In “Angels & Demons,” Dan Brown combines history and mystery in a fast-paced tale set in Rome. The story follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he races against time to unravel a conspiracy involving a secret society and a powerful ancient weapon.
The eternal city’s historic sites, such as the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, become the backdrop for a thrilling chase. Langdon must decipher hidden symbols to prevent a disaster, making this book a real page-turner.
“When in Rome” by Ngaio Marsh is a mystery novel set in the heart of the Eternal City. It follows Detective Roderick Alleyn, who goes undercover during a guided tour of a Roman basilica.
The group is an odd mix of tourists, but things take a sinister turn when one of them ends up dead. Alleyn unravels secrets tied to the city’s ancient history and the personal lives of the group, all while navigating the atmosphere of Rome itself.
“Roman Fever” by Edith Wharton is a sharp and observant short story about two middle-aged women, Alida Slade and Grace Ansley, who reconnect on a Roman terrace. As they reflect on their lives, their conversations reveal hidden tensions and long-buried secrets.
The story’s Rome backdrop adds a layer of history and drama, with the ruins serving as a silent witness to their revelations and past actions.
“Murder on a Monument” by E. C. R. Lorac is a classic mystery that unfolds in the heart of Rome. The story begins with the discovery of a body near an ancient monument, pulling the reader into the investigation led by a sharp and determined detective.
As secrets of the city’s streets and its people come to light, the case grows darker. The book blends the timeless beauty of Rome with a crime that keeps you hooked as the mystery slowly unravels.
“Blood and Gold” by Anne Rice follows the journey of the vampire Marius, who has lived through centuries in ancient Rome and beyond. Marius is both an artist and a guardian of ancient secrets.
The story weaves through his life as a Roman patrician, his transformation into a vampire, and his role as the protector of Those Who Must Be Kept, the powerful beings at the heart of vampire lore.
The rich setting of Rome provides a backdrop to Marius’s early life, capturing moments of political intrigue and cultural splendor.
“God’s Spy” by Juan Gómez-Jurado is a fast-paced thriller set in Rome, where a Vatican priest is murdered in a brutal way. The story follows detectives sent to investigate, uncovering secrets in the process.
The book pulls readers into the tension of cat-and-mouse chases through a city steeped in history.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith follows Tom Ripley, a young man sent to Italy to bring back wealthy Dickie Greenleaf to his family. Tom becomes fascinated with Dickie’s lifestyle and begins to manipulate his way into it.
What starts as an opportunity for a better life turns darker as Ripley’s actions spiral into lies and murder, all against the vivid backdrop of Rome and other Italian settings.
“Saracinesca” by F. Marion Crawford is a historical novel set in 19th-century Rome. It follows the lives of Giovanni Saracinesca and his father, Prince Saracinesca, as they navigate power struggles, family dynamics, and love.
The story includes duels, betrayals, and a vivid portrayal of Roman society. The tensions between tradition and modernity create a rich backdrop for the characters’ personal and political dramas.
“That Awful Mess on Via Merulana” by Carlo Emilio Gadda is a dark and twisting tale set in 1920s Rome. The story revolves around the investigation of a double crime—a theft and a brutal murder—that takes place in an apartment building on Via Merulana.
The protagonist, Detective Ingravallo, unravels the complicated lives of those connected to the building, uncovering jealousy, secrets, and deceit. The novel paints a vivid picture of Rome’s streets and social fabric, capturing the tension and corruption of the time.
“Dracula Cha Cha Cha” by Kim Newman is set in 1959 Rome, where the Vampire King is about to marry a mysterious countess.
The story weaves together espionage, horror, and old Hollywood glamour as Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard investigate a sinister plot tied to the wedding. In a city buzzing with celebrities, spies, and the undead, the tale explores a mix of charm and danger.
“Coins in the Fountain” by John H. Secondari follows three Americans living in Rome who navigate love, work, and friendship in a city full of charm and unpredictability.
The story weaves through their experiences against the backdrop of Rome’s landmarks, like the Trevi Fountain, and offers glimpses into both the beauty and complexity of their lives abroad.
“Beard’s Roman Women” by Anthony Burgess tells the story of a widowed writer who travels to Rome to process his grief. While there, he reconnects with his ex-lover and becomes entangled in a new chapter of his life.
The book weaves in themes of love, art, and personal loss, all set against the backdrop of Rome’s rich history and culture.
“Daisy Miller” by Henry James is a story about a young American woman, Daisy, who travels to Europe and navigates the rigid social structures of elite society in Rome.
Her carefree attitude and independence create tension with those around her, especially as she befriends an Italian man, Giovanelli. The novel explores cultural clashes and societal judgment, centered on Daisy’s refusal to conform.
“Two Women” by Alberto Moravia tells the story of Cesira, a shopkeeper, and her teenage daughter Rosetta as they flee Rome during World War II to escape the bombings. They seek refuge in Cesira’s rural hometown, hoping to find safety, but the realities of war follow them.
The novel explores their struggles as they navigate hunger, hardship, and the horrors brought by the conflict, painting a vivid picture of human resilience and the toll of war.
“Romanzo Criminale” by Giancarlo De Cataldo is about a gang of criminals who rise to power in Rome during the 1970s and 80s. The story follows their battles for control, their clashes with the police, and their betrayals.
It also reflects the turbulent political and social climate of Italy during that time, blending crime with history. The characters each have their own ambitions and flaws, which lead to both their successes and downfalls.
“Death in Rome” by Wolfgang Koeppen is about a German family reuniting in post-war Rome. Each member represents a different aspect of Germany’s fractured identity after the war. One is a former SS officer, hiding his guilt and shame.
Another has abandoned his country’s past to pursue music. The city of Rome mirrors the tension within the family, with its layers of history and the shadows of moral decay. The story unfolds through their encounters, exposing deep divisions and the lingering effects of war.
“Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio” by Amara Lakhous takes place in a building in modern Rome, where a man is found dead in an elevator.
The neighbors, all immigrants or outsiders in some way, share their viewpoints as they react to the event, exposing cultural differences, biases, and secrets.
The story paints a vivid picture of life as an outsider in a bustling city, showing how people’s perceptions can clash in unexpected ways.