The Salati Case

Castagnetti is a private detective who lost his parents and his optimism long ago. He’s impatient with the world of appearances and deceit and prefers the company of his bees to that of humans. At least bees believe in order, hard work and self-sacrifice.

An old woman, Silvia Salati, has recently died. Fourteen years ago her second son went missing while waiting for a train to Rimini. In order for her Estate to be disposed of, Castagnetti is commissioned by a notary to change the son’s status from ‘missing’ to ‘presumed dead’. But Castagnetti isn’t the sort to content himself with presumption. He likes certainty, the kind of certainty that comes from seeing a skeleton.

Before long he’s reopening wounds from years ago and exposing family secrets to those who have tried to suppress them. The heirs want their inheritance, but Castagnetti wants to throw in justice too. And that means uncovering a plot as thick and chilling as the Padanian fog.

Tobias Jones helps with our enquiries:

'Can you introduce us to your private detective, Castagnetti? (and to his bees!)' [ Tobias Jones replies ]

'And what’s the Salati case?' [ reply ]

'Tell us why Ross Macdonald is your literary hero.' [ reply ]

'Castagnetti’s second case is called White Death . Can you give us a sneak preview of what he’s going to be investigating?' [ reply ]

Download our interview with Tobias Jones here .