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June 9, 2026
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Fighting the Mafia: Gianrico Carofiglio

By The Echo

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Gianrico Carofiglio author of The Cold Summer. Photo Francesco Carofiglio

Gianrico Carofiglio was born in Bari, Italy, in 1961 and worked for many years as a prosecutor specialising in organised crime. He was appointed adviser of the anti-Mafia committee in the Italian parliament in 2007 and served as a senator from 2008 till 2013. Now one of Italy’s best-selling writers, Carofiglio’s books have sold more than five million copies in Italy and have been translated into 27 languages.

Carofiglio will be at Byron Writers Festival to share his life experiences and discuss his latest thrilling novel The Cold Summer, inspired by a true story. The novel is set in the early nineties when war is raging in southern Italy: anti-Mafia judges are being killed in roadside explosions; dead criminals, the victims of internecine warfare, are littering the streets; and the police have no idea who is fighting whom.

See Gianrico Carofiglio at Byron Writers Festival on the panel Exploring Evil (Friday 2 August) with investigative journalist and author Matthew Condon and psychology expert from University College, London, Dr Julia Shaw. Carofiglio will also appear in the Crime Fiction session (Friday 2 August) with celebrated Australian crime writer Michael Robotham and Lambs of God author Marele Day; and on the panel Crusaders Against Corruption (Sat 3 August) with one of Australia’s most-awarded investigative journalists Kate McClymont and former Border Force chief Roman Quaedvlieg.

For 1-day or 3-day passes, head to byronwritersfestival.com/tickets.

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The Echo -

Welcome to Byron Writers Festival 2019! 

Now more than ever our world needs writers, environmentalists, poets, commentators, politicians, and artists who together can shape stories of hope, courage, and change. At Byron Writers Festival 2019 we proudly bring more than 140 writers together to create a program brimming with diverse voices.

The Echo -

You’ll love the Byron Writers Festival if…

Check out what's to love at the Byron Writers Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Echo -

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Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire