Step into the shadowy, art-soaked streets of Rome with Nic Costa, the young, art-loving detective who brings ancient secrets and modern crimes to life in David Hewson’s gripping mystery series. Blending pulse-pounding investigations with the Eternal City’s rich history, this series is a must-read for fans of complex characters and immersive settings. With Nic at the helm, every case is a journey through Rome’s dark underbelly, where the past whispers clues to the present.
Unlike typical crime novels, the Nic Costa series weaves Italy’s cultural tapestry—think Caravaggio’s dramatic paintings and ancient Roman rituals—into intricate plots. Whether you’re a mystery buff or just craving a literary escape to Rome, Nic’s adventures promise suspense, heart, and a touch of Italian flair.
How Nic Costa Began
British author David Hewson launched the Nic Costa series in 2003 with A Season for the Dead, inspired by his fascination with Rome’s layered history and vibrant present. A former journalist, Hewson traded newsrooms for novels, crafting a detective who’s as much a connoisseur of art as he is a solver of crimes. His goal? To create a series that captures Rome’s duality—its beauty and its sinister edge—while offering character-driven stories that stand out in the crime genre.
Hewson’s knack for blending historical intrigue with modern-day mysteries set the stage for Nic Costa, a young cop navigating corruption, personal loss, and the weight of his communist father’s legacy. The series, now spanning ten books, has earned praise for its vivid settings and intricate plots, with fans and critics alike hailing Hewson’s Rome as a character in its own right.
The Heart of Nic Costa
The series kicks off with A Season for the Dead, where Nic investigates a brutal murder near the Vatican, uncovering a killer obsessed with martyrdom and Caravaggio’s art. In The Villa of Mysteries, a mummified body sparks a probe into a modern cult echoing ancient Roman rites, testing Nic’s resolve as he recovers from personal tragedy. The Sacred Cut sees Nic tackling a serial killer leaving cryptic marks under Rome’s Pantheon, while The Fallen Angel ties a scholar’s death to a 16th-century tragedy, showcasing Hewson’s knack for historical parallels.
Themes of art, history, and morality pulse through the series, set against Rome’s intoxicating backdrop. Nic, often paired with his gruff partner Gianni Peroni and maverick pathologist Teresa Lupo, grows from a naïve idealist to a seasoned detective, his personal struggles adding depth to the high-stakes cases. Hewson’s prose is atmospheric, blending gritty police procedurals with cultural richness, making each book a love letter to Rome’s art and architecture.
What sets the series apart is its ensemble cast. Characters like Peroni, a disgraced vice cop, and Lupo, with her irreverent humor, bring warmth and wit, balancing the dark crimes. The interplay of ancient secrets—Etruscan rituals, Mithraic cults—and modern corruption keeps the mysteries unpredictable, with twists that surprise even seasoned readers.
Why Nic Costa Resonates
The Nic Costa series has carved a niche in crime fiction, blending the intellectual depth of Donna Leon’s Brunetti series with the atmospheric menace of Michael Dibdin’s Zen novels. Fans praise its immersive depiction of Rome, with reviews calling it “dark, tantalizing, and seductive” (Tess Gerritsen). Its influence extends to a planned TV adaptation, reflecting its cinematic appeal. The series’ focus on character growth and cultural nuance makes it a standout, offering more than just whodunits.
Despite its niche status, Nic Costa’s loyal following cherishes its ability to transport readers to a Rome tourists rarely see. Hewson’s storytelling, lauded by critics like Peter James for making Rome “sinister yet alive,” ensures the series’ lasting allure for mystery lovers seeking depth and atmosphere.
- First Book: A Season for the Dead (2003)
- Total Books: 10
- Awards: The Garden of Evil won the ALA Best Genre Fiction Reading List for Mystery (2009)
- Spin-Off: Carnival for the Dead, featuring Teresa Lupo
Ready to roam Rome’s cobbled streets with Nic Costa? Grab A Season for the Dead and dive into a world where art, history, and murder collide!