I do like a book with a strong female character: one who is a mother, a fighter, a friend, smart, determined and who has the resolve to see things through to the end. Italia Tornabene has created such in Italia Rossi who is a single mum, trying to make ends meet by working as a dancer whilst also being a good role model to her son, Dominic. Supported by her sister, Sheila, she is able to go off to work knowing that her son is cared for and this allows her to concentrate on bringing in what money she can at the club, where she works alongside her friend, Olive.
But when Olive doesn’t come into work one day, Italia discovers that her friend is battling other demons and vows that she will be there for Olive no matter what and this is soon tested. The result is a mission of vengeance which requires all of Italia’s courage to execute, the stakes being incredibly high for her and her family if she doesn’t play it just right.
I have really mixed feelings about this book. Italia Tornabene is a good writer in many ways. It’s clearly written and has purpose in the plotting. She has a grasp of character and the exchanges she creates between Italia and the men she is trying to ensnare are well conceived. They feel right for this book and the story that Tornabene wants to convey: parrying duels of words, laced with suggestion and double meaning, alluring and mysterious which go with the temptress that Italia Rossi wants her victims to be drawn towards.
However, I found the interactions with the crime lords a little repetitive and lacking substance or meaning – they verbally spar and the gestures and movements of Italia and her target are described but I never really felt the tension or the threat. This could be because Rossi is so good at what she does and so they never see it coming but without the possibility of her failing, where’s the suspense? The FBI investigation provides it to a degree as links are made but I did feel this could be ramped up to greater effect at times.
It’s not a bad book at all and I think it will satisfy as an easy read for those readers who love female characters who are ballsy, resourceful and maternal in equal measure.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This review is an unbiased representation of my reading of the book.
Scuffed Granny 