Massimo Carlotto Book order

International secret police operations, drug trafficking, prostitution, and identity theft set the stage for the eternal struggle between Good and Evil.

This novel, by one of Italy's bestselling crime novelists, provides a unique perspective on the criminal and social dynamics that dominate contemporary Italy. One of the many robberies that plague Northeast Italy goes wrong and ends with a brutal murder. The police investigation turns up nothing. Two years later, Marco Buratti, alias "the Alligator," is asked to look into the crime and find out who was responsible. Buratti's employer is young, the youngest client he has ever had; he is only twelve years old and is the son of one of the victims. The Alligator realizes right from the start that the truth is cloaked, twisted, shocking. Together with his associates, Beniamino Rossini and Max the Memory, he finds himself mixed up in a story involving contraband gold and blood vendettas between criminal gangs.

The story follows PI Marco "the Alligator" Buratti as he embarks on a thrilling and chaotic adventure, showcasing the author's signature blend of humor and crime. Set against a vibrant backdrop, Buratti navigates a world filled with eccentric characters and unexpected twists, promising readers an engaging and entertaining experience. This installment continues to build on the beloved character's journey, offering a fresh and captivating narrative that fans of Italian crime fiction will appreciate.

Three gripping novellas of addiction, corruption and revenge.

Set in a gritty underworld, this noir crime fiction follows PI Marco "The Alligator" Burrati as he navigates dangerous situations filled with suspense and intrigue. The narrative promises a thrilling exploration of crime and morality, showcasing sharp writing and complex characters. With its edgy tone and dark themes, the book is poised to captivate readers and stand out as a top pick in the genre.

Massimo Carlotto has been called "the reigning king of Mediterranean noir" (Boston Phoenix) and "the best living Italian crime writer" (Il Manifesto). In The Colombian Mule, Carlotto brings to riveting life the story of Ar as Cuevas, who sets in motion a chain of bloody events when police catch him trying to carry a shipment of La T a's cocaine into Italy. The intended recipient of the coke appears to have been art smuggler Nazzareno Corradi. But Corradi has been set up. He hires "the Alligator" to get him out of the mess he's in. Meanwhile, La T a, a notoriously ruthless figure in the Colombian drug trade, is determined to move her operation to Italy, where cociane has beome all the rage among the professional classes. There's only one thing standing in her way: the Alligator. The Alligator, an ex-con turned investigator, and his two companions, former underworld heavy Baniamino Rossini and Max the Memory, are among Massimo Carlotto's most vivid noir creations. Together, the three men will wade deep into a criminal world of few scruples, testing their own strict and specific moral code along the way.

Giorgio Pellegrini's seemingly honest life takes a dark turn when he discovers his lawyer's betrayal, thrusting him into the treacherous world of organized crime. Reluctantly becoming an errand boy for a syndicate, Giorgio must navigate the dangerous underbelly of crime while grappling with his newfound reality. This gripping narrative explores themes of betrayal, morality, and the struggle for survival in a world where trust is a luxury.

Massimo Carlotto has been described as “the reigning king of Mediterranean noir” (Boston Phoenix), “more noir than even the toughest American noir” (Josh Bazell, author of Beat the Reaper), “about as gritty as they come” (The New York Times), and “the best living Italian crime writer” (Il Manifesto). Here, making his American debut, is Carlotto’s most famous and beloved serial character: ex-con turned private investigator Marco Buratti, a.k.a The Alligator. Closing the door on a crime ridden past, Marco Buratti plans to spend the rest of his days in the darkness of a seedy nightclub sipping Calvados and listening to the blues. But things don’t quite work out as he planned: though he may be through with his past, his past isn’t through with him. When his gangster friend, Beniamino Rossini’s girlfriend is kidnapped, Buratti is forced to investigate a case of international drug dealing. He will be thrown headfirst into the underworld he had struggled to escape. Here, new and old criminal organizations collide and innocent bystanders are as hard to find as straight cops. Marco “The Alligator” Buratti is not only one of the most fully realized characters in contemporary crime fiction but also the ideal vivisector of a world in which criminals hold all the cards.

Set against a backdrop of moral ambiguity, the story explores the dark underbelly of society where systemic issues drive the narrative. The protagonist navigates a world filled with murder and ethical dilemmas, challenging the notion of heroism. Rather than focusing on a single killer, the novel critiques the pervasive systems that foster crime and corruption, making it a gripping and thought-provoking thriller.