New author for me
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I have read some crime thrillers before, but nothing like Richard Montanari's Broken Angels.
Although there has been a steady trend of Da Vinci Code type books being published, a good suspense thriller focusing on the police investigation is hard to put down.
This was the first of Montanari's books I have read, so I have come in part way through the development of the main characters, Detectives Byrne & Balzano. However, Montanari's style of story-telling was compelling and it was hard to put the book down.
The use of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy-tales as the murderer's method of posing the body is excellent, as it brings back children memories of reading those very familiar stories, but also introduces us to the lesser known Anderson tales. However, as a reader you will need to be prepared for grizzly descriptions of the bodies found.
Overall, the plot was excellent and it was a surprise to find out who the killer was, but also left a few questions unanswered....
I would recommend Montanri as an author any time. However, I would suggest that new readers should start with The Rosary Girls.
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Evil Stalks the Streets
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Richard Montanari was born in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young man Richard travelled Europe extensively and lived for a time in London, before returning to work in the family construction business. Five years and a few damaged thumbs later, he decided that writing may be a less painful occupation. He has now written several very successful suspense novels.
I enjoyed Skin Gods, one of the author's previous books immensely, but of course it does not always follow that subsequent books live up to the same expectations and some of the reviews when the hardback version came out were less than complimentary. This is fact just goes to show that one man's meat is another man's poison etc. etc. because I enjoyed the book very much. It also shows how difficult it is to give a balanced review.
There can be no doubt that Richard Montanari writes very well. His characters are not only believable but in certain cases likeable as well. The author also knows how to add the chill factor to his novels and to build up the suspense until it is difficult for the reader to put the book down at any given point.
The book is a vehicle for the reintroduction of Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano, detectives from the Philadelphia homicide department.. They are called to a body on the riverbank. A body that has not only been strangled but also mutilated. At first this is thought to be a case of random violence, the sort that happens in any major city. But then it happens again . . . and again . . . and again.
What at first appeared to be random attacks, soon become something far more sinister and it rapidly becomes apparent that there is method in the killer's madness. The killer obviously has some kind of perverted plan in their unstable mind, but will Byrne and Balzano be able to catch them before the killer spirals out of control.
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briliiant
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I think that this book is really good as it keeps you guessing at what going to happen with the investigation and what happening in their private lives I loved reading it and can't wait for his next book
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A Dark and Chilling Thriller
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This is slower paced than the previous 2 books in the Detectives Byrne and Balzano series. It slows down in the middle but tends to mirror how an investigation would proceed and during this time Montanari gives information on police procedures and techniques which gives a realism to both the plot and the characterisation.
I felt the book was really "film-like visual" with less focus on the Detectives' personal lives and more on their thought processes and connection to the victims and the horrific murders.
Suspense is gained through Montanari's style of detailing the pysche of the murderer.
The last section of the books gallops in terms of pace with the identity of the killer not easily been guessed and you have to go through some chilling suspense to get there.
The story line reminded me of Craig Russell's "Brother Grimm". Overall, really dark, chilling and gripping.
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Disappointing
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Mine (and Montanari's) third Byrne and Balzano novel is a major disappointment. Easily his weakest entry yet, his characterisation is sketchy, his plotting leaden and dialogue unconvincing - Montanari's clunky, awkward prose too often grates.
One for Montanari completists only, but for all others best avoided. I hope for better next time.
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