The second entry into the Daria Vinci series, following Red Riviera. I really enjoy David Downie books, I think I have read all of his. The first entry, Red Riviera, I found to be exciting and fun to read. However, this entry, Roman Roulette, was, I fear, a let down from what I have come to expect. Overly wordy, rather plodding along in plot, with way too many characters. I'm still a fan, and will chalk this one up to "everyone is allowed a clinker once in awhile".

The writing and story were good, but it’s just not my “cup of tea”. I would recommend it to people who like this style.

Thanks NetGalley and Rosemarie Solari for providing this ARC to review. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

dry-wit, mysteries, thriller, conspiracy, corruption, ex-spy, law-enforcement, duplicity, friendship, frustration, international-crime-and-mystery, interpersonal-problems, intimidation, intrigue, multicultural, murder, murder-investigation, politics, Rome, unputdownable*****

Brilliant wordplay! Obviously written by one who enjoys the interplay of words and diverse meanings. That tells you something about the intricacies of the way that the English language is used to enhance the story. Then there is the conflict/rivalry between two who really ought to have the same goal (justice) as well as the abiding trust in a friendly relationship between real colleagues. Above all there is the investigation into a suicide (don't believe it) involving former OSS/CIA who are well placed in an institution of learning. Who can Daria trust? The laboratory and her own co-conspirator. Fast paced with diabolical twists and inventive red herrings.
I requested and received a free e-book from Rosemarie Solari, Alan Squire Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

I received a free epub copy for an honest review.

This was a hard book to follow. The prose was wordy and overly descriptive. The sheer number of characters described made it really difficult for me to follow what was going on.

Rich in descriptive language and metaphor - perhaps a little too much adjective - at times it felt overwhelming. The acronyms and political background was a little confusing too for someone not au fait with Italian politics, but eventually became clearer. Still it was an interesting story with considerable complexity.

Roman Roulette: A Daria Vinci Investigation by David Downie has a very interesting setting and really immerses the reader into the story. However, I struggled with the author's writing style and didn't feel as engaged or connected to the characters.

I liked the first book in the series, but something fell flat with Roman Roulette. I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

#NetGalley @alansquirepub

Daria, a police commissioner, is attending a fancy fund raiser in Rome when she hears a distant gunshot. Was the death in the catacombs below suicide, or was it murder? This was a slow moving mystery, and some of the prose was difficult to take--here are a few examples:
A rectangular hunk of mustachioed masculinity
A juggernaut of brawn
A swarthy swain with bulging, close set dark eyes
I like mysteries set in interesting and different places, but unfortunately this one didn't work for me. I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.