The Blakes are newcomers to a small town in Normandy. Fred is a historian researching the Allied landings, Maggie enjoys charity work, and their kids are looking forward to meeting other teenagers at the local lycée. Or so it seems. In fact, Fred is really Giovanni Manzoni, an ex-goodfella turned stool pigeon whos been relocated from New Jersey to France by the FBIs witness protection program. Hes got a two-million-dollar bounty on his head, but he and his family cant help attracting attention (imagine the Sopranos in Normandy). And when imprisoned mobster Don Mimino gets wind of their location, its Mafia mayhem à la Josh Bazells Beat the Reaper, or like The Godfather as if written by Carl Hiaasen. Because while you can take the man out of the Mafia, you cant take the Mafia out of the man.

English translation originally published in Great Britain as Badfellas by Bitter Lemon Press, 2010. Translation of: Malavitas (Paris : Éditions Gallimard, 2004). Previously published as Malavita.