What can we learn from those who have acted violently and what can be gained from giving them a voice? This book, translated from the Italian, takes readers inside the rarely heard world of violent offenders, exploring the story of Stefania Albertani who was convicted of killing her older sister without apparent motive. Through a series of searching interviews with two criminologists, buried memories surface and the dialogue uncovers the unique "cosmology" of her violent act.

Moving beyond explanations rooted in social exclusion and mental illness, the book offers a rare insight into violent human behaviour and its causes. It also shows how dialogue can open new pathways toward restorative justice, challenging us to rethink what we know about violence.

Adolfo Ceretti is Full Professor of Criminology at the University of Milano-Bicocca.

Lorenzo Natali is Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Milano-Bicocca.