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Medusa

by Michael Dibdin

Post World War II manipulation combined with political and military secrets plus a wonderful revealing of the Italian Tuscany countryside play major parts in Medusa, along with Michael Dibdin's protagonist sleuth, Aurelio Zen. Mr. Dibdin is very effective wielding his abilities and interweaving the components of sensation, psychology and rational thought. Medusa may be a bit disappointing to anyone expecting a plot woven around that legendary mythical figure with her hair replaced by a nest of snakes, but the title's application is just as apt when it's used to describe a military operation – plus the kind of woman's look which might stop you in your tracks.

Leonardo Ferraro's body has been discovered at the bottom of a shaft in an abandoned mine. His death is at least thirty years old, and occurred while he was still a lieutenant in the army. Discovery of his corpse activates a number of people, especially those in high places who were once intimately involved with his death. Aurelio Zen is investigating what has been termed an 'accident' and goes with a guide into the mountain tunnels where the body was first discovered by cavers. The only unusual things discovered are a tattoo on the corpse' decayed arm and the fact that he was barefoot.

We're introduced to all the major players in Medusa – Gabriele Passarini, now an anitiquarian bookshop owner, Claudia Comai and her son, Naldo, Nestore Solorzano, plus Alberto Guerrazzi of the secret service. Medusa was the code name for a highly secret military operation thirty years ago, and Colonel Guerrazzi was head of the cell, involving disposition of Ferraro as an informer who evidently was about to disclose their identity and thus destroy political supremacy. Passarini, Solorzano and Ferraro all had received the tattoo, as well as the Colonel.

Colonel Guerrazzi doesn't want anyone to exhume the details of Lt. Ferraro's murder, and to that end, since the body has been discovered, is eliminating anyone who could possibly cast some light on why the 'accident' happened. The story then becomes a race between Zen and Guerrazzi. Nestor Solorzano is murdered, leaving only Gabriele Passarini, who hides out in a remote location, fearing for his life. Meanwhile Naldo is told by Claudia that Ferraro was his actual father, and that he should claim the remains as next of kin. Danilo, Claudia's current husband, is already aware of her former liaison.

Aurelio Zen warns Naldo off, saying his life may be in danger if he becomes involved in any way with the dead lieutenant. Everything that happens smells bad – political corruption, military and police prevarication – especially when the Italian Defense Ministry puts a news blackout on anything pertaining to Lieutenant Ferraro's death. Even the lieutenant's body is abruptly confiscated by the carabinieri (police). And now Zen's own home is bugged by the Defense Ministry.

A man named Cazzola spies for Colonel Alberto Guerrazzi, and when he reports his most recent information in the back lot of a former movie company, Alberto murders him – so there will be no one left to know about Operation Medusa – nor how and why Lt. Ferraro was killed.

Corruption in politics is a fact of life – unfortunately it abounds here in the United States as well as abroad, only here it's concealed better than in Italy. However, unlike Donna Leon's work, Michael Dibdin's novels allow truth and justice to triumph over evil. Medusa is not a page turner. But Michael Dibdin provides us with a very good story, interlaced with vivid description of the northern Italian countryside and towns, Italian mannerisms, verbal snatches of spoken Italian, and Aurelio Zen's personal life with his girl Gemma. Anyone with an inclination toward this country will especially enjoy this book. And anyone who likes a good mystery without any qualifications will also enjoy it!

Alan Paul Curtis

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