“Rome is a Woman” is the name given to the first novel published by Michel Chevallier by L’Harmattan editions. A true historical thriller, his story follows the young policeman Cesare in fascist Italy in 1935. A gripping plot and a very rich setting keep us in suspense until the last page!
Michel Chevallier, with his first novel, takes us with him into a fascinating historical thriller. Fascinating because it immerses us in fascist Italy in 1935, with Mussolini at the helm and the National Fascist Party ruling with an iron fist. The word “oppression” is not exaggerated when reading the novel “Rome is a Woman.” Indeed, one feels from the beginning to the end this tension that prevails. And this tension is present both in the daily lives of the inhabitants and in the situations young Cesare encounters in his work. Serving as a police officer at the Ostia police station in Rome, he cannot act freely, even during investigations, for fear of arousing suspicion or having his actions reported by party informants.
But how to investigate properly under these conditions? Especially when the body of a young woman is found in the sea, stabbed with a knife, and her identity seems hard to determine? Nevertheless, this is what Cesare will try to do, accompanied by Commissioner Ascanio, even when he is told that the investigation is closed because the murderer has been found. Cesare and Ascanio, who quickly understand that the regime wants to dispose of this case as quickly as possible and is ready to put an innocent person in prison, continue their investigation despite the dangers…
“Rome is a Woman” is quite a unique detective investigation. The plot itself is somewhat classic, but the context and the character of Cesare stand out significantly. The political context of 1935 Italy highlights the totalitarian regime by following the character of Cesare in both his personal life and at work. Oppression is everywhere, which adds a distinctive element to the plot, setting it apart from ordinary police investigations. Then there is the character of Cesare: he grows alongside the investigation. The young man, who still has so much to learn about life at the beginning of the book, evolves with the various experiences he undergoes, gradually transforming into a man. He has his first experiences with women, as well as his first encounters with danger on a mission. His development is particularly interesting.
The plot is rather slow at first, as the author takes the time to thoroughly describe the political context, as well as the beauties of the landscape and the character of Cesare. The text is very rich. You feel the author’s broad sense of culture. His knowledge is vast: political, psychological, geographical, historical… It’s very enjoyable because you truly feel like you are reading a historical thriller, as everything is handled so well from beginning to end. The author knows what he’s talking about and knows where he’s going. At no point do you doubt the continuity of the plot. The vocabulary used is very precise and rich. The text is sometimes quite crude, especially in the dialogues. Sexuality is omnipresent, and the author does not mince words when addressing it!
The author’s website: https://www.michel-chevallier.com/
