The Light in the Ruins, by Chris Bohjalian (2013)
The action of the novel The Light in Ruins, takes place in the last years of World War II in Tuscany, Italy and again 10 years later. The novel opens with the murder of Francesca Rosati in the 1950s. She had formerly been the aristocratic wife of a wealthy family in Tuscany. She was found with her throat cut and her heard removed. Soon thereafter, another member of the family is murdered in a similar MO.
Detective Serafina Bettini was assigned to investigate Francesca’s murder. When another member of the Rosati family is murdered in a similar manner to Francesca, Sarafina believes there is a link which is related to the family’s activity during the War. The Rosati family had been coerced to host Nazi and Fascist forces during the final days of the War.
On the Rosati estate were underground ancient Etruscan ruins and tombs. Filled with ancient artifact, the Nazi’s professed an interest in the relics, but had an ulterior motive of sending the valuables back to Nazi leaders.
Serafina, who had been a partisan during the War, suffered severe burns, the scars of which caused her to be self-conscious. Her investigation brings her to the Rosati estate, which triggers vague memories of her participation during the War.
During the final days of the War, the Rosatis family was forced to host the Nazis and the Fascists. Ancient Etruscan ruins and underground tombs were located on the grounds of their estate. The Nazi’s profess an interest in the tombs but have an ulterior motive of sending valuable relics back to their leaders.
Meanwhile, Cristina Rosati, the 18-year-old daughter, fell in love with a Nazi soldier. This did not endear her to her family or to the local villagers.
Serafina’s investigation of the murders forces her to face her own ghosts from the war. I didn’t find the ending completely satisfying, but the novel held my interest.
Read: September 14, 2022
3.5 Stars
