Synopsis

It's the summer of 1792, and panic is spreading among the citizens of Milan: within a short time of each other, the horribly disemboweled bodies of several young men are discovered. No one seems safe, day or night. Who could commit such atrocities? Certainly not a human being. Some say it's a wolf, some a monster, some the devil himself... Whatever the nature of the threat, to face it and restore order, a man of strength and great wisdom is needed. Fortunately, Milan has one, and summons Cesare Beccaria. Yes, Cesare Beccaria, jurist, enlightened philosopher, author of the classic treatise On Crimes and Punishments, and grandfather of the future writer Alessandro Manzoni. Under his leadership, the Milanese mobilize to find the monster, amidst unfounded suspicions, false accusations, and spontaneous trials, while the death toll continues to rise, along with the terror and anguish. Neither prayers nor a Great Hunt organized to destroy the Beast will be enough to save the city: perhaps it will be necessary to resort to a young virgin to finally lure it into a trap? Alessandro Refrigeri writes a highly original and timeless debut, an unpredictable mix between a 19th-century historical novel and the most splattering horror films of our time. Inspired by a stunning true story, Cesare Beccaria Against the Beast tells what happens when fear loses its slanderous contours and transforms into a ferocious monster, ready to hide anywhere.