The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
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Book Reviews of The Monster of Florence
Book Review: Entirely unique in true crime, from the story that inspired Silence of the Lambs
Summary: 5 Stars
I think the authors might overdo the mentions of Thomas Harris in the book, but it is an interesting footnote that Harris extensively researched the Monster of Florence killer for his "Hannibal" series. The Monster of Florence is unique in several ways I think. Many of you know, if you read my reviews, that I love true crime. I'd rate this the most unique yet. You have an unsolved case, and an attempt by two past journalists to solve the crime. These two journalists end up arrested themselves. I'm sure it was no fun for them, but it makes for great true story-telling. The unsolved case really works, and I'd like to see more of this. Patricia Cornwell did this with Portrait of a Killer, where she tried to solve the Jack the Ripper case. p.s. I think she got it right! But this approach, two journalists on the trail of a killer, is quite compelling. Frankly, the Preston section (the last half) is better written, probably due to the language barrier Spezi dealt with, but the whole book is really a must read. Italy and Florence really comes alive. Corruption of police and officials is well presented. It makes me glad we live where we do. I can't imagine any true crime fan not having fun with this book, even with the vivid crime scene details. It's just a good read overall, and I wouldn't miss it. The only thing that would have made it more satisfying would be an arrest. This is beyond the control of the authors of course. The only area I felt a little light was Preston's wife. He mentioned she moved to Italy with him. She's mentioned a few times. But she isn't really a character here. But there's not a lot to fault here. It's a top notch read.Book Review: Shocking, Gruesome, Gripping....Must Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This story shocked me. First of all, the crimes are gruesome, gripping - I couldn't put it down throughout the first part. I still can't believe that I'd never heard of this story until I picked up this book. The Monster of Florence case - a series of murders involving lovers ranging from the 1960s to 1985, was big news throughout Italy, indeed all of Europe, but somehow failed to become big news in the US. The book is set up in two parts, the first being a history of the crimes - a basic description of the facts (which is really anything but basic considering the crimes were as heinous as they were) told mostly from the perspective of Mario Spezi, a journalist in Florence who'd been covering the Monster case from the beginning. The second part of the book is told more from the perspective of Douglas Preston, an author who planned to move to Italy to write a mystery novel and got caught up in the Monster case. This second part, while without the intrigue of the crimes themselves, is frightening in its own way. It exposes the underbelly of a seriously terrifying judiciary system. While researching the Monster case and planning to write a book with a theory counter to the "official" story of the police, Spezi was arrested and charged with crimes related to the Monster case. Preston was also questioned It's a fascinating, and frightening, look at the Italian legal system, and an interesting look into the world of Florence itself: that the easy answer can never be the right answer and that some people will go to great lengths to save face. It was not simply a book on a crime, it was a cultural study.Book Review: Horrifying
Summary: 5 Stars
I literally could not put this book down. I really didn't read any reviews before beginning this book, and I started reading thinking that the book was about a serial killer. I have always been fascinated by the investigations of serial killers, from Jack the Ripper to the Zodiac, so this seemed right up my alley.
The first third or more of the book is mostly focused on the initial investigation into the killings and theories about who the killer could be, but then the book starts to focus on those investigating the killer instead of focusing solely on finding the identity of the killer. While this might seem like it would weaken the book or make it confusing to read, it actually becomes that much more fascinating. The authors relate more about all the people beyond the victims that the Monster of Florence touched, also revealing the corruption or at the very least the ridiculous methods and theories used by those who should have approached the case with an open mind.
At times, the methods used and theories proposed by the investigators read more like something out of another century of from a novel. I had to keep reminding myself that most of these events occurred within the past ten years. Half of the book is written from the authors' points of view, so I have to account for the fact that they are certainly biased to a certain point. However, if even half of what the authors are accounting is true, it is completely horrifying and puts into context the recent evens surrounding the incarceration of Amanda Knox.
Book Review: Truth that is WAY stranger than fiction!
Summary: 5 Stars
Even as I sit here and write this review, I have to shake my head at the events chronicled by Douglas Preston. First off, I had NO idea that he'd gone through any of this. I came upon this book by accident. Normally I don't read non-fiction, but it came up on a recommendations list and after reading the book desription here on Amazon, I had to get the book right away. And I'm glad I did!
If Preston didn't tell me that this book was a true story, I would swear that he made it up. Not the crimes of the actual Monster of Florence, mind you, but how the police handled the case as well as the Italian Legal system. And this is all before the book even touches on what Preston and Spezi go through in the aftermath!
There's really nothing I can say (without spoilers of course) about the book that's not touched on by the Amazon description, but this truly is a case of the truth being much stranger than fiction. I understand that Italy's a different culture, but I'd always assumed them to be a fairly modern democracy. This book definetly teaches me otherwise. Never had I heard a tale of such ineptitude and abuse of power.
Really an amazing read. It reads like a murder mystery and that's what it is. It just happens to be a work of NON-fiction. I just couldn't put it down.
Book Review: The murderer is only the beginning.
Summary: 5 Stars
A fascinating true-crime tale that becomes something far stranger and more complex. Beginning in 1968, a series of couples were found murdered by someone who soon became known as the Monster of Florence (a killer who inspired Thomas Harris to create Dr. Hannibal Lecter), and the first half of the book documents the killings and the bizarre investigation into them - an investigation which soon came to involve Mafia men, conspiracy nuts, a Satanic cult, and one outlandish theory stacked on the other, all while promising leads and legitimate suspects are ignored or exonerated. While that's fascinating stuff and a great read, the book's second half - in which the authors find themselves drawn into the case and even suspects in the killings - becomes, as Spezi says, "like some sort of Martin/Lewis version of The Trial". The book would be hilarious if it wasn't so horrific and infuriating, but it's a gripping read through and through, even though I wish Preston's prose were less prosaic. Still, it's more than up to the job, and this story absolutely must be read to be believed. Is the Monster revealed? No, but nonetheless, as a look into a staggeringly incompetent investigation, a scathing report on a failing judicial system, and a disturbing portrait of evil, the book's a rousing success.