At a time when no one took women’s involvement in organised crime seriously, reporter Clare Longrigg noticed that several women had been indicted for their part in mafia crimes in Sicily.
Then, for the first time, women from mafia families began to talk. And it became devastatingly clear that not only did women protect and work with their men, laundering money and planning murders, but they knew everything about the business of organised crime.
They were also the guardians of mafia culture, instilling mafia values in their children from an early age, inciting them to fulfil vendettas and follow their fathers’ way of life.
In this series of dramatic interviews with mafia women, Longrigg tells the stories of wives, mothers, sisters and mistresses who are finally ready to reveal their secrets.
Name: Clare Longrigg
Age: 48
Occupation: journalist, editor, author of Mafia Women, No Questions Asked
Place you call home?
North London
How are you doing?
Loving the autumn sunshine in Oslo.
What are you doing?
Working on Psychologies magazine, writing a crime novel, raising a family
Inspiration?
Sicilian author Leonardo Sciascia. Master of economic style and full of righteous anger
Music?
Elbow, Chopin
Watch?
The Killing (waiting for the new series), Spiral (Engrenage, a French cop series, utterly brilliant), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (new movie of a classic)
Read?
New Yorker, Guardian Weekend, Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ by Lionel Shriver, anything by Jo Nesbo, Karin Fossum or Henning Mankel
Sports?
Horseriding
Travel to?
Italy (Sicily, my spiritual home) and New York (to see old friends)
Transport?
Bicycle, the only way to travel in London
Wear?
Dress to disappear. I buy about one thing a year. Just bought my winter boots - lovely
Eat?
Southern Italian cooking of course – swordfish, sea urchin pasta, rosemary and garlic. Pane Vino Sardinian restaurant in Kentish Town. Focacceria Antica in Palermo.
Drink?
Vino
Love?
Husband makes me laugh, two kids make me mad, dog always happy to see me (who could ask for more?)
Hate?
Boredom, politics
All time best live concert experience?
Radiohead at Glastonbury
Want?
To make a film about mafia women, to write a gripping crime novel…
Who would you like to pass this “interrogation” on to?
The brilliant and courageous Roberto Saviano, author of Gomorrah
And finally: Sex, Drugs & Rock`n Roll?
Did I mention vino?
Buy Clare`s books here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clare-Longrigg/e/B001JSF8IG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
More about Clare here: http://www.clarelongrigg.com/
Clare on Twitter here: @clarelongrigg on Twitter
*For offers on Clare`s home address contact the ROCKNROLLA retirement fund (bidding starts at a cool million - pound sterling, no Lire ladies) c/o Spartacus Publishing.
