Roman Count Down: A Rick Montoya Italian Mystery

Wagner’s solid sixth Rick Montoya Italian mystery (after 2018’s A Funeral in Mantova), a prequel, covers Rick’s move from New Mexico to Rome and explains how he evolved from translator to sleuth. Who killed Count Umberto Zimbardi, whose death seems to be the result of a random mugging? His wife wants the murderer found and puts pressure on Commissario Piero Fontana, Rick’s policeman uncle. The count had been researching the history of the streets of Rome and had kept his notes and his diary in English. Rick is assigned to translate the material, to see whether it sheds any light on the crime. Like previous entries, this installment is heavy on travelogue and meticulous description of Italian food, such as saltimbocca (“Two thin pieces of veal were topped with thinner slices of prosciutto and sage leaves... sautéed in butter with a splash of Marsala, giving the dish contrasting, yet complementing, sweet and salty flavors”), but the sleuthing is more perfunctory. This one will satisfy hungry travelers headed for Rome more than mystery buffs. [em](May) [/em]