Unimpressed. ( )

Unimpressed. ( )

I cannot believe that I have not read any of Richard Montanari's books before! I'm so glad Audible had this book on sale, and that I picked it up. If you are a fan of [a:Jefferey Deaver|16458076|Jefferey Deaver|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and/or [a:James Patterson|3780|James Patterson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1468347205p2/3780.jpg] (before he gave up) and/or [a:Sandra Brown|6218|Sandra Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403026416p2/6218.jpg], then you are probably like me and always on the hunt for the next great thriller that really surprises you, that one you can't put down. In that case, you must give this series by Montanari a try.

The characters are well-written. The pacing is spot-on. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was wrong, wrong, wrong. And, the sign of a really good thriller - when I got to the end, I was like, duh, I should have seen it all along. I will definitely be reading more in the Balzano/Byrne series! ( )

Audiobook: I have read one other book in this series, The Rosary Girls. I went back to read my review only to discover I had not bothered. I almost did the same with this book, having finished it months ago, yet not having jotted down any notes or thoughts while reading it.

It’s -- they both? -- were satisfying enough, I guess, if you are looking for a time-waster, but I remember being a bit dissatisfied with the premise of both: damaged person becomes a serial killer who poses his victims in ways determined by events in his childhood. The detectives solve the case more by their involvement rather than active problem-solving, sort of like “Midsomer Murders” where the crimes are solved only by the accretion of more bodies. There’s really not much of a mystery, as the reader is treated periodically to the mind and activities of the killer, who, I must say, seemed more a fantastical, rather than “real,” figure. True crime is far more prosaic motivations less extraordinary.

Nevertheless, the book, perhaps thanks to the reader, held my interest while walking the dog, so 3, rather than 2, stars. ( )

Byrne and Balzano are back again for another fast paced, page turner. The story follows the detectives through a case of murdered teenagers following the trail back 10 years before. Not every teenager is a target only specific ones...broken ones. The detectives must find out who the murderer is before more people are killed. Will the detectives track down the killers before someone close to them is hurt?
A fast and thrilling page turner that will keep you up all night wondering what has happened yet. This book had a rosary girls ring to it which I loved, Montanari seems to have turned back to the roots of Balzano and Byrne.
Fantastic read...now counting down to his next release. ( )