General Fiction

L'allieva

(The Apprentice)

Casa Editrice Longanesi&C., January 2011, pp.378

over 1 million copies sold, 45 editions.

She is young and smart. She doesn’t stand autopsies well. But she’s always facing death. CSI meets Sophie Kinsella!

Alice Allevi is a young apprentice in forensic medicine. Her life is spangled by daily disasters. She is not looked over favourably in the Institute where she works: it all started when she cut her finger accidentally while trying to dissect an eyeball….
Her woman director has been picking her on constantly. Alice must also try to understand if her colleague Claudio, a dandy and womanizer, is prepared to help her to overcome her little professional problems – leaving aside any sentimental questions in which she keeps getting entangled. And, to complete the picture, Alice has got a bizarre Japanese co-tenant who keeps her awake by reminding her that when you are young you must live by night.
In this routine a murder creeps in… a common event for a Forensic Institute, were it not that Alice met the victim the night before she died. This murder will become an obsession to Alice and, maybe, an opportunity to get a professional redemption.

Casa Editrice Longanesi&C., January 2011, pp.378

  • “In my very personal and omnivorous vision of literature, it is good at times to be able to read a purely entertaining book, in which the intentions of the author and of the reader are perfectly aligned: to grant oneself a pause from reality and daily bleakness.”

    Marco Malvaldi, review on TTL

  • “The plot is engaging, the style lively. You smile, you laugh, and you can’t put it down.”

    Alicia Gimenez-Bartlett

  • “The rhythm of the book is, as always, fun, lively, and has the right dose of suspense.”

    La Repubblica

  • “The plot is tight-nit, the writing quick and ironic, this is a well constructed series.”

    ttL – La Stampa

  • “It has a well-constructed plot, an absorbing rhythm, and the rare gift of wit.”

    Libero

  • “Alice Allevi. Remember her name, because she’s the star of a new series which will accompany us through the next few years.”

    Brunella Schisa, Il Venerdì di Repubblica

  • “Alice Allevi is bumbling, anxious, romantic, curious and indecisive – especially when it comes to love. In one word: she’s adorable.”

    Oggi

  • “Gazzola’s success lies in her ability to put down on paper the kind of woman who has no difficulty showing her own humanity. Alice’s curiosity and her capacity to react give her the grit to get back on her feet, and keep the reader glued to the page.”

    La Lettura - Corriere della Sera

  • “An incredible talent. A thriller which wins you over right from the first page… great psychological tension and a fast-paced rhythm. It will keep you up all night!”

    Jeffrey Deaver

  • “It has a well-constructed plot, an absorbing rhythm, and the rare gift of wit”

    Libero

Rights Sold

Rights of the series have been sold to: France: Presses de la Cité/Place des éditeurs; Germany: Carl’s Book/Random House; Japan: Nishimura; Poland: Jaguar; Spain: Suma/Santillana; Serbia: Evro-Giunti; Turkey: Ilgi.

The novels are being adapted into a TV series produced by Endemol and RAI Fiction.

Alessia Gazzola

Alessia Gazzola was born in Sicily in 1982. She has a degree in Medicine and has been specialising in Legal Medicine. L’Allieva (The Apprentice, 2010) was her debut novel and the first title of  a bestseling series. Thanks to the mix of suspense and irony, and to its endearing protagonist, the aspiring pathologist Alice Allevi, the series was an instant bestseller.

We use cookies.

This site uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. By using this site, you consent to the use of cookies described in our Cookie Policy. Also read our Privacy Policy.