Great Italian Mystery Series Televised
If you saw last Sunday's Aurelio Zen mystery on WNED's Masterpiece Mystery, you might wonder about the novels this new series is based on. Michael Dibdin wrote eleven mystery novels set in Italy, featuring Italian policeman Aurelio Zen (–not Zen as in Buddhism, rather Zen as an old Venetian name).
Donna Leon and Ruth Rendel are fans of Dibdin's books because of the quality of the writing, the complex characters and the vivid evocation of Italian life. This Zen Omnibus brings together Dibdin's first three books: Ratking, Cabal, and Vendetta — all excellent, entertaining reads. If you have read all of P. D. James, Rendell and Leon, and are looking for a similar reading experience, give Dibdin a try. His novels stand alone, so can be read in any order. Some are hilarious, some are very dark, but all of them are like a trip to Italy.
These three novels have been brought to the screen by the BBC. WNED broadcast Vendetta last Sunday. Cabal and Ratking will follow over the next two weeks. Rufus Sewell is a wonderful Aurelio Zen — charming and somewhat enigmatic. If you enjoy these programs you will certainly enjoy the books.
3 thoughts on “Great Italian Mystery Series Televised”
Thanks for this! I can’t tell you how many friends of mine have recommended this series to me – but they failed to mention that it’s based on a series of books. I love PD James – and I will look for the Zen books at the library (Rufus Sewell is wonderful too…..:)
Saw Vendetta on Sunday and you just made it very easy to get Zen Omnibus onto my Hold list.
Grazie!
You’re welcome, V and you’re welcome too, Janet! I hope you enjoy the books.
Ratking is the first book in the series and it is an excellent place to start — the first dozen pages are burned into my memory and I read it over a decade ago.