Death in the Dolomites: a Rick Montoya Italian Mystery

Marc Notes: Joining a college friend for a skiing vacation in the Italian Alps, Rick Montoya reluctantly investigates the murder of an American banker and uncovers a wide range of suspects, in a case that is challenged by the victim's beautiful heiress sister. Biographical Note: David P. Wagner is the author of Cold Tuscan Stone, the first Rick Montoya Italian Mystery. While serving in the diplomatic service he spent nine years in Italy where he learned to love things Italian, many of which appear in his writing. He and his wife live in New Mexico. Brief Description: Rick Montoya is looking forward to a break from his translation business in Rome a week of skiing in the Italian Alps with old college buddy Flavio. But Rick s success helping the Italian police with a murder in Tuscany sends the Campiglio cops his way. An American banker working in Milano is missing. The man s sister, an attractive and spoiled divorcee, has no idea where he could be, nor do the locals who saw him on his way to the slopes. With the discovery of a body, Rick and Inspector Albani widen their list of suspects. Picturesque resort Campiglio harbors old rivalries, citizens on the make, and a cut-throat political campaign. Why would these local issues, any of them, connect to the missing banker?_x000D_ The investigation doesn't keep Rick and Flavio from enjoying perfect ski conditions in the Dolomites and glorious after-ski wines and bowls of fresh pasta. As for women Rick has to wonder if the banker s sister is just hitting him up for information. The action heats up, testing laid-back Rick whose uncle, a Roman cop, keeps urging him to make the police his career._x000D_ As in Cold Tuscan Stone, Death in the Dolomites immerses us in the sights, smells and tastes of Italy, this time in a picture-perfect Alpine town with a surprising negative side._x000D_" Contributor Bio:  Wagner, David David Wagner is Professor of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Southern Maine. His recent book, "The Poorhouse: America s Forgotten Institution" was reviewed by the "Journal of American History and American Historical Review". He is the author of many other books, including "Ordinary People: In and Out of Poverty in the Gilded Age" (Paradigm 2008).