Thursday, August 17, 2017

The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston


The Monster of FlorenceThe Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2008
Nonfiction, true crime, mystery

An astonishing true crime novel which spans over 14 years in which the author finds himself deeply imbedded into the mystery. With the help of an Italian journalist, Mario Spezi, they embark on a journey to uncover the identity of the "Monster of Florence". Although many years have past since the serial killings, the case is still open and very much alive as the two investigators discover. It seems the closer this duo get to uncovering the truth, the more vulnerable they become to the legal system who seems determined to squash their findings. It is astounding the lengths people in power will go to narrate the story which best suits them. The judicial system in Italy is very different from that in the USA which adds to the complexity in deciphering what is true from what is mere speculation. It does not surprise me how the trial of Amanda Knox had turned into a twisted and chaotic story given the procedures of the Italian authorities.
Life is definitely crazier than fiction. Although what makes this story unnerving is the knowledge that the information is based on a true story. You almost wish you were reading a work of fiction.


Of note: Douglas Preston has an equally compelling non-fiction novel (2017) The Lost City of the Monkey Gods which I have reviewed separately.

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