Adam Miller was a U.S. Army war crimes investigator in post war Germany.  His mother, a widow, decided to reside in Venice.  At first she went to Paris looking for something to remind her of the past.  However, it didn't take long for her to discover that things were very much different after the war.  She believed Venice, on the other hand, would look the same and it would bring back memories of her father. 

Adam's mother wanted her son to visit in Venice.  She told him how awful things looked when she watched the newsreels.  Adam agreed.  Camps were full of corpses and children were eating from garbage cans.  All these terrible memories left Adam with several sleepless nights.

Adam's mother meets an old friend, Gianni Maglione.  Adam is very suspicious of Gianni.  He fears the only interest Gianni has in his mother happens to be his attraction to her money. 

Adam is not happy with the way things are going.  In fact, he is depressed most of the time.  However, things start to turn around when he meets Claudia Grassini.  She is a Jewish woman who agonizes over her devastating experiences during the war.  Adam soon realizes he is in love with Claudia.  Claudia is a complex woman who spent time in a Fossoli concentration camp.  She was left with a deep guilt feeling as to why she survived and others did not. 

As time goes on and Adam's suspicions of Gianni Maglione start to grow, he conducts an investigation.  What does Adam discover?

This book is an exciting historical thriller.  The author does an excellent job of setting the background for this novel with his introduction of how the war did not change Venice.  Joseph Kanon has a very descriptive and detailed writing style that makes you feel you are right there in Venice and part of the story.    What makes this book an excellent read is the cast of characters especially Claudia who is very complex.  If you are looking for a good read this book is a must.  Alibi is not only a historical thriller - it is also a murder mystery and a romantic novel all rolled into one.  This book is highly recommended.

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, NANCY EATON