Marco Malvaldi Book order

A deliciously thrilling locked-room mystery for fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman.

Set in October 1493, the story unfolds in Florence, mourning the loss of Lorenzo the Magnificent while the New World opens up following Columbus's voyages. Leonardo da Vinci, a brilliant yet troubled figure, grapples with artistic ambitions and personal challenges as he navigates the intrigues of Milan under Ludovico il Moro. Amidst the backdrop of financial evolution and secret missions, a mysterious death in the castle compels Leonardo to confront the shadows of superstition and plague, showcasing his multifaceted genius in a richly woven historical narrative.

October 1493, the height of the Renaissance. In a rapidly changing world, Milan flourishes under the leadership of Ludovico il Moro. Those wandering the courtyards of the city's castle often encounter a man in his forties dressed in long pink robes, lost in his own thoughts. The man lives above his workshop, with his mother and a mischievous little boy whom he dotes on; he doesn't eat meat, writes from right to left, and struggles to get paid by his employers. His name is Leonardo da Vinci. His fame extends beyond the Alps, to the French court of Charles VIII, whose envoys have been tasked with a secret mission that concerns Leonardo himself, and his most daring designs

Pellegrino Artusi, Italy's first celebrity chef, turns detective to save the life of a Tuscan aristocrat and gastronome.

Set in a picturesque Tuscan resort town, the story unfolds after the mysterious death of a Japanese scientist. A quirky group of four elderly card players, along with their beloved bartender, take it upon themselves to unravel the mystery. Their investigation blends humor with intrigue, showcasing the charm of Italian culture while delving into the complexities of friendship and the unexpected twists of life.

At the Bar Lume, in a small coastal resort near Livorno, between shots of espresso and hands of cards, four old-timers and Massimo, the barman, wile away the time chatting, arguing, and theorizing about the murder of a young woman in their town. The girl's body was found in a dumpster bin on the edge of town. The victim's now notoriously licentious lifestyle has everyone thinking that her death had something to do with the world of drug trafficking and dangerous sex that she inhabited. The prime suspects in the case are two of the girl's nightlife associates. But out of love of gossip and just to pass the time, the group of old friends at the Bar Lume begin to pull the case to pieces, forcing the Barman Massimo into the role of amateur sleuth. Here is a victory for pensioners The four old-timers analyze the crime and the suspects, contextualizing both, and in the process put a comic spin on their often narrow-minded neighbors. From this "investigation," in Malvadi's lively and colorful prose, emerges a fascinating picture of life in a small town that, for all its faults, stubbornly resists the devastation of mindless global tourism.