John Di Frances

There's a decent story beginning here, but the truth is that the book just need more work. The story and the characters needed more depth, and the writing itself needed more time/work. As is, I'm afraid the book reads like an un-edited first draft, and I suspect the writer trusted more in his own career experiences and background than he should have, depending on those alone to allow him to tell him a strong, worthwhile story without more work. As a result, the story itself doesn't quite have enough meat to satisfy readers who've read hundreds of books like this and will read hundreds more, and what there is here depends a lot on stereotypes that will be well familiar to the readers this book should most appeal to.

Probably, more revision and more extensive reading in the genre (on the part of the author) could have set this book up for better success, but as is, I'm afraid I can't find much within it to recommend, and there's just no chance I'll be going on to the next in the series.… (altro)

Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers Giveaway. Since the book was in PDF format, it kept being pushed to the "to be read " pile - hence the delay, even though I had received the book in March.
It was a fast paced thriller. As mentioned in the synopsis, you start liking the good guys as well as the bad guys as you come to understand more about them.
Even though the investigative team failed to, I had guessed the deception under way as they were trailing the assassins.
The Locales and food were very interesting and it gave a feeling of actually watching a movie rather than reading a book.
Overall, it had a Bourne feel and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Even though it is a trilogy and the author's intent is to keep readers engaged to continue with the next book in the series, I don't appreciate the cliff hanger ending - it should ideally be a plot coming to an end and readers waiting for the next.… (altro)

I received this audio book free from the publisher to review. Pretense by John Di Francis is the first book in the Imbroglio Trilogy. The book begins with the assassination of two European heads of state. There are indications that the US military may be involved. Interpol and local investigators chase the three suspects across Europe but are always a step behind. As the book progresses, it is clear that the couple and another man are the assassins and are on the run. However, as the book ends, it is not as clear whether these three are actually the perpetrators of the crimes.

The plot moves quickly. The characters are well developed and the descriptions paint a clear picture of each scene. I enjoyed the book and will be waiting for the rest of the trilogy to see what happens.… (altro)