Gialli veneziani recenti
abstract
Venice is a recurrent place in the tradition of the novel, detective stories included, some recent examples of which are analysed here. Il Turista by Massimo Carlotto (2016) is a serial killer who in Venice finds himself involved in a network made up of criminals and international intelligence services, and is therefore chased by a Venetian ex-policeman. Paolo Forcellini’s stories (until now a trilogy, from 2013 to 2017) are real Venice guidebooks concerning the city’s history and art as well as its food-and-wine resorts. Here the detective is Manetti, who loves both his city and good food. Commissario Brunetti mysteries (one every year from 1992 to 2017) by the American Donna Leon have been translated into many languages, with the exception of Italian, on the express refusal of the author, perhaps because their success is based on stereotypes about Italy within precise Venetian surroundings. In these stories Venice is not a mere background, but often the main theme and a character itself, at times with traces in the very language.
Keywords: Massimo Carlotto • Donna Leon • Paolo Forcellini • Venetian detective stories