Talking Location with author Paul Sinclair – Il Golfo dei Poeti, Liguria

29th August 2018

#TalkingLocationWith… author Paul Sinclair, who takes his reader to the coastline of Liguria, specifically Il Golfo dei Poeti, in his novel Bay of Killers.

My second crime thriller, Bay of Killers, is set in the beautiful region of Liguria, which boasts one of the prettiest coastlines in the whole of Italy. I was inspired to write the book after visiting my Italian cousin’s home town of Lerici, a few miles south of La Spezia.

The title, Bay of Killers, was derived from the Italian name il Golfo dei Poeti (the Bay of Poets), the nomenclature for the Lerici commune and its sister towns, San Terenzo and Tellaro. The well-known poet, Shelley, used to live in San Terenzo when he was in Italy, and his friend, Lord Byron, would swim several kilometres from Porto Venere to join him at Shelley’s beautiful beachside house, Villa Magni (now a tourist attraction). One also can’t forget the enchanting village of Tellaro, and its adjoining neighbourhood of Fiascherino, where D.H. Lawrence lived in 1913. Tellaro is frozen in time and one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever visited. Lawrence summed it up when he wrote: “I sit on the rock-cliffs in front of the sea for the whole day and I write. I tell you that it is a dream.” I too fell in love with the place, and have attempted to capture some of the magical atmosphere of the Bay of Poets in my story.

Lerici is a laid-back kind of place, a small seaside resort that appeals to the Italians more than the Brits – which is exactly how I like it. Overlooking the harbour and perched on a rocky promontory is the eleventh century castle – majestic by daylight but ominous-looking at night. It stands guard over the town like a watchful soldier. Lerici has plenty of sandy beaches and water sports, as does its neighbour, San Terenzo, the smaller of the twin towns. The coastal footpath that joins the two towns and winds around the coast, provides the perfect opportunity for a family walk or early morning constitutional.

One can only admire the beauty of Italy, the exuberance of its people, their passion for fast cars, love of pasta and respect for la famiglia. In small towns, such as Lerici, nothing is secret for very long and everyone knows everyone; families have lived there for generations, and friendships and reputations have been cemented as a result. But Italians have long memories too, and bitter rivalries have often led to feuds and vendettas. And it’s not easy to ignore the presence of the Mafia, whose tentacles have spread north in recent years.

All in all, Liguria is the perfect location for a crime thriller.

Across the bay, on the western fringe of the naval seaport of La Spezia, one can see the NATO base and home of the Italian Navy, shimmering in the distance. I have always been amazed by the dazzling display of military hardware in the port: the latest frigates, destroyers and attack submarines. In fact, my uncle used to work at the base as a technician many years ago. Needless to say, I decided to include the NATO base in my story.

Part of my novel is based in Genoa, a much underrated city, and one of the most important ports in Italy as well as a thriving centre of art, music and literature. The architecture of some of its palaces and churches is quite magnificent, which is one reason why I chose to feature the Palazzo di San Giorgio in my story. There are also numerous Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo frescoes on display in its many churches and prominent buildings.

If you want to find out more about the Bay of Poets just take a short flight to Pisa, journey in a northerly direction and discover the hidden jewels as you venture into the heart of the Italian Riviera. Better still, curl up on one of Lerici’s idyllic beaches and lose yourself in my book, Bay of Killers.

Thank you so much to Paul for bringing this hidden gem to our attention, a definite for the must-visit list! Do connect with Paul on Twitter and via his website!

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