Booklist: "The concluding volume of the late Izzo’s Marseilles trilogy remains utterly uncompromising in its allegiance to the classic noir worldview."

The concluding volume of the late Izzo’s Marseilles trilogy remains utterly uncompromising in its allegiance to the classic noir worldview. Fabio Montale, the embittered former cop, sees nothing but misery in his own future and in the future of his beloved city, but he still tries to protect those he loves from similar fates.

Ah, but in a noir world, any spot of tenderness is a point of vulnerability, and sure enough, the Italian Mafiosi, desperate to silence Montale’s former lover, investigative journalist Babette, target Fabio’s friends as the way to pry from him the information they need. There is a eulogistic tone to this novel, not only because it is Izzo’s last, but because he seems to be saying farewell to possibility, farewell even to the idea of constructing a separate peace out of harm’s way from the world. A Jim Thompson–like ending—served with Izzo’s no-frills lyricism—pretty well seals the deal: “Could you draw the curtains on our life? I’m tired.” The sun shines brightly in Marseilles, but Izzo’s Mediterranean noir is as dark as noir can get.

by Bill Ott