THE SLEEPING NYMPH (PolProc-Sup. Teresa Battaglia, No. Italy-Contemp) - Good
Tuti, Ilaria – 2nd of trilogy
Soho Crime, Sep 2020, 458 pp.

First Sentence: Teresa often thinks of death.

A 70-year-old painting, "The Sleeping Nymph," has become a case for Superintendent Teresa Battaglia when testing discovers it was painted in blood and contains small matter of a human heart. The subject was a real woman who died in 1945. The artist is still alive but hasn't spoken a word in decades. But who was this mystery woman? Who killed her? It is up to Teresa to find out.

The opening is more than just a hook, it is emotion at its most raw. Tutti doesn't write with words, she writes with images. She doesn't just show places, she takes one there, engaging all the senses. She is an author who makes one think and feel and underlining passages to be remembered—"Teresa was aware that memory was not a process of reproduction, but of reconstruction.", and "A memory is nothing more than a single clear moment recorded fortuitously by the mind and surrounded by many others, all out of focus." There are so many such moments--"Tempus valet, volat, velat." Time is valuable, it flees and it conceals.

The description of Superintendent Teresa Battilana gives one the sense of the energy which emanates from her. The relationship between Teresa and her second, Insp. Massimo Marini, is more than batman to boss but less than parent to child. There is respect, caution, a bit of fear, and distance yet caring. The banter and teasing between them is delightful. Both are complicated characters with very real fears about which one learns as the story progresses. At a point of crisis for Teresa, Tuti makes palpable Teresa's fear and confusion. The character of Blanco Zago and her human detection dog Smoky are wonderful and unexpected, but Tutti specializes in the unexpected. Blanco's explanation as to how a sniffer dog works is educational, as is the information about the partisans.

The plot deals with a murder, both during WWII and in the present, yet each element is critical to the story. The history one learns is important, as it looks at a very different culture and beliefs within a country. It is refreshing to have a book set in a less-familiar location and the Resia Valley is certainly that. It is a place where the residents live in an isolated, genetically pure commune, speak an archaic dialect, and where mysticism still lives.

As wonderful as is the writing, and as interesting as is some of the extraneous information, the plot is convoluted. The story would be much better and more suspenseful, not to mention shorter, with a strong editor at hand. The middle section is a bit of a slog, and Massimo's personal struggles do become tiresome. Even so, there is good suspense. One can't help but admire and feel the same loyalty to Teresa as does her team. She lets nothing stand in the way of solving the mystery.

"The Sleeping Nymph" is not a slam bang type of book, and not up to the standard of Tutti's first book, "Flowers Over the Inferno." However, it is a progressive journey through history and pain, both past and present. It is self-realization and hope. It requires patience, and it is worth the journey.

The Sleeping Nymph aka Painted in Blood by Ilaria Tuti is the second novel in the Teresa Battaglia series. Enjoyable cold case mystery with interesting characters. Slow to get into but worth sticking with , series should be read in order.

Superintendent Battaglia is called in to work a cold case when a painting is discovered to have human blood in the canvas. While she and her team look for answers she also worries about what Mariani is running away from. A old nemesis is now her boss who is trying to find ways to get her off the force. All this goes on as she continues to deal with the progression of Alzheimer’s and how it effects her doing her job.
Goodreads

3.5 stars.

While a good sequel, I still find the first to be my favorite. Love these characters, though. Took me a while to really start to like Battaglia in the first book, but she really grew on me throughout these two books. Massimo, I’ve liked from the get go. One thing I really do want to point out with this book though, is that it seemed a lot less put together than the first. It felt rushed in some parts, and in others, not fleshed out enough. which made the book lag in those areas. Just think it needed a little better editing. But I will definitely continue to read the series & look forward to more from Ilaria Tuti!

Thank you to Soho Press & NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The Sleeping Nymph is an intoxicating, uniquely captivating crime thriller.

Ilaria Tuti’s leading lady (although don’t dare call her that) Superintendent Teresa Battaglia is just wonderful. She’s the insightful real-world mature woman that readers have been crying out for. A tough-nut shaped by her profession and life experiences that is authentically brimming with compassion and fears; fears of her declining capacity to do the work she thrives on and support those that have come to rely on her.

The Sleeping Nymph is highly character-driven, just as much about the characters who seek to unravel the criminal mystery as the crimes being investigated. The loyalty amongst Teresa’s rag-tag investigative team, their personal story arcs and their determination in the face of strident opposition and derision is more than heartwarming; it’s deeply moving. Their friendly sparing and sarcastic banter really appealed to me also.

But do not for one moment think The Sleeping Nymph‘s criminal plot is anything less than impressive also. The criminal acts themselves are certainly confronting, but the tentacles of history behind them are weighty and complex, and the haunting echoes from the past stirring. Continue reading at Booklover Book Reviews website: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2020/09/the-sleeping-nymph-painted-in-blood-by-ilaria-tuti-book-review.html

I was very impressed by the first book in this series, Flowers Over the Inferno, and I couldn't wait to see what sort of investigation Teresa Battaglia found herself dealing with next. Battaglia probably has the worst health of any main character I'm currently reading about-- she's in her mid-sixties, has diabetes and the first signs of Alzheimer's-- but she also has the greatest determination to survive and to succeed. Can you imagine trying to keep on top of a rapidly moving investigation while trying to remember whether or not you've given yourself your insulin... and while hoping against hope that your mind doesn't suddenly decide to go walkabout? The woman is so worried that she doesn't drive anywhere after dark, and she wears a bracelet that is inscribed with "My name is Teresa Battaglia." This woman has a will of iron, and maternal instincts any mother would envy. Battaglia feels that it is one of her most important duties to "shield the people who relied on her," and there's nothing her team wouldn't do for her as a result. Speaking of her team, I hope they figure more prominently in future books. I need to know more about them and why Battaglia feels that they need so much protection.

On the whole, I found the book to be bloated. There was too much going on: Teresa's health, the complicated personal life of her second-in-command Massimo Marini, her new supervisor who wants to destroy her, and learning all about the Resia Valley, an isolated region populated by people with a unique language, history, and customs. The mystery kept taking a backseat to everything else that was going on which became so frustrating that I began to wonder if characters like Albert Lona (the Teresa hater) were really necessary. At least my two favorite new characters, the blind Blanca Zago and her HRD (Human Remains Detection) dog, a scruffy mongrel named Smoky, played an important role in the mystery. I hope Blanca and Smoky appear in future books, especially since they are based on a real woman and dog.

The Sleeping Nymph suffered from what some have called "too much middle," but the mystery is absorbing, and it introduces two fascinating characters. With Teresa Battaglia's health conditions, this should be a short-lived series, and I don't intend to miss a single one of her investigations. You see, I have discovered that I'm just as loyal to her as the members of her team.

As she hides her early signs of Alzheimer’s from her fellow officers, Superintendent Theresa Battaglia is assigned a case That goes back to the end of WWII. When a painting by Alesia Andrian was brought to a gallery to be evaluated the gallery owner discovered that it had been painted with blood that contained cardiac tissue. Andrian was found shortly after completing the painting in 1945, covered in blood and near death. He now lives with his grandson, but has not spoken since being found. Battaglia must discover the painting’s history and identify whose blood was used before the story becomes public.

Analysis of the blood reveals a connection to the Resians, a 2000 year old community located in Italy’s Resia Valley. Using a photo of the painting, Battaglia heads to the valley Francesco, one of the older residents, identifies her as Aniza, his aunt. She was last seen walking toward a friend’s house, but never arrived. He was eight at the time and she was like a mother to him. He spent his life hoping that she had run away and was safe. He explains what life was like at the time under the German occupation with the partisans living in the hills. As one of the partisans, Andrian knew Aniza but was he her killer? Was her death the cause of his madness? As Battaglia gets closer to the truth, a killer stalks the valley and leaves a gruesome warning to not interfere with the valley’s residents.

Ilaria Tuti’s story touches on the history of the Resians while presenting a tense mystery that builds to a surprising ending. Battaglia struggles with her medical issues and the fear that she will be found out. She wears a bracelet with her name on it as a reminder of who she is when the darkness descends. She keeps a notebook for not only notes on the case, but also the people she meets and everyday reminders. Her partner, Massimo Mariani, is also dealing with issues. His girlfriend is pregnant but he is afraid that his life has been influenced by his father, who was an abuser. Tuti also introduces Blanca and her dog Smokey. Blanca has trained with Smokey to find body parts, an accomplishment since she is blind. Her handicap does not prevent her from searching the valley for the victims. The mystery, the scenery, the history and Tuti’s characters blend together to provide a story that is difficult to put down. I would like to thank NetGalley and SoHo Crime for allowing my review.

There are a lot of intriguing strands in this novel that Ilaria Tuti weaves into what is definitely a good read. She JUST manages to keep everything from tangling, but does indeed pull the story off.

Police Commissioner Teresa Battaglia is battling on a number of fronts. An old enemy is now the District Attorney, her trusted young sidekick is fighting demons in his past and the fact that he's about to become a father, and her early onset Alzheimer's interferes increasingly in her life. Teresa is an extremely successful investigator because she is able to combine her unfailing instincts with solid police work. Now she has a case that will challenge everything.

An art appraiser reports that he has received a drawing for authentication that has been painted in blood. It's a picture of a beautiful woman called "The Sleeping Nymph," and it's by an artist who disappeared during the Second World War. But who is the woman, and whose blood is that?

Teresa and Massimo travel to a remote valley near the Slovenian border peopled by the Resians, who speak their own language and who look like different versions of the woman in the painting. Their culture and traditions will add color and mystery to the story.

It's all good, but it's almost too much. I found myself skipping and was still able to follow the story. The end spools out of control but ultimately winds up in a manner that is good for Teresa, creating a community around her. Be willing to take your time, skip about when necessary, and "The Sleeping Nymph" will pay off.

I absolutely loved the first book featuring Superintendent Teresa Battaglia and I was so excited to see the new novel coming up; thus, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to NetGalley and Soho Press for the ARC of The Sleeping Nymph.

Following the exciting debut, Flowers Over the Inferno, the second novel of Ilaria Tuti is equally captivating and even more complex. In this instalment, Superintendent Battaglia delves into an old mystery of a suspected crime associated with a portrait of a beautiful woman. The story balances the romantic vibes arising from the tales on the local folklore, amazing landscapes, and the passion for painting and music with the down-to-earth, detailed descriptions of the police procedurals, including forensic analyses and Human Remains Detection dogs. Analogously, the plot shifts between the secluded, spectacular nature reserves and the modern city life. The pace diverts from the slow, pressure-building introduction to some pretty dynamic, rapid developments and surprising turns of events, intertwined with the digressions on the protagonists’ private life. These backstories are the perfect pauses for the readers to get a full grasp of the progress of the ongoing investigation, while making them grow even more fond of the officers involved.

I’ve already adored Teresa portrayed in the first book; she is a smart, witty and cheeky character with a slight touch of attentiveness of a protective grandmother. She has her faults yet she embraces them, fiercely facing progressing health issues and aging. Presented in an extremely realistic way, she surely became one of my female role models.

In this continuing adventure of the Battaglia/Marini duo, the characters are presented in slightly new light; we get to learn more about their past and thus better understand their motives. Interestingly, a little softer (even helpless) side of the always thought and brisk Inspector Battaglia is revealed, while Massimo Marini, whom I previously considered a very insecure and somewhat delicate persona, becomes a bit of a wayward troublemaker. The curious evolution of the well-known and loved characters is accompanied by the introduction of some new, equally interesting team members, building up a great police squad that I hope will accompany us through many more books of Ilaria Tuti.

The Sleeping Nymph

In April, 1945, Alessio Andrian finished his last and final painting, then went into battle with his fellow Italian freedom fighters. Two weeks later, he was found miles away, broken in mind and body. He was rescued by a couple in a remote isolated region in Slovenia, who said he was like a breathing corpse. The only sign that he still survived was his refusal to let go of a rolled-up bundle clenched tightly in his hand. He never recovered, retreating into himself, never speaking, never reacting to others, once again a breathing corpse.
Seventy years later, Superintendent Teresa Battaglia and her team were assigned to a cold case. Not just any cold case: they were charged with solving a murder committed seven decades ago. Raffaello Andrian, great nephew of the painter Alessio Andrian, found a painting rolled up in a corner of the attic. Andrian’s works had become increasingly valuable, and Raffaello took the painting to an art gallery to be appraised. It was verified as his uncle’s, The Sleeping Nymph. It was the portrait of a beautiful, ethereal young woman, serene, eyes closed as if sleeping. The reason the police were called in was the unusual paint. The hematite had been mixed in blood, lots of it, heart’s blood. Somewhere there was a murder victim, and they deserved justice.
Superintendent Teresa Battaglia was tiny, but so energetic that she could outpace the younger members of her team. She was also fighting to keep a devastating secret. She was losing herself, bit by bit, to Alzheimer’s disease. Inspector Massimo Marin, so close she considered him the son she never had, knew she was hiding something, but didn’t press her on it. He had secrets and worries of his own.
Analysis of the blood revealed DNA found only in one place. Resia, a region of Slovenia, that was different in language, customs, and every other way from any other place in Europe. Superintendent Battaglia and Inspector Marini traveled to the isolated village. They were able to reconstruct Andrian’s time there, but some of the villagers made it plain they were not welcome there.
The Sleeping Nymph is the second in the Teresa Battaglia series, following Flowers Over the Inferno. It is a marvel of a book, with a unique protagonist: a woman of a certain age, strong and fearless, able to stand up to male authority. She is also trying to come to terms with her failing health. The plot is intricate, full of tension, haunting, with just a bit of the supernatural.

Wonderful series so excited to read the latest addition.A book that once again drew me in characters that come alive.Sat down to read a few pages and wound up reading late into the night.Will be recommending highly.#netgalley#sohobooks

Though I enjoyed the author's first book in this series, I nearly put this one down unread, since it seemed to be more in the horror genre than a mystery. I'm glad I persevered. Though there was a bit more "woo woo" and gruesomeness than I find ideal, the setting, the story, and (especially) the ongoing cast of characters turned out to be quite compelling.

A painting of a woman by a famous but long-mute artist is discovered; Teresa Battaglia and her detectives are called in when it is determined that the medium for the artwork is human blood and tissue. Did the artist murder someone, and is that why he lost his mind and his voice? The team heads into the mountains where an ancient Slavic language is spoken and women seem to wield a great deal of power as they guard the community's past. Teresa is struggling with the onset of dementia and is trying to conceal her condition from her team and her odious boss; her protege has just learned he is going to be a father and is struggling with a secret he's concealed from everyone.

What particularly pleased me was the author's explanation that the community she portrayed is real, as is their language and ancient culture. Reading rather implausible and dramatic fiction can truly be educational! And truth is often stranger . . .

I enjoy this series so much that I was enormously pleased to see a second one was coming out.

This book is character driven. Although the story line itself is so interesting and keeps you guessing until the very end, it's the characters whom are central to the whole process. Teresa Battaglia and Massimo Marini are both police officers with internal demons that control their lives. Teresa's is medical and her iron will and fortitude help her deal with the disease while doing the work she loves. Massimo's is emotional and mentally draining. They are a perfect match for each other.

A cold case is at the center of this story going back to the end of the second world war. On top of that an old nemesis reappears in Teresa's life to make things even more difficult as they hunt for an elusive killer.

This book and these characters will draw you in. Oh, and did I mention the ending.........