Ciao, Amore, Ciao

Based on a heartbreaking true story

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Pub Date Mar 27 2025 | Archive Date Apr 14 2025

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Description

In time for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this powerful novel is about family bonds and secrets, fascism and repercussions and revolves around the tragic World War II story of the Italian army that froze to death trying to get back home from Stalingrad. A story that has remained embedded in Italy’s consciousness ever since.

In the winter of 1942, an army vanishes into the icefields of the Eastern Front. In the summer of 1945, a massacre in small-town Italy makes international headlines… Today, an ordinary man is about to stumble onto a horrifying secret. 

Alex Lago is a jaded journalist whose family, marriage, and career are fading fast. So, when the accidental discovery of an aged photo from World War II offers him a last gasp at bonding with his dying father, Alex can't help but scratch at the scabs of a mystery seventy years in the making. 

What he's about to uncover is a secret that can topple a political dynasty. From the unhealed wounds of a post-war massacre to an army of boys forever frozen at the gates of Stalingrad, from British spies reshaping Italy's post-war future to the casual cruelty of ice-hard US Army investigators, and from the unsolved murder of a partisan hero to the most heroic, untold battle of World War II, the deceits of the past are about to propel Alex on a collision course with a deadly legacy… until a compromised, beautiful stranger promises redemption for an unimaginable price. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sandro grew up in Africa to Italian immigrant parents fleeing post-war Italy. He studied law in Italy, chased literary dreams in London, American dollars in New York City, and is now living and writing in Switzerland. Sandro Martini’s previous book, "Tracks: Racing the Sun", an award-winning historical novel about Italian motor racing, is now in its third edition with movie rights optioned. 

Ciao, Amore, Ciao is based on the true story of Sandro Martini’s uncle, who vanished in the Ukrainian winter at 19 years old, and how it affected his family. 


In time for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this powerful novel is about family bonds and secrets, fascism and repercussions and revolves around the tragic World War II story of the Italian army that...


Advance Praise

“... a terrific read with real psychological depth beneath the hard-bitten prose.” – KIRKUS REVIEWS 

“... a terrific read with real psychological depth beneath the hard-bitten prose.” – KIRKUS REVIEWS 


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781685135782
PRICE £19.95 (GBP)
PAGES 386

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Average rating from 4 members


Featured Reviews

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

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Powerful novel but way too complicated plot! Graphic descriptions of violence during WWII while fleeing on the murdering snow of the Russian steppe. Those descriptions are not easy too digest. True, the horror experienced has directly to do with the main topic of the book. However, if I had known I would not have read the book. (I did skip some passages!)
This novel deals with strong feelings: anger when vengeance merges into justice or is it the other way round? And so many dead people. Based on real events, this story will make you think twice about the concept of justice.
The language used is more than colourful, but somehow fits the plot. Not a novel for me, but the main topics remain essential: trauma after the war, how does one deal with it, at a time when violence (even after the war) appeared the answer to many...
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

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