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| The Monster of Florence | 
 enlarge | Author: Douglas Preston
Creator: Mario Spezi
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy Used: $11.00
You Save: $14.99 (58%)
New (50) Used (33) Collectible (9) from $11.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  100 reviews
Sales Rank: 693
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: 364.1523
EAN: 9780446581196
ASIN: 0446581194
Publication Date: June 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 OK but BORING! October 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is written in a somewhat atypical fashion. The first part is a prologue including all factual (and typical Italian non-factual hysterical perspectives) on the life and times of a serial killer (unknown) and his victims.
The second part of the book is about the writer and newspaper reporter's foray into solving the murders that have been handled like a Keystone Cop movie by the Italians paramilitary and police. The second part has much repetition of part one, so it is like being forced to sit through a mediocre movie twice.
While interesting, the convolutions of the story, the many different linked and non-linked characters and the lack of any cohesion in presenting this "real crime" drama makes this a book that I found very hard to get through. The author could take a lesson from Ms. Rule on similar topics who engages the reader in an orderly and logistical perspective into the crime and criminal.
In my opinion, at least, this is not a book that you will pick up and not to be able to put down. It is more like a movie that you can't wait for it to end.
 Maybe it should have been published in more than one volume October 15, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
From 1968 until 1985, seven pairs of lovers were brutally slain during trysts in the hills surrounding Florence, Italy. The city was gripped with fear as law enforcement officials tried unsuccessfully to pin the horrific murders on several key suspects, failing each time to make the charges stick. The case has never been solved.
American author Douglas Preston teamed up with Mario Spezi, a seasoned journalist who was always one step ahead of officials when it came to the killings and who, in an ironic twist of fate, became a suspect.
The case was the subject of a NBC special documentary with host Stone Phillips.
Maybe an investigation this long and complicated should have been spread across several volumes, because the inclusion of so many red herrings and copious details bring the action to a tortuous, painful, grinding halt. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep the good guys straight, nor could I keep count on the bad guys, and ultimately, I just gave up and quit.
Decent entry in the genre with a plus for involving the author. October 9, 2008
I used to like this genre so much more. I remember reading the granddaddy of the genre "In Cold Blood" as a teen and enjoying the works of Anne Rule and Joe McGinnis in my twenties, but I kind of stopped reading true crime accounts. Maybe it is a result of all the true crime stuff that television puts out these days. We are bombarded with stories about the Scott Peterson's of the world these days. So going out of the country to cover a true crime story or exploring a true crime tale from the past ("Devil in the White City" for example), seems to be the way to go with the genre to get a successful seller. And this book is far stronger than the aforementioned Devil, but it still lacks the greatness of the many books written about true crimes in the 70's and 80's. Preston's own involvement in the case says a lot more about the Italian Culture than anything else, and it makes for an interesting diversion in the tale, but the book goes on a bit too long, and I feel that once a real killer is revealed that Preston kind of drops the ball before going far enough into his and Spezi's conclusions. It moved a bit slow for me, though I did not really lose interest as a myriad of characters were introduced. All in all, I would give it 3 and a half stars if such a distinction were available.
 Entirely unique in true crime, from the story that inspired Silence of the Lambs October 3, 2008
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.
Unfocused and often dull view of a murder case September 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In reading this book I can't tell if Mr. Preston's goal was to tell the story of the Monster of Florence or his and Mr. Spezi's run in's with the Italian authorities over this case. Either way the result is a work that is very muddled and in many aspects is dull and confusing. The story lacks clear structure and does not leave the reader with any feeling that anything has been resolved or if there is a final confusion.
At the end of this book we are clear of two things. First we have no idea who the monster really is and if it is a conspiracy as the latest theory seems to be reaching out at. Secondly, the Italian legal system is seem as totally incompetent and more interested in protecting key players then in justice. Either way this is book does not tell a story worth reading.
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