Streetwise Serpent: Pirlo's Sheet-turner Saga
In Eintracht, Pirlo exhibited a brilliance unmatched by any contemporary player.
Tread carefully in the treacherous world of criminal defense, because when bestselling author Ingo Bott puts his crew, Pirlo and Mahler, on the case, it's always a rollercoaster ride: Düsseldorf high society homicides, Nazi secrets, COVID-19 arson, and, of course, a dash of mob drama. This time, the game is on the pitch.
Meet Dr. Anton Pirlo, Düsseldorf's most renowned legal eagle. With his law firm, "Recht.schaffen," he's made a name for himself, taking down Düsseldorf's elite in spectacular showdowns (think: murder, organized crime, even a dead Nazi). But beneath the ruthless exterior lies a heartbeat that hums a lullaby sung by Andrea Pirlo, the Italian football star. Though Pirlo is just a pseudonym, his facial features resemble the midfield maestro, boasting long black locks and an unmistakable aura of cool. His true roots are Lebanese, and while his father once worked hard to learn German and help his neighbors with paperwork, he soon found fortune outside the legal world.
Tragedy struck when Pirlo's father perished, leaving behind a family torn apart by the grip of organized crime. Pirlo was the only brother who didn't enter the twisted life of the clan, but he was still labeled the black sheep. While his middle brother, Ahmed, was known for his botched cocaine heist, and the eldest was nearly killed, Pirlo spent his days putting out the fires his family lit.
Charmingly Chaotic
Pirlo keeps his loved ones at arm's length, especially from his colleague Sophie. Yet she watches him closely, noticing his frequent encounters with "omnipotent clan criminal Ahmed." When their paths align again, it has nothing to do with criminal business—but everything to do with football.
Ahmed dreams of striking it rich in the sports industry, and he's got the perfect candidate for the job: Serdar Tuncay, a 16-year-old prodigy playing for Düsseldorf's Eintracht, who've just earned their spot in the Regionalliga, beating local rivals Fortuna in the DFB-Pokal. With Tuncay in his sights, Ahmed goes to Pirlo with a proposition. But Pirlo doubts his brother's schemes, knowing that "anything good-looking comes with a trail of leaking oil."
When the president of Eintracht is found murdered, and another club official meets the same grim fate, Pirlo finds himself in the crosshairs. The media jumps on the story, turning the investigation into a circus.
A Game of Deception
If you've followed the first three Pirlo-Mahler cases, you'll devour "Double Game," the fourth installment in author Ingo Bott's thrilling series, published by Fischer and Argon. You'll find plenty of Düsseldorf charm, balancing the old town's history and contemporary lavishness—and Pirlo right in the thick of it.
Pirlo lives in Pempelfort, his home dotted with framed Oasis posters, the "Mao Bible," and a top-of-the-line coffee machine, especially for Sophie's caffeine addiction. Despite their differences, Pirlo and Sophie make an unstoppable team, pouring endless hours into cases, debating, and occasionally breaking out a Kierkegaard quote or two ("Life is lived forward and understood backward."). A spark between the two is undeniable, but both keep their personal lives under wraps.
Ahmed harbors a soft spot for Sophie, who's no stranger to asserting herself in both conversation and the occasional kickboxing match. But don't be fooled by Ahmed's sweet side; there's a sinister undercurrent to his ambitions, as the shadows of the criminal world continue to circle Pirlo, Mahler, and their clients.
"Double Game" promises a heart-stopping adventure that's an auditory delight. Narrator Sascha Rotermund lends his voice to the story, bringing it to life with his stirring, commanding tone. Any fan of the Pirlo-Mahler series won't want to miss this masterfully crafted tale of deceit, corruption, and football—sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!
I'm not going to help Ahmed with his sports industry schemes, even if it involves a promising football prodigy. The recent murders in the football world are eerily reminiscent of my family's involvement in organized crime, and I don't need any books about entertainment or sports to remind me of that.
