The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
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Book Reviews of The Monster of Florence
Book Review: Could not put this book down.. recommend it highly...
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this book was great. Douglas Preston grabbed me and would not let me go until I almost passed out from lack of sleep.
I finished this book in two days.. on my train commute, during my lunch break, in bed at 1 am.. I could not put this book down. To the reviewer who mentions an error between an "embassy" and a "consulate".. who cares???? The book is about a serial killer in Florence, not about the difference between a consulate and an embassy. That being said, my parents are Italian immigrants from Calabria, a southern province of Italy, and let me tell you that what the co-authors experienced is a sad truth about the painfully slow, bureaucratic, Italian judicial system. Somehow, I believed that the Northern provinces did not follow the same archaic path as the South.. but, I was wrong.
I have a million questions I wish I could ask the authors... do they think the killer will ever be found, did this book stir things up???
In boca a lupo a Douglas and Mario.. Mi piace MOLTO..
Book Review: Extraordinary True Crime Page-Turner
Summary: 5 Stars
Beautifully written. Eye-opening and heartbreaking.
Written by wildly popular thriller writer Douglas Preston (BLASPHEMY, TYRANNOSAUR CANYON, and co-author with Lincoln Child of the Agent Pendergast series) in collaboration with celebrated Italian journalist Mario Spezi, THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE is an edge-of-the-seat true crime thriller par excellence. Based on decades of research and investigation, it tells the true story of the Monster who terrorized the Italian countryside around Florence for over 20 years, killing and mutilating more than a dozen young lovers in their cars. It also provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes exposé of how the Monster hunt was handled (and in some cases mishandled) by Italy's law enforcement and judiciary system. An unforgettable portrait of a city rooted both in enlightenment and dark, festering secrets - centering on the Monster who's haunted it for far too long. Chillingly, he's still out there...
Book Review: Fascinating...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not normally a reader of non-fiction, but having heard a little about this story previously, I decided to give this book a try.
I was totally fascinated with the story. Preston and Spezi have done a magnificent job in providing enough details of the murders without bogging it down with confusing forensic details and unnecessary speculation, although they do have their own theory as to who the killer is.
Ultimately, this is not so much a story of the murders themselves, but of the botched investigation and the insanity surrounding those who were supposed to find the killer and bring justice to the victims, people who were more concerned with their own career status that they were willing to go to any lengths to manipulate the outcome to suit their own personal gain.
For those like me who are not normally non-fiction readers, I recommend this book highly, especially for those who like crime/drama fiction.
Book Review: Fascinating story,
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really fascinating book. While I consider myself a high-brow (:-)) I'm a sucker for a well-turned true crime book, and this one satisfies on a number of levels.
First, you couldn't make this story up if you tried. It's both creepy and farcical. The Italians' response to the string of unsolved killings reminds me of the 'Satanic Cult' hysteria we unfortunately experienced here in the States in the 90s - except that in this instance the author himself becomes a suspect in the whole irrational, crazy response. Truly frightening.
I'd never heard of Preston, so I was doubly impressed with his telling of the story. He's a really skilled writer who keeps the action moving along at a nice pace without forcing the weirdness of it all.
It's not IN COLD BLOOD (what is?)but it's great writing and a superb true crime story which you won't soon forget.
Book Review: Fantastic True Crime Book
Summary: 5 Stars
As many other reviewers have commented, this true story reads like a good novel. It is a gripping, compelling tale with lots of twists.
One of the best things about the book is the background the authors provides on the city of Florence. Fascinating stuff!
The story of the crimes is important because it's the chronology of one of the most awful serial killers in history. But it's more than that. It's also the story of how the guilty party will likely never be brought to justice because of the ineptness of investigators and the Italian justice system.
The authors make it very clear who they believe is the Monster of Florence, and it's a convincing case. It would have been nice if the man had been arrested at the conclusion of the book, but this is the real world, not fiction, and as we all know it's not a perfect world.