The Bologna Vendetta

When Daniel Leicester goes in search of his late wife’s missing bicycle in the oppressive heat of a Bologna summer, he is transported to her final days. But as unfinished business bleeds – quite literally – into the present, Daniel begins to suspect Lucia’s accidental death may not have been an accident after all.

With characters ranging from the Bologna branch of Italy’s Right and Acknowledged Masons to an activist group trashing tourist lets, Tom Benjamin takes the reader on another colourful excursion to one of Italy’s most mysterious locations as the English detective and his partner Dolores Pugliese go after the truth, and a trace of justice, in a changing city.

Praise for Tom Benjamin

‘ Bologna is perfectly captured, the crime plot is fresh and intriguing, and the characterisation remains spot on. I found myself totally immersed and swept through this stunner of a story in 24 hours. Highly, highly recommend’ Philippa East

‘An atmospheric, intelligent crime novel that is an intricate portrait of the heart of Bologna. Beautiful, gripping, and very clever’ Victoria Dowd

‘A brilliant, involving crime novel’ Louise Hare

‘Clever and beautifully written… his best yet’ Louise Fein


‘The locale is brought to life . . . the plot keeps you guessing’ The Times

‘A slow-burning, tense and brooding thriller’ The Herald Scotland

‘Tom Benjamin’s debut novel blows the lid off a political cauldron in which Leftist agitators, property moguls, the police and city elders struggle for survival and dominance’ Daily Mail

‘It’s an immensely promising debut, which leaves the reader feeling they really know the city.’ Morning Star
‘Another great crime novel set in Bologna’ Reader Review

‘The mystery smolders away nicely and the wrap-up throws some curve balls. Another indulgent offering in this rewarding series.’ Reader Review