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Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne #1
The Rosary Girls
In his sleek, visceral novels Deviant Way, Kiss of Evil, and The Violet Hour, Richard Montanari slammed into the suspense field like a force of nature. Now Montanari has written an astounding novel that pits two besieged detectives against a fiercely intelligent serial killer.
Sprawling beneath the statue of William Penn, Philadelphia is a city of downtrodden crack houses and upscale brownstones. Somewhere in this concrete crazy quilt, one teenage Catholic girl is writing in her diary, another is pouring her heart out to a friend, and yet another is praying. And somewhere in this city is a man who wants these young women to make his macabre fantasy become reality. In a passion play of his own, he will take the girls–and a whole city–over the edge.
Kevin Byrne is a veteran cop who already knows that edge: He’s been living on it far too long. His marriage failing, his former partner wasting away in a hospital, and his heart lost to mad fury, Byrne loves to take risks and is breaking every rule in the book. And now he has been given a rookie partner. Jessica Balzano, the daughter of a famous Philly cop, doesn’t want Byrne’s help. But they will need each other desperately, since they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime: Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
Byrne and Balzano spearhead the hunt for the serial killer, who leads them on a methodically planned journey. Suspects appear before them like bad dreams–and vanish just as quickly. And while Byrne’s sins begin to catch up with him, and Balzano tries to solve the blood-splattered puzzle, the body count rises. Meanwhile, the calendar is approaching Easter and the day of the resurrection. When the last rosary is counted, a madman’s methods will be revealed, and the final crime will be the one that hurts the most.
Relentlessly paced and vividly told, The Rosary Girls is a smart, emotionally complex, fiercely gripping thriller from an author who takes chances, breaks new ground, and leaves readers haunted and moved long after the last page is turned.
Sprawling beneath the statue of William Penn, Philadelphia is a city of downtrodden crack houses and upscale brownstones. Somewhere in this concrete crazy quilt, one teenage Catholic girl is writing in her diary, another is pouring her heart out to a friend, and yet another is praying. And somewhere in this city is a man who wants these young women to make his macabre fantasy become reality. In a passion play of his own, he will take the girls–and a whole city–over the edge.
Kevin Byrne is a veteran cop who already knows that edge: He’s been living on it far too long. His marriage failing, his former partner wasting away in a hospital, and his heart lost to mad fury, Byrne loves to take risks and is breaking every rule in the book. And now he has been given a rookie partner. Jessica Balzano, the daughter of a famous Philly cop, doesn’t want Byrne’s help. But they will need each other desperately, since they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime: Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
Byrne and Balzano spearhead the hunt for the serial killer, who leads them on a methodically planned journey. Suspects appear before them like bad dreams–and vanish just as quickly. And while Byrne’s sins begin to catch up with him, and Balzano tries to solve the blood-splattered puzzle, the body count rises. Meanwhile, the calendar is approaching Easter and the day of the resurrection. When the last rosary is counted, a madman’s methods will be revealed, and the final crime will be the one that hurts the most.
Relentlessly paced and vividly told, The Rosary Girls is a smart, emotionally complex, fiercely gripping thriller from an author who takes chances, breaks new ground, and leaves readers haunted and moved long after the last page is turned.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
309 people are currently reading
6375 people want to read
About the author
Richard Montanari
25 books885 followersRichard Montanari is the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rosary Girls, The Killing Room, The Stolen Ones and the upcoming thriller, The Doll Maker.
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
Series:
* Jack Paris
* Jessica Balzano & Kevin Byrne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews
August 8, 2021
Twists and turns abound. I started this series with the seventh book which was called The Stolen Ones. I really enjoyed it but I read that in Feb 2018 and it sits on page 2 of my books. I can be so stupid at times, not following up with this series sooner . Well this is the first in the series and wow it was just awesome. And you have to remember that if you read this originally not knowing a series was in the offing it would have been even better because now we all know the outcome meaning our heroes will survive to see another day. Of course this doesn't apply to the most current in the series as it could be the final one.
Anyway our heroes are a male/female detective team. Early on we catch a glimpse of how detective Kevin Byrne of the Philadelphia Police Dept is wired when he arrests a pedophile and takes care of his bodyguard and the perp in nice fashion, meaning the perp ends up in hospital. We also learn as we go along that Byrne has a gift in that he can kind of see things in his mind in relation to various crimes he is investigating. It's hinted at and not over done though, it's kept real so to speak. Byrne gets involved in a few real good twists as the novel progresses relating to issues of his own.
His new found partner is Jessica Balzano whose father was a PPD legend. She has been promoted from auto squad to homicide. She boxes and is quite attractive but her husband Vincent who works drugs was found sleeping with a floozy in their bed by Jessica. She also has a 3 year old daughter Sophie and Vincent is her father.
The captions regarding the novel on goodreads says the two initially struggle to get along. I beg to differ, these two hit it off from the get go with some very personal knowledge shared quite quickly but that happens often with cops. If you are trusting someone with your life then I guess you can share a few secrets too. If you put your life on the line for each other in what can be your first tour then I guess getting into a personal matter or two doesn't hurt. That's another thing about cops in general, their ability to size up people including their own quite quickly. It's a job necessity!
This book is well written and accurate. In the credits there are a lot of Philly cops given their due and it comes through in the novel. The story is about a serial killer killing young girls and it's quite gruesome. Ie, they are found with their vaginas sewn shut, their hands bolted together with screws so that they are in a prayer position. They are also posed and their is an object left in their hand which is a clue to the next kill. And of course there is the rosary aspect to. The novel gets right into the rosary aspect and outlines it very well but Montanari does it in a way that isn't over religious, it's just part of and needed for the story.
A good suspect is introduced at the start but you think to yourself this is too early so you keep hunting for who else may be involved. More suspects abound and the book is very intriguing dealing with the serial killer crimes and then other aspects of our heroes who of course aren't and shouldn't be perfect. They each run into some good twists and turns.
I don't know how goodreads displays our reviews but someone liked my review of the The Stolen Ones and it got me thinking yeah I should read the first. It was a very good call and I found it cheap on amazon. I have already started the second in the series The Skin Gods and I can't remember ever doing that, one after the other, it's just a personal thing - and I am liking the second in the series The Skin Gods alot.
The Rosary girls is fast paced and riveting. The ending is awesome and leaves you hanging with regard to some aspects which linger too long for my liking into the second book. lol.
This is an easy four star review and I could actually give it five stars and am not sure why I am not. As I am Italian I loved the Italian background which gets good coverage and is well done by Montanari who I assume is of Italian descent, my apologies if I'm mistaken. If this series is as good as book 1 is, 2 seems to be and seven is then there is some very good reading to be had here. Just a lot of fun but the kills are a little disturbing but I think that's par for the course. Enjoy this one, I highly recommend it!
Anyway our heroes are a male/female detective team. Early on we catch a glimpse of how detective Kevin Byrne of the Philadelphia Police Dept is wired when he arrests a pedophile and takes care of his bodyguard and the perp in nice fashion, meaning the perp ends up in hospital. We also learn as we go along that Byrne has a gift in that he can kind of see things in his mind in relation to various crimes he is investigating. It's hinted at and not over done though, it's kept real so to speak. Byrne gets involved in a few real good twists as the novel progresses relating to issues of his own.
His new found partner is Jessica Balzano whose father was a PPD legend. She has been promoted from auto squad to homicide. She boxes and is quite attractive but her husband Vincent who works drugs was found sleeping with a floozy in their bed by Jessica. She also has a 3 year old daughter Sophie and Vincent is her father.
The captions regarding the novel on goodreads says the two initially struggle to get along. I beg to differ, these two hit it off from the get go with some very personal knowledge shared quite quickly but that happens often with cops. If you are trusting someone with your life then I guess you can share a few secrets too. If you put your life on the line for each other in what can be your first tour then I guess getting into a personal matter or two doesn't hurt. That's another thing about cops in general, their ability to size up people including their own quite quickly. It's a job necessity!
This book is well written and accurate. In the credits there are a lot of Philly cops given their due and it comes through in the novel. The story is about a serial killer killing young girls and it's quite gruesome. Ie, they are found with their vaginas sewn shut, their hands bolted together with screws so that they are in a prayer position. They are also posed and their is an object left in their hand which is a clue to the next kill. And of course there is the rosary aspect to. The novel gets right into the rosary aspect and outlines it very well but Montanari does it in a way that isn't over religious, it's just part of and needed for the story.
A good suspect is introduced at the start but you think to yourself this is too early so you keep hunting for who else may be involved. More suspects abound and the book is very intriguing dealing with the serial killer crimes and then other aspects of our heroes who of course aren't and shouldn't be perfect. They each run into some good twists and turns.
I don't know how goodreads displays our reviews but someone liked my review of the The Stolen Ones and it got me thinking yeah I should read the first. It was a very good call and I found it cheap on amazon. I have already started the second in the series The Skin Gods and I can't remember ever doing that, one after the other, it's just a personal thing - and I am liking the second in the series The Skin Gods alot.
The Rosary girls is fast paced and riveting. The ending is awesome and leaves you hanging with regard to some aspects which linger too long for my liking into the second book. lol.
This is an easy four star review and I could actually give it five stars and am not sure why I am not. As I am Italian I loved the Italian background which gets good coverage and is well done by Montanari who I assume is of Italian descent, my apologies if I'm mistaken. If this series is as good as book 1 is, 2 seems to be and seven is then there is some very good reading to be had here. Just a lot of fun but the kills are a little disturbing but I think that's par for the course. Enjoy this one, I highly recommend it!
June 22, 2019
Απολαυστική αστυνομική ιστορία κατά την οποία ένας μανιακός δολοφόνος σκοτώνει νεαρά κορίτσια κ οι Αμερικάνοι ντεντέκτιβ προσπαθούν να τον σταματήσουν.
Από τη μια το βιβλίο είναι όσο κλισέ προσπάθησα να το περιγράψω επίτηδες παραπάνω. Από την άλλη, είναι καλογραμμένο, η δράση κ οι ανατροπές σε σταθερά υψηλά επίπεδα, ενώ οι χαρακτήρες μού φάνηκαν ρεαλιστικοί.
Θεωρώ ότι οι φίλοι του είδους θα το απολαύσουν. Προσωπικά ψάχνω ήδη και το επόμενο της σειράς περιπετειών της Τζέσικα κ του Κέβιν.
Από τη μια το βιβλίο είναι όσο κλισέ προσπάθησα να το περιγράψω επίτηδες παραπάνω. Από την άλλη, είναι καλογραμμένο, η δράση κ οι ανατροπές σε σταθερά υψηλά επίπεδα, ενώ οι χαρακτήρες μού φάνηκαν ρεαλιστικοί.
Θεωρώ ότι οι φίλοι του είδους θα το απολαύσουν. Προσωπικά ψάχνω ήδη και το επόμενο της σειράς περιπετειών της Τζέσικα κ του Κέβιν.
April 28, 2020
Bien, muy bien lo primero que leo de Montanari. Bien la historia, correctamente trenzada y con unos personajes que pueden dar juego pues creo que es el primero de una serie. He visto por ahí otro de la misma serie, creo que es el segundo, que se titula "La piel de Filadelfia" que lo voy a leer a continuación. La pareja protagonista, los detectives Byrne-Bolzano, como deben de ser, sin miraditas ni romances entre ellos, que ya es algo que cuesta ver... Recomendable.
June 26, 2016
Philadelphia - EUA
“As Raparigas do Rosário” escrito pelo norte-americano Richard Montanari (n. 1952) é o primeiro livro da dupla de detectives Jessica Balzano e Kevin Byrne na “Philadelphia Series”.
A magnífica capa da edição da Editorial Presença em tons de azul, em que se vê parcialmente uma rapariga, com as mãos juntas, envolvidas por um rosário, a rezar, com uma camisa de noite, deixa antever um thriller misterioso repleto de emoções e de violência brutal.
A história é construída lentamente, com uma série de crimes hediondos, em que os alvos são raparigas católicas, e em que a perversidade do assassino se revela no simbolismo de determinados actos, perpetrados na tortura e na mutilação dos corpos imaculados.
A construção da narrativa é labiríntica e as ligações entre os detectives Jessica Balzano e Kevin Byrne com as personagens secundárias são fundamentais para a construção da história e para o desfecho final.
Apesar da cadência da narrativa parecer ser lenta, o suspense é diabólico, e de uma forma engenhosa Richard Montanari introduz pensamentos e vivências pessoais dos dois detectives, que se revelam fundamentais na construção das diferentes tramas e que se agrupam exemplarmente nas folhas finais do livro.
Altamente recomendável…
March 23, 2019
Απλά υπέροχο!Είχαν γνωρίσει και αγαπήσει το δίδυμο από τις επόμενες ιστορίες του Montanari,όμως πραγματικά τα Κορίτσια του Ροζαρίου ήταν ένα από τα απολαυστικότερα "πρώτα" βιβλία σειρών που έχω διαβάσει.5⭐
September 25, 2018
Im thinking a 4-5 for this book.WOW!Sprawling beneath the statue of William Penn, Philadelphia is a city of downtrodden crack houses and upscale brownstones. Somewhere in this concrete crazy quilt, one teenage Catholic girl is writing in her diary, another is pouring her heart out to a friend, and yet another is praying. And somewhere in this city is a man who wants these young women to make his macabre fantasy become reality. In a passion play of his own, he will take the girls–and a whole city–over the edge.
Kevin Byrne is a veteran cop who already knows that edge: He’s been living on it far too long. His marriage failing, his former partner wasting away in a hospital, and his heart lost to mad fury, Byrne loves to take risks and is breaking every rule in the book. And now he has been given a rookie partner. Jessica Balzano, the daughter of a famous Philly cop, doesn’t want Byrne’s help. But they will need each other desperately, since they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime: Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
Byrne and Balzano spearhead the hunt for the serial killer, who leads them on a methodically planned journey. Suspects appear before them like bad dreams–and vanish just as quickly. And while Byrne’s sins begin to catch up with him, and Balzano tries to solve the blood-splattered puzzle, the body count rises. Meanwhile, the calendar is approaching Easter and the day of the resurrection. When the last rosary is counted, a madman’s methods will be revealed, and the final crime will be the one that hurts the most.
Not for the faint of heart...trust me!!!
Kevin Byrne is a veteran cop who already knows that edge: He’s been living on it far too long. His marriage failing, his former partner wasting away in a hospital, and his heart lost to mad fury, Byrne loves to take risks and is breaking every rule in the book. And now he has been given a rookie partner. Jessica Balzano, the daughter of a famous Philly cop, doesn’t want Byrne’s help. But they will need each other desperately, since they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime: Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
Byrne and Balzano spearhead the hunt for the serial killer, who leads them on a methodically planned journey. Suspects appear before them like bad dreams–and vanish just as quickly. And while Byrne’s sins begin to catch up with him, and Balzano tries to solve the blood-splattered puzzle, the body count rises. Meanwhile, the calendar is approaching Easter and the day of the resurrection. When the last rosary is counted, a madman’s methods will be revealed, and the final crime will be the one that hurts the most.
Not for the faint of heart...trust me!!!
October 21, 2015
Jess starts her day as a new homicide detective on the day a body of a young teen is found, posed and mutilated. She and her partner, Kevin Byrne, soon will spearhead a taskforce hunting a serial killer targeting young Catholic schoolgirls.
The killer is smart and his motive complex. Twists abound as the story unfolds and Jess begins to suspect the killer may be someone close to home.
I really liked the layers on complexities of this story and the suspense continues to grow to a powerful ending.
The killer is smart and his motive complex. Twists abound as the story unfolds and Jess begins to suspect the killer may be someone close to home.
I really liked the layers on complexities of this story and the suspense continues to grow to a powerful ending.
July 25, 2022
1º que leo de este autor y muy interesante, seguro que leeré mas de el.
8/10
8/10
March 16, 2025
4⭐️ = Good.
Paperback.
This might be a few years old but this certainly felt recent in its writing style.
It had a realistic storyline (albeit a little gruesome in parts) and the characters and their relationships were likeable.
I’ll certainly be reading #2 in the series.
Paperback.
This might be a few years old but this certainly felt recent in its writing style.
It had a realistic storyline (albeit a little gruesome in parts) and the characters and their relationships were likeable.
I’ll certainly be reading #2 in the series.
April 18, 2017
I'm not a great fan for psychological thrillers, but this one was the exception. A new author for me, Richard Montanari, is what I like to call an 'intelligent' writer. Someone who enjoys using long words in their novels, and using topics most of us dummies don't understand. Religion is one of them for me. Blech!! I had to skip a bunch of the religious stuff, just so I could find out who the killer was. The smallness of the type setting in this book almost had me shelving it until I could get a copy in large type but I had nothing else to read at the moment.
I really enjoyed these characters. Jessica and Kevin in particular because they are and will continue to be the main focus of this series. Homicide Detectives are my favorite, serial killers are not. However, I will probably pick up the next book whenever I have nothing else to read. Detective Kevin Byrne is divorced, but has a deaf daughter in high school. He also had a death experience that left him with something close to having psychic abilities but closer to instinct than visions. These two hooks earned enough brownie points for me to seriously think about reading the series, only in large print from now on. Jessica is a newbie detective but her smarts are there and I like how she thinks. Other characters were introduced to us but most had been killed off so I'm not sure what to expect from the next few books.
If you're a psychological thriller fan, then this is the series for you.
I really enjoyed these characters. Jessica and Kevin in particular because they are and will continue to be the main focus of this series. Homicide Detectives are my favorite, serial killers are not. However, I will probably pick up the next book whenever I have nothing else to read. Detective Kevin Byrne is divorced, but has a deaf daughter in high school. He also had a death experience that left him with something close to having psychic abilities but closer to instinct than visions. These two hooks earned enough brownie points for me to seriously think about reading the series, only in large print from now on. Jessica is a newbie detective but her smarts are there and I like how she thinks. Other characters were introduced to us but most had been killed off so I'm not sure what to expect from the next few books.
If you're a psychological thriller fan, then this is the series for you.
December 2, 2015
This is an exceptional suspense novel that also fits well in the realms of psychological thriller. It contains police procedurals and can also be categorized as a hard, gritty cop tale . It focuses on a serial killer on the dangerous streets of Philadelphia. Although Philly has many lovely parts ( it's my home town) there are other regions that are quite shockingly deadly. This novel depicts religion turned fanatical; sorrow leads to revenge and then turns quite ghastly. This is a fast-paced novel with many twists, turns and gruesome descriptions. Montanari is a masterful writer who puts a special twist into each scene. He exhibits unique command of standard written English, a talent for plot, a brilliance in presenting characters and developing them, and a understanding of human nature.
This book earns four and a half stars. I like the personal touch of core characterizations; the excellent use of typical Philly colloquialisms and the many underlying mini-tales that add up to create a wonderful reading experience. If this was based on 'likability' I would give it a high five.
A must read novel for suspense lovers.
This book earns four and a half stars. I like the personal touch of core characterizations; the excellent use of typical Philly colloquialisms and the many underlying mini-tales that add up to create a wonderful reading experience. If this was based on 'likability' I would give it a high five.
A must read novel for suspense lovers.
August 24, 2020
Gostei do enredo, ainda que os crimes que são investigados sejam muito violentos, talvez um pouco complexos demais (o que torna a história um pouco inverosímil). Também gostei dos personagens, embora os achasse um tanto esteriotipados. Contudo, o que mais me desgostou foi a revelação final acerca do autor dos crimes. Como leitora senti-me enganada pois toda a trama do livro está montada para que o leitor considere uma determinada personagem (o médico) como o autor dos crimes e nas últimas páginas, de repente, sabemos que é outra personagem, que até aí tinha aparecido uma ou duas vezes, sem relevância e sem qualquer indício que apontasse na sua direção. Gosto de histórias de mistério que surpreendam e apresentem reviravoltas mas prefiro as que vão dando pistas ao leitor e o envolvam, com honestidade, na investigação policial; esse é um dos aspetos que mais me agrada nos romances policiais. Apesar disso, esta é uma leitura que entretém.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2018
Good. Fairly typical police procedure novel with one new-to-homicide female cop partnered with a slightly unsual male cop. Catholic school girls are being killed close to Easter. Both cops have their share of problems but team together well to solve the killings.
I'd read more in the series.
I'd read more in the series.
July 17, 2022
W trakcie lektury dopadł mnie jakiś kryzys i dlatego tak długo nam zeszło.
Naprawdę świetny thriller ❤. Montanari wydaje się być godnym następcą mojej ukochanej Link. Ogarnęłam, że tylko dwie jego pozycje zostały przetłumaczone na polski; chyba pora podszkolić się w języku Szekspira...
Naprawdę świetny thriller ❤. Montanari wydaje się być godnym następcą mojej ukochanej Link. Ogarnęłam, że tylko dwie jego pozycje zostały przetłumaczone na polski; chyba pora podszkolić się w języku Szekspira...
January 21, 2022
Από τα καλύτερα του Montanari. Απολαυστική ιστορία και πλοκή που ρέει αβίαστα χωρίς να κουράζει, με αρκετά έντονη δράση και έξυπνες ανατροπές. Η πρώτη εμφάνιση του διδύμου Jessica Balzano και Kevin Byrne. Ένα δίδυμο που έχω λατρέψει.
https://vivliografika.blogspot.com/
https://vivliografika.blogspot.com/
May 3, 2017
4.5* πολύ καλό αστυνομικό με το μόνο θέμα που θα μπορούσα να του καταλογίσω είναι η έλλειψη πρωτοτυπίας... Όλο το θέμα κάπου το έχεις δει η ακούσει... Λίγο από Σεβεν... Γενικά όμως πολύ ενδιαφέρον
January 25, 2013
Uma vaga de crimes está a ter lugar na cidade de Filadélfia.
Raparigas que estudam em colégios católicos são encontradas mortas, com as mãos aparafusadas. Estas seguram um rosário, onde se verifica que estão em falta algumas das suas contas. Existe todo um ritual minuciosamente preparado que deve cessar antes que o ciclo esteja completo!
Adorei este livro! É um policial carregado de pormenores religiosos que trazem consigo o suspense necessário até que a última página seja virada e que fará certamente a delícia de muitos leitores apreciadores deste género!! :)
Raparigas que estudam em colégios católicos são encontradas mortas, com as mãos aparafusadas. Estas seguram um rosário, onde se verifica que estão em falta algumas das suas contas. Existe todo um ritual minuciosamente preparado que deve cessar antes que o ciclo esteja completo!
Adorei este livro! É um policial carregado de pormenores religiosos que trazem consigo o suspense necessário até que a última página seja virada e que fará certamente a delícia de muitos leitores apreciadores deste género!! :)
December 31, 2015
This review refers to the audiobook version.
3.75
Fairly typical police procedural and standard serial killer on the loose wreaking havoc all around Philly. Entertaining for what it is. The narration however is outstanding -- Scott Brick nails it.
3.75
Fairly typical police procedural and standard serial killer on the loose wreaking havoc all around Philly. Entertaining for what it is. The narration however is outstanding -- Scott Brick nails it.
October 6, 2016
Meh.
Something , something. Suburban horror ? The details were grisly and graphic and the author looks a bit like Ian McEwan. That certainly upped the creepy factor.
March 2, 2019
Another in a long line off children-in-peril crime mysteries, though this is a good one.
And the children are adolescent/teenage girls, for the most part. Set in Philadelphia, which was new for me as most the mysteries I read are set in Canada, New England or somewhere in Great Britain, I enjoyed the new locale. There was a lot of local color, landmarks, streets, etc., which for me always add a good dose of 'I am really there-ism.' Loved that.
Kevin Byrne, one of those sort of dark police investigators, complete with a somewhat shady past, and his new partner, Jessica Balzano, a take-no-prisoners sort of young woman who does some boxing (the sport!) on the side, tackle the issue of a serial killer targeting young women.
The victims - all Catholic schoolgirls, too! - are found posed in odd positions, in various locations, holding rosaries. There's religious symbolism galore in this book, so for fans of Dan Brown, this is the book for you! And, as is the case in books like this, there are false leads, red herrings, and trip-ups all over. Byrne is carrying his dark past behind him like a dog dragging a dirty bone; Balzano is newly separated and her 'ex' shows up from time to time. (He's also a cop.) The entire set-up is there right from Page One. We are also occasionally shown the thoughts and motivations of the killer him/herself.
This was not a 'skinny' book but it was a fast read. I read off and on all day, and usually a few chapters before bed, but I'd read nearly to midnight on this one as I kept thinking: okay just one more page, ten more pages, and so on.
Highly enjoyable, slightly graphic but not overly-done. It seemed the right way to handle a topic like this, and though I thought I had it figured out - I didn't!
Four stars and I'm looking forward to the second book in Mr. Montanari's series.
And the children are adolescent/teenage girls, for the most part. Set in Philadelphia, which was new for me as most the mysteries I read are set in Canada, New England or somewhere in Great Britain, I enjoyed the new locale. There was a lot of local color, landmarks, streets, etc., which for me always add a good dose of 'I am really there-ism.' Loved that.
Kevin Byrne, one of those sort of dark police investigators, complete with a somewhat shady past, and his new partner, Jessica Balzano, a take-no-prisoners sort of young woman who does some boxing (the sport!) on the side, tackle the issue of a serial killer targeting young women.
The victims - all Catholic schoolgirls, too! - are found posed in odd positions, in various locations, holding rosaries. There's religious symbolism galore in this book, so for fans of Dan Brown, this is the book for you! And, as is the case in books like this, there are false leads, red herrings, and trip-ups all over. Byrne is carrying his dark past behind him like a dog dragging a dirty bone; Balzano is newly separated and her 'ex' shows up from time to time. (He's also a cop.) The entire set-up is there right from Page One. We are also occasionally shown the thoughts and motivations of the killer him/herself.
This was not a 'skinny' book but it was a fast read. I read off and on all day, and usually a few chapters before bed, but I'd read nearly to midnight on this one as I kept thinking: okay just one more page, ten more pages, and so on.
Highly enjoyable, slightly graphic but not overly-done. It seemed the right way to handle a topic like this, and though I thought I had it figured out - I didn't!
Four stars and I'm looking forward to the second book in Mr. Montanari's series.
December 11, 2018
La trama de la novela trata sobre la investigación de unos crímenes rituales religiosos que además son muy brutales. Las personas asesinadas son jóvenes católicas que aparecen con un rosario en las manos. La investigación de este caso recae sobre Kevin Byrne y su nueva compañera, Jessica Balzano.
La novela empieza suave pero con un ritmo constante, es de esas novelas que te mantienen en suspense y que continuamente quieres saber que será lo próximo en ocurrir. El ritmo va “in crescendo” según avanza la novela.
Me han gustado mucho los personajes principales, todos perfectamente perfilados, mención especial al periodista Simon Close, que fue odio al primer vistazo.
La forma de narrar del autor me ha gustado mucho, te sumerge de lleno en la historia desde el inicio, siempre queriendo saber más, más de la vida de sus personajes, más de la investigación y teniendo sentimientos contradictorios, por una parte deseando llegar al final para saber como termina todo y por otro lado, deseando que no termine.
Es una historia de asesinatos muy recomendable, que no te da tregua con un ritmo que va aumentando según avanzas, con unos personajes perfectamente perfilados y un final muy bueno, bien atado y perfectamente acorde con el resto del libro.
He sospechado de varios personajes pero he de decir, que en ningún momento sospeché del personaje cuando se descubre que es el asesino.
La novela empieza suave pero con un ritmo constante, es de esas novelas que te mantienen en suspense y que continuamente quieres saber que será lo próximo en ocurrir. El ritmo va “in crescendo” según avanza la novela.
Me han gustado mucho los personajes principales, todos perfectamente perfilados, mención especial al periodista Simon Close, que fue odio al primer vistazo.
La forma de narrar del autor me ha gustado mucho, te sumerge de lleno en la historia desde el inicio, siempre queriendo saber más, más de la vida de sus personajes, más de la investigación y teniendo sentimientos contradictorios, por una parte deseando llegar al final para saber como termina todo y por otro lado, deseando que no termine.
Es una historia de asesinatos muy recomendable, que no te da tregua con un ritmo que va aumentando según avanzas, con unos personajes perfectamente perfilados y un final muy bueno, bien atado y perfectamente acorde con el resto del libro.
He sospechado de varios personajes pero he de decir, que en ningún momento sospeché del personaje cuando se descubre que es el asesino.
August 1, 2017
Livro fantástico que a cada capítulo nos faz aumentar a adrenalina e nos deixa com pele de galinha... o cariz religioso ligado à história está muito bem inserido à medida que o trama se vai desenrolando.
O mistério do aparecimento de várias jovens mortas, com as mãos unidas em prece e aparafusadas uma à outra, com um rosário entre elas, faz com que os detectives andem às voltas até perceberem o "modus operandi" do assassino.
Confesso que durante a leitura "angariei" dois suspeitos, mas nenhum dos dois era o culpado... o final é deveras surpreendente e arrebatador.
Leitura recomendada a 100%.
O mistério do aparecimento de várias jovens mortas, com as mãos unidas em prece e aparafusadas uma à outra, com um rosário entre elas, faz com que os detectives andem às voltas até perceberem o "modus operandi" do assassino.
Confesso que durante a leitura "angariei" dois suspeitos, mas nenhum dos dois era o culpado... o final é deveras surpreendente e arrebatador.
Leitura recomendada a 100%.
February 16, 2019
Um policial bem construído que não dá para parar de ler. Acho sempre integrante livros que falem de raparigas e colégios internos religiosos e, este livro, misturou isso com um thriller fabuloso.
October 19, 2012
O autor Richard Montanari estreia-se em Portugal com o livro "As Raparigas do Rosário". No entanto, o escritor de thrillers e policiais, argumentos e inúmeros ensaios para publicações de renome, publicou a sua primeira obra "Deviant Way" em 1995 (infelizmente sem tradução em Português).
"As Raparigas do Rosário" é um romance fascinante que destaca o lado sórdido e obscuro da alma humana. A obra dá inicio a uma série cujos protagonistas são os detectives Kevin Byrne e Jessica Balzano, detectives da Brigada de Homicídios de Filadélfia.
A narrativa do livro "As Raparigas do Rosário" alterna entre a linha de investigação da brigada de homicídios e os pensamentos e acções de outras personagens, que desempenham um papel relevante no enredo. O leitor tem um acesso privilegiado, apesar de limitado, aos sentimentos íntimos e mente do perpetuador dos crimes que estão no centro da obra. A história é narrada nos contextos dos inspectores responsáveis pela investigação, da imprensa - de um jornalista em particular - e da vida dos envolventes principais, incluindo o próprio assassino.
O detalhe e qualidade das descrições permitem uma visualização quase palpável do que está a ser narrado. Senti-me como parte do enredo, como se vivesse na mesma realidade, em vez de ser uma simples observadora, alheia ao meio e às personagens envolventes. Apesar de não interagir com a história, senti-me como uma espectadora próxima daqueles que a protagonizaram.
Para mim, as relações entre as personagens e o relato das suas histórias pessoais é tão importante quando a própria história.
O destino e as coincidências (e acasos) da vida das personagens, que moldam as suas personalidades e a forma como enfrentam o dia-a-dia, culminam num desfecho surpreendentemente imprevisível, até para o leitor de policiais mais experiente.
Ao longo da leitura são-nos apresentadas tramas e vários indícios relativamente ao culpado e às razões porque tudo aconteceu. Contudo, eu só descortinei estas pequenas peças quando o puzzle já estava montado.
As personagens principais formam um par único, pelo qual senti, imediatamente e inconscientemente, uma enorme empatia. Cada um encontra-se embrenhado na sua vida presente, juntamente com os problemas e deveres que ela acarreta. Cada um vive na sua rotina atormentado por um passado já vivido, mas não esquecido. As suas histórias pessoais traçaram as características que os definem e distinguem dos demais e o leitor tem, gradualmente, acesso a todos os detalhes que melhor os descrevem, permitindo-o conhecer e compreender as suas atitudes, acções e pensamentos. Mais do que simples personagens, Kevin Byrne e Jessica Balzano adquirem contornos reais. Na sua natureza desvendei comportamentos verdadeiramente humanos: sofri quando estavam em baixo e sorri quando o seu sofrimento foi atenuado.
A descrição e apresentação cuidada de todas as personagens envolventes é um dos aspectos primordiais que aprecio imenso. Ninguém é dispensável do enredo; nenhuma das personagens é regalada para segundo plano, nem mesmo as que interpretam um papel mais secundário.
Tive imenso prazer em conhecer este autor e sinto-me, de certa forma, privilegiada por ter tido a oportunidade de ler a sua única obra traduzida em Português. Durante a leitura, surgiu no meu pensamento o nome do escritor de policias Henning Mankell e devo dizer que Richard Montanari se iguala a este autor sueco, tanto na qualidade e originalidade da escrita e do enredo, como na genialidade e perspicácia.
Nunca antes, nos meus comentários, mencionei o trabalho desempenhado pelos tradutores. Um trabalho que considero indispensável e essencial para todos os leitores. Sendo a tradução o meu ofício, vou pronunciar-me sobre este aspecto em relação a este livro. Apesar de apenas ter lido a obra traduzida e não ter tido acesso ao original, sinto que a tradução foi mais do que bem executada: a escrita é fluída e a escolha de palavras bastante pertinente.
Para concluir quero fazer uma pequena, mas importante, advertência: não é um livro adequado para os leitores mais sensíveis!
Com "As Raparigas do Rosário", Richard Montanari cria a sua própria definição para o termo "thriller", através de uma narrativa intensa e um ritmo implacável, que não dá descanso ao leitor. É uma obra inteligente e emocionalmente complexa. É um thriller terrivelmente apaixonante e envolvente de um autor que não tem medo de correr riscos, nem de explorar novos caminhos, deixando o leitor encantado e comovido durante muito tempo após o virar da última página.
Um dos melhores livros que li até hoje. Se possível, tinha-o lido de uma vez só.
"As Raparigas do Rosário" é um romance fascinante que destaca o lado sórdido e obscuro da alma humana. A obra dá inicio a uma série cujos protagonistas são os detectives Kevin Byrne e Jessica Balzano, detectives da Brigada de Homicídios de Filadélfia.
A narrativa do livro "As Raparigas do Rosário" alterna entre a linha de investigação da brigada de homicídios e os pensamentos e acções de outras personagens, que desempenham um papel relevante no enredo. O leitor tem um acesso privilegiado, apesar de limitado, aos sentimentos íntimos e mente do perpetuador dos crimes que estão no centro da obra. A história é narrada nos contextos dos inspectores responsáveis pela investigação, da imprensa - de um jornalista em particular - e da vida dos envolventes principais, incluindo o próprio assassino.
O detalhe e qualidade das descrições permitem uma visualização quase palpável do que está a ser narrado. Senti-me como parte do enredo, como se vivesse na mesma realidade, em vez de ser uma simples observadora, alheia ao meio e às personagens envolventes. Apesar de não interagir com a história, senti-me como uma espectadora próxima daqueles que a protagonizaram.
Para mim, as relações entre as personagens e o relato das suas histórias pessoais é tão importante quando a própria história.
O destino e as coincidências (e acasos) da vida das personagens, que moldam as suas personalidades e a forma como enfrentam o dia-a-dia, culminam num desfecho surpreendentemente imprevisível, até para o leitor de policiais mais experiente.
Ao longo da leitura são-nos apresentadas tramas e vários indícios relativamente ao culpado e às razões porque tudo aconteceu. Contudo, eu só descortinei estas pequenas peças quando o puzzle já estava montado.
As personagens principais formam um par único, pelo qual senti, imediatamente e inconscientemente, uma enorme empatia. Cada um encontra-se embrenhado na sua vida presente, juntamente com os problemas e deveres que ela acarreta. Cada um vive na sua rotina atormentado por um passado já vivido, mas não esquecido. As suas histórias pessoais traçaram as características que os definem e distinguem dos demais e o leitor tem, gradualmente, acesso a todos os detalhes que melhor os descrevem, permitindo-o conhecer e compreender as suas atitudes, acções e pensamentos. Mais do que simples personagens, Kevin Byrne e Jessica Balzano adquirem contornos reais. Na sua natureza desvendei comportamentos verdadeiramente humanos: sofri quando estavam em baixo e sorri quando o seu sofrimento foi atenuado.
A descrição e apresentação cuidada de todas as personagens envolventes é um dos aspectos primordiais que aprecio imenso. Ninguém é dispensável do enredo; nenhuma das personagens é regalada para segundo plano, nem mesmo as que interpretam um papel mais secundário.
Tive imenso prazer em conhecer este autor e sinto-me, de certa forma, privilegiada por ter tido a oportunidade de ler a sua única obra traduzida em Português. Durante a leitura, surgiu no meu pensamento o nome do escritor de policias Henning Mankell e devo dizer que Richard Montanari se iguala a este autor sueco, tanto na qualidade e originalidade da escrita e do enredo, como na genialidade e perspicácia.
Nunca antes, nos meus comentários, mencionei o trabalho desempenhado pelos tradutores. Um trabalho que considero indispensável e essencial para todos os leitores. Sendo a tradução o meu ofício, vou pronunciar-me sobre este aspecto em relação a este livro. Apesar de apenas ter lido a obra traduzida e não ter tido acesso ao original, sinto que a tradução foi mais do que bem executada: a escrita é fluída e a escolha de palavras bastante pertinente.
Para concluir quero fazer uma pequena, mas importante, advertência: não é um livro adequado para os leitores mais sensíveis!
Com "As Raparigas do Rosário", Richard Montanari cria a sua própria definição para o termo "thriller", através de uma narrativa intensa e um ritmo implacável, que não dá descanso ao leitor. É uma obra inteligente e emocionalmente complexa. É um thriller terrivelmente apaixonante e envolvente de um autor que não tem medo de correr riscos, nem de explorar novos caminhos, deixando o leitor encantado e comovido durante muito tempo após o virar da última página.
Um dos melhores livros que li até hoje. Se possível, tinha-o lido de uma vez só.
May 13, 2018
I am a little surprised to see that this book had so many high reviews, having read it now. I don't mean this to say that the book was bad; it wasn't bad, really. It was just kind of... meh. This book was recommended to me by someone, and I was a little skeptical reading the description, but figured I'd give it a try.
Mostly, in my opinion, the book is cliched. It uses a lot of the same tropes that your average suspense novel does, and I was able to mostly guess what would happen throughout the book. It wasn't unpredictable in any way. It was also noticeable that the author tries to keep you guessing, dropping hints making you think you know who the killer is and then evaporating those clues to send you onto a different trail. This wasn't terrible necessarily, but it was, again, predictable.
I was fairly sure that I knew who the killer was, and I thought I had it right. It was clear that it was someone with some kind of connection to Jessica, someone with medical knowledge, and someone that the characters would almost immediately trust. But I ended up being wrong... except I don't feel like I was. No, it was just a "gotcha!" moment that fell flat to me, because it seems that's exactly what the author was going for: making readers think they know who the killer is only to yank the rug out from underneath them. I actually would have loved that, had the author not framed the evidence the way he had, or put more time into explaining the scenario as opposed to "haha, nope, it's actually this rando guy!", but that wasn't what happened, and it was disappointing.
I was also bothered by the entire plotline, really, revolving around Catholicism. It was described strangely, with people who are Catholics -- like Jessica -- having to research and explain what the rosary is. Which, I get it, it's for non-Catholic readers, you have to put in some kind of explanation. But I'm sitting there going, even a non-practicing Catholic is going to know what the rosary is. They may not remember the specific mysteries, they may need to look up the specifics, but no Catholic is going to be mystified and have to do research into what a rosary is. And there was no real positive portrayal of Catholicism to offset the horrible nature of the crimes, either. I felt very uncomfortable, ultimately, by the end, and not because of the "ooh terrible crimes in a murder story" plot.
The one good thing that I really, really appreciated was that there was no romance between Kevin and Jessica. That was refreshing; the two seem to like and respect each other, but usually, you put a male and female character together, and they fall in loooooove. Not this time (although maybe the author goes for this trope in follow-up novels, who knows). And that was a breath of fresh air.
So, I don't know how highly I would recommend this book? It wasn't BAD. But it wasn't really great, either. It's an easy read; I got through it in just a few days, and I certainly wanted to find out who the killer was, so I guess that's a positive going for it. I haven't decided yet if I'll check out the next books in the series or not, though.
Mostly, in my opinion, the book is cliched. It uses a lot of the same tropes that your average suspense novel does, and I was able to mostly guess what would happen throughout the book. It wasn't unpredictable in any way. It was also noticeable that the author tries to keep you guessing, dropping hints making you think you know who the killer is and then evaporating those clues to send you onto a different trail. This wasn't terrible necessarily, but it was, again, predictable.
I was fairly sure that I knew who the killer was, and I thought I had it right. It was clear that it was someone with some kind of connection to Jessica, someone with medical knowledge, and someone that the characters would almost immediately trust. But I ended up being wrong... except I don't feel like I was. No, it was just a "gotcha!" moment that fell flat to me, because it seems that's exactly what the author was going for: making readers think they know who the killer is only to yank the rug out from underneath them. I actually would have loved that, had the author not framed the evidence the way he had, or put more time into explaining the scenario as opposed to "haha, nope, it's actually this rando guy!", but that wasn't what happened, and it was disappointing.
I was also bothered by the entire plotline, really, revolving around Catholicism. It was described strangely, with people who are Catholics -- like Jessica -- having to research and explain what the rosary is. Which, I get it, it's for non-Catholic readers, you have to put in some kind of explanation. But I'm sitting there going, even a non-practicing Catholic is going to know what the rosary is. They may not remember the specific mysteries, they may need to look up the specifics, but no Catholic is going to be mystified and have to do research into what a rosary is. And there was no real positive portrayal of Catholicism to offset the horrible nature of the crimes, either. I felt very uncomfortable, ultimately, by the end, and not because of the "ooh terrible crimes in a murder story" plot.
The one good thing that I really, really appreciated was that there was no romance between Kevin and Jessica. That was refreshing; the two seem to like and respect each other, but usually, you put a male and female character together, and they fall in loooooove. Not this time (although maybe the author goes for this trope in follow-up novels, who knows). And that was a breath of fresh air.
So, I don't know how highly I would recommend this book? It wasn't BAD. But it wasn't really great, either. It's an easy read; I got through it in just a few days, and I certainly wanted to find out who the killer was, so I guess that's a positive going for it. I haven't decided yet if I'll check out the next books in the series or not, though.
March 21, 2011
Richard Montanari, Rosary Girls (Ballantine, 2005)
I always approach a new (well, new-to-me) ongoing mystery series with trepidation. Not because I fear I'll hate it. In fact, I have a lot fewer problems with those I hate, since I can just abandon them. But, you see, I'm a reader of George R. R. Martin. I've waited ten years for what is, essentially, volume four of A Song of Ice and Fire (A Feast for Crows, which popped up six years ago, was the first half of volume four. A Dance with Dragons, supposedly coming out in July 2011, is the second half. And I'll believe it's coming out when I'm holding it in my hands; this is the fifth release date I've seen for it). No, I'm afraid I'm going to love it, in which case I will end up, at one point, waiting for new volumes to come out. So despite my curiosity about the Balzano and Byrne books from Richard Montanari, which have garnered a good deal of good press over the years, I resisted trying them. Then Badlands came out, which was widely hailed as the best of the lot, and I figured I should probably start reading these things. So I took Rosary Girls, the first in the series, on vacation with me last month and gave it a whirl. I figured what the heck, I have a week to get through it if it doesn't capture my interest. Thankfully, that night my wife was sleeping downstairs (taking night shift with a cousin's new baby), so I didn't have to turn the light off early. And twenty-four hours later, I was turning to the next piece of fiction I'd brought on the trip, because I'd blasted through this.
The jacket copy made me think Byrne was your basic maverick cop, but I didn't really get that from the beginning of the book; I thought he was perhaps a little more gung-ho, but not Dirty Harry. (This actually becomes very important later in the book; always beware of trusting your jacket copy.) Soon after we open, Byrne is called to the scene of a homicide in Philadelphia: a Catholic school girl has been found dead, in a pose that suggests a piece of religious artwork. It's nasty stuff indeed, and it only gets worse at the autopsy. Balzano's new partner—his old one is laid up in the hospital post-heart troubles—is young, inexperienced, but sharp Jessica Byrne, and it's she who places the school uniform: her own alma mater. And thus the chase begins. But this being a modern detective novel, where single murders are about as common as white roses growing naturally at the north pole, a second body turns up, and Balzano and Byrne start closing in on a suspect. Unfortunately, the Diocese of Philadelphia, perhaps the most powerful force in the city, may have some interest in keeping their suspect out of the hands of the police. And then there's a tabloid journalist who really, really wants to get Kevin Byrne in some sort of scandal and bring him down...
Montanari kicks things off in high gear and only gets faster from there; there's not a page in this book that isn't breakneck. The mystery is very well-architected, the characters are strong (interesting in a book that's the first of a series; so many series authors these days are taking multiple books to really get into their characters), and while I haven't lived in Philadelphia for a good deal longer than I'd like to admit to, it felt right, from an expatriate's perspective anyway. The ending seemed a bit contrived (not as “the resolution to the mystery”, but as “the beginning to the series”), but I generally don't count points off for it because I'm so used to it these days. A solid beginning to the series, and I'm looking forward to reading more of it. *** 1/2
I always approach a new (well, new-to-me) ongoing mystery series with trepidation. Not because I fear I'll hate it. In fact, I have a lot fewer problems with those I hate, since I can just abandon them. But, you see, I'm a reader of George R. R. Martin. I've waited ten years for what is, essentially, volume four of A Song of Ice and Fire (A Feast for Crows, which popped up six years ago, was the first half of volume four. A Dance with Dragons, supposedly coming out in July 2011, is the second half. And I'll believe it's coming out when I'm holding it in my hands; this is the fifth release date I've seen for it). No, I'm afraid I'm going to love it, in which case I will end up, at one point, waiting for new volumes to come out. So despite my curiosity about the Balzano and Byrne books from Richard Montanari, which have garnered a good deal of good press over the years, I resisted trying them. Then Badlands came out, which was widely hailed as the best of the lot, and I figured I should probably start reading these things. So I took Rosary Girls, the first in the series, on vacation with me last month and gave it a whirl. I figured what the heck, I have a week to get through it if it doesn't capture my interest. Thankfully, that night my wife was sleeping downstairs (taking night shift with a cousin's new baby), so I didn't have to turn the light off early. And twenty-four hours later, I was turning to the next piece of fiction I'd brought on the trip, because I'd blasted through this.
The jacket copy made me think Byrne was your basic maverick cop, but I didn't really get that from the beginning of the book; I thought he was perhaps a little more gung-ho, but not Dirty Harry. (This actually becomes very important later in the book; always beware of trusting your jacket copy.) Soon after we open, Byrne is called to the scene of a homicide in Philadelphia: a Catholic school girl has been found dead, in a pose that suggests a piece of religious artwork. It's nasty stuff indeed, and it only gets worse at the autopsy. Balzano's new partner—his old one is laid up in the hospital post-heart troubles—is young, inexperienced, but sharp Jessica Byrne, and it's she who places the school uniform: her own alma mater. And thus the chase begins. But this being a modern detective novel, where single murders are about as common as white roses growing naturally at the north pole, a second body turns up, and Balzano and Byrne start closing in on a suspect. Unfortunately, the Diocese of Philadelphia, perhaps the most powerful force in the city, may have some interest in keeping their suspect out of the hands of the police. And then there's a tabloid journalist who really, really wants to get Kevin Byrne in some sort of scandal and bring him down...
Montanari kicks things off in high gear and only gets faster from there; there's not a page in this book that isn't breakneck. The mystery is very well-architected, the characters are strong (interesting in a book that's the first of a series; so many series authors these days are taking multiple books to really get into their characters), and while I haven't lived in Philadelphia for a good deal longer than I'd like to admit to, it felt right, from an expatriate's perspective anyway. The ending seemed a bit contrived (not as “the resolution to the mystery”, but as “the beginning to the series”), but I generally don't count points off for it because I'm so used to it these days. A solid beginning to the series, and I'm looking forward to reading more of it. *** 1/2
February 23, 2017
Σφιχτοδεμένο, οικείοι χαρακτήρες, το διάβασα μονορούφι. Για την ώρα του φαγητού, ένα πολύ διασκεδαστικό μπλόκμπαστερ. 3 και κάτι αστέρια.
July 26, 2015
The first thing I want to say is, I have definitely found my favorite genre of books, thrillers/murder/mystery. It's been a while since I have read one. This is a new series. I received this book from a bookcrossing member several years ago. Why didn't I read this sooner? The setting is Philadelphia. I don't know much about Philadelphia. I've only been there as a layover for a flight to someplace else. I relate this town to a biography I read about a famous model/drug addict who died of aids, Gia Carangi. The plot: Someone is killing young girls who attend catholic school. Jessica Balzano and Kevin Byrne are homicide cops on the case. Jessica is recently separated from her husband and has just become Kevin's partner. She has a 6 year-old daughter, Sophie. Kevin is a veteran cop with demons. He is divorced and has a deaf teenaged daughter.
This author did a brilliant job creating the characters in this first book, as well as, setting up some great suspense. It's been a long time since I couldn't find enough free time to read instead of playing on my ipad.
The characters in this book are flawed. But you still like them. Jessica still loves her husband but can't forgive him for cheating on her. She has been promoted from auto theft to homicide and is paired up with Kevin Byrne.
Kevin is another flawed character. More so than Jessica. He is hard core cop. History has placed him in some very life threatening situations where he hasn't made the most honorable choice. But his heart is definitely in the right place.
I've ordered the 2nd book from this series already.
This is one of those series I could fly through reading one after the other.
This author did a brilliant job creating the characters in this first book, as well as, setting up some great suspense. It's been a long time since I couldn't find enough free time to read instead of playing on my ipad.
The characters in this book are flawed. But you still like them. Jessica still loves her husband but can't forgive him for cheating on her. She has been promoted from auto theft to homicide and is paired up with Kevin Byrne.
Kevin is another flawed character. More so than Jessica. He is hard core cop. History has placed him in some very life threatening situations where he hasn't made the most honorable choice. But his heart is definitely in the right place.
I've ordered the 2nd book from this series already.
This is one of those series I could fly through reading one after the other.
February 9, 2015
Kevin Byrne is a veteran cop who he’s been living on the edge for far too long. His marriage failing, his former partner wasting away in a hospital, and his heart lost to its own mad fury, Byrne is breaking every rule in the book.
Now, he has been given a rookie partner, the daughter of a famous Philly cop. Jessica Balzano doesn’t need Byrne’s kind of help, but they need each other desperately. Because they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime. Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
These girls all have one thing in common and until Byrne and Balzano discover what this is, they have no chance of catching the killer or preventing him from striking again.
Now, he has been given a rookie partner, the daughter of a famous Philly cop. Jessica Balzano doesn’t need Byrne’s kind of help, but they need each other desperately. Because they’ve just caught the case of a lifetime. Someone is killing devout young women, bolting their hands together in prayer, and committing an abomination upon their otherwise perfect bodies.
These girls all have one thing in common and until Byrne and Balzano discover what this is, they have no chance of catching the killer or preventing him from striking again.
April 15, 2017
I liked it, there was only one time when I said "Isn't that obvious?", so for me it's a pretty good one. :D
I couldn't guess the identity of the bad guy and I had to switch on a few more lights when I read the last chapter, it was the right amount of scary. The characters were real and I loved the fact that a veteran cop could act like a decent human being instead of the usual "I got paired with a rookie that I won't accept until the last pages".
It was an coincidence that I read it during Easter, but it was an extra for me. I'm definitely reading the next one.
I couldn't guess the identity of the bad guy and I had to switch on a few more lights when I read the last chapter, it was the right amount of scary. The characters were real and I loved the fact that a veteran cop could act like a decent human being instead of the usual "I got paired with a rookie that I won't accept until the last pages".
It was an coincidence that I read it during Easter, but it was an extra for me. I'm definitely reading the next one.
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