Scampia, Naples, December 8th. A young woman is walking her dog, Colt, in her neighborhood, when a shot fired at a distance, from a precision rifle, kills her dog instantly and for no apparent reason. That bullet will leave a long trail of blood and mysteries in Naples’ northern reaches. Inspector Mirco Del Gaudio, back on the job after a serious accident, finds that he’s the man in charge of investigating that odd incident, at the very time when the Carlino and Monfrecola clans are about to unleash a new camorra war. In a climate of gunpowder and suspicion, Del Gaudio tries to piece his own family back together while straining to make sense of the crime, factoring in a viral video, a sniper on the loose, raids in lawless areas, arrests, shootings, and Christmas marred by a double homicide. Just when he thinks the inquiry has hit a dead end, the truth will reveal all its ferocity.

Daniele Sanzone holds a philosophy degree from Naples’ Università Federico II. A reporter, author, and vocalist of the rock band ‘A67, he has received several awards, such as Siae (2004), Amnesty (2006), the Paolo Borsellino (2014), the Restart (2020), and the Tenco (2022). He has worked with Edoardo Bennato, Mauro Pagani, Frankie hi nrg mc, Teresa De Sio, Caparezza, James Senese, Roberto Saviano, Giancarlo De Cataldo, and Valeria Parrella and contributed to Il Fatto Quotidiano, La Repubblica XL, Style, Il Mattino, Donna Moderna, Corriere del Mezzogiorno, Tgcom24, and Repubblica.it. He made his literary debut in 2014, with the book Camorra Sound (Magenes; Paolo Borsellino Award). The year 2023 saw the publication of his novel Madre Dolore. La prima inchiesta di Mirco Del Gaudio (Les Flâneurs Edizioni), which introduces the former boxer and current police chief of Scampia.