Fitzgerald's terse but lyrical style is perfectly suited to evoking the poisonously claustrophobic atmosphere in which Blume operates, and contributes handsomely to an excellent police procedural

Irish Times

Alec Blume is an inspired creation. An American who has become a commissioner in the Italian police, he's a sly, sardonic loner who gives the impression of knowing Rome better than its natives. [...] Fitzgerald is an elegant, visual writer

Guardian

The American-born Blume is an engaging hero who might just have to potential to fill the gap left when Michael Dibdin's death ended his Italian detective Aurelio Zen's investigations

The Sunday Times

I'm putting my money on Alec Blume becoming the most popular detective of the coming decade

Belfast Telegraph