In the peaceful Umbrian village of Paradiso, the shocking murder and mutilation of an elderly German woman is barely credible. That is, until Inspector Alessandro Cenni of the State Police discovers that this retired cultural attaché was not just a diffi cult tenant, but also a bisexual swinger with an African lover recently in residence, as well as a blackmailer. The dead woman grew up in Occupied Venice, and some of her secrets may have been acquired that long ago, during World War II. And the bucolic village is not that innocent: it was the site of a famous, scandalous murder fi fty years earlier. His boss wants a scapegoat, and the young African lesbian is the obvious target, but Cenni cannot bring himself to close a case without solving the crime and bringing the actual perpetrator to justice.




Grace Brophy a native of New Jersey, has lived in Umbria for many years. She
now resides in Maine. The Last Enemy, her debut novel, featuring Inspector Cenni,
was published to acclaim.

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