A Shot in the Dark (1958)

Robert Harcourt, an expatriate American, has left England after an unhappy love affair; he intends to settle and to do his writing in San Frediano but being an interested and sympathetic person he quickly finds that he cannot disengage himself so easily from what goes on around him. He becomes involved in the bitter politics of the village, in its daily life and in the strange suspicion of prehistoric cults that lingers there; he finds, too, a romantic affection developing between himself and the Italian girl, Gemma.

Of the many impressive elements that form the texture of this novel, Robert’s romance with Gemma is perhaps outstanding because of the individuality of these two—the credibility of the harmonies and strains in their relationship. There are other memorable characters—among them the Roman Catholic Bishop and the eccentric exile, Mr Bannerman.

Condition: some light spotting to dust-wrapper and edges of text-block, otherwise very good.