Review: Murder in cashmere by Virginia Bramati

Title: Murder in Cashmere

Author: Virginia Bramati

Publisher: Giunti

Publication date:18 September 2024

Adelaide Breda is a determined girl: she refused to become a veterinarian like her father, she studied economics and now works in Milan in a large consultancy firm, she stays in the office twelve hours a day and if a fairy arrived ready to grant her a wish she would would probably ask to give her a career. But even without the help of her fairy godmother, one day Adelaide receives her first job as a manager: she will have to deal with due diligence, that is, verifying the health of the financial statements of a Biella wool mill that produces precious cashmere yarns. This is his big chance! And she certainly can’t waste time with the two bizarre great-aunts who live right in the center of Biella, Elena and Irma Breda Marchese: except that, in the same building where her aunts live, Adelaide meets Giorgio Olivero, a young police commissioner with dark hair and irresistible charm. And suddenly provincial life, with its rituals made of butter biscuits and liqueurs, of old houses covered with flowering vines and cool entrance halls where you can stop and talk to the neighbours, seems interesting to her. The road to happiness, however, is still long and full of surprises, and this time it is destined to be tinged with yellow: because a secret is hidden in Adelaide’s past, and because she herself is destined to find herself personally involved in a murder case… Virginia Bramati gives us a new protagonist – Adelaide Breda, an expert in marketing and management control but much less prepared in the field of feelings – and writes a romantic mystery which is also a journey into the world of luxury wools and Italian province which, under its sleepy appearance, contains humour, secrets and characters destined to remain in our hearts.

Virginia Bramati takes us back into a world where romance, mystery and the typical atmosphere of the Italian province mix in a compelling and pleasant plot. The protagonist, Adelaide Breda, is an ambitious and determined young woman who has chosen a career in the world of finance and works in Milan, in a frenetic consultancy firm. Bramati paints with great skill the portrait of a modern woman, engaged in a race against time to emerge professionally.

The story takes an interesting turn when Adelaide is sent to Biella to take care of a diligence in a luxury wool mill. Here, his life intertwines with that of his eccentric aunts and Inspector Giorgio Olivero, the classic charming hero who gives a romantic touch to the story. The setting in a small town in Piedmont adds a nostalgic and evocative atmosphere, making the traditions and rituals of provincial life palpable.

But the quality that distinguishes the story from a classic romance novel is the mystery component. A murder shakes the tranquility of the village and touches Adelaide very closely. Although this alone would be enough to turn her life upside down, there is also the discovery of a mysterious family affair from the past which further worsens the life of the quiet young manager.

Bramati manages to keep the narrative tension alive, expertly balancing elements of suspense and sweetness with the flowing and lively style that is his signature and gives us a romantic mystery that is not lacking in irony, with well-defined characters and settings with attention to detail. Adelaide, despite being a strong and self-confident woman at work, finds herself unprepared to deal with feelings, offering a portrait of vulnerability that makes her even more human and close to readers.

Murder in Cashmere it is a pleasant and light read that combines mystery and romance, with a touch of Italian style and fascinating settings.

Virginia Bramati therefore confirms her consolidated ability to create intriguing stories, where emotions and surprises are never lacking.