Howard Curtis Bücher

Ein freizügiger Roman über die Liebe, so wie sie uns im Gestöber des Lebens begegnet. Ein anonymer Liebesbrief bringt Unruhe in das elegante Brüsseler Viertel rund um den Place d’Arezzo. Alle haben ihn erhalten: Der Banker, der seiner Familie verheimlicht, dass er sich von anderen Männern angezogen fühlt. Der hochrangige Politiker, der notorisch jede halbwegs attraktive Frau anmacht. Die sexsüchtige Diane, die sich mit Unbekannten zu sadomasochistischen Sitzungen trifft und einmal, gut geknebelt und verpackt, von ihrem Liebhaber zurückgelassen wird, um Stunden später von ihrem Ehemann erlöst zu werden. Aber es gibt auch die verschrobene alternde Dame, die ein telepathisches Verhältnis zu ihrem Papagei unterhält, oder die glücklich Liebenden, die einander bereits gefunden haben, oder - schöner noch - sich im Laufe des Romans finden. Und allen gibt dieser Liebesbrief - Absender unbekannt - Rätsel auf. Ein jeder fühlt sich angesprochen auf seine Weise. Doch wer verbirgt sich hinter diesen scheinbar so unschuldigen Zeilen?

This is a sequel to Victor Hugo's classic epic of revolutionary France, Les Miserables. It is two months since the death of Jean Valjean, yet in September 1833 his daughter Cosette lives a seemingly idyllic life. Eighteen and married to wild and carefree Marius, she is unaware of his unfortunate penchant for getting involved in questionable enterprises with dubious characters. But there are other more sinister concerns. In the shadows, Thenadier the hangman bides his time while Inspector Javert, saved from suicide at the last minute, contemplates his quest for redemption. From the Paris of the July Monarchy to the penal colony where Marius, like Jean Valjean before him, is condemned, the characters criss-cross each other against a backdrop of the events of 1833 to 1836.

Ugo, Manu, and Fabio grew up in the tough streets of Marseilles, where their friendship was paramount. They vowed to remain loyal, but life took a dark turn. Ugo and Manu became entangled in the city's violent criminal underworld. After Manu is murdered and Ugo returns to seek vengeance, he too is killed, leaving Detective Fabio Montale to pursue justice. Despite warnings from both law enforcement and the criminal world, Montale is determined to honor his promise to his friends and find their killer, even if it means crossing dangerous lines. In Izzo's narrative, Marseilles is portrayed as a city that is both beautiful and deadly, filled with passion and tragedy. The author attributes the success of his acclaimed trilogy to his deep love for Marseilles, highlighting its vibrant spirit and the resilience of its people. Fabio Montale emerges as the ideal protagonist, a disillusioned cop with a unique zest for life who rejects a corrupt police force. In the name of friendship, he confronts the mafia, embodying the struggle against the darkness that envelops his beloved city.

The Marseilles trilogy, featuring ex-cop Fabio Montale, is a classic of European crime fiction. Its publication was the catalyst for the foundation of an entire literary movement, Mediterranean noir, and made its author an overnight celebrity. Europa is Proud to reissue the entire trilogy this summer in new editions that have a fresh look and feature an introduction by “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir”, Massimo Carlotto.