The Monster of Florence
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend In the nonfiction tradition of John Berendt ("Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil") and Erik Larson ("The Devil in the White City"), New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston presents a gripping account of crime and punishment in the lush hills surrounding Florence, Italy.In 2000, Douglas Preston fulfilled a dream to move his family to Italy. Then he discovered that the olive grove in front of their 14th century farmhouse had been… Product details and pricing info |
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100 Customer Reviews Posted
- Multi- Faceted Work of Non-Fiction!
- "The Monster of Florence" is a fabulous gem of nonfiction writing! I read this book over the past weekend and could hardly put it down because the writing and storyline were completely engrossing & enthralling. This book is truly captivating on so many levels:
* Great writing by both Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi. Spezi, himself, is an Italian journalist considered an expert on the topic of "The Monster of Florence" since he's written about the monster from the beginning.
* The authors seem to have really done their home work on the topic of "The Monster of Florence": From telling us about the murders themselves, police investigations, trials that were more like 3 ring circuses, media attention to the case, and even the police going as far as to arresting Mario Spezi & questioning Douglas Preston!
* This book is well organized & flows nicely throughout with no dull or slow parts of the book. In fact, the book isn't too long or too short, but just right in terms of length. Basically, a tightly written book.
* "The Monster of Florence" reads more like a novel.... Sometimes the facts seem stranger than fiction!! Especially with regards to the lack of competency by the Italian police/criminal investigators and the Italian justice system at large.... It is truly unfathomable at how inept the the criminal investigators & Italian justice system has been in this case....
* I also enjoyed the authors insight into the cultural view points of Italians themselves. Something we don't hear or learn about much.
The crimes of "The Monster of Florence" are gruesome and have gone unresolved by the Italian Government. The authors make a great case as to whom they think the real "The Monster of Florence's" identity really is. I would have to say that with all the information Douglas Preston & Mario Spezi have presented in their book about "The Monster of Florence", I would have to agree with their summation of the serial killer's identity. Surely they are closer to the truth of the matter then the police/investigators are. - 2008-07-01, 4 of 4 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Disturbing and Gripping True Tale
- Very interesting and well written history and account of the serial killings in Florence. While the brutal killings are of course the most disturbing aspect of this story, the incredible injustices and poor investigation of the killings, and the abuse and misuse of the justice system in Italy portrayed in the book, take front and center at times overshadowing the original crimes. This book has incited me to read and learn more about the Italian culture and judicial system, as well as the origins of the unsolved crimes. Good journalism and analysis that reminds you to question what you read and hear, to examine the facts and make your own determination.
- 2008-06-29, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Load of garbage ....
- Being Italian and of an age that gives me a pretty good alibi not having been born at the time of the first homicide and being still an infant at the time of the second I guess that I can be cleared on any suspicion if I tell Mr. Preston to fly down a notch or two.
This book is badly written and he didn't understand anything of Italian culture.
The worst thing of all though is that he has sadly misrepresented the best legal system I know, which leave space to the dimwitted to fantasize a total alternative reality.
One last note: I suspect some of the people commenting haven't even read the book.
The murders spanned between 1968 and 1985 and there were 8 couples killed (not considering the first murder the span of time goes from 1974 to 1985 and the couples killed would be 7), so unless math has become a matter of points of view there was not a "killing a year".
I won't ask that you UNDERSTAND before you write, but at least read the book! But also not. Save the money. - 2008-06-29, 4 of 54 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Very interesting non-fiction whodunnit
- This is an interesting look at a major Florentine serial killer. It is part cultural exploration, part murder-mystery, and primarily non-fiction with a good dose of character development built in. Like many books of its ilk, the culprit is never proven, but along the way one learns about the ruined lives of the victims of the crime and the prosecution, the political manoeverings, and culture of Florence in which it took place.
Well written, it will quickly get you involved int he story and the characters and is a worthwhile read. - 2008-06-28, 4 of 5 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Very well-told True Crime story
- If you want to get away with murder go to Italy. The police in Italy have been chasing the serial killer, The Monster of Florence, for many years. Many people have been suspected of the murders and many have been imprisoned only to be set free when yet another murder occurs.
Although the book title states "A True Story" and I am sure it is a true story it is hard to believe that government officials, police officers and judges can act in the manner described in this book. Couples have been murdered over the years when parking in secluded spots. The murders are vicious and cunning.
Mario Spezi is a journalist who was fascinated with the killer and determined to find the answer to the identity of The Monster of Venice. When Lincoln Child moved to Florence he met Mario Spezi and also became fascinated with the tale.
Mario Spezi wound up eventually accused of being The Monster and Lincoln Child came under suspicion and had to leave Italy.
The police procedures in Italy are so unusual almost anyone can be arrested for almost anything and not even be given the benefit of knowing what they are accused of or who their accusers might be. It seems in the Italy described in this novel no one is safe from prosecution.
The book provides a timeline of all the killings as well as a cast of secondary characters in order of appearance which is very helpful in reading this book. The Italian names are confusing if the reader is not familiar with Italian but the timeline and character list help to keep everything straight.
The lengths that Lincoln Child went to in order to help free Spezi when he was imprisoned is a definition of what real friendship is all about.
Armchair Interviews say: Powerful story, well told. - 2008-06-27, 3 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
