Giorgio Scerbanenco (1911-1969), born in Kiev, went to Italy as a child; first to Rome and then, at the age of sixteen, he moved to Milan. Forced for financial reasons to abandon his studies, he practiced various trades to earn a living before making contact with the publishing world, in which he worked as a proofreader, editor and, of course, a writer. It was with the crime novel that he achieved the highest recognition, being considered one of the best Italian writers of the genre. His first crime novel was "Sei giorni di preavviso" (1940), but the real success came with the series that stars Duca Lamberti, a doctor who, after serving prison for practicing euthanasia, then devotes himself to research private in collaboration with the police; especially with Inspector Carrua. The first work in which this detective makes an appearance is "Venere privata" (1966). In 1968 he was awarded the prestigious French Grand Prix de littérature prize for the best foreign novel for "Traidore a tutti". A year later, in October 1969, he passed away in Milan. In his memory, the most prestigious award for Italian crime novels is named after him. Some of his works have been adapted for the big screen by directors of the stature of Fernando di Leo or Carlos Saura. Ediciones Akal has translated his works "Traitors to all" (2009), "Death at school" (2010), "The seven sins and the seven capital virtues" (2010), "The Milanese kill on Saturday" (2011 ) and "Milan caliber 9" (2011). 2011 was the "Scerbanenco Year" in the field of black literature.