trade-size paperback.

from the back cover:
Douglas Preston fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved with his family to a farmhouse in Florence. Upon meeting the celebrated journalist Mario Spezi, Preston was stunned to learn that the olive grove next to his home had been the scene of a horrific double murder committed by one of the most infamous figures in Italian history - the Monster of Florence. Fascinated, Preston began working with Spezi to uncover the serial killer who had ritually slain fourteen young lovers and was never caught. Here is the true story of their search to find and confront the man they believe is the Monster. And in an ironic twist of fate that echoes the city's bloody history, Preston and Spezi themselves became targets of a bizarre police investigation.

Sent on as requested from the NonFic VBB.

I just dipped in while waiting for my computer to load up, and looks like good, involving writing. A new way of looking at Italy for me....I don't read true crime all that often either, so should be interesting.

This was really a terrific book. Though the blurbs on the cover make it look like a simple true crime book, it's much more than that. It's a look at Italian culture and a glancing look at politics. But it's also a glimpse into how crime detection really works, which is very different from the usual predictable structure of a detective novel. Luckily, the authors are a skilled journalist and a talented thriller writer, so it's a thrilling read all the way through...a real page-turner. I don't want to turn you off by suggesting that it might also be a little educational!

Given to a friend....