Maurizio Ferrari releases historical novel on Mussolini assassination attempt

Journalist Maurizio Ferrari has released a historical novel titled ‘Il doppio sparo’ (DeriveApprodi), which re-examines the 1926 attempted assassination of Benito Mussolini in Bologna. The book explores the case of Anteo Zamboni, a 15-year-old believed to be the attacker, whose death by mob lynching marked a turning point toward full dictatorship in Italy.

Drawing on research by Brunella Della Casa, the novel questions the official version of events. It suggests the possibility of internal fascist conspiracies and highlights inconsistencies in the historical record, such as the unidentified weapon, the jammed gun, and discrepancies in shell casings found at the scene. The narrative uses a mix of historical facts and fictional characters to investigate whether Zamboni was solely responsible or a scapegoat in a more complex political plot.