Black Run    by Antonio Manzini Order:  USA  Can Harper, 2016 (2015) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Black Run (translated from the Italian by Antony Shugaar) is written by Antonio Manzini, a new name for American mystery lovers. He was born in Rome and is an actor, screenwriter, director and author. Black Run features Deputy Police Chief Rocco Schiavone. I thoroughly enjoyed this new voice and look forward to more tales of Rocco. Rocco has been transferred from his beloved Rome to the skiing village of Champoluc for behavior unbecoming an officer of the Italian police force. He's lucky he didn't get banished from the country. But I will let you discover the reason on your own. You really need to know Rocco before you judge him. He is called to a death on a ski slope where a man has been run over by a Zamboni. Definitely not a pretty picture. Rocco is not prepared for the bitter temperature on the mountain and hates to give up his fashionable footwear or leather gloves. He is a bit of a Beau Brummel. Also thinks of himself as a lady's man. Although he is married, he can't help looking and wishing. Rocco is a complex personality. He makes his own judgments and acts on them – no matter what the law states. Turns out that what could have been a horrendous accident is, in reality, a murder. While Rocco goes about the machinations to find a murderer or murderers, he takes the time to notice and appreciate his surroundings. His take on the falling snow and snow covered trees is beauty in itself. Author Manzini is able to transport his readers to the slopes, mountain huts, and aerial tramways peopled by ski instructors and Alpine guides, and show us the grappa imbibed by natives as well as the tourists who are drawn to Champoluc. Rocco spends time denigrating the locals and their police force while investigating the man torn apart by the huge machinery used to manicure the ski slopes. He has an inquisitive bent and listens to all that is told to him. His brilliant investigative mind then sifts through it all and decides which are lies and which are truths that help him to reach a climax I sure didn't expect. Don't miss Black Run for the excitement, suspense, and yes, horror of a fine mystery. And meet Rocco who is a man who makes and breaks his own rules. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews