The
Fiddler’s Elbow, also known as l’Irish has been frequented by locals in Florence, especially the
English-speaking, for over 20 years. This popular watering hole in
piazza Santa Maria Novella helped inspire CR Lloyd’s book, The
Second Shot, a controversial political
thriller set in Florence, which was released last month on Amazon for
Kindle (£1.99).
Working in the pub
allowed the Lloyd, a UK-born expatriate, the time to research and
write the book, and her experience there inspired key scenes in the
novel. Tuscany and Florence have inspired English writers for
centuries, but this is no Under the
Tuscan Sun. Lloyd’s is a dark and
compelling portrait of Italy.
Set in the near future, it
takes the problems facing contemporary Italy to their logical
conclusion and looks at how the country might react. With Florence as
a backdrop-the cemetery above Piazzale Michelangelo, a dingy bar on
via Palazzuolo, a language school on via Faenza, the suburbs of Sesto
and Campi-the tense action will lead the reader through streets you
already know or are just getting to know.
