The Dogs of Rome

The Dogs of Rome (2010) by Conor Fitzgerald. Commissario Alec Blume was born in Seattle, but he is a detective in the Roman police force. He speaks impeccable Italian -- with a Roman accent -- and also still speaks English. When a prominent Roman is murdered, the case falls to Blume, who shows a genius at analyzing criminals' motives and deciphering crime scenes. And what the author, Fitzgerald, shows a talent for is showing us the different facets of his characters, and the ins and outs of politics within the police department. It's an involving, well-told story, with a satisfying conclusion. Grade: A-