are, as usual, well rounded and well written. Grazia Negro, the main character, is a tough female detective whose work is to track and capture serial killers. Simone, a blind guy, is just as nicely written, even better dare I say.

The way Lucarelli describes what Simone 'sees' when he listens to music or whatever's around him is just poetry. Very sensual. Sometimes scary. One has to wonder how Lucarelli managed to write such beautiful words without being blind himself. It feels so real and.true.There's angst, drama, action and romance, what else do you want? Also, Lucarelli is a master in describing the Italian suburbs.

His view is kind of depressing, but it's the whole truth.I read it in one evening. I just couldn't put it down. I only wish it lasted a little bit longer. Oh there's a sequel, 'Un giorno dopo l'altro', which I didn't like as much, but it was still good.Oh a movie was based off Almost Blue.

DO NOT watch it. It totally ruins the mood of the book, esp all the bits about Simone.

I think Lucarelli is one hell of a writer. He immediately plunges you into a story and he writes in a show don’t tell style that is pared back and yet full of insight.

The story charts the interactions of the three principal characters, with Simone and the serial killer written in the first perspective. The characterization is excellent, and there are some nice observational touches. The plot is relatively straightforward and well structured. My two gripes are the same as with the three previous I think Lucarelli is one hell of a writer. He immediately plunges you into a story and he writes in a show don’t tell style that is pared back and yet full of insight. The story charts the interactions of the three principal characters, with Simone and the serial killer written in the first perspective.

The characterization is excellent, and there are some nice observational touches. The plot is relatively straightforward and well structured. My two gripes are the same as with the three previous Lucarelli novels I’ve read – there is not enough in the way of back story (the reader literally gets dropped into the characters’ lives for the week or so the story lasts but knows little else about them) and the story itself seems somewhat underdeveloped.

I’m not a fan of padding for the sake of it, but Lucarelli pares back the story to just about the bare minimum. The result is the book feels like a TV episode as opposed to a full movie. A very well written TV episode, but without the benefit of previous episodes to frame things for the reader.

Carlo Lucarelli

The result is I’m left kind of conflicted – delighted with the writing yet somehow short-changed. It makes me hungry for his other works, but worried that they’ll also give a high that doesn’t last long enough. The writer Lucarelli is a famous person in Italy and also has a program on tv. If I remembe well, about unsolved crimes. I got told to try out a Lucarelli book by my boyfriend because apparently his books are also well known in italy.

The title is in English but I read the story in Italian. Don't know if they translated his books in English.I chose Almsot Blue as first Lucarelli book and did well.

Almost Blue is the name of a song which is important to the story.It is a short story, only 194 pa The writer Lucarelli is a famous person in Italy and also has a program on tv. If I remembe well, about unsolved crimes. I got told to try out a Lucarelli book by my boyfriend because apparently his books are also well known in italy. The title is in English but I read the story in Italian. Don't know if they translated his books in English.I chose Almsot Blue as first Lucarelli book and did well.

Almost Blue is the name of a song which is important to the story.It is a short story, only 194 pages mine, and the bigest part of the beginning goes slow and doesn't reveal much. When the young police agent Grazia getsmore involved in solving the killing of many students in te niversity city Bologna and starts to work more on her own, the story also seems to get more speed.Simone is a blind guy who sends his time listening to a scanner and Almost blue. Not the msot obvious person to become the key help for Grazia in solving this mystery but a point that makes the tory very interesting and fast paced.I ended up being really absorbed into the story and feeling excited to read on and on.

The elationship that developes between Grazia and Simone, how he helps her in his own way, maybe limited by being blind but strong by his hearing, seemed very beautiful. Carlo Lucarelli's black suited silhouette has become popular in Italy thanks to a well done programme on the third channel of national television. The programme mainly speaks about unresolved massmurderers, political killings, bombings and massacres which have happened in Italy in the last years.Lucarelli's favourite opening line introducing a new case is 'This is a scary story which has not finished yet' is known by a wide audience, including many people who haven't read a single book by him.Ho Carlo Lucarelli's black suited silhouette has become popular in Italy thanks to a well done programme on the third channel of national television. PROTAGONIST: DI Grazia NegroSETTING: Bologna, ItalySERIES: #1 of 2RATING: 3.5WHY: Rookie DI Grazia Negro is assigned to lead the investigation of a serial killer who is targeting college students, whose bodies he leaves naked. He is soon dubbed 'the Iguana' because he has the ability to transform from his most recent victim for his next assault. The only witness is a blind man named Simone who follows chat rooms on a scanner and identifies the killer's voice from its evil sound.

He hears in colo PROTAGONIST: DI Grazia NegroSETTING: Bologna, ItalySERIES: #1 of 2RATING: 3.5WHY: Rookie DI Grazia Negro is assigned to lead the investigation of a serial killer who is targeting college students, whose bodies he leaves naked. He is soon dubbed 'the Iguana' because he has the ability to transform from his most recent victim for his next assault. The only witness is a blind man named Simone who follows chat rooms on a scanner and identifies the killer's voice from its evil sound. He hears in colors, and the killer is 'green'. Lucarelli uses some creative approaches, which don't always work. On the whole, an interesting read. The conclusion was a combination of implausibility with a nice added twist.

Female Detective Grazia Negro is brought from Rome to help track down a serial killer preying on university students in Bologna. Her one good lead comes from a blind man who sits in his room all day listening to scanners. He is picking up cell phone conversations, police scanners, and trucker cbs. The story alternates three first-person narratives: the detective's, the blind man's, and the killer's.

The detective and killer's threads are fairly straightforward and what you might expect (she's to Female Detective Grazia Negro is brought from Rome to help track down a serial killer preying on university students in Bologna. Her one good lead comes from a blind man who sits in his room all day listening to scanners. He is picking up cell phone conversations, police scanners, and trucker cbs. The story alternates three first-person narratives: the detective's, the blind man's, and the killer's. The detective and killer's threads are fairly straightforward and what you might expect (she's tough but gets no respect from anyone, and he's hearing bells and is angry) however Lucarelli's ability to take you into the blind man's world of 'colored' voices is excellent. Blurb:A serial killer is terrorising the people of Bologna and rookie Detective Inspector Grazia Negro is determined to solve the case. She only has one witness who can identify the killer - and he is blind.

Simone spends his days listening to Chet Baker and scanning the radio waves of the city, eavesdropping on other people's lives.He imagines what people are like - based on the 'colour' of their voices - and his acute hearing sets alarm bells ringing when he tunes in to the killer.Together Sim Blurb:A serial killer is terrorising the people of Bologna and rookie Detective Inspector Grazia Negro is determined to solve the case. She only has one witness who can identify the killer - and he is blind. Simone spends his days listening to Chet Baker and scanning the radio waves of the city, eavesdropping on other people's lives.He imagines what people are like - based on the 'colour' of their voices - and his acute hearing sets alarm bells ringing when he tunes in to the killer.Together Simone and Negro are the only people able to stop him, before he closes in on Simone. Exceptionally creepy, but in a good way.

The voices of Simone, the blind young man who hears the killer's voice on his scanner, and that of the killer himself are really well articulated and fascinating.The young female detective Grazia is determined not to be thrown off course by institutionalized sexism and a prosecutor who ignores her recognition that a serial killer is active in Bologna. She's a terrific character, strong, sympathetic and well defined.

I wish Lucarelli's books were more wid Exceptionally creepy, but in a good way. The voices of Simone, the blind young man who hears the killer's voice on his scanner, and that of the killer himself are really well articulated and fascinating.The young female detective Grazia is determined not to be thrown off course by institutionalized sexism and a prosecutor who ignores her recognition that a serial killer is active in Bologna. She's a terrific character, strong, sympathetic and well defined.

I wish Lucarelli's books were more widely available in English. Kudos to this translator for a fine job. Lucarelli was born at Parma, the son of a physician. He was interested in literature and theatre when he was young, and studied Literature and History. Nowadays he lives in Mordano near Bologna.Already in his years of study, during his research for his thesis subject he got in touch with the material for his first two books, which take place during the time of fascism and the years immediately aft Lucarelli was born at Parma, the son of a physician. He was interested in literature and theatre when he was young, and studied Literature and History.

Nowadays he lives in Mordano near Bologna.Already in his years of study, during his research for his thesis subject he got in touch with the material for his first two books, which take place during the time of fascism and the years immediately after the war. In Italy he became well known quite soon because of these two books, and it was only a matter of time before he quit his academic activities and turned to his career as an author and all other sorts of activities, such as writing plays, film scenarios, radio-plays and, moreover, singing in a Post-Punk-Band called 'Progetto K'.He is a frequently invited moderator on an Italian television programme about crime (Blu notte misteri d'Italia). As a journalist he works for several newspapers and magazines, such as il manifesto, Il Messaggero and L'Europeo. He has written more than twenty novels, including Almost Blue, (City Lights, 2001) and numerous short stories. Together with Marcello Fois and Loriano Macchiavelli he founded 'Gruppo 13', a collective of crime-writers in the region Emilia-Romagna.Retrieved from 'Series:.

Contents.Early life Lucarelli was born at, the son of a physician.