The Milan Contract

Lukas Stolz is murdered in broad daylight, the assumption that it was a mugging gone wrong. Lieutenant Raphael Conza investigates the killing leading him to suspect it might be mob related; and a potential wrong identity, right place, wrong time kind of situation. As he continues to investigate, thugs roam the streets looking for those involved, terrorizing witnesses, and using the police to stay one step ahead of Conza.

More bodies pile up to try to ascertain who was behind the initial death and why. Cover ups and legal wrangling expose the most vulnerable, and those involved seem untouchable.

Conza, along with some fellow police and an English barrister slowly unravel the terrible truth, and Conza must put himself in danger to bring the guilty to justice.

The character’s POVs seamlessly interweave throughout the story. Each character builds onto the next. The main focus seems to be on Kadin and Conza. With the other characters leading an interesting supporting cast. The author provides an array of diverse characters to add to the plot, building and progressing to draw you into the story of murder and the elusive ‘why’. 

Although there are a lot of characters, I do not feel that they bog down the story, instead they are used effectively to enhance the events, lending to the suspense. No character feels superfluous. Each has their place even if they only appear in a short capacity.

The short chapters increase the pace, clearly defining the different POVs, days, events and locations. I was impressed how well he established all these characters. The plot starts with a murder, evolving into story of corruption, the criminal underworld, and the impact of a Stasi informer. 

Although there is not a lot of action or violence, the way the plot is built does not need it. I was drawn in more by the research, or perhaps even personal knowledge of the underlying themes, and the red herrings that kept taking me from one direction to another. It is not just about the ‘who’, the main focus and climax is the ‘why’. Even closer to the end, Conza knows, but doesn’t let you in on it until the final moment.

I would recommend this book to lovers of international mystery. Those that enjoy a character-driven story, flashbacks that provide more detail, and a bit of history on the revolution in Germany in the 1980s.