A Quiet Death in Iitaly

Title: A Quiet Death in Italy

Author: Tom Benjamin

Genre: Political, Mystery Thriller

Series: Daniel Leicester series book 1 of 6

Publisher: Constable

Published Date: 2020

Book Length: 352

Format Read: Paperback

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: Bologna: city of secrets, suspicion . . . and murder When the body of a radical protestor is found floating in one of Bologna's underground canals, it seems that most of the city is ready to blame the usual suspects: the police. But when private investigator Daniel Leicester, son-in-law to the former chief of police, receives a call from the dead man's lover, he follows a trail that begins in the 1970s and leads all the way to the rotten heart of the present-day political establishment. Beneath the beauty of the city, Bologna has a dark underside, and English detective Daniel must unravel a web of secrets, deceit and corruption - before he is caught in it himself.

My Thoughts: A Quiet Death in Italy is a political mystery thriller and the first book in the Daniel Leicester series—and what a start it is!

As I read through the story, I found myself completely immersed in the writing. The words felt like they came from someone who truly understands how to craft a narrative, and it made perfect sense when I discovered that Tom Benjamin had been a journalist. His prose is just beautiful—like an artist painting with words. The descriptions almost leapt off the page, so vivid and rich, they made it easy to picture each scene clearly.

One of the things I really appreciated was the inclusion of Daniel Leicester’s family life. It made him feel so much more real and relatable. Those glimpses into his personal relationships showed his flaws and vulnerabilities, which gave the story more depth and helped me connect with him as a character.

What I particularly loved was the contrast between Bologna’s stunning architecture and the gritty, criminal underworld that Daniel finds himself investigating. That clash of beauty and darkness added so much atmosphere. The way the setting was woven into the narrative felt so natural, and it really brought the book to life for me.

There were plenty of twists and turns along the way, too—just what you'd want from a mystery thriller. Each one added to the tension and kept me eagerly turning the pages.

All in all, A Quiet Death in Italy was a brilliant read—smart, atmospheric, and full of intrigue. I’m so glad I picked this up, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series to see where Daniel Leicester heads next. If you enjoy a clever, character-driven thriller set somewhere a little different, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a go.