About the Author:
Valentina Giambanco was born in Italy. After her degree in English and Drama at Goldsmiths, she worked for a classical music retailer and as a bookseller in her local bookshop. She started in films as an editor's apprentice in a 35mm cutting room and since then has worked on many award-winning UK and US pictures, from small independent projects to large studio productions. Valentina lives in London, and The Gift of Darkness was her first novel and the first in the Alice Madison series. It was followed by The Dark, Blood and Bone, and Sweet After Death.
Review:
"Superb . . . Giambanco seamlessly melds a solid look at police work with an intriguing glimpse at small-town life and the secrets that motivate people."
―Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
"Valentina Giambanco has created a compelling and realistic character in detective Alice Madison . . . The setting of Ludlow in the cold desolation of winter and the isolation of the community mirrors the soul-deep loneliness of children caught in the isolation imposed by others."
―D.R. Meredith, New York Journal of Books
"A pleasant excursion into the wild of the rural Northwest."
―Kirkus Reviews
"This is crime fiction for connoisseurs. With precision and poetry, Giambanco unfolds a delicious tale . . . First-class stuff."―William Shaw, author of Salt Lane
"If you liked the American version of The Killing, you'll love this moody, dark murder mystery set under the gray and heavy clouds of Washington state. Tense and brooding."―For the Love of Books
Praise for the Detective Alice Madison series
"As twisty and tasty a crime thriller as anyone could wish for . . . This compelling mystery stands out from the crowd."―Daily Mail
"First-rate . . . Giambanco is a powerful writer with a strong story to tell."―The Times
"The detective here is as complex as the crime."―Booklist
"Giambanco's writing has only gotten better since she launched the Alice Madison series and is especially successful at evoking the city's moodiness."―Kirkus Reviews
"Realistic twists keep the suspense high, while personal details lend human interest . . . London-based Giambanco shows an affinity for Seattle, its neighborhoods, and environs. Readers will look forward to Madison's further adventures in the next installment."―Publishers Weekly
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