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Rating:  -
Douglas Presto and Mario Spezi have created a page-turning account of the infamous "Monster of Florence" that has no real beginning or conclusion. The authors have taken fact and speculation and woven it into a tale that highlights the mysteries of a series of local killings in the Florence area, as well as the inadequacies of the Italian justice system. These inadequacies are directly responsible for the inability to nail down any conclusive evidence related to the killings, including failing to secure the crime scenes. In fact, much of the evidence collected throughout a series of investigations was based on hearsay, speculation, and witchery. As Mr. Preston concludes at the end, "Perhaps it was inevitable that the investigation would end up in a bizarre and futile search for a satanic sect... After all this is Italy."
The most interesting aspect of this bizarre tale is how many of the players are those that are involved in the Knox/Kerchner trial, which was also filled with similar accusations of witchery, speculation, and. possibly injustice.
Overall, "The Monster of Florence" provides all the ingredients of a great "true crime" story, including history, intrigue, suspense, and well-written prose.
Rating:  -
I tried to get into this book, but never got pulled in. Preston did a credible job of reviewing the facts of the case, but the book quickly turned away from the killer and focused instead on Preston's involvement in the case, which I could care less about. While Preston did end up a minor figure in the case, his whining about it was the major focus of this book. I'm left wondering how much the (considerable) chip on his shoulder about being questioned by the Italian authorities biased his portrayal of the overall investigation, and have to conclude that I can't trust any of his analysis.
Rating:  -
The Monster of Florence is Douglas Preston and co-author Mario Spezi's tale of the decades-long hunt for the Monster and their involvement in it. The book is divided into two parts. The first is an extraordinarily detailed account of the people investigating the crimes, suspects, and false leads. There are a LOT of people involved; the "cast of secondary characters" at the beginning takes up five pages and unfortunately is in order of appearance rather than alphabetical by name. The latter half is Douglas Preston's more personal account of how his and Spezi's investigation of the Monster ruffled some Italian feathers and landed Spezi in jail.
This book now has the distinction of being the only book ever to put me asleep four times. I was reading it for a book club however, so forced myself to get through it. The pace (and my interest) did pick up during the second half, but the first half was just too much information. The Afterward to this edition in which Amanda Knox's case is discussed is sadly the most interesting part of the book. Although there are insights into the Italian justice system and attitudes towards the press that are worthwhile, ultimately The Monster of Florence is itself a bloated monster.
Rating: -
I've liked virtually all of Douglas Preston's work to date but I found this book his weakest. While the story of the Monster of Florence is interesting, I found the book began to feel repetitious about half way through. (SPOILER AHEAD) To be honest I only kept reading the book because the advertising suggested they "solved" the case - well, they don't. They end up offering their theory, but with no real proof, the guy is just another suspect. The book certainly makes me leery about visiting Italy; the justice system seems so befuddled you really wouldn't want to be at the wrong place at the wrong time or you're doomed!
Rating: -
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had trouble putting it down. With the current muder trial of Amanda Knos, I understand how she may been convicted. The book talks about Italian judicial corruption. It helps us to understand the difference between the two culutes. You will enjoy this book!
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