 Andrea G. Pinketts
Born in 1961, he’s considered one of the
most interesting authors in contemporary Italian literature. With a new and unusual
language, his works start from the tradition of hard-boiled detective stories, enriched
with a bit of surrealism, which in a few short stories approaches fantastic literature.
His works include books published by Feltrinelli e Mondadori, a novelette from Edizioni
E-Elle and several short stories (Addictions, Stampa Alternativa, Einaudi and other
publishers). In France his novels are published by Rivages. Winner of many editions of the
Mystfest, he also won Premio Scerbanenco, Premio del Noir in Festival of Courmayeur,
Premio Noir in Campione d’Italia. He worked as a model, martial arts instructor,
copywriter and song lyrics writer. Reporter-detective for the magazines Esquire and
Panorama, he disguised himself in several ways: as a homeless, a porn actor or a
satanic rockstar. For his activity in journalism he received in 1991 the prize Una
Remington per la strada. As a detective he officially worked as a "sheriff"
for the city of Cattolica. Author of essays for Il Giallo Mondadori and Segretissimo,
he also edited L’enciclopedia dei serial killer (Flamingo). Along with Andrea
Carlo Cappi he’s now director of M-Rivista del mistero (Addictions),
specialized in thriller e mystery. Pinketts considers himself the only human victim of the
Millennium Bug.
More details in: Andrea G. Pinketts Home Page
The saga of Lazzaro
Santandrea
The novel series (more like a chanson de
geste) by Andrea G. Pinketts stars his alter ego Lazzaro Santandrea, unwilling
detective, sorrounded by a group of strange friends (a failure taxi driver, an unlucky
actor, a minor underworld boss…) who often follow him in his adventures in the
streets of Milan. Ironic and bitter character, unlike many serial detectives he evolves
from novel to novel, without losing his many vices or his few but strong virtues. Lazzaro
Santandrea is not just a heir of the detectives of the 40’s, but also of the
characters by Hemingway and Bukowsky. The Lazarus Ledd comics series by Ade Capone
(Edizioni Star Comics) frequently casts Lazzaro Santandrea as a guest star.
BOOKS
 LAZZARO
VIENI FUORI ("Lazarus come out"; 1st edition: Metropolis, 1992;
republished by Feltrinelli U.E., 1997)
Lazzaro Santandrea’s first adventure. Back to Bellamonte (Trentino), home of the
memories of his childhood, Lazzaro discovers the crimesof a local child serial killer and
feels it’s his duty to find the murderer.
IL
VIZIO DELL’AGNELLO ("The Vice of the Lamb"; Feltrinelli U.E.,
1994)
Lazzaro Santandrea’s second adventure. Pretending to be a psichiatrist under the name
of "Doctor Totem", he finds himself forced to investigate the case of a woman
who, after winning the prize for the kindest little girl, decides to achieve the top of
evil as well.
IL
SENSO DELLA FRASE ("The sense of the sentence"; Feltrinelli U.E., 1995;
French edition LE SENSE DE LA FORMULE, Rivages)
Lazzaro Santandrea’s third adventure. Somebody’s telling the same lies a girl
use to tell many years before. The girl has mysteriously disappeared and Lazzaro getson
the trail of the missing girl, in order to give the lies back to their legitimate owner.
IO,
NON IO, NEANCHE LUI ("Me, not me, nor even him" Feltrinelli U.E., 1996)
Ironic and mysterious stories, connected by a common link: they have been written by order
of the author's analyst. A perfect chance to discover what’s inside the mind of an
author.
IL
CONTO DELL’ULTIMA CENA ("The Bill of the last Supper"; Mondadori,
1998; new edition Oscar Mondadori, 1999; French edition LA MADONNE ASSASSINE, Rivages)
Lazzaro Santandrea’s fourth adventure. Lazzaro thinks he has seen the Madonna and his
"agent" convinces him to exploit his vision for commercial purposes. But when
the "madonna" commits a murder, Lazzaro finds it quite difficult to prove
himself innocent.
E CHI
PORTA LE CICOGNE? ("And Who Brings the Storks?" E-Elle, 1999)
Novelette. A mysterious serial killer strikes again, after 20 years in a small town: if he
used to kill children, now, to finish his job, he kills those who were children 20 years
before. A psychoanalist-detective is the main character inm this comic and grotesque fairy
tale.
L’ASSENZA
DELL’ASSENZIO ("The Absence of Absinth"; Mondadori, 1999)
Lazzaro Santandrea’s fifth adventure. He decides to marry a rich girl to solve his
problems, but finds himself forced to investigate the disapppearance of Assenzio, the
fiancee’s younger brother, and of two other men with the same name.
IL
DENTE DEL PREGIUDIZIO ("The Prejudice Tooth"; Mondadori, 2000)
Mystery, humour and surrealist stories. On the chair of the dentist, Pinketts is forced to
face man’s most secret fears and builds up stories about doutbful pedophiles,
reincarnated dogs, little miracles and epic battles in the streets of Milan.
|
Andrea G.
Pinketts