The third floor window
Paola Darò
La finestra del terzo piano
Piemme
Synopsis
An unmissable crime comedy set in Turin. The body of an elderly painter is found in a downtown building. His paintings tell a story of lies and deception. "The truth is that there is no truth. The truth is that we are what we feel, what we interpret." The blue light of the patrol cars illuminates the austere facades of Turin's buildings, lighting up the night in a central neighborhood where nothing ever happens. An elderly Savoy painter, Simone Benelli, was found dead in his home, sitting in the living room armchair with a severed finger. No sign of forced entry on the front door, no sound. Adele saw the old Benelli every day. He lived in the building across the street and had the habit of ending the day smoking on the balcony, just like her. He was a distinguished, elegant man, with a sad, solitary appearance. The case piques her curiosity: she contacts the family and decides to dedicate a solo exhibition to the deceased painter in her small art gallery. Thus begins the investigation into the past of a mysterious man, one whom not even his niece, Nadia, truly knew. A stormy youth spent in London and a late adulthood in Italy, a great initial success and sudden, prolonged crises of creativity. Benelli's life, like his art, is fraught with contradictions and mysteries. But who killed him? The third-floor window embodies the most intimate character of a reserved and noble city like Turin.
Reviews
Chiara Rainero
De Amicis High School of Cuneo, 3G
Adele, a gallery owner and therefore an art lover, finds herself involved in a murder investigation. The lure of art drives her to become a detective. This mystery novel is set in contemporary Turin, a city steeped in mystery. The narrative development is fascinating, with contemporary language and a compelling plot, fluid and compelling writing. The investigation also provides Adele with an opportunity to reflect on her own life, her fears, and her inner emptiness. This also provides food for thought for the reader regarding their own thoughts on pain, justice, and truth. The characters are well-crafted and well-defined, with a touch of humor. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book because it was easy to read and understand. Furthermore, the fact that it is set in Turin, a city so close to us, supports my thesis. The book is suitable for everyone, mystery lovers and non-mystery lovers alike.
Peter O.
De Amicis High School of Cuneo, 2C
I really enjoyed this book because it's a gripping mystery, set in a city steeped in history and local culture: Turin. The author narrates the story with just the right amount of depth, allowing us to understand the thoughts of the protagonist, a young painter. When a suspicion of murder shatters the calm of everyday life, the pace begins to accelerate and become gripping. You'll be finished in no time!
Hawa Denne
De Amicis High School of Cuneo, 3B
The text flows smoothly and is enjoyable; I wasn't expecting the ending. I found it engaging and felt part of the story. It's also compelling. The writing style is unique, and I really enjoyed it. I'd like to sum it all up with a quote from the book: "Who killed, Miss Tedeschi, me or him? If he killed me, who's to say I really killed him?"
Sofia Reato
De Amicis High School of Cuneo, 3G
Third-Story Window is a book that slowly draws you in, almost silently, and then tightens its grip. It's not a story that focuses on continuous action, but on a constant psychological tension, made up of details, suspicions, and small cracks in normality. The window in the title immediately becomes a symbol: observing and feeling observed, watching the lives of others while something inside begins to crack. What struck me most is the atmosphere. There's a sense of unease that grows page after page, without the need for exaggerated twists. Everything seems plausible, realistic, and precisely for this reason it's scarier: it could be you, in your own building, noticing something that doesn't add up. The characters aren't heroes, but ordinary people, with frailties and obsessions that make them believable and, at times, uncomfortable. The writing flows smoothly but never banal, and manages to get inside the characters' heads, making me doubt along with them. You often find yourself questioning what is real and what is merely perceived, and this psychological game is one of the novel's strengths. Ultimately, Third Story Window is an ideal read for those who enjoy more introspective psychological thrillers, those that focus not only on mystery but also on the analysis of the human mind. It's a book that ends quickly, but it leaves a strange feeling, like when you turn off the light and, for a moment, instinctively look out the window.
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