Giacomo Giammatteo has an amazing ability to construct characters that are not perfect people and fill them with the breath of life. As before, in hisGiacomo Giammatteo has an amazing ability to construct characters that are not perfect people and fill them with the breath of life. As before, in his other works, he has excelled again. Yes, various people did bad things, but these were human things. The finger on the pulse of absolute reality is there.
Gino, a detective suffering from the trauma of less than perfect completions of other cases of a similar nature is now charged with the rescue of a kidnapped girl. One of my favourite characters from another book by this author comes into play. A very sensitive dichotomy of the dynamics of various family structures is laid out bare. Twist and turns in this plot left this reader breathless. I had to devour it in one sitting, although it caused me to sit up to the wee hours of the morning. This was a book I just could not put down.
Through all of this ran a thread of a intensely intelligent bad person, trying to stay one pace ahead of the cops. Once again, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I hate books where I can predict the outcome and I most certainly was blind-sided by this one. Love it when this happens.
No, this is not my normal genre of choice, but I would follow any and all of this author's books in a heartbeat. He never fails to deliver and I have them all. I have no hesitation in recommending this one as a purchase. After you have read it, go check out the others. These books are truly special.
Merged review:
Giacomo Giammatteo has an amazing ability to construct characters that are not perfect people and fill them with the breath of life. As before, in his other works, he has excelled again. Yes, various people did bad things, but these were human things. The finger on the pulse of absolute reality is there.
Gino, a detective suffering from the trauma of less than perfect completions of other cases of a similar nature is now charged with the rescue of a kidnapped girl. One of my favourite characters from another book by this author comes into play. A very sensitive dichotomy of the dynamics of various family structures is laid out bare. Twist and turns in this plot left this reader breathless. I had to devour it in one sitting, although it caused me to sit up to the wee hours of the morning. This was a book I just could not put down.
Through all of this ran a thread of a intensely intelligent bad person, trying to stay one pace ahead of the cops. Once again, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I hate books where I can predict the outcome and I most certainly was blind-sided by this one. Love it when this happens.
No, this is not my normal genre of choice, but I would follow any and all of this author's books in a heartbeat. He never fails to deliver and I have them all. I have no hesitation in recommending this one as a purchase. After you have read it, go check out the others. These books are truly special....more
This lived up to all my expectations based on the previous books from this author and then some more. I love the depths of the characters, warts and aThis lived up to all my expectations based on the previous books from this author and then some more. I love the depths of the characters, warts and all. It makes them jump into life from the pages and I adore the twists and turns they take along the way. Without giving away this wonderful story, I was thinking first one person was responsible, and then another until I was caught out at the end with the most delicious twist of all.
Aside from the excellence of the storytelling, there is a real sense of 'being there' in the vivid descriptions of the locations. I have never been to this part of America, but I would have no problem recognising these places if I did go there. Each book by this author is such a wonderful read for all those into thrillers with a touch of horror and a whole lot of humanity. Now where is the next? I can't get enough of these....more
Wow! I wasn't expecting the twist at the end. This is a really creepy story overlaid with the ordinary existence of a girl in a gold town who works wiWow! I wasn't expecting the twist at the end. This is a really creepy story overlaid with the ordinary existence of a girl in a gold town who works with her father in their hotel, or rather bar, as it has become. She shares her life with an uninvited companion, who doesn't cause problems most of the time, but now there is a chance of escape and that changes everything.
One of the things I liked best from this story was the wonderful gold town atmosphere. There was a real sense of how run down it had become and also of the period in which it was set. I couldn't put it down once I had started....more
A very dark and suspenseful read with an extraordinary twist at the end. I loved the way the characters developed and the insights given into them. I A very dark and suspenseful read with an extraordinary twist at the end. I loved the way the characters developed and the insights given into them. I also loved the tension gradually leading the story to the ending but never letting up for a moment, despite the quiet moments of normality injected into this. If anything, these moments serve to increase the tension. Wonderful read....more
This is a holocaust story so deals with issues that are horrendous. At the same time this is the story of a person who lives through this era. Helen bThis is a holocaust story so deals with issues that are horrendous. At the same time this is the story of a person who lives through this era. Helen begins her story when she rents out a room to a young trainee nurse, for now is the time to tell it, many years after. She survived but not unscathed, but this is the story of how.
The details and the character development make for an emotional read. What is really impressive is there are good people caught up in the madness who try to do what they can to help, despite what they are ordered to do. Not all in uniform are monsters and not all those oppressed are worthy of compassion. Be warned to keep the Kleenex handy. ...more
This is the third book I have read in this series and I find I have become a fan. I loved the way Sam, the main character handles things thrown in herThis is the third book I have read in this series and I find I have become a fan. I loved the way Sam, the main character handles things thrown in her way and how she deals with life in general, which has not always been great for her up until now. She has come out of her shell to allow herself to love a very good man; one who will support and care for her and not interfere with her work. When someone shoots Sam, Alan doesn't try to stop her from doing what she must to find the culprit but he does make sure she has a very efficient bodyguard with her at all times.
This is a most satisfying read all the way through and I am eagerly going on to grab the next....more
This book is a fascinating look at how people really are behind the facade they build to hide from the world for all sorts of reasons. On the one handThis book is a fascinating look at how people really are behind the facade they build to hide from the world for all sorts of reasons. On the one hand, there is Bob, who has a great job at a university but who is drowning in debt caused by his beloved wife's obsession with her horses. On the other, there is Dick, who was once a highly successful lawyer, who gave it all up to become a new age druid type who naively believes all he is told by his new friends. And then there is Sarah, a seemingly happy housewife with an adoring husband and children who has it all, or does she? When her skeleton is pried from the cupboard the lives of all three are disrupted in ways they could never have imagined.
I found the story gripping to the point where I had a problem putting the book down. The characters were very well developed and there was a lot of interesting details about their lives. I had no idea how this would end and this is something else I adore....more
What happens when an angel is sent to Earth after the 3rd World War to help a very special human girl develop her full potential? Ali finds out in a pWhat happens when an angel is sent to Earth after the 3rd World War to help a very special human girl develop her full potential? Ali finds out in a process where she is gradually humanized by her interaction with her adoptive family for her girl's people take her in. This is a very sensitive take on a story with wonderful characters. I will be looking out for more by this author....more
This book is a refreshing change as it is not to the usual format of good guy against bad guy. This is bad guy against bad guy and the protagonists arThis book is a refreshing change as it is not to the usual format of good guy against bad guy. This is bad guy against bad guy and the protagonists are not redeemable in terms of fitting in with general society, despite one of them attending 'serial killers anonymous.' What is exceptional is how the protagonists are shown as near normal people with their own wants and wishes. Yes, each of them has an agenda for a certain type of person they need on their kill list, but this doesn't distract from the work they both do as profilers to catch other killers. All of this makes for a fascinating read.
Something else made the cherry on the top and that was the use of wonderful high tech equipment. The descriptions were very graphic and the tech came to life as it was used. Very well done....more
Having read the first book I was eager to continue and was not disappointed. There were things happening that took me by surprise, which is something Having read the first book I was eager to continue and was not disappointed. There were things happening that took me by surprise, which is something I love and also things that I wondered would happen. I loved the continuing character development and the way it happens in the natural course of events.
One of the things I most like about this series is the way the emotions of the characters are handled in an entirely realistic way. Stuff goes wrong and people make assumptions and become miserable because they are operating from an opinion and not actual facts, just like real life. This is a gripping read. Loved it....more
Loved this. There is a profound sensitivity of insight into the way human and cat lives intertwine and how humans are much better off for having theirLoved this. There is a profound sensitivity of insight into the way human and cat lives intertwine and how humans are much better off for having their feline friends in their lives. Some of the poems were sad, but all came across as true to life. What can I say except this is a must for anyone who loves cats. I will be looking out for other poetry books by this author....more
Wow! There really should be a defined genre for science fantasy for this book falls into it. From the cover, I was expecting sci fi but when the fantaWow! There really should be a defined genre for science fantasy for this book falls into it. From the cover, I was expecting sci fi but when the fantasy comes into play it is as natural as a flower opening in sunlight. Not only was this a gripping read but it was very intricate, too; the sort of book one can go back to time and again and find a new facet of enjoyment on each occasion. I loved the diversity of the characters and that all of them were so well-developed. This is a writer I shall be following....more
This is a fascinating concept with a team of a human and inhuman bonded by binding agreements to work as a unit to the interests of those in charge ofThis is a fascinating concept with a team of a human and inhuman bonded by binding agreements to work as a unit to the interests of those in charge of peace and stability. Both Kerris, the human girl and Arucken, the non-human carry their own burdens of grief from past happenings but they are able to both offer comfort and understanding to each other where possible. The life they have given up for their team unit is shown by the bond the non-human, Arucken, develops with a human child.
What the team face, under less than fair circumstances, is a first contact situation where not all is as it first appeared. How they work through various circumstances is like watching a delicate and intricate dance. This is a book to be savored. Highly recommended to all sci fi lovers....more
Brilliant! I loved it. This is not the typical alien/human fantasy, it is something entirely different and very well thought out. The world/worlds in Brilliant! I loved it. This is not the typical alien/human fantasy, it is something entirely different and very well thought out. The world/worlds in which this story is set are lovingly created with everything seeming very real to the point the reader can happily lose themselves. The Emperor is exactly as he should be, given his upbringing and responsibilities but also something of a wildcard. Lena, who is his human breeder is very different and out of the mold. She is a strong, independent woman caught up in something not of her making. The interaction between them is quite electric and even the lesser characters have strong charisma.
I am going to be after getting the second book in this series. The taster in the back of this book shows it to be every bit as good. Highly recommended....more
Oh my goodness, this must be one of the creepiest stories I have ever read. It is right up there with Stephen King's best. This is not a straightforwaOh my goodness, this must be one of the creepiest stories I have ever read. It is right up there with Stephen King's best. This is not a straightforward horror story, but has many delicious twists and turns along the way. What starts out as a journalist investigating a story that possibly might be interesting for the bizarre nature of it become increasingly terrifying. It is also impossible to guess what may happen next, which is something I hate as I adore surprises and this book gives them in aces.
Aside from a wonderful story, the settings are very realistic and so well drawn I had no problem picturing everything in exact detail. The characters, while not all pleasant, are also very well constructed and so real seeming a person feels sorry for them. Highly recommended....more
Yes, a love story but also a thriller mystery that leaves a person sitting at the edge of their seat waiting to turn the next page in breathless anticYes, a love story but also a thriller mystery that leaves a person sitting at the edge of their seat waiting to turn the next page in breathless anticipation. There is a lot of well-constructed tension between the two who were once close. Gradually, the action unfolds to reveal the bitterness of the initial split as they are forced to work together in a business situation.
I enjoyed every moment of this book and will be looking out for more of the same. Highly recommended....more
One of the reasons I love this author's books is the flavor of the stories. Here is captured not only the essence of the Irish at the time the story iOne of the reasons I love this author's books is the flavor of the stories. Here is captured not only the essence of the Irish at the time the story is set but also the English. Another reason is how the characters grow and this is no exception. I particularly liked how the spoiled and dependent Jenny thrives under extreme adversity to become a strong woman. It was also wonderful to watch the headstrong Danny go from a boy to a man under equally appalling conditions.
The storyline covers from the Easter Rising in Ireland through WWI, showing a very accurate view of the political, social and economic circumstances of the wealthy Carmody family when their star not only wanes but crashes to the ground through a tragedy. Seen through their eyes, the story unfolds and it is spellbinding. I am so much looking forward to the next book in this series. ...more
This is one of the most twisty, complex and thrilling books I have read in a long while. It is not the sort of book to read last thing at night unlessThis is one of the most twisty, complex and thrilling books I have read in a long while. It is not the sort of book to read last thing at night unless a person wants nightmares. This is a book to take time to ingest like a good wine. Hanna, the bright new reporting star is caught with the needs of trying to save people kidnapped by a serial killer. Nothing is quite as it seems. People are at their best and their worst.
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