“Giordano’s wit
and his formidable heroine’s wisdom
combine to make this debut a smash.”

MARIO GIORDANO, son of Italian immigrants, is one of Germany’s most versatile novelists and screenwriters. With his “Auntie Poldi”  murder mysteries, he regularly ranks on the bestseller lists in Germany and the US . Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions, his first novel translated into English, was an IndieNext Pick, a B&N Discover Selection, an Amazon Top Ten Best Book of the Month, and a Costco Staff Pick.
Mario Giordano has written over 25 novels, children’s-books, books for young adult readers and fact-books about art. Many of his books were translated or adapted as films.
His list-book „1000 feelings for which there are no names“ has been published in the U.S. and worldwide.

Mario Giordano writes screenplays for various German TV-shows and mini-series. Most mentionable is „Das Experiment“. The award-winning feature-film based on his novel and screenplay was a huge success in theatres in Germany and over 14 other countries. The U.S.-Remake “The Experiment” starred Adrien Brody and Forest Withaker.
As Head of Content Development, he has developed digital book-series (USA, China, Germany) for Bastei Lübbe publishing house.
Mario Giordano is lecturing at various film-schools and master-class-programs and has been a writer in residence at Grinnell College, IA.
He lives in Berlin.

AUNTIE POLDI AND THE SICILIAN LIONS

On her sixtieth birthday, Auntie Poldi retires to Sicily, intending to while away the rest of her days with good wine, a view of the sea, and few visitors. But Sicily isn’t quite the tranquil island she thought it would be. When her handsome young handyman goes missing—and is discovered murdered—she can’t help but ask questions.
Soon there’s an investigation, a smoldering police inspector, a romantic entanglement, one false lead after another, a rooftop showdown, and finally, of course, Poldi herself, slightly tousled but still perfectly poised.
This “masterly treat” (Times Literary Supplement) will transport you to a Sicily full of quirky characters, scorching days, and velvety nights, alongside a protagonist who’s as fiery as the Sicilian sun.

“Break out the prosecco! There’s a new detective in town—and she’s 60, sexy, wise and utterly adorable.”
People, Book of the Week

“Hilarious, reckless, and endearingly melancholy at times.”
Amazon.com Review

„A masterly treat.”
NY Times Literary Supplement (UK)

“A lively, humorous portrait of Sicilian society and gastronomy.”
Times (UK)

“Giordano’s wit and his formidable heroine’s wisdom combine to make this debut a smash.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Funny, smart and, above all, atmospheric.”
Globe and Mail (Canada)

“A winning debut ”
Publishers Weekly

“The whole book is alive with a tang of lemons to set the senses zinging. Refreshing.”
Spectator

AUNTIE POLDI AND THE VINEYARDS OF ETNA

Auntie Poldi is finally ready for some peace and quiet—interrupted by romantic encounters with handsome Chief Inspector Montana, of course—when the water supply to her neighborhood is cut off and a dear friend’s dog is poisoned, telltale signs that a certain familial organization is flexing its muscles. Poldi knows there will be no resolution without her help. She soon finds a body in a vineyard, tangles with the Mafia, and yet again makes herself unpopular in the pursuit of justice. But once wine and murder mix, how could she possibly stay away?

“Long may she reign.”
Kirkus Review

AUNTIE POLDI AND THE HANDSOME ANTONIO

All the beloved, irascible Auntie Poldi wanted from her Sicilian retirement was time to enjoy the sunshine, a free-flowing supply of wine, and a sultry romance with Chief Inspector Vito Montana. But then her idyll is rudely disrupted by the last person she wants to see on her doorstep: John Owenya, detective inspector with the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs, who is also her estranged lying cheat of a husband.
Not only is John’s sudden reappearance putting a kink in Poldi’s dreamy love affair with Montana, but his presence also comes with a plea for help—and unwanted clashes with the Mafia.
The faster she finds Handsome Antonio, the sooner she can get John Owenya out of her hair and her love life. But the people Poldi discovers along the way may very well knock her immaculate wig askew.

“Great armchair traveling and detection, bringing a strong note of the sensual back to the southern European mystery.”
CrimeReads

“Raise a glass, Auntie Poldi’s back!”
People

„The Experiment“

US-Remake of „Das Experiment“ (D: Oliver Hirschbiegel, W: Mario Giordano, Christoph Darnstädt, Don Bohlinger)

Writer / Director: Paul Scheuring
Starring Adrien Brody and Forest Whitaker
Based on the novel „Das Experiment – Black Box“ by Mario Giordano

Trailer: watch on YouTube

The rhinoceros by Albrecht Dürer (1515) hangs as a wallpaper print in my workspace and accompanies me as a symbol for storytelling. My benevolent, distressed and miserable muse in armored pajamas, who sometimes helps me when I am hard at work.

Or maybe no wonder that it does look so grumpy, the rhinoceros. As a gift from the Portuguese king to the pope, decorated with velvet and roses but in chains, however, it went overboard off the Ligurian coast and drowned. Albrecht Dürer only knew it from descriptions. So maybe again no wonder that his rhinoceros shows some small flaws. Such as the little neck horn or the strange armor, which reminds me of short-sleeved flowered pajamas.

Nevertheless, it is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, and Dürer was apparently immediately aware of that. He had a high-quality edition printed at affordable prices, which spread rapidly throughout Europe and made Dürer rich and internationally known. Until the 30s, you could still find his rhinoceros as a true-to-life illustration of a rhinoceros in biology books.
Dürer’s imagination and mastery have turned an unfortunate rhino into an immortal rhinoceros.
That’s the magic of storytelling.

My “Grumpy Rhino” tells me a wonderful story of change and resurrection. A magical transition from the real to the transcendent, which might not have succeeded if Dürer had ever seen a real rhino.
And that’s the way it is with stories: something has to perish in order to be resurrected.
All beauty, all poetry, all truth and all eternity arise only from loss.

Got a lame story and a messy plot?
Got stuck with your novel or screenplay?
Then why don’t ask a professional and spend your story a quick spring-cleaning?
Welcome to my little storytelling-streetfood-kitchen. Grab a spicy bite of 9 easy steps and practical exercises to improved storytelling on the go.

If you want to learn more about how a grumpy rhino can improve the storytelling of your novel, film, vision, corporate blog or organisation, book me for a talk or workshop.

„My benevolent, distressed and miserable muse in armored pajamas, who sometimes helps me when I am hard at work.”

— Mario Giordano

For official and professional requests please contact my agent Felix Rudloff:
Tel.: +49 69 83048595 | felix.rudloff@copywrite.de

In case of doubt just message me: mail@mariogiordano.de