COLD FOR THE BASTARDS OF PIZZOFALCONE is the third novel in the Bastards of Pizzofalcone police procedural series by Maurizio de Giovanni (translated into English by Antony Shugaar for World Noir). Originally published in 2014, there are at least two more titles yet to be translated.

The author is quite prolific, and only some of his works, primarily the Commissario Ricciardi series, have been translated from the original Italian, but the Bastards have already inspired a television adaptation now airing on Amazon Prime, so it’s sure the remaining Pizzofalcone titles will find interest as well. (The first two in the series are THE BASTARDS OF PIZZOFALCONE and DARKNESS FOR THE BASTARDS OF PIZZOFALCONE.)

A note on the title. Pizzofalcone is an area in Naples, Italy. The Bastards refers to police officers in the area who were caught distributing drugs. They’ve all been fired, but the scandal has tainted the police station and the detectives who work there. Other police precincts send their unwanted cops to Pizzofalcone, and the station is constantly in danger of being shut down. Despite this “black sheep” mentality, the oddball detectives who work in Pizzofalcone band together, form a coherent and competent team, and desperately strive to earn the respect of other police and prosecutors. The “cold” here simply refers to a cold snap that is tearing through Naples, and making everyone irritated and on edge.

So on edge that a horrific double murder has been committed. A man has been bludgeoned to death at his computer, and his beautiful sister strangled on the bed, her clothing arranged to look like a rape. The seriousness of the crime galvanizes the news teams, and unfortunately, the upper brass. If the Pizzofalcone bastards can’t solve this crime, and quickly, then the investigation will be given over to another team and you might as well shut down the station.

There are other stories for the cops to consider. A 12-year-old girl at a local school is writing disturbing essays, hinting that her father is sexually abusing her. And one of the detectives has a theory about a spate of local suicides. He’s convinced the men and women aren’t killing themselves, but being killed. Everyone thinks he’s nuts, but he’s correct, and everyone will be surprised at the culprit.

Though this is the first Pizzofalcone book for me, I look forward to reading more Maurizio de Giovanni. The Bastards remind me a little bit of the oddball crew of Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct, and their character quirks are lovingly explored, with each detective getting a good background story, really building the individual.

I also loved the occasional experimental chapter. At multiple points, the author provides short chapters written from the point of view of the potential suspects. And he takes an almost poetical stance when he has a chapter about the “borderline” (where the intersection of legality and illegality lurk) and especially “home” (where we get to see a home vignette of each of the detective characters).

A thoroughly enjoyable work. If you love Italy or if you just love a solid procedural, look out for Maurizio de Giovanni’s books. —Mark Rose

Get it at Amazon.