From Ancient Rome to 1990s Pavia: A Shift in Setting for Crime Fiction

Edgardo Fiorillo and Stefano De Bellis, previously known for their historical novels set in the Rome of Caesar, have ventured into a new era and locale. Their latest work, “Where You Eat the Fog” (Piemme), transports readers to Pavia in the 1990s for a gripping crime story. The narrative ignites with the explosion of a camper, leaving investigators to determine whether it was a tragic accident or a calculated crime.

Introducing Alida Savic: A Tenacious Investigator

At the heart of the investigation is Alida Savic, a magistrate characterized by her directness and unwavering resolve. Savic’s methods may be perceived as abrasive, but her commitment to justice is undeniable. She embodies a new wave of female investigators, reflecting a growing trend in crime fiction towards complex and resolute female leads.According to recent statistics, female protagonists now account for nearly 40% of leading roles in crime novels, signaling a significant shift in the genre’s landscape.

The Atmospheric Significance of Fog

The fog, as the title suggests, plays a crucial role in the narrative. More than just a backdrop, it becomes a character in itself.

The story takes place in the autumn of ’93: then more than today, for the lower, the fog had a characterizing, almost distinctive. We have both known,during the childhood and the early youth,the pervasiveness of this atmospheric element,which comes to change the appearance of the entire city,and not only visually. The fog constitutes,in reality but above all in our fiction,a sort of veil that perception,cushion the noises,change the smell of the air and sometimes make the conception of time lose.
Edgardo Fiorillo and Stefano De Bellis

The authors emphasize the fog’s ability to alter perceptions, muffle sounds, and distort time, creating an atmosphere of mystery and uncertainty that permeates the entire novel. This atmospheric element enhances the suspense and contributes to the overall sense of unease.

Alida Savic: More Than Meets the Eye

Alida Savic,despite her diminutive stature,is a force to be reckoned with. her physical appearance belies her inner strength and determination.

Alida you have to imagine as a donnina one meter and 55 tall, extremely minute, yet unstoppable and determined. To distinguish it is not so much the finesse of ingenuity, but the strength, the stubbornness and the courage to overcome any obstacle presents itself on her path, obtaining at the end what she wants. For this work with her can be truly proven and, not surprisingly, some colleague has given her the nickname the “Check”. Despite this, she is not a woman immune to fragility: her past is dotted with trauma and her present fatal from the increasingly serious warnings of a disease. aggressive for her statement – and a modern woman, who also had to clash with the gender prejudices of her time and face the challenges that life presents them every day.
Edgardo Fiorillo and Stefano De Bellis

Savic’s past traumas and present health challenges add layers of complexity to her character, making her relatable and human. She embodies the struggles of a modern woman navigating a male-dominated field, facing both professional and personal obstacles.

A Symphony of Suspense: The Role of Music

Classical music, ranging from Vivaldi to Tchaikovsky, serves as a constant undercurrent throughout the novel, mirroring Alida Savic’s own connection to music.

The music is binding with the protagonist. alida has attended the Conservatory and, until a few years earlier than the narrated events, played the piano. This means that the classic repertoire is a constant for her, an always present, almost involuntary mental reference. And then,the music is linked to the concept of time,another cardinal element of the novel.
Edgardo Fiorillo and Stefano De bellis

The music not only reflects Savic’s personal history but also ties into the novel’s exploration of time, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. The carefully selected pieces enhance the emotional impact of key scenes and contribute to the overall atmosphere of suspense.

The Art of Collaborative Writing

This novel marks the third collaboration between fiorillo and De Bellis. Their successful partnership is built on a foundation of friendship and a shared vision.

We believe that a basic harmony is essential: we are friends since high school. But this is not enough: we need rules and we have two that we call golden. The first concerns the method: the design of the novel must be meticulous and always precede the writing phase. The second, then, wants that, if we find ourselves in disagreement on somthing and we have opposite visions, it will not prevail, a third of them will prevail. away.
Edgardo Fiorillo and Stefano De Bellis

Their meticulous planning process and commitment to compromise ensure a cohesive and well-structured narrative. This collaborative approach allows them to bring diverse perspectives and strengths to the writing process, resulting in a richer and more compelling story.