The Savage Garden - Mark Mills

Disappointing.

The blurb and the Barbican Library Book Club Selection and Richard and Judy's Summer Read stickers suggested a more demanding read. The main character was shallow, the narrative cliched. By far and away the best bits concerned to gradual unravelling of the story behind Villa Docci's Renassiance garden itself, but even they seemed to rely on Adam Strickland having moments of inspired interpretation that materialised from nowhere.

If you like novels that reach back in time to solve historical who dunnits, then Peter Rippon's The River Crossing, Kate Morton's The House at Riverton and Michael Frayn's Headlong are all much better. And if you like more modern day mysteries/crimes set in Italy, try Michael Dibdin.

Amazon.co.uk link: The Savage Garden - Mark Mills