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| Author: Douglas Preston
Creator: Mario Spezi
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy Used: $7.50
You Save: $18.49 (71%)
New (52) Used (41) Collectible (9) from $7.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  105 reviews
Sales Rank: 3907
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 0446581194
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.1523
EAN: 9780446581196
ASIN: 0446581194
Publication Date: June 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Open Investigation December 13, 2008
This book is an investigation of the unsolved murders attributed to The Monster of Florence, a serial killer(s) with some serious longevity. The two authors do not make apology for their digging for the truth, even when they are persecuted for it. If you want a perfect answer at the end, forget it, this book won't give it to you but it does give a great read on a true mystery, still considered unsolved.
 Two Books November 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book sounded so promising. First off, a killer is loose in the beautiful and legendary countryside surrounding Florence, preying on young couples making love in their cars in hidden lovers' lanes. Second, the investigation bogs down and two journalists (the authors) end up as suspects. Almost sounds like fiction, doesn't it?
The first half, which focuses on the killings is actually quite good. Lots of great atmosphere, and excellent suspense. There are also some interesting characters, though probably too many to really keep track of.
The second part, however, is a mess. This part could have been suspensful too, or perhaps - totally switching gears - played up in a farcical manner (highlighting the foibles of the Italian court system, Italian journalism, and even the Italian character). Instead, it just seems to meander around very confusingly. Perhaps the author was too close to it, or perhaps it could have used more work. A slant that focused less on the two authors and more on the system and the case would have been better. Without more work and some real focus, though, the second part simply detracts from the first, and could just have easily been dropped.
The two themes really are quite different. It would have taken someone with some real talent to put them together in one book. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen here. Great premise, but not ultimately delivered on.
I remember this. November 10, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I remember when this was happening. As kids we used to spend the summers in Siena Italy where my father used to teach throughout the early 80's and I remember when the whole region was gripped by an almost crippling fear by these events. As teenagers staying in desolate farmhouses on the beautyful Tuscan hills our immaginations used to run with this story to the point of sleepless nights.
The book I read almost in one sitting this summer while vacationing in Spain. I found it truly fascinating and frightning not just relating to the horror of it, but just how screwy and beaurocratic the italian judicial system is.
More than one Monster October 31, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book is really two tales in one. The first deals with the serial killings that took place between 1968 and roughly 1985. The author works with a newspaper reporter who covered the cases to tell the stories of the killings and the investigation. The second story is how the investigation became a career springboard for ambitious prosecutors and judges and how that ambition got in the way of the truth. The Italian system of courts and the rights of the press are examined; both were abused by the prosecutors - with frightening results. A little disappointing in that we never do learn who the serial killer is, but very interesting reading about the investigation into Italy's "Jack the Ripper" and how strangely inept the Italian court system seems.
A page turner from start to finish! October 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have been on a reading kick the last couple of months. I have never been an enthusiastic reader so it is crucial that I find books that will hold my attention from start to finish. This book definitely did not disappoint, and surpassed all my expectations. Reading about this case that I new nothing about was intriguing and compelling. This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of murders mysteries, but also a dramatic true story of a serial killer in Florance that will have any reader flipping the pages to see what happens next.
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