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Friendship & Honor #1
Murder Takes Time
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.
Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable.
Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
80 people are currently reading
1067 people want to read
About the author
Giacomo Giammatteo
130 books249 followersI live in Texas now, but I grew up in Cleland Heights, a mixed ethnic neighborhood in Wilmington, Delaware that sat on the fringes of the Italian, Irish and Polish neighborhoods. The main characters of Murder Takes Time grew up in Cleland Heights too, and many of the scenes in the book were taken from real-life experiences.
Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over.
At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.
Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.
Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.
Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over.
At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.
Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.
Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
September 13, 2012
This is the best book I’ve read this year.
I’ve never read the Godfather. I’ve never been drawn to gangster novels. I’m not even big on gritty crime dramas. I couldn’t tell you why I bought this one. Maybe it was the feeling I got from the first couple pages. There was something different about it. Second sentence: Killing was an art, requiring finesse, planning, skill—and above all—patience. Depending on your mood, you could read that as lurid for lurid’s sake. I read it as extraordinary. That’s what I ended up reading, an extraordinary book.
This book is not a murder mystery. It’s not a crime drama. It’s not a mob story. It is much more. It’s a horror story. It’s a warm reflection on youth and friendship. It’s a tragedy. It’s an innocent love story. It’s a gritty descent into violence. It’s a hard look at love, honor, revenge and redemption. It is a complex story that will demand your full attention.
I usually read 2-3 books at once. One that I’ve dragged to the other room and forgot where I put it and the one I found while looking for the first. I was doing that with Murder Takes Time clear up to the third chapter. Six pages of this, ten pages of that. I realized Murder Takes Time was too deep and too complex to play that game. I set everything else aside and sat down one Saturday to read the book clear through. It was that good.
The story is told on two time lines and from several different Points Of View (POV). There might be a few too many POVs, which requires a little more attention than the average book, but in the end, it’s worth it. We get behind the eyes of an honorable but troubled man, his tragedies, his loves, and his friends. We also get behind the eyes of a detective trying to solve a series of grisly murders. We know who did it. We don’t know why. When we discover why, we want to stop him. When we can’t, we find ourselves in the odd position of understanding him. By the end of the book, you will root for bad people with good reason.
It is the writer’s goal to make sympathetic characters. In this book, we sympathize with characters that logic would tell us to avoid. We also see a betrayal building that makes us want to jump in and stop the story. The recriminations, accusations, misdirection and denials make us want to scream. And when you get that involved in a story, you know you’re reading something great.
All I know about Catholicism I learned from the Exorcist. I know, it’s like saying: I learned about Italy at the Olive Garden. I can’t judge the authenticity of the Church and nuns portrayed in the story. But the accuracy wouldn’t matter. This is not a story with stereotyped nuns and clerics. This is a story about people. And here again, the master storyteller crafts visceral people in habits and cassocks. Mr. Giammatteo lulls us into complacency by first showing us a nun as a waxy figurine. Then he shows us her flesh and blood, her love and regret. And not in any way you will predict.
When we approach the conclusion, we feel like the preacher who escorts the condemned man to the gallows. We know we can’t change his fate. We know that what’s about to happen is the right thing to happen at that time and place. And yet we don’t want it to happen. We try to will it away. To change the course of a history already written in stone. We find ourselves shouting at the characters, urging them to choose a different path, to avoid the inevitable train wreck of two good men. But it won’t work. It can’t work. Yet, when the fireworks begin, something different happens. Something extraordinary. And it makes sense. In the end, the story resolves the way you know it should. It works because you will believe in redemption and atonement.
Couldn’t we all use a dose of redemption?
This is the best book you will read this year.
Peace, Seeley James
Special NOTE: Stories about the many fake, sock-puppet, or straw-man reviews have been making the news lately. MY REVIEWS ARE MY REACTIONS TO THE BOOKS I’VE READ. I have no relationship, financial or familial, with the authors. I do not expect, but would not refuse, any reciprocal reviews or recommendations. Just sayin.
.
I’ve never read the Godfather. I’ve never been drawn to gangster novels. I’m not even big on gritty crime dramas. I couldn’t tell you why I bought this one. Maybe it was the feeling I got from the first couple pages. There was something different about it. Second sentence: Killing was an art, requiring finesse, planning, skill—and above all—patience. Depending on your mood, you could read that as lurid for lurid’s sake. I read it as extraordinary. That’s what I ended up reading, an extraordinary book.
This book is not a murder mystery. It’s not a crime drama. It’s not a mob story. It is much more. It’s a horror story. It’s a warm reflection on youth and friendship. It’s a tragedy. It’s an innocent love story. It’s a gritty descent into violence. It’s a hard look at love, honor, revenge and redemption. It is a complex story that will demand your full attention.
I usually read 2-3 books at once. One that I’ve dragged to the other room and forgot where I put it and the one I found while looking for the first. I was doing that with Murder Takes Time clear up to the third chapter. Six pages of this, ten pages of that. I realized Murder Takes Time was too deep and too complex to play that game. I set everything else aside and sat down one Saturday to read the book clear through. It was that good.
The story is told on two time lines and from several different Points Of View (POV). There might be a few too many POVs, which requires a little more attention than the average book, but in the end, it’s worth it. We get behind the eyes of an honorable but troubled man, his tragedies, his loves, and his friends. We also get behind the eyes of a detective trying to solve a series of grisly murders. We know who did it. We don’t know why. When we discover why, we want to stop him. When we can’t, we find ourselves in the odd position of understanding him. By the end of the book, you will root for bad people with good reason.
It is the writer’s goal to make sympathetic characters. In this book, we sympathize with characters that logic would tell us to avoid. We also see a betrayal building that makes us want to jump in and stop the story. The recriminations, accusations, misdirection and denials make us want to scream. And when you get that involved in a story, you know you’re reading something great.
All I know about Catholicism I learned from the Exorcist. I know, it’s like saying: I learned about Italy at the Olive Garden. I can’t judge the authenticity of the Church and nuns portrayed in the story. But the accuracy wouldn’t matter. This is not a story with stereotyped nuns and clerics. This is a story about people. And here again, the master storyteller crafts visceral people in habits and cassocks. Mr. Giammatteo lulls us into complacency by first showing us a nun as a waxy figurine. Then he shows us her flesh and blood, her love and regret. And not in any way you will predict.
When we approach the conclusion, we feel like the preacher who escorts the condemned man to the gallows. We know we can’t change his fate. We know that what’s about to happen is the right thing to happen at that time and place. And yet we don’t want it to happen. We try to will it away. To change the course of a history already written in stone. We find ourselves shouting at the characters, urging them to choose a different path, to avoid the inevitable train wreck of two good men. But it won’t work. It can’t work. Yet, when the fireworks begin, something different happens. Something extraordinary. And it makes sense. In the end, the story resolves the way you know it should. It works because you will believe in redemption and atonement.
Couldn’t we all use a dose of redemption?
This is the best book you will read this year.
Peace, Seeley James
Special NOTE: Stories about the many fake, sock-puppet, or straw-man reviews have been making the news lately. MY REVIEWS ARE MY REACTIONS TO THE BOOKS I’VE READ. I have no relationship, financial or familial, with the authors. I do not expect, but would not refuse, any reciprocal reviews or recommendations. Just sayin.
.
October 19, 2012
Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/Pi00to
My opinion: DYNAMIC read by this debut author! This book kicked off on page one with a gritty murder to introduce the reader to the theme of the book and, for the most part, didn't stop until the end! I would put this author's works up against authors such as Mario Puzo any day of the week.
He laid out the story in alternate times in history progressing up to the present with the current organized crime murder spree. This led to a deep tension in the book as to where it was going and how it would cumulate at the end. This tension was not eased by the character development and knowing secrets (that the other characters didn't know) which could have, at the very least, destroyed the friendship and at the most, lead to murder.
Kirkus Reviews nailed it when they called this book "A nuanced debut that upends genre stereotypes and readers' expectations." This is the calibre of book that I refer to when I say that Indie authors can play on the same playground as traditionally published authors any day of the week and those who refuse to read Indie authors are missing out!
My opinion: DYNAMIC read by this debut author! This book kicked off on page one with a gritty murder to introduce the reader to the theme of the book and, for the most part, didn't stop until the end! I would put this author's works up against authors such as Mario Puzo any day of the week.
He laid out the story in alternate times in history progressing up to the present with the current organized crime murder spree. This led to a deep tension in the book as to where it was going and how it would cumulate at the end. This tension was not eased by the character development and knowing secrets (that the other characters didn't know) which could have, at the very least, destroyed the friendship and at the most, lead to murder.
Kirkus Reviews nailed it when they called this book "A nuanced debut that upends genre stereotypes and readers' expectations." This is the calibre of book that I refer to when I say that Indie authors can play on the same playground as traditionally published authors any day of the week and those who refuse to read Indie authors are missing out!
June 8, 2012
The author of Murder Takes Time, Giacomo Giammatteo, may be the Mario Puzo of our time.
The story begins 30 miles south of Philadelphia, in Wilmington, Delaware. Located on the confluence of the Christina River and the Brandywine Creek. A sizeable percentage of the residents, as of the 2010 census, claim Italian, Irish and Polish ancestry. (Some spoilers if you continue reading...)
Nicky "the Rat" Fusco, Tony "the Brain" Sannullo, and Frankie "Bugs" Donovan grow up best friends in the southside Wilmington neighborhood of Cleland Heights. Bound by their neighborhood code of friendship and honor, Nicky rushes to aid his friends in a gang fight. In an effort to save Frankie's life he shoots two of the rival gang members. Nicky is sent to prison for 10 years.
When Nicky emerges from incarceration, he finds the woman he loved has married another man. His best friends, Tony and Frankie, have moved to New York City. Heartbroken and with few contacts left, he moves to New York to start a new life. There he finds Tony involved in the mob, which as an ex-con, he quickly assimilates into the culture and lifestyle.
Frankie, on the other hand, is now an adept homicide detective. While investigating execution-style murders of mobsters, he notices all the evidence leads to his old neighborhood friends. He must now choose between his oath and duty as a law enforcement officer, or the bond of honor forged so many years earlier.
In real life nothing is easy, neither is it black and white. Giammatteo creates a story that involves the conflicts of reality that sometimes pull at us from both sides of the tracks. The author grew up in the Wilmington neighborhood of Cleland Heights. The characters are fictional, but certainly are drawn from real people and actual events.
Though there are some violent and graphic depictions, frank and coarse language, along with some titillating sexual encounters, this isn't your typical mob story. It entails more complex situations and life-choices, which illuminate the human side of the characters regardless of their transgressions.
Giammatteo's debut novel is breathtaking and groundbreaking. He is purportedly working on a sequel. The author attributes his writing acumen to St. Elizabeth's, the Catholic College Preparatory High School he attended, where the nuns "inspired, encouraged, motivated and beat an education" into him. The nuns may have been doing God's work, but this novel is a gift to the rest of us mortals. --eNovel Reviews
The story begins 30 miles south of Philadelphia, in Wilmington, Delaware. Located on the confluence of the Christina River and the Brandywine Creek. A sizeable percentage of the residents, as of the 2010 census, claim Italian, Irish and Polish ancestry. (Some spoilers if you continue reading...)
Nicky "the Rat" Fusco, Tony "the Brain" Sannullo, and Frankie "Bugs" Donovan grow up best friends in the southside Wilmington neighborhood of Cleland Heights. Bound by their neighborhood code of friendship and honor, Nicky rushes to aid his friends in a gang fight. In an effort to save Frankie's life he shoots two of the rival gang members. Nicky is sent to prison for 10 years.
When Nicky emerges from incarceration, he finds the woman he loved has married another man. His best friends, Tony and Frankie, have moved to New York City. Heartbroken and with few contacts left, he moves to New York to start a new life. There he finds Tony involved in the mob, which as an ex-con, he quickly assimilates into the culture and lifestyle.
Frankie, on the other hand, is now an adept homicide detective. While investigating execution-style murders of mobsters, he notices all the evidence leads to his old neighborhood friends. He must now choose between his oath and duty as a law enforcement officer, or the bond of honor forged so many years earlier.
In real life nothing is easy, neither is it black and white. Giammatteo creates a story that involves the conflicts of reality that sometimes pull at us from both sides of the tracks. The author grew up in the Wilmington neighborhood of Cleland Heights. The characters are fictional, but certainly are drawn from real people and actual events.
Though there are some violent and graphic depictions, frank and coarse language, along with some titillating sexual encounters, this isn't your typical mob story. It entails more complex situations and life-choices, which illuminate the human side of the characters regardless of their transgressions.
Giammatteo's debut novel is breathtaking and groundbreaking. He is purportedly working on a sequel. The author attributes his writing acumen to St. Elizabeth's, the Catholic College Preparatory High School he attended, where the nuns "inspired, encouraged, motivated and beat an education" into him. The nuns may have been doing God's work, but this novel is a gift to the rest of us mortals. --eNovel Reviews
February 22, 2014
“Murder Takes Time” by Giacomo Giammatteo is nothing short of intense. Giammatteo takes many complex story lines and wraps them into a tight literary package.
In an immigrant neighborhood of mostly Italians in Wilmington, Delaware, Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Nicky “the Rat” Fusco and Tony “the Brain” Sunnullo are three little boys who get into whatever may come. When Nicky’s mother dies, Tony and Nicky become more than just friends when Tony’s mother helps Nicky’s father by taking Nicky into her home and raising him like he’s her own child. Their old neighborhood is full of adventure, and these childhood friends often find more trouble than they can handle. Just like any young crew of roving boys, they live to see another day and get into new predicaments.
One fateful night, the boys fight another gang of boys for disrespecting one of Frankie’s sisters. Fists are thrown. Guns are drawn. Mick and a boy from the rival gang get shot in the fray. When the smoke clears, Mick is dying, and Frankie decides to run with Tony. Nicky abides by the codes of “Friendship and Honor” and refuses to leave his dying friend. No one takes that oath more seriously than Nicky “the Rat,” and no one is more negatively affected by following that code than him. His adherence to the code gets him seven years in prison. From that situation, “Murder Takes Time” unravels in a myriad of ways. Going forward in time, the lives of Frankie, Nicky and Tony take divergent paths.
I found Giacomo Giammatteo’s approach to “Murder Takes Time” very interesting. The book covers several decades and effectively uses both first-person and third-person perspectives to get the reader hooked into the storyline. The story continually vacillates between the past and the present. Giammatteo constructed the plot of “Murder Takes Time” so that the past provides critical information that feeds scenes from the present—and vice versa. Nicky “the Rat” Fusco’s perspective is told in first person while the narrator follows the other characters (mostly Frankie) and tells their story in the third person. The women in this novel have more than marginal roles in the storyline.
“Murder Takes Time” by Giacomo Giammatteo is a classic good-vs-bad tale sculpted by an outrageously creative writer. It tests the boundaries of the “Friendship and Honor” oath Frankie, Nicky and Tony take as boys and how that affects them as men whose lives have taken different paths. This novel keeps you turning the pages, because you become deeply and emotionally invested in each of the characters and how their decisions have lifelong implications.
Read the complete JoeyPinkney.com Book Review of "Murder Takes Time" by Giacomo Giammatteo here: http://h1t.it/MJI5eA
In an immigrant neighborhood of mostly Italians in Wilmington, Delaware, Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Nicky “the Rat” Fusco and Tony “the Brain” Sunnullo are three little boys who get into whatever may come. When Nicky’s mother dies, Tony and Nicky become more than just friends when Tony’s mother helps Nicky’s father by taking Nicky into her home and raising him like he’s her own child. Their old neighborhood is full of adventure, and these childhood friends often find more trouble than they can handle. Just like any young crew of roving boys, they live to see another day and get into new predicaments.
One fateful night, the boys fight another gang of boys for disrespecting one of Frankie’s sisters. Fists are thrown. Guns are drawn. Mick and a boy from the rival gang get shot in the fray. When the smoke clears, Mick is dying, and Frankie decides to run with Tony. Nicky abides by the codes of “Friendship and Honor” and refuses to leave his dying friend. No one takes that oath more seriously than Nicky “the Rat,” and no one is more negatively affected by following that code than him. His adherence to the code gets him seven years in prison. From that situation, “Murder Takes Time” unravels in a myriad of ways. Going forward in time, the lives of Frankie, Nicky and Tony take divergent paths.
I found Giacomo Giammatteo’s approach to “Murder Takes Time” very interesting. The book covers several decades and effectively uses both first-person and third-person perspectives to get the reader hooked into the storyline. The story continually vacillates between the past and the present. Giammatteo constructed the plot of “Murder Takes Time” so that the past provides critical information that feeds scenes from the present—and vice versa. Nicky “the Rat” Fusco’s perspective is told in first person while the narrator follows the other characters (mostly Frankie) and tells their story in the third person. The women in this novel have more than marginal roles in the storyline.
“Murder Takes Time” by Giacomo Giammatteo is a classic good-vs-bad tale sculpted by an outrageously creative writer. It tests the boundaries of the “Friendship and Honor” oath Frankie, Nicky and Tony take as boys and how that affects them as men whose lives have taken different paths. This novel keeps you turning the pages, because you become deeply and emotionally invested in each of the characters and how their decisions have lifelong implications.
Read the complete JoeyPinkney.com Book Review of "Murder Takes Time" by Giacomo Giammatteo here: http://h1t.it/MJI5eA
December 31, 2015
Oh, a full five stars for this one! Murder Takes Time is ostensibly a pretty straightforward cops versus the Mafia murder mystery, but it doesn't take long to realise that there is a lot more to it than that. Tony 'the brain,' Nicky 'the rat,' Paulie 'the suit' and Fankie 'Bugs' Donovan are fabulously conflicted charters, with full histories and a genuine desire to do right by their friends (even when failing miserably). You really feel for them (one in particular, but I don't want to ruin anything).
"Rule number 2: Murder has consequences", and so does everything else. This is a book that highlights impeccably the damage that can be done in the spur of the moment. It moves along at a good pace, never seems to drag more than necessary, throws a few red herrings at you to keep things interesting and ends on a high note. There is quite a lot of violence. The title should probably forewarn you of that. But despite being gruesome I never thought it became gratuitous or overly graphic. It certainly could have been and I don't think the book would have been improved by it. Giammatteo walks a dangerously thin line on this one, but never steps off it in my opinion.
Definitely if you are a fan of The Godfather (especially the second one), Goodfellas, or Donnie Brasco you should race out and pick this book up. You'll feel right at home.
"Rule number 2: Murder has consequences", and so does everything else. This is a book that highlights impeccably the damage that can be done in the spur of the moment. It moves along at a good pace, never seems to drag more than necessary, throws a few red herrings at you to keep things interesting and ends on a high note. There is quite a lot of violence. The title should probably forewarn you of that. But despite being gruesome I never thought it became gratuitous or overly graphic. It certainly could have been and I don't think the book would have been improved by it. Giammatteo walks a dangerously thin line on this one, but never steps off it in my opinion.
Definitely if you are a fan of The Godfather (especially the second one), Goodfellas, or Donnie Brasco you should race out and pick this book up. You'll feel right at home.
September 25, 2012
For all the times you’ve heard the phrase ‘couldn’t put it down’ about novels, let me tell you MURDER TAKES TIME fills the bill perfectly.
Giacomo Giamatteo has produced a terrific story, woven through the lives of several young men from the ghettos. Friendship and Honor feature almost like characters themselves in this bonding of their pathways from adolescence into adulthood. The strains that threaten to sever the ties develop beautifully under Giamatteo’s superb ear for the language of the streets, and particularly the overriding tones of family. Detective Frankie Donovan finds a series of gruesome murders spinning back towards his old friends, most of whose lives have grown apart from his into the world of the New York mob.
The sequence of events seem to be always a half a pace ahead of the law, as each part of the story unwinds. However, with each personality clearly marked across its pages, this is not a run of the mill mafia saga. The detail that leaps into each scenario is riveting, hence the ‘couldn’t put it down’ tag.
I won’t give any spoilers in this review, but suffice to say, lovers of great crime story telling, with its balance of what’s right versus what’s legal, will have a field day with MURDER TAKES TIME. Most enjoyable.
Giacomo Giamatteo has produced a terrific story, woven through the lives of several young men from the ghettos. Friendship and Honor feature almost like characters themselves in this bonding of their pathways from adolescence into adulthood. The strains that threaten to sever the ties develop beautifully under Giamatteo’s superb ear for the language of the streets, and particularly the overriding tones of family. Detective Frankie Donovan finds a series of gruesome murders spinning back towards his old friends, most of whose lives have grown apart from his into the world of the New York mob.
The sequence of events seem to be always a half a pace ahead of the law, as each part of the story unwinds. However, with each personality clearly marked across its pages, this is not a run of the mill mafia saga. The detail that leaps into each scenario is riveting, hence the ‘couldn’t put it down’ tag.
I won’t give any spoilers in this review, but suffice to say, lovers of great crime story telling, with its balance of what’s right versus what’s legal, will have a field day with MURDER TAKES TIME. Most enjoyable.
January 23, 2016
Book Synopsis
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn't good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life - the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years - and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
My Thoughts
The first thing that I would like to talk about is the sheer "physical" weight of the book, it is printed in Trade Paperback but the book is substantially more "heavy" than one expects when it is sitting on a flat surface. The "subject matter" is "heavy" as well. Starting out with an immediate setting of a murder being committed the reader is drawn into the lives of 4 childhood friends, following along you just sit back eagerly waiting to see what happens as things shift back and forth over the course of past and present day happenings.
The second thing that jumps to mind is how well crafted this story is, it goes from past to present and back again without ever losing the reader along the way. The childhood scenes are enthralling as the 4 boys Tony, Frankie, Nicky and Paulie will find their way into your hearts and you cannot help but feel a fondness for them as you watch their stories unfold. Seeing these same 4 boys as grownups in the present day scenarios just cements your affection for all of them.
The third thing that I really enjoyed was the sense of "family" that came through, the love and care that the character of Mama Rosa Sannullo gave to each of the characters both as children and as young men was such a joy that you could not help but feel her warmth shine from the pages of each scene of the book she appeared in. Her kitchen was a place where no one left hungry but her home was a place where no one felt unloved, for me that really brought home the essence of what a true refuge she created for her son and his friends.
I am now and always have been fascinated with relationships that start out in childhood and carry over later on in peoples lives. The friendships that Tony, Paulie, Nicky and Frankie shared were more intense than most because of their poor start in life as none of them came from well-to-do families. The biggest difference between them came later on as the boys grew into young men, Tony and Paulie became part of the Mob while Nicky ended up doing a stretch in jail and Frankie turned his back on the streets and became a police detective.
This leads to my second fascination with the story that made me accept a chance to read it for myself, the choices that Frankie has to make between upholding the law and upholding his honor by standing by his friends when things get dicey. There is a fine line drawn between right and wrong, however finding out that life is not really black and white but rather shaded grey is what really makes the final decision on Frankie's part so interesting.
As I followed the lives of these characters they became more and more real, even when reading about how the murders were orchestrated the brutality shown by the killer was not my main concern but the reasons behind why the crimes were committed in the first place was what really interested me. Reading the how, the why and the what was truly a lesson in how the human mind works and very well described by the author to the point you forgot that the man who committed the crimes was himself a criminal as there were justifications for some of his actions. It is a story that has to be read for you to understand for yourself why I think so, I do not condone murder for any reason but in the context of this book it has it's place.
There are many crime drama writers today that I enjoy but very few of them managed thus far to encapsulate into one tale the compelling ties of family, loyalty, friendship, love, trust, betrayal, honor and romance that fill the pages of this book. Murder Takes Time may be the first book author Giacomo Giammatteo has penned but it will not be the last book of his that I will read that is for sure.
Thrilling story, riveting plot, fantastically real characters all combined to make this one of my favorites for 2012 reading experiences!
[Copy of book from author in exchange for honest review]
August 5, 2012
Review by Chris Phillips
Giammatteo brings new life to the typical detective murder story. He takes the time to develop a complex plot into an attention-capturing tale of intrigue and friends betrayed, remade and destroyed.
"It's not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath" – Aeschylus.
This quote begins the tale of a group of friends, perhaps unique in the way all Americans can be. Nicky “The Rat” Fusco, Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Tony “The Brain” Sannullo, Tommy “Mick” McDermott form the core of this group and Chinski, Suit and Paulie finish out the gang. It seems that there is a destiny for them to be “friends forever” until years later.
“...Friendship means we look out for each other. Nobody ever rats or betrays anyone else...”
“...Honor means nobody fucks with one of us and not the others. We stick up for each other. And it means we don't run, unless we all run...”
These fateful words and the consequences of making and trying to keep childhood promises provide all the tension for the plot. 20 years after these oaths are made, Frankie is a detective for the Brooklyn Police department. Tony is in heavy with the organized crime family in the same area. Nicky is the ex-con that precipitates the action. Frankie gets called into investigate a series of murders of some apparently unrelated men in the Brooklyn area. He begins to suspect soon that there is much more going on here then just someone being murdered.
Giammatteo writes each chapter from either a third person perspective or from Nicky's personal accounting of his life with these friends. Due to the neighborhood they grow up in they live under the scrutiny of the local organized crime family, headed up by Mikey “The Face” Fagullo. Tony's mother, Mama Rosa, and Sister Mary Thomas form the character building parts for the boys as they grow up. These two major influences keep the group active and bouncing around through their teenage years. Girls become something they have to consider but deal with as only kids and teens from this era and society can: clumsily, jerkily and very self-consciously.
As is the case with many such friends, they grow up and choose different paths. They see each other, but individual purposes and ambitions pull them away from each other. Girls, family problems and the lure of money impact the group, splitting them until a crisis arises. The gang maintains the oath for most of this time, until one fateful day when a rival gang comes looking for trouble. There are teen passions, pool cues and guns involved. Ultimately gun fire erupts and lives are changed forever.
In this tale, there is a lot of right, wrong and terribly, frighteningly gray. When the time comes and it is needed for oaths to be remembered, they are forgotten and life is never the same. The murders draw them inexorably together yet again. The common thread shows how badly a betrayal of friends can mess up the men that were always supposed to be oath-bound brothers.
The characters are smoothly real. Giammatteo takes the time to develop them naturally. Each takes their fated place and struggles with the people they become. Of course with this much time to cover there are details that grow in importance with each progressive revelation. The tragedy of the way these lives move brought tears to the eyes of this reviewer. The final betrayal is brokenheartedly realistic.
Although the switching of character and traveling back and forth in time might confuse the reader at first, the progression is for the right reasons and falls into place with a gripping conclusion.
The book is appropriate for adults because of the violence and language. As stated at the beginning of the book this is the first in a series “Friendship and Honor.” This reviewer is eagerly waiting for the next one.
Published by Inferno Publishing Company, www.giacomogiammateo.com, ($12.98 USD SRP/Amazon $12.98 USD) Reviewer received book from author.
Giammatteo brings new life to the typical detective murder story. He takes the time to develop a complex plot into an attention-capturing tale of intrigue and friends betrayed, remade and destroyed.
"It's not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath" – Aeschylus.
This quote begins the tale of a group of friends, perhaps unique in the way all Americans can be. Nicky “The Rat” Fusco, Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Tony “The Brain” Sannullo, Tommy “Mick” McDermott form the core of this group and Chinski, Suit and Paulie finish out the gang. It seems that there is a destiny for them to be “friends forever” until years later.
“...Friendship means we look out for each other. Nobody ever rats or betrays anyone else...”
“...Honor means nobody fucks with one of us and not the others. We stick up for each other. And it means we don't run, unless we all run...”
These fateful words and the consequences of making and trying to keep childhood promises provide all the tension for the plot. 20 years after these oaths are made, Frankie is a detective for the Brooklyn Police department. Tony is in heavy with the organized crime family in the same area. Nicky is the ex-con that precipitates the action. Frankie gets called into investigate a series of murders of some apparently unrelated men in the Brooklyn area. He begins to suspect soon that there is much more going on here then just someone being murdered.
Giammatteo writes each chapter from either a third person perspective or from Nicky's personal accounting of his life with these friends. Due to the neighborhood they grow up in they live under the scrutiny of the local organized crime family, headed up by Mikey “The Face” Fagullo. Tony's mother, Mama Rosa, and Sister Mary Thomas form the character building parts for the boys as they grow up. These two major influences keep the group active and bouncing around through their teenage years. Girls become something they have to consider but deal with as only kids and teens from this era and society can: clumsily, jerkily and very self-consciously.
As is the case with many such friends, they grow up and choose different paths. They see each other, but individual purposes and ambitions pull them away from each other. Girls, family problems and the lure of money impact the group, splitting them until a crisis arises. The gang maintains the oath for most of this time, until one fateful day when a rival gang comes looking for trouble. There are teen passions, pool cues and guns involved. Ultimately gun fire erupts and lives are changed forever.
In this tale, there is a lot of right, wrong and terribly, frighteningly gray. When the time comes and it is needed for oaths to be remembered, they are forgotten and life is never the same. The murders draw them inexorably together yet again. The common thread shows how badly a betrayal of friends can mess up the men that were always supposed to be oath-bound brothers.
The characters are smoothly real. Giammatteo takes the time to develop them naturally. Each takes their fated place and struggles with the people they become. Of course with this much time to cover there are details that grow in importance with each progressive revelation. The tragedy of the way these lives move brought tears to the eyes of this reviewer. The final betrayal is brokenheartedly realistic.
Although the switching of character and traveling back and forth in time might confuse the reader at first, the progression is for the right reasons and falls into place with a gripping conclusion.
The book is appropriate for adults because of the violence and language. As stated at the beginning of the book this is the first in a series “Friendship and Honor.” This reviewer is eagerly waiting for the next one.
Published by Inferno Publishing Company, www.giacomogiammateo.com, ($12.98 USD SRP/Amazon $12.98 USD) Reviewer received book from author.
November 8, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: people who like crime thrillers, stories about the mob
Trigger Warnings: murder, torture, child endangerment, domestic violence (against children), rape
My Thoughts: I'm actually quite happy that I read A Bullet for Carlos, which features Frankie Donovan as a minor character, before I read this one. Otherwise I think all the subtext and information about his childhood and friends we learn about in this book would have overwhelmed his character in the other book. As it is, reading this book afterward gave me the opportunity to become acquainted with Frankie before much is revealed about him, and that just worked really well for me. It might not be what the author intended, but I figured I'd share my thoughts on that.
There was a huge information error toward the end of the book, the chapter titled “Rattus Rattus”. The problem here is that Rattus rattus (the second is not capitalized) is the roof or black rat. The common sewer or grey or wharf rat that most people think of as “rats” are Rattus norvegicus. They are also the type that has been domesticated as pets. R. Rattus are easily run off by R. Norvegicus, who are larger and more aggressive and territorial; however, their territories tend to be different. Anyone who knows anything about rodents will be aware of this. I've shared my home with both these kinds of rats and can tell you they are very different.
Of course, this is a small and fairly minor thing. Overall this is a really interesting book, although sometimes a bit hard to read due to some of the things that happen. The kids growing up surrounded by the mob was sometimes funny but more often terrifying, and what happens to Nicky is really not fair. This author knows how to write very engaging characters, and characters that are very colorful. If you enjoy crime thrillers, especially relating to the mob, you should enjoy this book.
Series Information: Friendship and Honor series
Book 1: Murder Takes Time
Book 2: Murder Has Consequences
Disclosure: I won this book in a giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn't good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: people who like crime thrillers, stories about the mob
Trigger Warnings: murder, torture, child endangerment, domestic violence (against children), rape
My Thoughts: I'm actually quite happy that I read A Bullet for Carlos, which features Frankie Donovan as a minor character, before I read this one. Otherwise I think all the subtext and information about his childhood and friends we learn about in this book would have overwhelmed his character in the other book. As it is, reading this book afterward gave me the opportunity to become acquainted with Frankie before much is revealed about him, and that just worked really well for me. It might not be what the author intended, but I figured I'd share my thoughts on that.
There was a huge information error toward the end of the book, the chapter titled “Rattus Rattus”. The problem here is that Rattus rattus (the second is not capitalized) is the roof or black rat. The common sewer or grey or wharf rat that most people think of as “rats” are Rattus norvegicus. They are also the type that has been domesticated as pets. R. Rattus are easily run off by R. Norvegicus, who are larger and more aggressive and territorial; however, their territories tend to be different. Anyone who knows anything about rodents will be aware of this. I've shared my home with both these kinds of rats and can tell you they are very different.Of course, this is a small and fairly minor thing. Overall this is a really interesting book, although sometimes a bit hard to read due to some of the things that happen. The kids growing up surrounded by the mob was sometimes funny but more often terrifying, and what happens to Nicky is really not fair. This author knows how to write very engaging characters, and characters that are very colorful. If you enjoy crime thrillers, especially relating to the mob, you should enjoy this book.
Series Information: Friendship and Honor series
Book 1: Murder Takes Time
Book 2: Murder Has Consequences
Disclosure: I won this book in a giveaway. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn't good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life—the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years—and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
August 8, 2012
Confession: I kind of love all things mob related because it's absolutely insane to think that people kill people and do other illegal and generally bad things because of a lack of respect. I think it's crazy. Generally, I try to stay away from books like this because I feel like they all kind of end up the same and I don't get anything new or fresh out of them.
Thankfully I took a chance on this book because I had this baby done in one weekend. It's 400some pages so it's not a book you just breeze through, but it definitely has enough action throughout it to keep you turning the pages.
Here's what I really liked about the book: I loved how it flipped between characters. I wasn't sure if I would like Frankie's character because throughout the book he struggles between being a cop, and being a gangster. Him and his group of friends basically grew up around the mob and were pretty much being groomed as the next generation of the mob, so the fact he later became a cop is fairly shocking to his friends. And while Frankie sees the value of his job, he struggles with it. I loved how he figures it out in the end. Kind of. I can't tell you any more because that kind of gives it away.
The other thing about this book I really liked is that it combines so many genres. It's got the murder/mystery, a little bit thriller, a little bit romance but all mixed together so no one genre takes over. I also loved how you literally had no idea what was going to happen next. The murders themselves were creatively written and if you've ever seen a Law & Order episode, you can imagine how those detectives would react with the evidence left behind.
The only thing that I didn't understand though is why none of Nicky's friends acknowledged that he literally went to prison because of them and for them. Especially Tony. I didn't like Tony's character at all and it turns out I had good reason not to, but I would have like to have a Nicky & Tony confrontation about the gun fight that led to Nicky going to prison. I'm just saying- it could have been dynamic.
Such a great book and I think you will really like it. If you visit Giacomo Giammateo's website HERE you can find all of the links to purchase this book. It's available in e-format or trade paperback. It turned out to be so much better than I had hoped. I really hope that this does turn into a series because I'd like to see what happens to the remaining characters and their story lines. Especially Frankie's- I bet he'd have a good story to tell.
Thankfully I took a chance on this book because I had this baby done in one weekend. It's 400some pages so it's not a book you just breeze through, but it definitely has enough action throughout it to keep you turning the pages.
Here's what I really liked about the book: I loved how it flipped between characters. I wasn't sure if I would like Frankie's character because throughout the book he struggles between being a cop, and being a gangster. Him and his group of friends basically grew up around the mob and were pretty much being groomed as the next generation of the mob, so the fact he later became a cop is fairly shocking to his friends. And while Frankie sees the value of his job, he struggles with it. I loved how he figures it out in the end. Kind of. I can't tell you any more because that kind of gives it away.
The other thing about this book I really liked is that it combines so many genres. It's got the murder/mystery, a little bit thriller, a little bit romance but all mixed together so no one genre takes over. I also loved how you literally had no idea what was going to happen next. The murders themselves were creatively written and if you've ever seen a Law & Order episode, you can imagine how those detectives would react with the evidence left behind.
The only thing that I didn't understand though is why none of Nicky's friends acknowledged that he literally went to prison because of them and for them. Especially Tony. I didn't like Tony's character at all and it turns out I had good reason not to, but I would have like to have a Nicky & Tony confrontation about the gun fight that led to Nicky going to prison. I'm just saying- it could have been dynamic.
Such a great book and I think you will really like it. If you visit Giacomo Giammateo's website HERE you can find all of the links to purchase this book. It's available in e-format or trade paperback. It turned out to be so much better than I had hoped. I really hope that this does turn into a series because I'd like to see what happens to the remaining characters and their story lines. Especially Frankie's- I bet he'd have a good story to tell.
August 16, 2012
In many ways, I wish I had liked this book, but I cannot say it was a favorite for me. I feel like I have been a roller coaster ride. Some parts of it truly captured my interest, and about the time I became interested, my interest waned again. I know this was not my kind of book, but I will give the fairest review I can.
This was mostly a well-written mystery. I was hooked form the beginning, and I was compelled to keep reading so I would know what happened in the end. I only know about the mob from what I have heard and seen in passing, and I don't think I will want to hear about the mob again any time soon. I had a love-hate relationship with the murder descriptions. They are graphic, and yet at the same time, the serial murders are so horrific I struggled to turn my eyes away.
I felt for Nicky as he told the story of his life. The guy had everything horrible happen to him, and his luck did not ever seem to change. There was some love interest in his life, but tragedy seemed to overshadow everything. Catholicism was a pretty strong theme in this book as well.
I was pleased to read no bedroom scenes, but the profanity was absolutely appalling! I am sure the language was true-to-life, but I never feel that this much profanity is appropriate. I would not recommend a read if you are easily offended.
The worst part for me was the ending. I absolutely hate to say this, but I have to be absolutely honest. Indeed, I believe the author is trying to be realistic, but murder mysteries are only entertainment for me when things resolve in the end. I believe in justice being served. I am not going to give away any more information about this issue. If I want unresolved issues, all I have to do is turn on the TV. Murder mysteries should be entertainment, and no matter how heinous the crime, I expect a true conclusion.
The author is a fairly decent author, and I am sure many people would enjoy the book. If you would like an edgy mystery that will keep you on a roller coaster of emotions, this may be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100 percent mine, and I was not financially compensated.
This was mostly a well-written mystery. I was hooked form the beginning, and I was compelled to keep reading so I would know what happened in the end. I only know about the mob from what I have heard and seen in passing, and I don't think I will want to hear about the mob again any time soon. I had a love-hate relationship with the murder descriptions. They are graphic, and yet at the same time, the serial murders are so horrific I struggled to turn my eyes away.
I felt for Nicky as he told the story of his life. The guy had everything horrible happen to him, and his luck did not ever seem to change. There was some love interest in his life, but tragedy seemed to overshadow everything. Catholicism was a pretty strong theme in this book as well.
I was pleased to read no bedroom scenes, but the profanity was absolutely appalling! I am sure the language was true-to-life, but I never feel that this much profanity is appropriate. I would not recommend a read if you are easily offended.
The worst part for me was the ending. I absolutely hate to say this, but I have to be absolutely honest. Indeed, I believe the author is trying to be realistic, but murder mysteries are only entertainment for me when things resolve in the end. I believe in justice being served. I am not going to give away any more information about this issue. If I want unresolved issues, all I have to do is turn on the TV. Murder mysteries should be entertainment, and no matter how heinous the crime, I expect a true conclusion.
The author is a fairly decent author, and I am sure many people would enjoy the book. If you would like an edgy mystery that will keep you on a roller coaster of emotions, this may be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100 percent mine, and I was not financially compensated.
February 27, 2017
After finishing Murder Takes Time, I found myself in awe of Giammatteo’s talent. I’ve never been a fan of books centered around the mob, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this novel.
The book’s main theme is that of friendship and honour. These words are used throughout the book as the code that four young Italian boys live by. As children, they are inseparable and unwavering in their loyalty to each other. However, as they grow older, their lives go down different paths and their promise of friendship and honour forever is greatly tested.
Murder Takes Time has a mesmerizing narrative. It immediately draws you into the story and it hooks you within the first couple of chapters. There’s a slightly gory beginning, but the story is still so magnetic. Each of the main characters are very well-developed and really distinct. They all have their own faults and demons, but each is willing to fight for what they believe in. Giammatteo uses a non-linear timeline and in the hands of other authors it could have been clunky or convoluted, but he does it effortlessly with seamless transitions. There are periods within chapters where the POV shifts to another character, but this is done without awkwardness. I have to applaud Giammatteo for being able to do this.
During the book, Frankie is forced to face both the cop and gangster side of himself. As readers, we sympathize with his predicament and his confusion, but we see each character’s motivation and desires. This makes it hard to know who to root for, but it’s this aspect that makes the book brilliant. There is no black and white, no right or wrong, and no easy answer. Just like in life, we are forced to acknowledge our internal conflicts and do what we think is right.
Giammatteo has written an extremely engaging story about friendship, honour, love, loss, and redemption. The dynamics between the four is impeccably written. An excellent, compelling read. Highly recommended.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
The book’s main theme is that of friendship and honour. These words are used throughout the book as the code that four young Italian boys live by. As children, they are inseparable and unwavering in their loyalty to each other. However, as they grow older, their lives go down different paths and their promise of friendship and honour forever is greatly tested.
Murder Takes Time has a mesmerizing narrative. It immediately draws you into the story and it hooks you within the first couple of chapters. There’s a slightly gory beginning, but the story is still so magnetic. Each of the main characters are very well-developed and really distinct. They all have their own faults and demons, but each is willing to fight for what they believe in. Giammatteo uses a non-linear timeline and in the hands of other authors it could have been clunky or convoluted, but he does it effortlessly with seamless transitions. There are periods within chapters where the POV shifts to another character, but this is done without awkwardness. I have to applaud Giammatteo for being able to do this.
During the book, Frankie is forced to face both the cop and gangster side of himself. As readers, we sympathize with his predicament and his confusion, but we see each character’s motivation and desires. This makes it hard to know who to root for, but it’s this aspect that makes the book brilliant. There is no black and white, no right or wrong, and no easy answer. Just like in life, we are forced to acknowledge our internal conflicts and do what we think is right.
Giammatteo has written an extremely engaging story about friendship, honour, love, loss, and redemption. The dynamics between the four is impeccably written. An excellent, compelling read. Highly recommended.
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
September 28, 2012
Frankie, Tony and Nicky are friends who grew up in the same neighbourhood, place where the only rule to survival was – never break an oath. Now Frankie as a cop has two oaths to uphold – one to his friends and one to the Law enforcement force. But when bodies start piling up in Brooklyn and evidence points towards Frankie’s old buddies – a conflict arises. Which oath to keep, when keeping one means breaking the other?
The author & the book had my full attention from the very first page. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the author’s style of writing. It is impeccable and he’s got some style! The images that his words created in my mind were very vivid. It was like watching a motion picture. Imagine my surprise when I found out that this is only his debut novel… Way to make a debut. The plot is amazing. I mean it has action, mystery and romance –what else could you want in one book. Though this book is mainly characterized as a murder mystery/thriller, it is really so much more. It offers human perspectives on family and friends. And the food – a thriller had me salivating for some of the food mentioned! The characters a strong individually and a lot of their past and present is revealed in the story. While the characters are fictional, the inspiration that created them was obviously very real because the personalities and the conflicts seemed so natural and real to me. And as the story was narrated from the POV of two different characters, it made it all the more easy, to see a situation from each angle.
This is an remarkable novel that I was forced to read twice in immediate succession – just because I didn’t want it to be over after the first time. Yes, take my word for it – it is amazing, astounding, incredible, marvellous, spectacular… I am running out of word yet I don’t think that I have praised it enough! Go grab your copy – but a word of caution – it contains graphic details.
The author & the book had my full attention from the very first page. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the author’s style of writing. It is impeccable and he’s got some style! The images that his words created in my mind were very vivid. It was like watching a motion picture. Imagine my surprise when I found out that this is only his debut novel… Way to make a debut. The plot is amazing. I mean it has action, mystery and romance –what else could you want in one book. Though this book is mainly characterized as a murder mystery/thriller, it is really so much more. It offers human perspectives on family and friends. And the food – a thriller had me salivating for some of the food mentioned! The characters a strong individually and a lot of their past and present is revealed in the story. While the characters are fictional, the inspiration that created them was obviously very real because the personalities and the conflicts seemed so natural and real to me. And as the story was narrated from the POV of two different characters, it made it all the more easy, to see a situation from each angle.
This is an remarkable novel that I was forced to read twice in immediate succession – just because I didn’t want it to be over after the first time. Yes, take my word for it – it is amazing, astounding, incredible, marvellous, spectacular… I am running out of word yet I don’t think that I have praised it enough! Go grab your copy – but a word of caution – it contains graphic details.
November 12, 2012
Murder Takes Time is a story told in different voices and times in the life of friends from the Italian/Irish neighborhood in Brooklyn. It could be any neighborhood from New York, Chicago or Philly..children play together from various backgrounds, go to school, go to church and basically live in each others homes. That is how close this group of people were. They swore an oath..friendship and honor..and they were expected to keep that oath no matter what. But oaths and alliances are broken and that is when the revenge starts. To me this book was very reminiscent of what Mario Puzo wrote and the author did an awesome job of describing the acts of revenge, of the police trying to crack the case of the men who were murdered for revenge because they broke the oath.Who is out for revenge and killing Detective Frankie Donovan childhood friends? At first it is hard to figure out who is actually doing the killings because each chapter goes from character to character and then when these kids were little to when they are adults. But then about midway or so through the book it all starts to come together to provide the reader with a taut, suspenseful thriller of a book. There is also a love story intertwined throughout. You can just feel the emotion coming off the pages... I loved this story although I must say it is not for the faint of heart. I highly recommend this well written book to anyone who likes reading about the mob or just enjoys a great story. I give it 5 stars!!
March 22, 2014
Men are being murdered – shot in the chest and head, and some are brutally tortured. Because of their backgrounds, police think they are gangland murders. But, police detective Frankie ‘Bugs’ Donovan is convinced that it’s something more sinister, and personal.
In Murder Takes Time, Giacomo Giammatteo takes us into the depth of the human mind and heart, and onto the mean streets of our cities in a chillingly realistic tale of murder, revenge, friendship, and honor.
I received a free review copy of Murder Takes Time, and once I started reading, I missed a meal to finish it. Giammatteo is a master of suspense and mystery, with compelling dialogue and credible description of people, places, and events – all tied together in a tale that begins on a high note, and then soars to even higher altitudes as we follow Donovan and his friend Nicky ‘the Rat’ Fusco from their childhoods in Philadelphia to the New York underworld in a confrontation that will catch you looking the other way. The life and death struggle as these two childhood friends play cat and mouse with each other gains momentum with each new corpse, and Giammatteo knows how to tease – and keep the reader guessing. A breathtaking read.
In Murder Takes Time, Giacomo Giammatteo takes us into the depth of the human mind and heart, and onto the mean streets of our cities in a chillingly realistic tale of murder, revenge, friendship, and honor.
I received a free review copy of Murder Takes Time, and once I started reading, I missed a meal to finish it. Giammatteo is a master of suspense and mystery, with compelling dialogue and credible description of people, places, and events – all tied together in a tale that begins on a high note, and then soars to even higher altitudes as we follow Donovan and his friend Nicky ‘the Rat’ Fusco from their childhoods in Philadelphia to the New York underworld in a confrontation that will catch you looking the other way. The life and death struggle as these two childhood friends play cat and mouse with each other gains momentum with each new corpse, and Giammatteo knows how to tease – and keep the reader guessing. A breathtaking read.
August 18, 2012
“Friendship and Honor!”
This is what four friends Nicky, Tony, Frankie and Paulie vowed. As little boys from the age of 6 they were already stealing, smoking and selling cigarettes, left alone to run the streets of Wilmington, Delaware. By the age of 8 they had taken the oath of friendship and honor, promising to always have the backs of the others and never rat their friends out. As they grew older they began running errands and doing odd jobs for the local so-called “mob.”
Eventually a few others boys joined their group and they began pulling off larger heists. The closest of the two were Nicky and Tony due to the premature death of Nicky’s mom and his never-present father. Tony’s mother, Momma Rosa, practically raised Nicky as her own.
Fast forward many years and Nicky is released from prison for a killing he made during a ‘gang’ fight as a kid. While in prison Nicky earned the fear of everyone, including the guards. None of his friends visited or wrote him while he was inside. Frankie became a cop and Tony and Paulie moved to the big city where they were “union workers,” aka working for the real mob this time. During the entire book, even with all that Nicky did I still thought of him as my favorite. Very conflicting.
When Nicky was released he turned to Tony for a place to stay and a job. He was introduced to Tony’s boss who game him a job with the union. They were all “union reps,” but nobody ever knew anyone’s true job description.
When several murders start taking place in Frankie’s district, he begins to suspect Nicky, but he won’t tell anyone unless he knows for sure, and he was conflicted about the oath he made with his friends as a child. Each murder has a similarity and each murder has a clue telling Frankie yes, it’s Nicky. How do you explain to your lieutenant that a dead rate means it could possibly be your childhood friend – since birth?
This is a story that takes you back and forth from childhood to adulthood and from the beginning of the crimes to present day. Actually, it jumps around several dates, back and forth, and I was never quite positive where we were. It also occasionally changed characters from one paragraph to the next, which occasionally through me off. The only other confusion I had, was keeping up with who belonged to what nickname. There was Paulie the Suit, Nicky the Rat, Frankie “Bugs” and I don’t remember Tony’s nickname. There were also the members of the mob and the other boys they grew up with. I would have to occasionally stop reading to try to remember who belonged to what and that was a bit frustrating at times.
Other than the time and name confusion, I actually enjoyed the book and read it in only a couple of days. At the end I found myself shushing my family and leaving the room just to get to the end. The crimes could be gruesome – I must warn you – especially the final crime. Shocking as a matter of fact. Shocking enough that I couldn’t keep my eyes off the words. I also, much like detective Frankie Bugs Donovan, found myself conflicted about the prime suspect. I wanted him to finish his jobs, I wanted him to stop, I wanted him arrested but I wanted him to get free. You’ll see when you read it.
Do I recommend the book? Sure. Not an emphatic, “YES, GO GET IT NOW!!” but more of a, “If you have the time, this is a quick engaging read.”
November 3, 2012
Murder Takes Time is a story about three best friends whose bonds of friendship are put to the test. Nicky "The Rat" Fusco, Tony "The Brain" Sannullo, and Frankie "Bugs" Donovan grew up on the streets of Wilmington, Delaware. Thicker than thieves, they took an oath of friendship and honor, promising to always have each other's back and never rat each other out. When a gang fight turns deadly, Nicky takes the fall and and is sentenced to prison for ten years.
Fast forward to the present time, the three friends now live in Brooklyn, New York, and have taken different paths in their lives. Frankie has become a detective, while Nicky and Tony have become members of the Martelli crime family.
When Frankie investigates a string of murders that has clues of the murderer pointing to someone from the old neighborhood, he finds himself looking at one of his best friends being the culprit. Frankie is conflicted and has to make the hard decision between honoring the oath he swore as a police officer; or honor the oath that he took thirty years ago with his best friends. With an emotional bond to his friends that are unbreakable, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, and he struggles to decide what actions to take. This is not only a decision of the heart, it could also be a decision that is deadly ... if the right decision isn't made.
Murder Takes Time is a fast-paced riveting and gritty thriller that will captivate your interest from the beginning. In his debut novel, author Giacomo Giammatteo weaves an intriguing tale of friendship, honor, loyalty and murder, told in the third person narrative with alternating points of view, and alternating between flashbacks to the past and the present day. The reader is engaged to follow along with the story of the three best friends, and how their bond of friendship is tested in a storyline that has a very graphic and explicit description of violence and strong language. This is a realistic and dramatic story with non-stop action and suspense that will keep you riveted to your seat and turning the pages.
The story has a cast of characters who are realistic and complex; with explicit dialogues and interactions; is rich in vivid and very graphic details and descriptions of murder scenes and crime investigations; the storyline flows smoothly and engages the reader to get involved in the story with an insight into each character, and keeps them guessing at the reason behind the murders.
If you are looking for a riveting and gritty no-holds barred murder mystery thriller that will captivate you and give you goose bumps, then Murder Takes Time is the book for you!
Murder Takes Time is the first book in the Friendship & Honor series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Fast forward to the present time, the three friends now live in Brooklyn, New York, and have taken different paths in their lives. Frankie has become a detective, while Nicky and Tony have become members of the Martelli crime family.
When Frankie investigates a string of murders that has clues of the murderer pointing to someone from the old neighborhood, he finds himself looking at one of his best friends being the culprit. Frankie is conflicted and has to make the hard decision between honoring the oath he swore as a police officer; or honor the oath that he took thirty years ago with his best friends. With an emotional bond to his friends that are unbreakable, the lines between right and wrong begin to blur, and he struggles to decide what actions to take. This is not only a decision of the heart, it could also be a decision that is deadly ... if the right decision isn't made.
Murder Takes Time is a fast-paced riveting and gritty thriller that will captivate your interest from the beginning. In his debut novel, author Giacomo Giammatteo weaves an intriguing tale of friendship, honor, loyalty and murder, told in the third person narrative with alternating points of view, and alternating between flashbacks to the past and the present day. The reader is engaged to follow along with the story of the three best friends, and how their bond of friendship is tested in a storyline that has a very graphic and explicit description of violence and strong language. This is a realistic and dramatic story with non-stop action and suspense that will keep you riveted to your seat and turning the pages.
The story has a cast of characters who are realistic and complex; with explicit dialogues and interactions; is rich in vivid and very graphic details and descriptions of murder scenes and crime investigations; the storyline flows smoothly and engages the reader to get involved in the story with an insight into each character, and keeps them guessing at the reason behind the murders.
If you are looking for a riveting and gritty no-holds barred murder mystery thriller that will captivate you and give you goose bumps, then Murder Takes Time is the book for you!
Murder Takes Time is the first book in the Friendship & Honor series.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
August 17, 2012
In the book by Giacomo Giammatteo titled Murder Takes Time the bond of friendship is put to the test. The story is about 4 boys who grew up together. One becomes a cop and the other three are not as law-abiding. When Frankie, the cop , has investigate his friends the story unfolds. Here is a brief summary of the story.
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life–the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years–and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Will Frankie break the oath of friendship or will he break the oath he took to uphold the law is the question that the reader has to ask themselves. What would you do in this situation? I mean we all know right from wrong but these are the boys he grew up and were like family to him. Does he turn them in or does he let them go? The only person that knows that question is Frankie himself and he is still uncertain of his decision.
Let me say first hand that I loved this book but the scenes in this book were a little gruesome. I could totally see this being made into a movie one day. I loved the fact that Frankie is torn between being loyal to his friends or being true to himself. I mean really when haven’t we been faced with the same thing. Peer pressure is a powerful thing. The story does jump back and forth from the past to the present and vice versa but it is very easy to follow. I found that how the story was written I had could sympathize with each of the characters. Yep even the bad guys are all a victim of their circumstances and the choices they make to rise above their circumstances cause their downfall.
If you are interested in checking out this book it is available on Amazon.follow
The author Giacomo Giammatteofollow was born in Delaware and makes his home in Texas. He lives on a farm with 41 animals. Murder Takes Time is his first book.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy for the sole purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.
A string of brutal murders has bodies piling up in Brooklyn, and Detective Frankie Donovan knows what is going on. Clues left at the crime scenes point to someone from the old neighborhood, and that isn’t good.
Frankie has taken two oaths in his life–the one he took to uphold the law when he became a cop, and the one he took with his two best friends when they were eight years old and inseparable. Those relationships have forced Frankie to make many tough decisions, but now he faces the toughest one of his life; he has five murders to solve and one of those two friends is responsible. If Frankie lets him go, he breaks the oath he took as a cop and risks losing his job. But if he tries to bring him in, he breaks the oath he kept for twenty-five years–and risks losing his life.
In the neighborhood where Frankie Donovan grew up, you never broke an oath.
Will Frankie break the oath of friendship or will he break the oath he took to uphold the law is the question that the reader has to ask themselves. What would you do in this situation? I mean we all know right from wrong but these are the boys he grew up and were like family to him. Does he turn them in or does he let them go? The only person that knows that question is Frankie himself and he is still uncertain of his decision.
Let me say first hand that I loved this book but the scenes in this book were a little gruesome. I could totally see this being made into a movie one day. I loved the fact that Frankie is torn between being loyal to his friends or being true to himself. I mean really when haven’t we been faced with the same thing. Peer pressure is a powerful thing. The story does jump back and forth from the past to the present and vice versa but it is very easy to follow. I found that how the story was written I had could sympathize with each of the characters. Yep even the bad guys are all a victim of their circumstances and the choices they make to rise above their circumstances cause their downfall.
If you are interested in checking out this book it is available on Amazon.follow
The author Giacomo Giammatteofollow was born in Delaware and makes his home in Texas. He lives on a farm with 41 animals. Murder Takes Time is his first book.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy for the sole purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.
September 24, 2012
Could childhood pranks carried into adulthood be purposely staged clues for solving murder investigations? Murders were taking place in New York, and clues were being left behind that implicated individuals who definitely had not been at the scene and clues that were too close for comfort.
The chapters are organized by flashbacks to the childhood of Tony, Frankie, Nicky, and Paulie as well as present day and other years in between. Their childhood friendship and the bond they had was difficult to overlook even though three of them were not upstanding citizens and one was a policeman. They were the best of buddies during childhood and had nicknames that stayed with them into adulthood. Their childhood antics and schemes were unbelievable and creative, but did this creativity and early start get them into things they shouldn't be in as adults....all except Frankie who turned out to be a policeman? Would his being a policeman be a detriment and make him a scapegoat for some of the murders?
The title is a perfect description of the contents of this book, but the book is also about family, friends, food, ordinary people, organized crime, and of course murder. If you are Italian, the sauce, meatballs, and nicknaming should be very familiar to you. I learned a new ingredient for my spaghetti sauce in this book and also some things I really didn't want to learn. There is a lot of brutality and profanity, but for the most part, the book is superbly written and flows very well. The way the book was laid out and how the plot played out was very unique for a first-time author....brilliant and creative on his part. The characters are authentic, the descriptions of the scenes are vivid, and as the end nears, you will have your heart pounding along with the detectives as they race to arrest the murderer before he kills again.
Highly recommended....I loved the Italian names and descriptions of the families and sadly the funerals. One thing that was confusing, though, was keeping track of who was talking....I thought it was being narrated by one character and then it turned out to be another. Other than that, it is an amazing, outstanding, and gripping first novel for Mr. Giammatteo. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge by the author in return for an honest review.
The chapters are organized by flashbacks to the childhood of Tony, Frankie, Nicky, and Paulie as well as present day and other years in between. Their childhood friendship and the bond they had was difficult to overlook even though three of them were not upstanding citizens and one was a policeman. They were the best of buddies during childhood and had nicknames that stayed with them into adulthood. Their childhood antics and schemes were unbelievable and creative, but did this creativity and early start get them into things they shouldn't be in as adults....all except Frankie who turned out to be a policeman? Would his being a policeman be a detriment and make him a scapegoat for some of the murders?
The title is a perfect description of the contents of this book, but the book is also about family, friends, food, ordinary people, organized crime, and of course murder. If you are Italian, the sauce, meatballs, and nicknaming should be very familiar to you. I learned a new ingredient for my spaghetti sauce in this book and also some things I really didn't want to learn. There is a lot of brutality and profanity, but for the most part, the book is superbly written and flows very well. The way the book was laid out and how the plot played out was very unique for a first-time author....brilliant and creative on his part. The characters are authentic, the descriptions of the scenes are vivid, and as the end nears, you will have your heart pounding along with the detectives as they race to arrest the murderer before he kills again.
Highly recommended....I loved the Italian names and descriptions of the families and sadly the funerals. One thing that was confusing, though, was keeping track of who was talking....I thought it was being narrated by one character and then it turned out to be another. Other than that, it is an amazing, outstanding, and gripping first novel for Mr. Giammatteo. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge by the author in return for an honest review.
August 20, 2013
Murder Takes Time
By Giacomo Giammatteo
2012
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
When is a crime novel not only a crime novel? To this reviewer, it is when the story is not a shoot-it-up surface action story alone, but when the novel gives the reader characters of depth that go beyond stereotypes.
From childhood the trio of Niccolo Fusco (Nicky, known as Rat,) Anthony Sannullo (Tony, known as Brain,) and Mario Frank Donovan (Frankie, known as Bugs) swore to be friends forever. They took an oath of friendship and honor, with only two rules: never betray each other and stick up for each other. Tony becomes a mob boss, Nicky a hit man, and Frankie a police detective.
The story starts in current day Brooklyn, New York; goes back 32 years, then 26 years, then 25 years ago to Wilmington; back to current day Brooklyn; then back and forth with Wilmington 21 19 years, etc.; concluding in current day Brooklyn after a foray to 3 years, 2 years, 20 months, 18 months, 1 year and 8 months ago in Brooklyn; with scenes 20 months ago in Wilmington and Hersey, Pennsylvania. Confusing? Yes, a little.
Although each chapter clearly denotes the time and place, this reviewer, once engulfed in the story, found the necessity of reading each chapter title to get a sense of place and time pulling me out from the intensity of the story. Unfortunately, this was the only reason the rating is not a five star one since the story was so good, and the characters were so compelling, that I found myself going back when I needed to fill in for the story and moving on.
Add in Mama Rosa, Angela Catrino, Sister Mary Thomas, Gina Small, and a cast of other characters who touched the lives of the three in major and minor ways. This is a look at the mob, hit men, the Catholic Church, and the police department that will make readers see them all in a different light, better understanding the nuances of the reality of life that make this story differ from the stereotypical view usually presented in such stories.
Murder Takes Time is the first in the Friendship and Honor series of books by Giacomo Giammatteo.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance writer and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service of unpublished manuscripts. http://www.angiemangino.com
By Giacomo Giammatteo
2012
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
When is a crime novel not only a crime novel? To this reviewer, it is when the story is not a shoot-it-up surface action story alone, but when the novel gives the reader characters of depth that go beyond stereotypes.
From childhood the trio of Niccolo Fusco (Nicky, known as Rat,) Anthony Sannullo (Tony, known as Brain,) and Mario Frank Donovan (Frankie, known as Bugs) swore to be friends forever. They took an oath of friendship and honor, with only two rules: never betray each other and stick up for each other. Tony becomes a mob boss, Nicky a hit man, and Frankie a police detective.
The story starts in current day Brooklyn, New York; goes back 32 years, then 26 years, then 25 years ago to Wilmington; back to current day Brooklyn; then back and forth with Wilmington 21 19 years, etc.; concluding in current day Brooklyn after a foray to 3 years, 2 years, 20 months, 18 months, 1 year and 8 months ago in Brooklyn; with scenes 20 months ago in Wilmington and Hersey, Pennsylvania. Confusing? Yes, a little.
Although each chapter clearly denotes the time and place, this reviewer, once engulfed in the story, found the necessity of reading each chapter title to get a sense of place and time pulling me out from the intensity of the story. Unfortunately, this was the only reason the rating is not a five star one since the story was so good, and the characters were so compelling, that I found myself going back when I needed to fill in for the story and moving on.
Add in Mama Rosa, Angela Catrino, Sister Mary Thomas, Gina Small, and a cast of other characters who touched the lives of the three in major and minor ways. This is a look at the mob, hit men, the Catholic Church, and the police department that will make readers see them all in a different light, better understanding the nuances of the reality of life that make this story differ from the stereotypical view usually presented in such stories.
Murder Takes Time is the first in the Friendship and Honor series of books by Giacomo Giammatteo.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance writer and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service of unpublished manuscripts. http://www.angiemangino.com
June 26, 2012
This novel actually exceeded expectations, for where I thought I would get a crime thriller with one conflicted protagonist who is trying to stay true to his roots while also doing his job, I got a novel about three conflicted protagonists who struggle to be true to their idealistic past while carrying on three very different lives as adults. It was both heart-warming and soul-hurting to read about these characters who have a bond forged in those childhood experiences that always seem to be the most important, be torn apart by circumstances and driven down such different paths, yet their oaths of Friendship and Honor keep them together. The author tells the story using different first person narratives from a variety of characters, while also bouncing the story forwards and backwards in time - a difficult set-up but one done superbly, as you start in the present, and pieces of the past are given to you as needed so that the characters and their predicaments are unfolded gradually. The real nature of the story is only clear until about the middle of the book when all the pieces start coming together.
Because the novel goes into the mind of many of the characters, decisions that should be clear-cut, become murky when character motivations make you sympathize with even the murderer, and I think the real power of this book comes from the way the author transitions childhood hopes with harsh adult reality. It's something that everyone has to come to terms with to a certain extent, and the way the author develops it in the lives of his characters creates very poignant and touching moments that at times brought tears to my eyes. Although some sad things need to happen in the story, ultimately it brings off a hope-filled ending, with a resolution that feels right and is perhaps not exactly what I expected. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a well-thought out, character-driven mystery/crime novel, which delves deep into the human psyche.
And I guarantee you'll be craving some Italian food after reading this book!
review copy kindly provided by the author
Because the novel goes into the mind of many of the characters, decisions that should be clear-cut, become murky when character motivations make you sympathize with even the murderer, and I think the real power of this book comes from the way the author transitions childhood hopes with harsh adult reality. It's something that everyone has to come to terms with to a certain extent, and the way the author develops it in the lives of his characters creates very poignant and touching moments that at times brought tears to my eyes. Although some sad things need to happen in the story, ultimately it brings off a hope-filled ending, with a resolution that feels right and is perhaps not exactly what I expected. I recommend this book for anyone who wants a well-thought out, character-driven mystery/crime novel, which delves deep into the human psyche.
And I guarantee you'll be craving some Italian food after reading this book!
review copy kindly provided by the author
May 8, 2012
Looking for a great read this summer?
this book makes me think, “summer read.” I read all year, and much more now that I have an ereader, but there are books I try to save for “summer reads” because then I have time to think about them and sit back to take time if I wish for the parts that seem to call for reflection.
Murder Takes Time is such a book. It makes a great fast read that pulls you along and makes it hard to put down, but then you find yourself thinking about parts that come back again and again during other activities of the day. In summer I have time to indulge myself in that reflection--if a book has sufficient depth. And, this book does.
First, it is a story that probes honor and what it is, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Society has laws, rules and codes. Some are written, and some are tacit. Which are the stronger? How does the context effect that and why should the context effect that, especially the context of friendship?
The story itself centers around the implications of an event from childhood that results in crimes during adulthood. As such it includes, mystery, crime, and Mob elements.
The characters are complete characters that feel like people you know. They remind me of the people who populated my own childhood; friend's moms, old guys in the neighborhood, nuns patroling with yard sticks, parts of town you weren't supposed to go,... all ring true and make the setting both believable and familiar.
It is possible Giammatteo's best strength as a writer to use his characters to pull emotion out of the reader. They are familiar and very readable, so it makes sense that they would produce familiar and identifiable emotions for the reader. The emotional range extends from tender pulling out tears here and there, to funny, to suspense, that that makes interruptions of the read very annoying.
Some of the themes in this book are a bit in advance of young readers; language, violence and some adult oriented content. It is not unusual for a crime novel, especially Mob fiction.
I recommend it.
pb
this book makes me think, “summer read.” I read all year, and much more now that I have an ereader, but there are books I try to save for “summer reads” because then I have time to think about them and sit back to take time if I wish for the parts that seem to call for reflection.
Murder Takes Time is such a book. It makes a great fast read that pulls you along and makes it hard to put down, but then you find yourself thinking about parts that come back again and again during other activities of the day. In summer I have time to indulge myself in that reflection--if a book has sufficient depth. And, this book does.
First, it is a story that probes honor and what it is, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Society has laws, rules and codes. Some are written, and some are tacit. Which are the stronger? How does the context effect that and why should the context effect that, especially the context of friendship?
The story itself centers around the implications of an event from childhood that results in crimes during adulthood. As such it includes, mystery, crime, and Mob elements.
The characters are complete characters that feel like people you know. They remind me of the people who populated my own childhood; friend's moms, old guys in the neighborhood, nuns patroling with yard sticks, parts of town you weren't supposed to go,... all ring true and make the setting both believable and familiar.
It is possible Giammatteo's best strength as a writer to use his characters to pull emotion out of the reader. They are familiar and very readable, so it makes sense that they would produce familiar and identifiable emotions for the reader. The emotional range extends from tender pulling out tears here and there, to funny, to suspense, that that makes interruptions of the read very annoying.
Some of the themes in this book are a bit in advance of young readers; language, violence and some adult oriented content. It is not unusual for a crime novel, especially Mob fiction.
I recommend it.
pb
July 23, 2012
The novel starts out with three best friends growing up in Delaware, just 30 miles south of Philadelphia. Nicky "The Rat" Fusco, Frankie "Bugs" Donovan, and Tony "The Brain" Sanullo. The three are thick as thieves until a gang fight gets deadly and Nicky takes the fall for everyone. He's sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The book bounces back and forth between the past and the current day. The characters in the story are well developed and we learn what happened to them in the past that makes them how they are today. Tony is a mobster who is trying to stay away from the cops, Nicky gets out of jail and becomes a contract killer, and Frankie became a cop.
When bodies start showing up shot execution style along with dead rats and rat poop at the scene, Frankie is starting to suspect his childhood friend Nicky is the killer. Frankie is soon in the middle of an investigation that could put all of his old friends from the neighborhood in jail. Will Frankie keep that long ago oath of friendship and honor or will he adhere to the oath to uphold the law?
Murder Takes Time is a book filled with love, hate, friendship, and murder. There are some graphic, violent scenes and explicit language throughout the book. There's also the lingering question about what is right and what is wrong. God plays a minor role in the book as well.
I enjoyed the different story lines in the book that all came together at the end. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen, who was going to die, and who was getting out alive. The only thing I had trouble with was the changing point of view. The view point often changed in the middle of a chapter which left me momentarily confused.
Overall, this was a book that made me want to keep reading until the end. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries or action novels.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
The book bounces back and forth between the past and the current day. The characters in the story are well developed and we learn what happened to them in the past that makes them how they are today. Tony is a mobster who is trying to stay away from the cops, Nicky gets out of jail and becomes a contract killer, and Frankie became a cop.
When bodies start showing up shot execution style along with dead rats and rat poop at the scene, Frankie is starting to suspect his childhood friend Nicky is the killer. Frankie is soon in the middle of an investigation that could put all of his old friends from the neighborhood in jail. Will Frankie keep that long ago oath of friendship and honor or will he adhere to the oath to uphold the law?
Murder Takes Time is a book filled with love, hate, friendship, and murder. There are some graphic, violent scenes and explicit language throughout the book. There's also the lingering question about what is right and what is wrong. God plays a minor role in the book as well.
I enjoyed the different story lines in the book that all came together at the end. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen, who was going to die, and who was getting out alive. The only thing I had trouble with was the changing point of view. The view point often changed in the middle of a chapter which left me momentarily confused.
Overall, this was a book that made me want to keep reading until the end. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries or action novels.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
August 29, 2012
Murder Takes Time by Giacomo Giammatteo follows the lives of friends growing up in Sicilian and Italian families, immersed in a culture that will inevitably push them toward the mob and a lot of trouble. The story tests the lines of friendship, family, honor, love, and work. It forces the reader to choose a side with each character- is this person good or bad? Actions aside, I was constantly evaluating whether this person or that person was good at heart. It didn't matter how many people they had killed.
A good story does that. It takes you away from your normal thought process and presents you with a scenario that you normally wouldn't consider. I love that about reading!
There are a lot of characters in this book. Most have nicknames like the Rat, the Suit, Bugs, and more. At times, the story was confusing for me as so many names were thrown around. I got confused, but that was no surprise to me as typical in-depth mob stories usually have elaborate casts and intricate, numerous relationships. As I kept reading, the characters started to become easier to identify. Don't mistake this for a "typical mob story", though. It's surprisingly loving in some chapters and shockingly disturbing in others. The author knew no bounds.
When I got about half-way through the book, it really started to pick up and I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down, but I often had to in order to re-charge my Kindle...or, ya know, actually parent my child.
If you like mob stories, add this one to your reading list. It could also be considered a psychological thriller, too (which is another favorite genre of mine). Woven into this story of friendship and honor is a love story as well. I recommend it, for sure!
Warning: This book will make you want Italian food for days (if you don't lose your appetite, that is).
A good story does that. It takes you away from your normal thought process and presents you with a scenario that you normally wouldn't consider. I love that about reading!
There are a lot of characters in this book. Most have nicknames like the Rat, the Suit, Bugs, and more. At times, the story was confusing for me as so many names were thrown around. I got confused, but that was no surprise to me as typical in-depth mob stories usually have elaborate casts and intricate, numerous relationships. As I kept reading, the characters started to become easier to identify. Don't mistake this for a "typical mob story", though. It's surprisingly loving in some chapters and shockingly disturbing in others. The author knew no bounds.
When I got about half-way through the book, it really started to pick up and I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down, but I often had to in order to re-charge my Kindle...or, ya know, actually parent my child.
If you like mob stories, add this one to your reading list. It could also be considered a psychological thriller, too (which is another favorite genre of mine). Woven into this story of friendship and honor is a love story as well. I recommend it, for sure!
Warning: This book will make you want Italian food for days (if you don't lose your appetite, that is).
August 12, 2012
The essence of the story is this. A group of kids grows up in Wilmington, Delaware--already a plus for me since I have a handful of good friends in Wilmington DE. Three in particular are really tight, and as they grow up, they follow in the mob's footsteps. However, one of them becomes a cop (Frankie), one gets in deep with the mob (Tony), and the last one, Nicky, ultimately goes to jail (oh, don't worry, I didn't give anything away!)
The book opens with a gruesome murder. GRUESOME! and you, the reader, begin to follow along with their lives and how they are interconnected while they seem completely different. The story is told chapter by chapter from an unknown person's perspective in 1st person and then from 3rd person following Frankie. And back and forth. Sometimes in the middle of chapters it changes. I like the concept, but at times it was very difficult to follow.
Murder Takes Time is not a book I would recommend to families. Giacomo Giammatteo didn't write it for kids. He would never say that he did.
Pros
Giacomo Giammatteo is an engaging writer. Even though, it was difficult for me to read at times, I still wanted to know what happened in the end.
This book has an interesting plot twist.
Lots of characters to get to know.
Cons
Language--Rough and offensive. Do not read this to your children (it was never intended for children--but I will say it again. Don't read it to your kiddos!)
Sexual imagery--Let me repeat myself. Not for kids, or many adults either
Graphic violence--I still shudder as some of the scenes depicted that I had to skip because I felt nauseous reading them. Now, let me say, those images may not bother you. I'm just letting you know that they are there.
The book opens with a gruesome murder. GRUESOME! and you, the reader, begin to follow along with their lives and how they are interconnected while they seem completely different. The story is told chapter by chapter from an unknown person's perspective in 1st person and then from 3rd person following Frankie. And back and forth. Sometimes in the middle of chapters it changes. I like the concept, but at times it was very difficult to follow.
Murder Takes Time is not a book I would recommend to families. Giacomo Giammatteo didn't write it for kids. He would never say that he did.
Pros
Giacomo Giammatteo is an engaging writer. Even though, it was difficult for me to read at times, I still wanted to know what happened in the end.
This book has an interesting plot twist.
Lots of characters to get to know.
Cons
Language--Rough and offensive. Do not read this to your children (it was never intended for children--but I will say it again. Don't read it to your kiddos!)
Sexual imagery--Let me repeat myself. Not for kids, or many adults either
Graphic violence--I still shudder as some of the scenes depicted that I had to skip because I felt nauseous reading them. Now, let me say, those images may not bother you. I'm just letting you know that they are there.
December 15, 2012
Dead man was found. Shot once in the head, once in the chest. All bones were broken. Dead rat was found at the scene of the murder.
This is the second murder. Another man was found dead, a little earlier, killed the same way. Work of a serial killer?
Detective Frankie Donovan is working on the case. Something about these murders "sucks". Something about these murders is very familiar. Something that brings back his memories to the time when he was a child. When three children, Nicky, Frankie and Tony were best friends. When friendship and honor were the most important thing in the world. Tony Sannullo now works for the Mafia, and Nicky has just come out of prison. Niccolo Fusco, otherwise known as "Nicky the Rat".
When DNA from the Frankie is found at the crime scene, he realizes that he is right. That someone from the past is taking revenge on him for something. But for what?
Frankie Donovan lives alone. His best friends are two neighborhood children whose parents do not care about them, so they practically live on street. Sometimes they find their shelter in Frankie’s home who cares for them as his own children.
Murder Takes Time is beautifully woven story. Story for three friends, three kids, for friendship and honor, for the family. Story of injustice and revenge. The author beautifully inserted detective story in the story of the growth of three best friends. Takes you through the investigation of the brutal murders, and goes back into the past describing the adventures of three small rascals. What’s the link, read it yourself. There are moments when you wonder what is the right justice, what is moral and what is not. Do some people deserve to die? This novel left me speechless. Great story.
This is the second murder. Another man was found dead, a little earlier, killed the same way. Work of a serial killer?
Detective Frankie Donovan is working on the case. Something about these murders "sucks". Something about these murders is very familiar. Something that brings back his memories to the time when he was a child. When three children, Nicky, Frankie and Tony were best friends. When friendship and honor were the most important thing in the world. Tony Sannullo now works for the Mafia, and Nicky has just come out of prison. Niccolo Fusco, otherwise known as "Nicky the Rat".
When DNA from the Frankie is found at the crime scene, he realizes that he is right. That someone from the past is taking revenge on him for something. But for what?
Frankie Donovan lives alone. His best friends are two neighborhood children whose parents do not care about them, so they practically live on street. Sometimes they find their shelter in Frankie’s home who cares for them as his own children.
Murder Takes Time is beautifully woven story. Story for three friends, three kids, for friendship and honor, for the family. Story of injustice and revenge. The author beautifully inserted detective story in the story of the growth of three best friends. Takes you through the investigation of the brutal murders, and goes back into the past describing the adventures of three small rascals. What’s the link, read it yourself. There are moments when you wonder what is the right justice, what is moral and what is not. Do some people deserve to die? This novel left me speechless. Great story.
March 23, 2014
“Nicky Fusco thought he knew right from wrong, living by an oath of friendship & honor with his three best friends. But life took them down separate paths, and the oath was broken. Secrets were kept. Years later they are reunited and the bonds of their friendship are brutally tested, putting them on a collision course set in motion long ago.
Murder Takes Time is not a typical murder mystery or mob story. It is a thriller, a romance, and a coming-of-age story that rips your heart out. By the time you're done reading it, you just might find yourself rethinking the definition of friendship & honor--even right and wrong.
Three boys, one girl. Friendship, honor, love--betrayal. It ends with murder.” Amazon.com
This book was so very astounding good, delightful, scary, and heartbreaking! Five stars are NOT enough to rate this book, it needs a min of 10 *'s!!! I don't think I'll ever forget it! The author has truly written a most beloved book! Probably in a lot of people's lives the old neighborhood that the author talks about "was that's what and how the old neighborhood lived". And the "old neighborhood" was good and then not so good. The characters were so typical of what everyone has run into and made the story just perfect! The plot was well put together and the ending was just wonderful. Don't think the author left any thought unfinished as to the characters by the time the story ended. His rules of friendship, how he was taught to murder along with his neighbor mother figure and a Sister of his Catholic School were just wonderful! Truly a great read and probably would recommend to anyone to read as long as they're over the age of 18! Off to find more of his books!
Murder Takes Time is not a typical murder mystery or mob story. It is a thriller, a romance, and a coming-of-age story that rips your heart out. By the time you're done reading it, you just might find yourself rethinking the definition of friendship & honor--even right and wrong.
Three boys, one girl. Friendship, honor, love--betrayal. It ends with murder.” Amazon.com
This book was so very astounding good, delightful, scary, and heartbreaking! Five stars are NOT enough to rate this book, it needs a min of 10 *'s!!! I don't think I'll ever forget it! The author has truly written a most beloved book! Probably in a lot of people's lives the old neighborhood that the author talks about "was that's what and how the old neighborhood lived". And the "old neighborhood" was good and then not so good. The characters were so typical of what everyone has run into and made the story just perfect! The plot was well put together and the ending was just wonderful. Don't think the author left any thought unfinished as to the characters by the time the story ended. His rules of friendship, how he was taught to murder along with his neighbor mother figure and a Sister of his Catholic School were just wonderful! Truly a great read and probably would recommend to anyone to read as long as they're over the age of 18! Off to find more of his books!
July 26, 2012
I enjoyed this book ... a lot! The story was good. Nicky "The Rat" Fusco, Frankie "Bugs" Donovan, and Tony "The Brain" Sanullo became friends when they were young and remained friends as they became adults, even after Frankie became a cop and the others went to prison and/or became involved in the mob. Their loyalty and friendship are tested as members of the mob start getting brutally murdered.
I enjoyed the writing style ... it kept me wanting to read more. The style was interesting in that a chapter would take place in the present time with the murder investigations and then the next would go back (in chronological order) to when the boys were younger and what shaped them to be who they are today. Don't worry, it's clearly indicated at the top of the chapter what time period it is so you don't get confused.
The writing style has two points of view ... when it was in the present day, the point of view was in third person and when it was in the past until the present, it was first person (Nicky's voice). Sometimes during Nicky's chapters (his point of view), it changed back to third person again. It took me the first couple of chapters to get used to this.
The good guys are likable and I even liked some of the bad guys.
Warning: there is mature language and violence.
My only complaint about the book is that there were so many characters at times (mainly mobsters) and I had a problem keeping them some of them straight.
I've never heard of this author but will put him on my "to keep reading" list. This is apparently the first in the series and I look forward to many more to come.
I enjoyed the writing style ... it kept me wanting to read more. The style was interesting in that a chapter would take place in the present time with the murder investigations and then the next would go back (in chronological order) to when the boys were younger and what shaped them to be who they are today. Don't worry, it's clearly indicated at the top of the chapter what time period it is so you don't get confused.
The writing style has two points of view ... when it was in the present day, the point of view was in third person and when it was in the past until the present, it was first person (Nicky's voice). Sometimes during Nicky's chapters (his point of view), it changed back to third person again. It took me the first couple of chapters to get used to this.
The good guys are likable and I even liked some of the bad guys.
Warning: there is mature language and violence.
My only complaint about the book is that there were so many characters at times (mainly mobsters) and I had a problem keeping them some of them straight.
I've never heard of this author but will put him on my "to keep reading" list. This is apparently the first in the series and I look forward to many more to come.
September 4, 2012
Murder Takes Time is a story of love and betrayal, friendships and deadly enmities. A group of boys grow up poor in an Italian neighborhood. Tony is the smartest kid anyone knows. Suit only has one shirt as his family is so poor and vows to never wear anything but the finest when he is grown. Bugs gets his name for his ability to catch cockroaches in his tenement apartment; the only thing his father values about him. Nicky 'The Rat' has a fierce loyalty to his friends. He gets his nickname from the local mobsters when at the age of six he is taken in by the police for a childhood prank and despite hours of questioning refuses to give up so much as his name, much less his partners in crime. Together they form a group determined to always be there for each other.
But children grow up. Tony is a rising star in the Mob, with Suit his constant companion. Bugs has become a cop, a homicide detective torn between his childhood loyalties and the law. Nicky, who went to prison rather than give up his friends, has just been released, only to find his long time love married to someone else. Unable to get work, he soon becomes an enforcer for the Mob.
Now, gruesome murders are happening, and Bugs suspects that Nicky may be behind them. Can he solve the murders before more occur and find a way to balance his friendships and his work?
Gaimmatteo has written an authentic Italian mobster mystery. The book is told in the voices of the various characters, allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind their actions. The plotline is compelling, and the resolution is satisfying. This book is recommended for mystery lovers.
But children grow up. Tony is a rising star in the Mob, with Suit his constant companion. Bugs has become a cop, a homicide detective torn between his childhood loyalties and the law. Nicky, who went to prison rather than give up his friends, has just been released, only to find his long time love married to someone else. Unable to get work, he soon becomes an enforcer for the Mob.
Now, gruesome murders are happening, and Bugs suspects that Nicky may be behind them. Can he solve the murders before more occur and find a way to balance his friendships and his work?
Gaimmatteo has written an authentic Italian mobster mystery. The book is told in the voices of the various characters, allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind their actions. The plotline is compelling, and the resolution is satisfying. This book is recommended for mystery lovers.
August 31, 2013
What to say about this book? As a huge fan of Godfather and stories like that, I must say ENJOYED and LOVED “Murder takes time” from the start to the end.
Let me say something about it. This book is a mystery, crime, thriller and friendship before all of it. The main characters are three guys that are friends since they were six years old. Their motto is “Friendship and honor”. All of them have nicknames that suits them and were given when deserved: Nicky “The Rat”, Tony “The Brain” and Frankie “The Bugs”. The chapters in the book are so written that every next chapter tells something that follows the previous and I liked it (find out why something happened or what is next as a consequence of what happened). Story is told by Nicky and Frankie.
I liked Nicky and felt sorry for him, life was so cruel. Besides everything he has a soul and never hurts innocent. I liked Frankie too. He is a cop with a gangster soul, but only when it comes to his friends. He does not betray any of them. But Tony, I did not liked him at all, he was jealous on Nicky all the time and did things that hurt him a lot. I won’t write spoilers, I will just say that Nicky spent 10 years in prison, Tony is a mob and Frankie is a cop. What connects them? Murders on mob members and evidences that have story behind.
I fully recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery, thriller or crime book, even there is a lot more in it.
The one thing that is weird was that six years old boys drinks coffee at home in presence of Tony’s mother. Don’t think it can really happens.
My ratings 5/5.
Would love to read the second book it the series.
Let me say something about it. This book is a mystery, crime, thriller and friendship before all of it. The main characters are three guys that are friends since they were six years old. Their motto is “Friendship and honor”. All of them have nicknames that suits them and were given when deserved: Nicky “The Rat”, Tony “The Brain” and Frankie “The Bugs”. The chapters in the book are so written that every next chapter tells something that follows the previous and I liked it (find out why something happened or what is next as a consequence of what happened). Story is told by Nicky and Frankie.
I liked Nicky and felt sorry for him, life was so cruel. Besides everything he has a soul and never hurts innocent. I liked Frankie too. He is a cop with a gangster soul, but only when it comes to his friends. He does not betray any of them. But Tony, I did not liked him at all, he was jealous on Nicky all the time and did things that hurt him a lot. I won’t write spoilers, I will just say that Nicky spent 10 years in prison, Tony is a mob and Frankie is a cop. What connects them? Murders on mob members and evidences that have story behind.
I fully recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery, thriller or crime book, even there is a lot more in it.
The one thing that is weird was that six years old boys drinks coffee at home in presence of Tony’s mother. Don’t think it can really happens.
My ratings 5/5.
Would love to read the second book it the series.
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