Weighing in at over five hundred pages, Kill the Father could have used some judicious trimming, but the two main characters are so mesmerizing and the story so convoluted and compelling that the book's length was something I had to admit was a minor quibble. If you're looking for a mystery filled with the food and wine and ambiance of Italy, look elsewhere. Kill the Father is tough and gritty and all about character and story. The mystery keeps readers off-balance with its twists and turns that are all based on a real-life event. Just as you think you know what's going on, you hit a speed bump, get tossed into the air, and find yourself landing and heading off in another direction. (Prepare yourself for several "speed bumps".) I love stories that can keep me guessing, and this one certainly does.
What raises this book up to a whole different level is its characterizations. Caselli and Torre are two very flawed people, but they are also very strong, very intelligent, and very determined. With the horror of his childhood, Torre often takes center stage and rightly so. As the investigation progresses, Torre has to confront his past and wonder if what he remembers is really what happened or if he has false memories. It's been a long time since I've been so impressed with two characters as I am with Caselli and Torre.
One warning for potential readers: If you really can't stomach any harm coming to children, you might want to skip several paragraphs from time to time or decide not to read the book at all. I will say that the scenes are not graphic and that they really serve to illuminate Torre's character.
The third book in the series, Kill the King, will be released in May. I already have the second, Kill the Angel and am fighting the urge to dive right in. When you find the right combination of story and character, it's magic, and in the case of Caselli and Torre, Sandrone Dazieri is the magician.
What raises this book up to a whole different level is its characterizations. Caselli and Torre are two very flawed people, but they are also very strong, very intelligent, and very determined. With the horror of his childhood, Torre often takes center stage and rightly so. As the investigation progresses, Torre has to confront his past and wonder if what he remembers is really what happened or if he has false memories. It's been a long time since I've been so impressed with two characters as I am with Caselli and Torre.
One warning for potential readers: If you really can't stomach any harm coming to children, you might want to skip several paragraphs from time to time or decide not to read the book at all. I will say that the scenes are not graphic and that they really serve to illuminate Torre's character.
The third book in the series, Kill the King, will be released in May. I already have the second, Kill the Angel and am fighting the urge to dive right in. When you find the right combination of story and character, it's magic, and in the case of Caselli and Torre, Sandrone Dazieri is the magician.
