Allen & Unwin Romanzo Criminale book Crime fiction English Paperback 576 pages

Made into a hugely successful European television series, Romanzo Criminale tells the story of a man they call The Lebanese, a dangerous criminal with a single dream to conquer the underworld of Rome.

It is 1977. A new force is terrorising Rome - a mob of reckless, ultraviolent youths known as La Banda della Magliana.As the gang ruthlessly take control of Rome's heroin trade, they begin an inexorable rise to power. Banda della Magliana intend to own the streets of Rome - unless their internal struggles tear them apart.Based on Rome's modern gangland history, Romanzo Criminale fearlessly confronts Italy's Age of Lead: war on the streets and terrorism, kidnappings and corruption at the highest levels of government.

GIANCARLO DE CATALDO is a novelist, playwright, scriptwriter and a judge. Romanzo Criminale was first published in Italy by Einaudi in 2002 and has been translated into several languages, made into a film and into two TV series, which have been shown across Europe and in the UK on Sky Arts. TV series rights in US have been sold to Starz. Giancarlo de Cataldo was born in Taranto and now lives in Rome.