The Bottom of Your Heart (55 page)

In the trees, a few dozen yards away, something broke at the bottom of a heart.

And a pair of green eyes, that thought they'd seen too much sorrow and suffering to ever weep, filled with tears.

The wonderful song
Passione
, one of the absolute masterpieces of the Neapolitan
canzone
, was first debuted by the composers and lyricists Libero Bovio, Ernesto Tagliaferri, and Nicola Valente at the Piedigrotta Festival of 1934; I couldn't resist the temptation of moving its creation forward a couple of years to allow Livia—who was pestering me to do so—to perform it at her party. I ask forgiveness and I express my gratitude.

Ricciardi, in order to tell this story, has benefited from the assistance and support of a number of guardian angels.

Annamaria Torroncelli and Stefania Negro, who staged the journey to 1932 to absolute perfection, opening a window on that period from which one enjoys a breathtaking panorama. Difficult to imagine Ricciardi without them.

Antonio Formicola, who, as always, constructed with the undersigned the murder and the context in which it took place.

Giulio Di Mizio, who with Ricciardi has once again seen corpses talk.

Manlio Monfardini, who has been caring for Rosa ever since she first fell ill.

Mariapaola Arienzo, who told Ricciardi all about the gynecologist's profession.

Misha Falconio, who suggested the pharmaceutical details of the murders.

Valentina Pattavina, Severino Cesari, and Francesco Colombo, who have tended to the book, wonderfully as always, as their chaotic author chased after his story, losing himself as always in the
vicoli
.

Francesco Pinto and my marvelous Corpi Freddi, without whom Ricciardi would never have existed.

Maria Cristina Guerra, who puts up with—and heroically—the sorrows and complaints of Ricciardi and his author.

As for me, my writing, my desire to tell stories, and my whole life, I send a kiss and a smiling tear to my one guardian angel: my sweet Paola.

Maurizio de Giovanni's Commissario Ricciardi books are bestsellers across Europe, with sales of the series approaching 1 million copies. De Giovanni is also the author of the contemporary Neapolitan thriller
The Crocodile
. He lives in Naples with his family.

The Crocodile

 

I Will Have Vengeance:
The Winter of Commissario Ricciardi

 

Blood Curse:
The Springtime of Commissario Ricciardi

 

Everyone in Their Place:
The Summer of Commissario Ricciardi

 

The Day of the Dead:
The Autumn of Commissario Ricciardi

 

By My Hand
The Christmas of Commissario Ricciardi

 

Viper
No Resurrection for Commissario Ricciardi