En 1895 el mundo está cambiando: los hermanos Lumière organizan la primera muestra del cinematógrafo, Marconi triunfa con su primera transmisión radiofónica, y el libro de recetas compilado por Pellegrino Artusi se convierte en un verdadero best seller, por el que el autor es aclamado como el inventor de la tradición gastronómica italiana. Un cálido viernes de junio de este año, en un castillo de la zona de la Maremma toscana, el conde Alinaro Bonaiuti tiene invitados para la batida de caza del fin de semana, entre ellos, el reputado gastrónomo. El primer día, durante la cena, el anfi trión derrocha un estado de ánimo alegre, optimista y, cuando pasan al salón de fumadores, anima a sus invitados a brindar por la gran victoria en las carreras. Sin embargo, conforme avanza la noche empieza a encontrarse mal y, alegando molestias estomacales, desecha el champagne y bebe su acostumbrado Oporto. Cuando todos los asistentes están acostados, el grito de una de las criadas los despierta sobresaltados: lo que había terminado como una plácida velada entre amigos se convierte en el escenario de un crimen. Teodoro, el mayordomo, ha sido asesinado.

Delightful. I hope Marco Malvaldi writes more.
( )

I libri di Malvaldi sono sempre speciali, divertono e rilassano. ( )

This is a delightful book, both for its murder mystery and for its insight into Italian society in 1895, after unification. Here we have a Baron and his extended family living in castle splendour, with his heirs unaccustomed to doing anything for themselves. The first death is that of the young butler, poisoned by a glass of wine intended, it seems, for the Baron himself. The Baron is then peppered in the back with a shotgun, confirming that he was the intended victim of the poisoned wine.

Meanwhile Pellegrino Artusi is befriended by the daughter of the family who has the habit of reading private diaries, and he overhears the housemaid sobbing in great distress. Artusi has come to the castle to advise the Baron whether he could turn his home into a hotel to keep himself financially afloat, but he is a little distracted when one of the maiden aunts comes to believe he is a potential suitor.

This is a novel written with great humour, with the author breaking in occasionally to apologise for his departure from 19th century language. And at the back are some mouth watering recipes from the historical Artusi's cookery book published in 1895.

For The Art of Killing Well, for Marco Malvaldi was awarded both the Isola d'Elba Award and the Castiglioncello Prize.

I loved it. ( )