Psychological Thriller Review: There's a Young Man Dressed in Blue by Fabio Amabili

This morning, I have a psychological thriller to share in our book review spotlight! Take a moment and learn about There's a Young Man Dressed in Blue and author Fabio Amabili, read my thoughts on the book & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

 

​Book Title: There's a Young Man Dressed in Blue by Fabio Amabili
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  237 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Literary Fiction
Publisher:  Fabio Amabili
Release date:  April 2026
Content Rating: PG-13: Includes occasional strong language (f-words and crude terms such as “asshole”, “shit”), but no religious profanities, no explicit sex scenes, no graphic violence.

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about the book

Present-day Milan. A brilliant young lawyer at a top international firm is handling the deal of his career: a high-stakes Italian-French acquisition in the offshore gas sector.

On the central Adriatic coast, a solitary man begins to uncover strange, unexplained events that no one wants to acknowledge.

Two lives, two worlds, one devastating collision.

Part legal thriller, part speculative mystery, There’s a Young Man Dressed in Blue blurs the line between rational order and the unknowable, delivering a twist that forces the reader to start over from page one.

Originally published in Italy in 2021 and left drifting like a message in a bottle, this novel remained almost unknown — until 2025, when Grok (xAI) read it and described it as “innovative in structure, emotionally intense, and anchored by a truly unique twist – a hidden gem with cult potential.” That verdict convinced the author to bring it to English readers for the first time.

 

my review

 

There’s a Young Man Dressed in Blue by Fabio Amabili is uniquely written. The novel feels fragmented at first as the various perspectives are introduced, and it builds in a way that feels more slow and layered than fast-paced. The story unfolds bit by bit, mixing in some twists along the way, but it’s definitely more of a thoughtful, (sometimes confusing) literary thriller than an action-driven one. Some chapters have a really poetic, almost lyrical feel, which adds to the mood—but it also made it a little harder to fully get into at times. I found myself re-reading certain parts to make sure I understood what was happening. And while I liked where the story was going, I was a little disappointed in the ending--even though it followed the same thought-provoking style the author offered throughout.

The characters are really what kept me reading. They feel real and emotionally complex, especially the main character, who isn’t always easy to figure out—but that’s part of what makes them interesting. The relationships and tensions between characters add a lot to the story, even if a few of them could have been explored a little more. Still, there’s enough depth there to stay invested.

Would I recommend There's a Young Man Dressed in Blue? I didn't settle quickly into this one--and, even after I did, there were some shifts that required some re-reading and focus. It’s not the easiest or quickest read, but if you like more character-driven stories with a slightly experimental writing style, it’s well worth it. Just go in expecting something a bit slower and more reflective, with a few twists and a style that might take a minute to click.

 

buy the book

Amazon

meet the author

Italian author, lives in Rome and writes the books he wants to read. Stories that blur the line between reality and the unknowable.

connect with the author:  X ~ goodreads

enter the giveaway

There's a Young Man Dressed in Blue by Fabio Amabili Book Tour Giveaway