One Helluva Mess

'Marseilles is no place for tourists.' This warts-and-all portrait of Marseilles, Izzo's home town, looks at the effects wrought by unemployment and National Front racism on a large immigrant population. One Helluva Mess, the latest fast-paced Izzo thriller, features Inspector Fabio Montale, the Marseilles flic fond of pretty women, good food and drink - and solo fishing trips. What will his catch be this time?
Ugo, a childhood friend of Montale, is shot by corrupt cops in Le Panier, a rough part of the port. Then Leila, a young beur, is found raped and murdered in a field. In the background lurk the Mafia and neo-Nazi thugs. Time for Montale to down a glass of malt whiskey, and prepare for a tough inquiry.

HIf father was born in Italia and emigrated to Marseille in 1920. HIs mother was born in Marseille. In 1964, he did his national service, first in Toulon, then in Djibouti. He went to jail for a month and lost 15 kilos. He follows the PCF (French Communist Party). He then becomes journalist and after that chief editor of the communist daily La Marseillaise. In 1970, he publishes his first poems collection, Poemes a Voix Haute. He leaves the PCF in 1978. He leaves Marseille, and writes in various magazines. He then publish three books belonging to a crime serie which takes place in Marseille. He comes back to Provence. Latern he publishes some poems (Loin de Tous les Rivages), Les Marins Perdus and several short stories (1997). He publishes Le Soleil des Mourants in 1999 and dies just after from an illness.