It’s twenty-five years since I first dreamed up a young Roman cop called Nic Costa, along with his crew, Gianni Peroni, Teresa Lupo and Leo Falcone. Over ten books they became a popular series, one that came to a halt as I travelled on to Copenhagen for The Killing trilogy, then four books with Pieter Vos in Amsterdam and later Venice with Arnold Clover and The Garden of Angels.
I knew from my regular mail that, for many readers, Nic Costa never really went away. I deliberately killed no one off in the series. Why close doors? But I’m not the kind of writer who can only write one kind of book with one set of characters, So other places always beckoned.
All the same Nic kept nagging me, and now I’m delighted to tell you he’s making a final return, in three linked books from Joffe, the first of which will appear next April. These are the closing chapters of the story of my idiosyncratic little team from the Rome Centro Storico Questura. After the third book in the trilogy there will be no more.
The linked story that ties together all three titles could not be more topical. Italy is in a state of political chaos. Forces inside and outside the formal corridors of power, a shadowy organisation linking bent politicians, crime lords and figures in the church, are manoeuvring to take over the reins of power and do away with the checks and balances of traditional constitutional government.
Over a few shocking days just before Christmas, Costa and his colleagues find themselves at the heart of proceedings after a controversial politician is kidnapped during the seasonal fair in Piazza Navona. Terrorism…? Or something even more sinister? Costa is determined to find out, and along the way makes a surprising discovery about his own life through a past relationship, a change he never saw coming.
The books will appear in spring next year and then 2028 and 2029. In the meantime if you want to catch up on the original Costa books you can catch up on the originals through a new ebook box set of the first seven titles from Joffe for the special, temporary price of £1.99.
Oh and I know I’m going to get ask this too… where does this leave Arnold Clover in Venice?
Well, Arnold has his own news to announce shortly…
Comments
15 responses to “Return of Nic Costa: A New Trilogy in Italian Crime Fiction”
Excellent news I’m going to re read the series in anticipation Made my day??
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Great news, I listened to all the Costa novels on Audible whilst waiting for the new Arnold Clover.
Looking forward to the final 3 Costa novels.
Excellent news and now I\’m going to have to buy all your Peter Vos books. My summer and next few years sorted! Manuela
Thanks for the Nic republishing news as I’ve just bought the bargain bundle for my kindle. I had a full set in hard or paperback but due to some grim life circumstances I lost them along with the rest of my “library “. I’m looking forward to new costa and crew, but is there any chance of Semana Santa appearing on Kindle as I read it many years ago and would like to read it again. Thanks, Paul Harding.
Thanks! Not sure where we are with the rights for Death in Seville. Let me check.
This is wonderful news David. I’ve missed the Nic Costa series so much, have even reread them a while ago for the third time. Can’t wait! Buona Fortuna with your writing! Bob D
Fantastic👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
David Yeah!! That is excellent news. Could I persuade you to do a guest post on the return of Nic Costa? Best wishes Ayo That is my curious perversion-I have a criminal mind! (Mr J G Reeder, \”The Poetical Policeman Policeman\”. The Mind of Mr J G Reeder 1925) Edgar Wallace. Twitter @shotsblog http://www.shotsmag.co.uk http://www.crimespreemag.com
Happy to Ayo. Maybe a bit nearer publication?
This is fabulous news! I was living in Roma during the first run of all these book and now I will have something to look forward to and remind me of my days there. Nic and co, were an fantastic bunch of characters and it will be fitting to see their stories closed out. Best wishes.
Hooray! I am on bended knee praying for contemporaneous release of an audio book for each. Cheers Robin Millar
Audio definitely and should be simultaneous.
I hope Arnold Clover is with us for quite a few years please! Love the character and those around him! Of course love the Venice setting!
Great news. I red all of Nic Costa. T
Excellent news that Nic Costa will be back. May have to re read all the old books now to get back into his world!