The Monster of FlorenceDouglas Preston and Mario Spezi
In this in-depth look at the Monster of Florence, the serial killer plaguing the area since the early 70s, thriller writer Douglas Preston has paired up with Italian reporter Mario Spezi to detail the specifics of the case and highlight whom they believe is the guilty party.
The Monster of Florence began shooting pairs of lovers in parked cars. He didn't stop there, though: the women (of course) were horribly mutilated, and pieces of them were removed -- and never found. Who could commit such a crime? Ten years later, and the killer is still at large, striking fear into the heart of everyone in the area.
Fast-forward a bit, and Douglas Preston arrives in the area to research a new novel. He'll never write this novel, discovering instead the Monster of Florence and his fascination with the case. He begins to research the crime, along with pal Mario Spezi, and the result is this book. Their investigation leads to a number of the investigations inadequacies and mistakes, so it's no surprise when they fall under the suspicious eye of the police. (Preston is unable to return to Italy to this day.)
At right: Douglas Preston
The Monster of Florence is as much about Florence as it is about the Monster. Preston and Spezi explain the underlying ideologies of the city's inhabitants, especially the need to save face and the compulsion to find conspiracy everywhere. Such a mindset, coupled with a particularly wily criminal, have allowed the Monster to escape prosecution.
My biggest complaint is the lack of pictures. A few pages of glossy pictures appear toward the end of the book, and yet not everyone central to the case is pictured. Some people mentioned only once or twice are pictured while others not at all. That's a small beef, though, and anyone interested in the case will be pleased with this effort.
In a nutshell: Mostly fast-paced and entirely true, The Monster of Florence is an intriguing look at some very recent -- and disturbing -- events.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Yet another Christmas present; no publisher ties here.
The Monster of Florence began shooting pairs of lovers in parked cars. He didn't stop there, though: the women (of course) were horribly mutilated, and pieces of them were removed -- and never found. Who could commit such a crime? Ten years later, and the killer is still at large, striking fear into the heart of everyone in the area.
Fast-forward a bit, and Douglas Preston arrives in the area to research a new novel. He'll never write this novel, discovering instead the Monster of Florence and his fascination with the case. He begins to research the crime, along with pal Mario Spezi, and the result is this book. Their investigation leads to a number of the investigations inadequacies and mistakes, so it's no surprise when they fall under the suspicious eye of the police. (Preston is unable to return to Italy to this day.)
At right: Douglas PrestonThe Monster of Florence is as much about Florence as it is about the Monster. Preston and Spezi explain the underlying ideologies of the city's inhabitants, especially the need to save face and the compulsion to find conspiracy everywhere. Such a mindset, coupled with a particularly wily criminal, have allowed the Monster to escape prosecution.
My biggest complaint is the lack of pictures. A few pages of glossy pictures appear toward the end of the book, and yet not everyone central to the case is pictured. Some people mentioned only once or twice are pictured while others not at all. That's a small beef, though, and anyone interested in the case will be pleased with this effort.
In a nutshell: Mostly fast-paced and entirely true, The Monster of Florence is an intriguing look at some very recent -- and disturbing -- events.
Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars
FTCBS: Yet another Christmas present; no publisher ties here.
4 comments:
When i started reading I thought it was fiction but I quickly realized it isn't. It sound interesting and I think it would make a good fiction though in fiction the perpetrator is always arrested.
Wow, I've never even heard of this before! This book sounds like the perfect nonfiction--entirely factual, but with a story that can't help but be engaging and fast paced.
Thanks for the review!
Sounds like an itrigueing read,thanks!
The woman who is referred to as a "suspect" from the U.S. at the end of the most recent edition of this book (not sure which copy you read) was just convicted of murder - by that same attorney. See BBC for more info. It's funny because my kid and I were listening to an Italian podcast, and the first lesson was the alphabet, followed by this: "Now, we will learn some sentences that will help you. Please, where is the bathroom. Do not touch me like that. Where are the police?" By that sentence, he and I were rolling on the bed, laughing, our Italian lesson forgotten. ;-)
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