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Someone once said that a key test for mystery novels is to ask why they didn't just go to the police at the beginning. Here, the victims' involvement in the underworld of bondage, discipline and sadomasochism rules that out. So the husband of the kidnapped 'model' calls in 'the Alligator', a nightclub owner, who with his friends 'Max the Memory' and old mafia man 'Rossini' have peculiar talents in solving such things.

This is the fifth Alligator novel. The fourth – The Colombian Mule – was published a few years ago. Two of Carlotto's books, including his first, autobiographical one of 1995, The Fugitive, have been filmed, and a third is under way. He is one of the 'Mediterranean Noir' writers that include Jean-Claude Izzo and Andreas Camilleri, whose books have sales of around 250, 000 in Italy. Perhaps it’s time for more translations?

The internet is vital in tracking the 'Bang Gang', and some interesting research is seamlessly imparted without the need for technical or specialist knowledge. The 'Master' examines current themes, from B&D S&M and pornography to anti-globalisation movements and the violence involved. Max the Memory is naively involved in the G8 protests in Genoa. Trite, predictable and conventional treatment is out. If the book has a downside, it is that it is too short – the arch villain is disposed of too quickly and could be savoured some more. Also, Rossini could be a bit less resourceful at times. The issues and story are intriguing and Carlotto claims he has never invented the circumstances of a murder: they are all based on actual cases. But this is not its only claim to realism.