Angela Pateman • Artist

Brilliant, compelling, don't let the fact that there's subtitles put you off. 

The orginal series, I've recommended it to many people and they've all been mesmerised, catch it now, the second series is coming soon to BBC4.

Nordic Noir par excellence.

This was originally shown on BBC2 and didn't really get the audience it deserved. Morally oblique from the start and up close with the reality of violence, it is a gripping and supberbly executed drama noir.

Chilling and engaging acting, the plot takes a while to unravel, worth every minute.

A total gem.

This is the first novel in Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti series and worth catching. The description of Venice are wonderful and the central protagonist is engaging and thoughtful.

The whole series develops the main characters and food, as is the way of Italy plays a central role.

The second in the Brunetti series.

The first three novels in Michael Dibden's Aurelio Zen series. Superb Italian 'tec stuff. If you saw the TV series, don't let that put you off.

Subtle character development of a flawed man, slow paced, more about place and the soul of Italian bureaucracy, coffee and life.

If you ejoyed the films, it's worth reading the orginal novels. Originally written in the 70s, there are obviously many differences and the film makers have updated the settings. However, they are gripping stories and definitely worth reading, not just for the page turning suspense, but for the now historical settings and a reminder of the very different political days.