The Taste of Datura Book Cover

About the cover ART design

I worked with a graphic designer to come up with a cover in the style of vintage pulp meets Saul Bass (the graphic artist known for many popular logos and designs, including the cool posters of Hitchcock films). More importantly, I wanted the cover to set the tone for the story inside.

THE TASTE OF DATURA
Lorenzo Petruzziello

An alluring affair in Napoli.
Nick seeks the value of an antique bracelet in his possession. He encounters Laura, an amateur medium cursed by uncontrollable visions. With Laura’s help, Nick closes in on the origin of his treasure. But as the word gets out, the quest puts them both in danger.

A noir-inspired story ensnared by mystery, myth, and murder; all under a watchful eye shadowing Italy’s vibrant city of Napoli.

^{Fiction. Noir. Crime.
paperback, ebook}

AVAILABLE: April 2024

PRE-ORDER LINKS COMING SOON

Leaning more into the genre of noir crime, I’ve made this story darker and sexier than my previous books. With that in mind, I wanted the cover design to evoke those specific qualities, while adding intrigue, tension, and mystery.

The designer understood the assignment immediately. The first variation that he provided was not too far from this final version presented here. It had a very pulp cover look, which I loved. We only changed the main color scheme to the greens you see in this final version. I just like the haunting greens found in many vintage crime book covers.

It was also important to me that the cover included the flower of the datura plant. The designer did a great job placing the white flower at the fingertips. In the end, I hope this cover is intriguing enough to entice readers.

And, while I understand that datura is not a common word or object, I keep sharing a description to help readers prepare for the sinister story on which they will soon embark. Read more below.

What is datura?

Datura stramonium, also known as jimson weed, is a poisonous plant that belongs to the deadly nightshade family. Known to produce a mind-altering and amnesia-like effect, its taste is both bitter and nauseating.