What do you think?
Rate this book
Frank Rinelli #1
Killer Rumors
Father D’Angelo and Bakeman, two devoted priests were brutally murdered while going on one of their nightly walks. Detective Frank Rinelli is called to the case- not only due to his close friendship with the priests, but with his expertise of tracking psychotic killers. Rinelli suddenly discovers these murders were based on a scandal that occurred several years ago at the same Church where the two murdered priests preached. And it doesn’t stop there. The list of people being murdered in connection with the scandal continues to grow until the killer has his ultimate vengeance- and the truth released.
337 pages, ebook
First published September 23, 2012
565 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 11, 2013
★★★Killer Rumors by Antonello Fiore
This was a R2R I was given in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book starts with the murder of 2 highly respected priest, Father D’Angelo and Father Bakeman. The detectives have always know them, they attend Mass at their church, and were even baptized by them. Frank Rinelli, even considers Father D’Angelo, to be like a father. So when the detectives, hear the news that sends panic, through the entire city, they make it their personal mission, to bring retribution.
I really liked the 2 main guys, Detectives Rinelli and Lorenzzo. They have always been best friends, and are partners on the Philadelphia Police Department. Honor, determination, and protection of their city, is the code they live by.
However, while the guys seem to have the heart for the job, they seem to be meatheads, as well. My impression of them, is that they are sexy, muscular men, with badges and guns. While they are homicide detectives, and let's throw their LT. Parson into this, too, they were more like rookies, when it comes to problem solving and basic investigation skills. Something that annoyed me through the entire book, was their inability to see what was in front of their faces. I knew what their information meant 200+ pages, before them. I just wanted to shake them, and say, "Open you damn eyes!"
All that being said, I did have some major issues with it, too. Some would say, I'm nit-picky, and I would agree, but obsessive is the first word of OCD. So, these drastically effects my reading and enjoyment of a book.
I am a stickler about spelling/grammar/etc.
*The spelling was actually pretty good. There were a few, but it was minimal.
*However, the tense kept switching, one minute it was present tense, then past tense, all while the story moved forward.
*A character referred to herself by her own name, in thought.
*Word choice was off in many places, wrong form of the word or just the wrong word altogether.
I am also all about facts and details.
* Many details, were stated, then completely changed pages later. Sadly, this seems to be a growing trend in books, that I'm getting used to.
* But, I was also fed facts/clues, that were never explained, leaving me to look them up, or be left guessing.
* A couple characters had real sketchy backgrounds, that seems underdeveloped.
* While not for a second, do I believe one of the last scenes is humanly possible, it will make for a good follow up.
I love a good murder/mystery, so I really did enjoy the story line. I found it to be suspenseful, and engaging. This made it easier to look over the issues. Obviously, I read it in one sitting. I would recommend this to others, and am looking forward to the next installment. Maybe, our boys, will put more thought into the clues, and less in their hair gel and outfits. LOL. I wonder what these sexy detectives will be up to, next.
Thank you, to Antonello, for introducing me to these fine officers of the law.
This was a R2R I was given in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book starts with the murder of 2 highly respected priest, Father D’Angelo and Father Bakeman. The detectives have always know them, they attend Mass at their church, and were even baptized by them. Frank Rinelli, even considers Father D’Angelo, to be like a father. So when the detectives, hear the news that sends panic, through the entire city, they make it their personal mission, to bring retribution.
I really liked the 2 main guys, Detectives Rinelli and Lorenzzo. They have always been best friends, and are partners on the Philadelphia Police Department. Honor, determination, and protection of their city, is the code they live by.
However, while the guys seem to have the heart for the job, they seem to be meatheads, as well. My impression of them, is that they are sexy, muscular men, with badges and guns. While they are homicide detectives, and let's throw their LT. Parson into this, too, they were more like rookies, when it comes to problem solving and basic investigation skills. Something that annoyed me through the entire book, was their inability to see what was in front of their faces. I knew what their information meant 200+ pages, before them. I just wanted to shake them, and say, "Open you damn eyes!"
All that being said, I did have some major issues with it, too. Some would say, I'm nit-picky, and I would agree, but obsessive is the first word of OCD. So, these drastically effects my reading and enjoyment of a book.
I am a stickler about spelling/grammar/etc.
*The spelling was actually pretty good. There were a few, but it was minimal.
*However, the tense kept switching, one minute it was present tense, then past tense, all while the story moved forward.
*A character referred to herself by her own name, in thought.
*Word choice was off in many places, wrong form of the word or just the wrong word altogether.
I am also all about facts and details.
* Many details, were stated, then completely changed pages later. Sadly, this seems to be a growing trend in books, that I'm getting used to.
* But, I was also fed facts/clues, that were never explained, leaving me to look them up, or be left guessing.
* A couple characters had real sketchy backgrounds, that seems underdeveloped.
* While not for a second, do I believe one of the last scenes is humanly possible, it will make for a good follow up.
I love a good murder/mystery, so I really did enjoy the story line. I found it to be suspenseful, and engaging. This made it easier to look over the issues. Obviously, I read it in one sitting. I would recommend this to others, and am looking forward to the next installment. Maybe, our boys, will put more thought into the clues, and less in their hair gel and outfits. LOL. I wonder what these sexy detectives will be up to, next.
Thank you, to Antonello, for introducing me to these fine officers of the law.
April 3, 2016
Review copy kindly provided by author and GR friend Antonello Fiore.
When two beloved priests end up dead, it creates fear and confusion in the hearts of their flock. Detective Frank Rinelli and his partner do whatever it takes to track down the perpetrator of this crime. They uncover a web of corruption along the way. But all is not as straightforward as it seems, and there are surprises right up to the last page.
This book is written from a very Catholic perspective. The author, the narrator and most of the characters seem very devout. Yet the story does not shy away from serious issues besetting the Church. In that sense, it is an honest and hard-hitting book. What marred the reading experience for me--and it truly pains me to say this--was the abundance of grammar and syntax errors.
When two beloved priests end up dead, it creates fear and confusion in the hearts of their flock. Detective Frank Rinelli and his partner do whatever it takes to track down the perpetrator of this crime. They uncover a web of corruption along the way. But all is not as straightforward as it seems, and there are surprises right up to the last page.
This book is written from a very Catholic perspective. The author, the narrator and most of the characters seem very devout. Yet the story does not shy away from serious issues besetting the Church. In that sense, it is an honest and hard-hitting book. What marred the reading experience for me--and it truly pains me to say this--was the abundance of grammar and syntax errors.
September 1, 2013
Ok I liked AND hated this book. In some situations, like when it really makes you do a self-analysis, this could be good, but in this case, not so much.
The base story-line - guy killing two priests and then some other people from the church for revenge - is good. I found that very interesting and that's what made me finish the book when other things made me want to stop. I mean, you kinda know why from the beginning, but I wanted to know more because, for it to grow to murder, there had to be much more.
I also liked some of the characters - the main character and his partner (cops) and the "bad" guy who, even though he was set on revenge and murdering people, I didn't feel he was wholly bad, but had been made into a bad guy by what people had done to him.
I don't want to give away too much, but I also liked the way the bodies were staged - very interesting - but I'll leave it at that.
BUT ...
The big thing you hear about writing a book is SHOW DON'T TELL. Well, this book is pretty much all tell. There's a little bit of conversation, but it gets so lost in all the telling that it's just frustrating to get through. Plus, when he's in the mind of the main character (it goes back and forth between 1st person and 3rd person), there are things he shares that just don't matter. Like the fact that he had to pull out his blackberry to make notes. Or the fact that he has a lot of black in his wardrobe so it was easy to find something to wear to the wake. Or, in conversation, the way he turned his head, moved his chair, etc. The description of him answering his cell phone all the time. Who cares? (Maybe some do, but I felt it took away from the stuff you were learning at the moment.)
Other frustrating things were the fact that the main character thinks up an idea, which you see because you're in his mind at the time, then you also hear him describing the SAME idea to his partner or boss in the next paragraph. The fact that people keep talking about how he was "exalted" out of his, well, we'll say position. Exalted is to be risen up to a position, not lose it. The main character says at least 30 times, in different ways, that his partner is his best friend. We get it!! They've known each other since kids and their best friends. Oh and the fact that we have to describe the killer, his name, his nickname, etc almost every time you see him. I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking, but they are things that really take away from the story and make it feel like you're trudging along through a river of peanut butter.
I really believe that if the author took out some of the nonsense, condensed and re-worked some of the sentences and did a lot more showing, this book could be REALLY good. And I would be more than willing, if he chooses to do so, to re-read it and update my review.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.
The base story-line - guy killing two priests and then some other people from the church for revenge - is good. I found that very interesting and that's what made me finish the book when other things made me want to stop. I mean, you kinda know why from the beginning, but I wanted to know more because, for it to grow to murder, there had to be much more.
I also liked some of the characters - the main character and his partner (cops) and the "bad" guy who, even though he was set on revenge and murdering people, I didn't feel he was wholly bad, but had been made into a bad guy by what people had done to him.
I don't want to give away too much, but I also liked the way the bodies were staged - very interesting - but I'll leave it at that.
BUT ...
The big thing you hear about writing a book is SHOW DON'T TELL. Well, this book is pretty much all tell. There's a little bit of conversation, but it gets so lost in all the telling that it's just frustrating to get through. Plus, when he's in the mind of the main character (it goes back and forth between 1st person and 3rd person), there are things he shares that just don't matter. Like the fact that he had to pull out his blackberry to make notes. Or the fact that he has a lot of black in his wardrobe so it was easy to find something to wear to the wake. Or, in conversation, the way he turned his head, moved his chair, etc. The description of him answering his cell phone all the time. Who cares? (Maybe some do, but I felt it took away from the stuff you were learning at the moment.)
Other frustrating things were the fact that the main character thinks up an idea, which you see because you're in his mind at the time, then you also hear him describing the SAME idea to his partner or boss in the next paragraph. The fact that people keep talking about how he was "exalted" out of his, well, we'll say position. Exalted is to be risen up to a position, not lose it. The main character says at least 30 times, in different ways, that his partner is his best friend. We get it!! They've known each other since kids and their best friends. Oh and the fact that we have to describe the killer, his name, his nickname, etc almost every time you see him. I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking, but they are things that really take away from the story and make it feel like you're trudging along through a river of peanut butter.
I really believe that if the author took out some of the nonsense, condensed and re-worked some of the sentences and did a lot more showing, this book could be REALLY good. And I would be more than willing, if he chooses to do so, to re-read it and update my review.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.
July 6, 2013
*I received a copy of "Killer Rumors" by Antonello Fiore in exchange for an honest review.*
Killer rumors is the first book I read which doesn't have inside a little romance. Not even a hint. Instead the book was focused on Frank and his friend and partner Nick who are trying to find the man who killed Father D’Angelo and Bakeman. The killer's identity and motive is revealed from the beginning. You see the killer wants revenge from his victims because they destroyed his life. The weird part was that even though I knew who the killer was I wanted to read the rest of the book. It was interesting to see Frank and Nick trying to decode the evidence and find the killer.
What I did not liked wasa emphasys the author gave to the number of the apartments. For example Frank says that 200 is on his right side and 210 on his left. I wouldn't mind to see that once but in the book happened 4-5 times.
In the last 30% many facts were revealed that shocked me a little and the end is a cliffhanger. Like father like son, the son will seek revenge.
Killer rumors is the first book I read which doesn't have inside a little romance. Not even a hint. Instead the book was focused on Frank and his friend and partner Nick who are trying to find the man who killed Father D’Angelo and Bakeman. The killer's identity and motive is revealed from the beginning. You see the killer wants revenge from his victims because they destroyed his life. The weird part was that even though I knew who the killer was I wanted to read the rest of the book. It was interesting to see Frank and Nick trying to decode the evidence and find the killer.
What I did not liked wasa emphasys the author gave to the number of the apartments. For example Frank says that 200 is on his right side and 210 on his left. I wouldn't mind to see that once but in the book happened 4-5 times.
In the last 30% many facts were revealed that shocked me a little and the end is a cliffhanger. Like father like son, the son will seek revenge.
January 6, 2013
Review of Killer Rumors
4 stars
The brutal and nearly public murder of two well-respected long-term priests in Philadelphia results in the predictable media frenzy, public outcry, and police presence. What could possibly cause anyone to kill two such noted men, and carve a Bible citation? Detectives Lorrenzzo and Rinelli, both Catholics and congregants at that church, race to discover—while simultaneously the murderer is racing to fulfill his own sick plan.
Whatever one might think is the answer, it’s not—and I think almost every reader will be very surprised by the outcome and by the convolutions of the plot. This is the first in a series.
4 stars
The brutal and nearly public murder of two well-respected long-term priests in Philadelphia results in the predictable media frenzy, public outcry, and police presence. What could possibly cause anyone to kill two such noted men, and carve a Bible citation? Detectives Lorrenzzo and Rinelli, both Catholics and congregants at that church, race to discover—while simultaneously the murderer is racing to fulfill his own sick plan.
Whatever one might think is the answer, it’s not—and I think almost every reader will be very surprised by the outcome and by the convolutions of the plot. This is the first in a series.
August 7, 2014
I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
When author friend Antonello Fiore asked me to check his book Killer Rumors out, I said yes and decided to check it out.
When two priests are murdered, Detectives Lorenzzo and Rinelli must find out who killed them before the killer strikes again. Will they succeed at solving the mystery? Read and find out.
I enjoyed checking this book out. If you like mystery thrillers, you will enjoy this book. Definitely check it out.
When author friend Antonello Fiore asked me to check his book Killer Rumors out, I said yes and decided to check it out.
When two priests are murdered, Detectives Lorenzzo and Rinelli must find out who killed them before the killer strikes again. Will they succeed at solving the mystery? Read and find out.
I enjoyed checking this book out. If you like mystery thrillers, you will enjoy this book. Definitely check it out.
June 16, 2013
A very good plot and easy and a fast read.
looking forward to your next book.
looking forward to your next book.
June 19, 2013
***I received a free copy from the Making Connections group on Goodreads for a book review***
I enjoyed this 99 chapter book. Readers immediately knew that Tom hated Father D’ Angelo and Father Bakeman because he felt that they set him up. So there wasn’t any mystery of who killed them. However, the juicy mystery was: is Tom telling the truth? Did they set him up to take the fall (he was charged of sexually abusing kids)? I loved how suspenseful the novel was; it was fun getting inside Tom and The Solution’s heads. The Solution was a hit man hired by Tom. There’s a shocking twist of how they know each other.
I also liked the dynamic of the cop partners, Frank and Nick. They were emotionally invested with the case since they had grew up going to that church and thought of Father D’ Angelo and Father Bakeman as role models. The story was written in Frank’s (one of the police officers) first person point-of-view while the other characters shared their third person point-of-view accounts.
I wished that the author would have let the story speak for itself. He had some really cool scenes in the book, but at times, the constant explaining of everything before it happened slowed the action down.
My favorite lines: 1) “I know, Nick. The question is why would she be hiding something that could lead us to the murderer?” 2) “Thinking is a dangerous tool.” 3) “I’m not sure if spirits exist or if they can talk. But if they can, now would be the perfect time to experience it.” 4) “Whoever did this must have been covered from all over. I checked the victim’s bodies from head to toe and even in their mouths–nothing. It’s as if a ghost killed them.”
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
I enjoyed this 99 chapter book. Readers immediately knew that Tom hated Father D’ Angelo and Father Bakeman because he felt that they set him up. So there wasn’t any mystery of who killed them. However, the juicy mystery was: is Tom telling the truth? Did they set him up to take the fall (he was charged of sexually abusing kids)? I loved how suspenseful the novel was; it was fun getting inside Tom and The Solution’s heads. The Solution was a hit man hired by Tom. There’s a shocking twist of how they know each other.
I also liked the dynamic of the cop partners, Frank and Nick. They were emotionally invested with the case since they had grew up going to that church and thought of Father D’ Angelo and Father Bakeman as role models. The story was written in Frank’s (one of the police officers) first person point-of-view while the other characters shared their third person point-of-view accounts.
I wished that the author would have let the story speak for itself. He had some really cool scenes in the book, but at times, the constant explaining of everything before it happened slowed the action down.
My favorite lines: 1) “I know, Nick. The question is why would she be hiding something that could lead us to the murderer?” 2) “Thinking is a dangerous tool.” 3) “I’m not sure if spirits exist or if they can talk. But if they can, now would be the perfect time to experience it.” 4) “Whoever did this must have been covered from all over. I checked the victim’s bodies from head to toe and even in their mouths–nothing. It’s as if a ghost killed them.”
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
July 15, 2013
This novel is very smoothly written. Fiore has the ability to draw you into the story while keeping you guessing. The storyline is very well developed and flows from scene to scene as the author describes everything to you. He also sets up a very solid backstory so that the readers are never left wondering why something is happening. Fiore’s short chapters add to the feeling of fast paced action throughout the novel. And although this is a very suspenseful novel, it is a light read that you can easily lose yourself in.
Fiore has created some intriguingly interactive characters for this novel. The main character reminds me of a cross between Alex Cross and Robert Langdon, while remaining unique in his own right. He is a fully developed individual that you can relate to on an intellectual and emotional level. Also, by switching from the 1st person while writing in the main character’s perspective, to the 3rd person while writing from the perspective of other characters, the author allows his main character to draw you deeper and deeper into his life and into his mind.
The rest of the cast of characters is also quite well developed. Fiore develops each of them on a physical, intellectual, and emotional basis. Each of the major characters in this novel could hold their own as a main character in a novel, even if you may not like them as a person.
As a whole this was a very intriguing and suspenseful read. It was a brilliant way to spend an afternoon and I’d fully recommend it to those who enjoy the genre. I know I can't wait to read more from this author.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Fiore has created some intriguingly interactive characters for this novel. The main character reminds me of a cross between Alex Cross and Robert Langdon, while remaining unique in his own right. He is a fully developed individual that you can relate to on an intellectual and emotional level. Also, by switching from the 1st person while writing in the main character’s perspective, to the 3rd person while writing from the perspective of other characters, the author allows his main character to draw you deeper and deeper into his life and into his mind.
The rest of the cast of characters is also quite well developed. Fiore develops each of them on a physical, intellectual, and emotional basis. Each of the major characters in this novel could hold their own as a main character in a novel, even if you may not like them as a person.
As a whole this was a very intriguing and suspenseful read. It was a brilliant way to spend an afternoon and I’d fully recommend it to those who enjoy the genre. I know I can't wait to read more from this author.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2013
Antonello Fiore’s Killer Rumor is a definite must-read for crime and detective stories. He does a fantastic job of keeping the reader on his toes as the book progresses.
Father D’Angelo and Bakeman were victims of a hate crime. Someone hated them enough to murder them and to carve a bible verse on their torsos. As Frank Rinelli and Nick Lorenzzo try to find out who killed the beloved priests, other bodies pile up. Frank and Nick stay at least a step behind the killer. Will they catch up? This is the story line of the book and the author throws a couple of twists in that keep them on the run.
The fast paced story is well written and the characters are well formed. Although the reader knows from the beginning who the mastermind is behind the killings and the motive, it doesn’t detract from the trail that Frank and Nick are following. I look forward to reading more books by Antonello Fiore.
Father D’Angelo and Bakeman were victims of a hate crime. Someone hated them enough to murder them and to carve a bible verse on their torsos. As Frank Rinelli and Nick Lorenzzo try to find out who killed the beloved priests, other bodies pile up. Frank and Nick stay at least a step behind the killer. Will they catch up? This is the story line of the book and the author throws a couple of twists in that keep them on the run.
The fast paced story is well written and the characters are well formed. Although the reader knows from the beginning who the mastermind is behind the killings and the motive, it doesn’t detract from the trail that Frank and Nick are following. I look forward to reading more books by Antonello Fiore.
February 17, 2016
First of all, this is a really great story! I didn't expet it to be this good. (:
The relationship between the two detectives is awesome. I mean the have some cute bromance going on. The story kept me reading. I did not want to stop, but it went chapter after chapter.
There is a great storyline in this novel, actually three good storylines that will all come together as one.
Also, there were some really unexpected things going on and I love that kind of books!
I could really see this book being made into a movie some day!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next books (:
Really great job!
p.s. I received this book through a giveaway
The relationship between the two detectives is awesome. I mean the have some cute bromance going on. The story kept me reading. I did not want to stop, but it went chapter after chapter.
There is a great storyline in this novel, actually three good storylines that will all come together as one.
Also, there were some really unexpected things going on and I love that kind of books!
I could really see this book being made into a movie some day!
I'm already looking forward to reading the next books (:
Really great job!
p.s. I received this book through a giveaway
June 28, 2013
Just finished this book. I found it intriguing. I liked the idea of best friends being partners, just like Alex Cross mysteries. Well done Antenello. I will be looking forward yo the next installmemt to see what happens to Frank anb the Solution.
June 22, 2013
First, Antonello Fiore was kind enough to send me a free copy of this book for review. Thanks for that. I was really looking forward to reading the book. It had 22 reviews with an average 4 star review, and many with 5 stars. To me, that meant that it should be a good read, since 4 stars means “Really liked it”, and 5 means “It was amazing”. Based on these reviews I would even have been willing to buy the book if the author had not sent me a copy. To say that I was disappointed is an understatement. Maybe it’s just me, but I will give a 3 star rating (I liked it) to authors of thrillers like James Patterson or Clive Cussler unless they really come up with a real gem, and occasionally they will get 2 stars (it was OK). In this case, I was torn between not publishing a review, just giving it a ranking with no review or giving a complete review. I have elected to do the latter because my feeling is that the published reviews are very biased to the positive, or, perhaps, they were given a different book than I was. The book is selling for $35 at Amazon. People should have a balanced review to make up their minds.
The premise and structure of the book are good. We know up front who killed the two priests and the story is told from alternate perspectives. I liked that.
Here are some examples of the problems I have with the book. In no way does this constitute a complete list; this is just scratching the surface:
It doesn’t look like there has been any basic editing by anyone with knowledge of editing (no matter how good a writer someone is, I don’t believe they can proof their own writing). It is overly long, with descriptions are given that are both unnecessary and out of character. There are basic grammar mistakes and words used in the wrong context.
As a police procedural the book has many instances that did not make any sense, from either a factual perspective (I get it, this is fiction), or from a story perspective. Early on in the book the two main investigators are interviewing people that the deceased worked with. The Lieutenant comes to them and says they need to go back to the station because the body is going to be taken to the coroner. Why would that cause them to break off their interviews? In a major city like Philadelphia (where the story is set) would they expect that the autopsy is going to take place 5 minutes after the body arrives? Another example is that the two lead detectives are summoned to headquarters early one morning because a witness (who may have been the son or grandson of the victim, it is not clear) has stopped by to give evidence to the coroner about the crime. Again, in a city like Philadelphia I can’t see the coroner saying “Oh you saw the killers! And you have pictures! Wow, this could break the case right open. Don’t worry about seeing the police; I’ll just pass this on to them.”
There were too many parts that strain credibility. The coroner, a doctor and scientist by training, makes the unequivocal statement that two people are father and son because they have similarities in appearance and they are both blood type O Positive. Yep, I can see that a trained scientist would be able to make that determination based on a blood type shared by 37% of the population rather than relying on DNA. Then there is the part where the two lead detectives decide to fashion a rope from sheets, while at the same time calling the station to bring men and explosives to blast open a door. I’m sure that the conversation went “Yeah, we just need a bunch of guys and some explosives. Don’t bother to bring a climbing rope or rappelling gear, we can ties some sheets together. And don’t bother to being the SWAT team. We know that Philly has one of the best, but we’ll use our sheets to surprise the killers. We don’t have a clue how many hostages might be in there, we’ll figure it out when we bust in.”
Some things are just plain naive. One detective says “…how in the world was it possible for a Catholic priest having (sic) children? If there were children, there must certainly be a wife in there as well.” Sure, cops have never heard about priest’s fathering children with children they have abused, and sex outside of marriage never happens.
Towards the end of the book I was focusing more on things like this than enjoying the book, because there were so many.
You’ve probably got the idea that I didn’t like the book. Other than the fact that there is an implicit requirement for people receiving free books to provide reviews, I wouldn’t have finished it. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have got past the prolog. And I wouldn’t have written this review if there weren’t so many very positive ones. Maybe I got an early draft instead of a polished copy., but I can’t believe I read the same book the reviewers did.
What is really sad is that this could have been a decent book, instead of what feels like a very early first draft. The elements are there, but it needs a lot of work before becoming a good read. As it is, I can’t say that it was OK. I did not like it. By goodreads guidelines, 1 star. Apparently I am in the minority.
The premise and structure of the book are good. We know up front who killed the two priests and the story is told from alternate perspectives. I liked that.
Here are some examples of the problems I have with the book. In no way does this constitute a complete list; this is just scratching the surface:
It doesn’t look like there has been any basic editing by anyone with knowledge of editing (no matter how good a writer someone is, I don’t believe they can proof their own writing). It is overly long, with descriptions are given that are both unnecessary and out of character. There are basic grammar mistakes and words used in the wrong context.
As a police procedural the book has many instances that did not make any sense, from either a factual perspective (I get it, this is fiction), or from a story perspective. Early on in the book the two main investigators are interviewing people that the deceased worked with. The Lieutenant comes to them and says they need to go back to the station because the body is going to be taken to the coroner. Why would that cause them to break off their interviews? In a major city like Philadelphia (where the story is set) would they expect that the autopsy is going to take place 5 minutes after the body arrives? Another example is that the two lead detectives are summoned to headquarters early one morning because a witness (who may have been the son or grandson of the victim, it is not clear) has stopped by to give evidence to the coroner about the crime. Again, in a city like Philadelphia I can’t see the coroner saying “Oh you saw the killers! And you have pictures! Wow, this could break the case right open. Don’t worry about seeing the police; I’ll just pass this on to them.”
There were too many parts that strain credibility. The coroner, a doctor and scientist by training, makes the unequivocal statement that two people are father and son because they have similarities in appearance and they are both blood type O Positive. Yep, I can see that a trained scientist would be able to make that determination based on a blood type shared by 37% of the population rather than relying on DNA. Then there is the part where the two lead detectives decide to fashion a rope from sheets, while at the same time calling the station to bring men and explosives to blast open a door. I’m sure that the conversation went “Yeah, we just need a bunch of guys and some explosives. Don’t bother to bring a climbing rope or rappelling gear, we can ties some sheets together. And don’t bother to being the SWAT team. We know that Philly has one of the best, but we’ll use our sheets to surprise the killers. We don’t have a clue how many hostages might be in there, we’ll figure it out when we bust in.”
Some things are just plain naive. One detective says “…how in the world was it possible for a Catholic priest having (sic) children? If there were children, there must certainly be a wife in there as well.” Sure, cops have never heard about priest’s fathering children with children they have abused, and sex outside of marriage never happens.
Towards the end of the book I was focusing more on things like this than enjoying the book, because there were so many.
You’ve probably got the idea that I didn’t like the book. Other than the fact that there is an implicit requirement for people receiving free books to provide reviews, I wouldn’t have finished it. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have got past the prolog. And I wouldn’t have written this review if there weren’t so many very positive ones. Maybe I got an early draft instead of a polished copy., but I can’t believe I read the same book the reviewers did.
What is really sad is that this could have been a decent book, instead of what feels like a very early first draft. The elements are there, but it needs a lot of work before becoming a good read. As it is, I can’t say that it was OK. I did not like it. By goodreads guidelines, 1 star. Apparently I am in the minority.
June 29, 2014
3 Sakura’s
Got Potential
Now I received this book for review from the author some time ago, requesting an honest review of his novel. Now I’m not the biggest fan of crime/murder novels but they have been growing on lately, so I thought it was time to give it a read. (Sorry it’s taken so long Antonello).
I started reading it, and I honestly thought ‘this sounds interesting – should be good’. The first chapter sets the plot, by the murderer plotting his crime of revenge by killing two priests. This sounded fantastic, I must admit. But then it changed. Before I say the things that didn't quite flow, or grab me, let me firstly say – the plot was great, the flow was nice, if a little slow for my liking, and the whole idea for this book was interesting to say the least.
I liked the killer – I know that’s a bizarre thing to say but I did! Apologies for the spoiler but there were two murderers, the one that I liked was The Solution – Honestly, I don’t think that was the best assassin name ever but I’m not a gangster, and I don’t kill people. Quite likely this is an appropriate name. He’s cool, calm, collected, and prides himself on his work, and skill.
I felt, out of all the characters portrayed in this novel, that the killers were the only ones that seemed realistic, and three-dimensional. There was more of connection with them, by me, than with the rest of the characters. I mean the detectives that were following the case, seemed a bit flat – personality wise.
Unfortunately for me, what I didn’t like was the constant change from 1st person, to 3rd person, and past/present tense. It just didn’t work for me. Either the book is in 1st person or 3rd person, not both! As a result, it took me a long time to feel some type of connection with the characters, and then it ended up being mostly the killers (as I’ve said).
Also I didn’t feel any real intrigue, or that I was trying to unravel the crime along with the detectives on the case. I would have liked to of felt like I was there, right along with the cops, through the thick of it, trying to solve the reason for the murders but that didn’t happen. Everything was explained too easily. I had figured what it was all about before I got half way through the book, which to me was not a good thing. I wanted to try to guess but have twists, and turns to the novel that made me realize I was wrong or that made me second guess myself … but that didn’t happen. I was expecting much but the book didn’t really deliver what I anticipated it would.
But other than that, I think the book is good but needs maybe a little revision, and it needs an editor to look at it. It has much going for it, murder, revenge, crime solving – the story is a good idea, which I really liked. The idea of a priest going bad because he lost his priesthood, then goes out for revenge, Hell … who wouldn’t love to read a book like that!?
I think if you like a good crime story, it’s something to have give a read. Anyone who loves crime, murder, detective novels – this one you will want to add to your ‘to read’ list.
For More Reviews by Yuki - Please go here
Got Potential
Now I received this book for review from the author some time ago, requesting an honest review of his novel. Now I’m not the biggest fan of crime/murder novels but they have been growing on lately, so I thought it was time to give it a read. (Sorry it’s taken so long Antonello).
I started reading it, and I honestly thought ‘this sounds interesting – should be good’. The first chapter sets the plot, by the murderer plotting his crime of revenge by killing two priests. This sounded fantastic, I must admit. But then it changed. Before I say the things that didn't quite flow, or grab me, let me firstly say – the plot was great, the flow was nice, if a little slow for my liking, and the whole idea for this book was interesting to say the least.
I liked the killer – I know that’s a bizarre thing to say but I did! Apologies for the spoiler but there were two murderers, the one that I liked was The Solution – Honestly, I don’t think that was the best assassin name ever but I’m not a gangster, and I don’t kill people. Quite likely this is an appropriate name. He’s cool, calm, collected, and prides himself on his work, and skill.
I felt, out of all the characters portrayed in this novel, that the killers were the only ones that seemed realistic, and three-dimensional. There was more of connection with them, by me, than with the rest of the characters. I mean the detectives that were following the case, seemed a bit flat – personality wise.
Unfortunately for me, what I didn’t like was the constant change from 1st person, to 3rd person, and past/present tense. It just didn’t work for me. Either the book is in 1st person or 3rd person, not both! As a result, it took me a long time to feel some type of connection with the characters, and then it ended up being mostly the killers (as I’ve said).
Also I didn’t feel any real intrigue, or that I was trying to unravel the crime along with the detectives on the case. I would have liked to of felt like I was there, right along with the cops, through the thick of it, trying to solve the reason for the murders but that didn’t happen. Everything was explained too easily. I had figured what it was all about before I got half way through the book, which to me was not a good thing. I wanted to try to guess but have twists, and turns to the novel that made me realize I was wrong or that made me second guess myself … but that didn’t happen. I was expecting much but the book didn’t really deliver what I anticipated it would.
But other than that, I think the book is good but needs maybe a little revision, and it needs an editor to look at it. It has much going for it, murder, revenge, crime solving – the story is a good idea, which I really liked. The idea of a priest going bad because he lost his priesthood, then goes out for revenge, Hell … who wouldn’t love to read a book like that!?
I think if you like a good crime story, it’s something to have give a read. Anyone who loves crime, murder, detective novels – this one you will want to add to your ‘to read’ list.
For More Reviews by Yuki - Please go here
July 3, 2013
http://jerseyguyscanread.blogspot.com...
So, the author of this book sent me a digital version of it for an honest review, which I intend to deliver on (as I do with every book I read, whether or not the author requested a review). Killer Rumors is a gripping story that you can't help but be pulled in by, and if not for the grammatical errors and lack of proofreading it would certainly be a 5 star novel. However, I had to give this book 3 out of 5 stars because the jumps from present to past tense and vice versa, coupled with bad grammar, really interfered with my ability to truly enjoy this book as much as I could have. Again, the plot and the story development were phenomenal, but the execution of the book was less than stellar.
I was blown away at how deeply I was pulled into this story, and how quickly it happened. Not many stories have the ability to really make me wish I had a longer lunch break on which to read, but Fiore has a way with plot and character development. Frank Rinelli and his partner Nick Lorenzzo are immensely likable, filled with the wit and quips that come with the territory of being literary detectives (I highly doubt that detectives are really as sharp and witty as those that live in the pages of a book, likely due to an author's time spent developing the dialogue for his characters to deliver). I had a blast watching them try to discover who was killing off the priests and church employees, made even more entertaining by the fact that Fiore gives the killer his own voice in the novel. The reader gets to see what's going through his head, and why he has planned and executed these horrific crimes. I've read a lot of crime novels (here's looking at you, James Patterson), and this author certainly has the drive and the imagination to become a major player in this genre.
That is, of course, if there is a bit more editing done. The verb tense shifts back and forth from present to past, and it is so difficult and so disorienting to read. Add to this word salad and other assorted grammatical errors, and the incredible story loses its luster somewhat. It took away from my ability to sit and read for an extended period of time, no matter how intrigued and curious I was to see what was going to happen next. And I assure you, most of your time spent reading this will be on the edge of your seat, anxious for the next chapter and the next plot twist.
Killer Rumors is a fast pace crime thriller that I would read again and again (and probably be shocked at the ending again and again as well). Assuming, of course, that it is edited and re-released. I look forward to seeing what else the imaginative mind of Antonello Fiore can come up with in future installments of this series.
So, the author of this book sent me a digital version of it for an honest review, which I intend to deliver on (as I do with every book I read, whether or not the author requested a review). Killer Rumors is a gripping story that you can't help but be pulled in by, and if not for the grammatical errors and lack of proofreading it would certainly be a 5 star novel. However, I had to give this book 3 out of 5 stars because the jumps from present to past tense and vice versa, coupled with bad grammar, really interfered with my ability to truly enjoy this book as much as I could have. Again, the plot and the story development were phenomenal, but the execution of the book was less than stellar.
I was blown away at how deeply I was pulled into this story, and how quickly it happened. Not many stories have the ability to really make me wish I had a longer lunch break on which to read, but Fiore has a way with plot and character development. Frank Rinelli and his partner Nick Lorenzzo are immensely likable, filled with the wit and quips that come with the territory of being literary detectives (I highly doubt that detectives are really as sharp and witty as those that live in the pages of a book, likely due to an author's time spent developing the dialogue for his characters to deliver). I had a blast watching them try to discover who was killing off the priests and church employees, made even more entertaining by the fact that Fiore gives the killer his own voice in the novel. The reader gets to see what's going through his head, and why he has planned and executed these horrific crimes. I've read a lot of crime novels (here's looking at you, James Patterson), and this author certainly has the drive and the imagination to become a major player in this genre.
That is, of course, if there is a bit more editing done. The verb tense shifts back and forth from present to past, and it is so difficult and so disorienting to read. Add to this word salad and other assorted grammatical errors, and the incredible story loses its luster somewhat. It took away from my ability to sit and read for an extended period of time, no matter how intrigued and curious I was to see what was going to happen next. And I assure you, most of your time spent reading this will be on the edge of your seat, anxious for the next chapter and the next plot twist.
Killer Rumors is a fast pace crime thriller that I would read again and again (and probably be shocked at the ending again and again as well). Assuming, of course, that it is edited and re-released. I look forward to seeing what else the imaginative mind of Antonello Fiore can come up with in future installments of this series.
June 19, 2013
To be honest, there were things I loved and things that irked me with this book. I thought the story line itself was incredible and it reminds us that things are not always as they seem at first sight. The main character, Frank Rinelli, was an intelligent, honest character who had a good moral and value base. It was wonderful to see how involved he was with his family. The author was able to portray the fact that Rinelli actually cared about his job as a cop and those lives that he touched as a result of his job. Overall, I had absolutely no complaints about the idea of the story. Additionally, I think the story line is relevant and something that the Catholic church has been dealing with for the past few decades as well. I admit there was some frustration with the characters as they wound through their part of the story, but I also think this frustration lets me know when I am involved with the book on some level. If I didn't care, I wouldn't be bothered by anything at all.
Now for the things that bothered me. First, I will fully admit that I am obnoxiously obsessed with spelling and grammar because I do think it affects the story and the readers ability to feel completely and utterly absorbed by a story. I wasn't able to feel that complete absorption in this case because there were too many grammatical errors and unexplained events. Spelling wasn't really an issue, but the constant change between present and past tense made me a little crazy and I found that it kept pulling me out of the story. Additionally, I noticed that the way things were worded made the story feel choppy rather than flowing. Last, I felt that there were several unexplained events and clues in the story. For example, those calls that occurred on the 15th of each month....what were they about? In the end, I would suggest finding a trusted proofreader who is also has a spelling and grammar obsession for the next installment. I would also suggest paying closer attention to all those little details. They don't always matter, but I know as a reader, I don't like to have unanswered questions-no matter how insignificant they may seem.
I know these complaints may make it seem like my rating is odd, but I truly did love the general story and I think the characters all have so much potential. I am hoping that the author will continue to grow and develop these characters through the next book because I really do want to read more. I would definitely recommend the book to those who love a good murder mystery or suspense.
*I received a free ecopy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Now for the things that bothered me. First, I will fully admit that I am obnoxiously obsessed with spelling and grammar because I do think it affects the story and the readers ability to feel completely and utterly absorbed by a story. I wasn't able to feel that complete absorption in this case because there were too many grammatical errors and unexplained events. Spelling wasn't really an issue, but the constant change between present and past tense made me a little crazy and I found that it kept pulling me out of the story. Additionally, I noticed that the way things were worded made the story feel choppy rather than flowing. Last, I felt that there were several unexplained events and clues in the story. For example, those calls that occurred on the 15th of each month....what were they about? In the end, I would suggest finding a trusted proofreader who is also has a spelling and grammar obsession for the next installment. I would also suggest paying closer attention to all those little details. They don't always matter, but I know as a reader, I don't like to have unanswered questions-no matter how insignificant they may seem.
I know these complaints may make it seem like my rating is odd, but I truly did love the general story and I think the characters all have so much potential. I am hoping that the author will continue to grow and develop these characters through the next book because I really do want to read more. I would definitely recommend the book to those who love a good murder mystery or suspense.
*I received a free ecopy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2013
For Philadelphia detective Frank Rinelli, life is good. He's got a loving relationship with his sister, her husband, and their lovely daughters. His work partner is Nick Lorenzzo, who happens to have been Frank's best friend since they were schoolboys. But even seasoned detective Frank is rattled when he's called upon to solve the vicious murders of two beloved Catholic priests, found with strange clues on their bodies. The priests are not the only ones to fall victim to what appears to be the evil work of two men. The detectives quickly hit upon a suspect: Tom Branchard, a defrocked former Catholic priest who fell from grace when he was convicted of horrendous crimes against his parish's young children. But what was the connection between Branchard and the two priests found murdered? And who will be the next victim?
This briskly-paced crime thriller has enough action and surprising twists to keep the reader guessing. I'm not a high-volume reader of the mystery/thriller genre, but when I do read one, I expect certain elements, including a protagonist who's likable and competent, but not a cartoonish superhero type, and Frank Rinelli is that. By the way, if this series ever becomes a movie or a TV series, I want David Valcin from 'Person of Interest' to play Frank. (Frank, as a narrator, is not vain enough to say, "Hey, I'm really good-looking," but you just know that he is.) This novel delivers all the elements I would expect, but contains enough surprises to avoid becoming a paint-by-numbers police procedural.
Another thing this novel does really well is give us just enough of a glimpse inside the villain's head to make his motivation believable. In this case, there are two antagonists with two very different motivations - and then there's a shocker of a twist that connects them. I won't say anything else about the plot to avoid giving away any spoilers.
If you don't mind some intense action and a few gruesome crime scenes, and you're looking for a page-flipper to occupy an afternoon, give this one a chance. Do be aware that, while nothing explicit is described in the novel, mention is made of the abuse of young children, and sensitive readers may find that aspect of the story disturbing.
I received a copy of this book from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
This briskly-paced crime thriller has enough action and surprising twists to keep the reader guessing. I'm not a high-volume reader of the mystery/thriller genre, but when I do read one, I expect certain elements, including a protagonist who's likable and competent, but not a cartoonish superhero type, and Frank Rinelli is that. By the way, if this series ever becomes a movie or a TV series, I want David Valcin from 'Person of Interest' to play Frank. (Frank, as a narrator, is not vain enough to say, "Hey, I'm really good-looking," but you just know that he is.) This novel delivers all the elements I would expect, but contains enough surprises to avoid becoming a paint-by-numbers police procedural.
Another thing this novel does really well is give us just enough of a glimpse inside the villain's head to make his motivation believable. In this case, there are two antagonists with two very different motivations - and then there's a shocker of a twist that connects them. I won't say anything else about the plot to avoid giving away any spoilers.
If you don't mind some intense action and a few gruesome crime scenes, and you're looking for a page-flipper to occupy an afternoon, give this one a chance. Do be aware that, while nothing explicit is described in the novel, mention is made of the abuse of young children, and sensitive readers may find that aspect of the story disturbing.
I received a copy of this book from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2013
From the first page this book made me feel like I was watching one of those old TV shows, like Colombo or McMillan and Wife; you know from the beginning who the killer is, but you have no idea what twists and turns the rest of the story is going to take.
The story line is outstanding and serves to remind us that things are not always as they seem at first sight, so going with your first instinct may not always be the best thing to do. The main character, Frank Rinelli, reminded me a lot of Phillip Marlow, he has a good moral and value base which includes being involved with his family. Not something you see a great deal of in books of this genre. To add to this the story-line is very relevant, as anyone with in-depth knowledge of the Catholic Church would confirm.
The action and tension required in a good murder mystery or suspense novel are all there. Plus some parts that really make you wonder if they connected to the current murders, or are they leading into the next book. As usual I will not be writing any spoilers in this review.
One of my big things when looking at books in a store is the cover, as this can sometimes make or break whether or not I read the summary. If I’d picked this one up in a store, the cover would have done its work. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about the proofreading, as there were far too many grammatical errors for my liking and they became pretty hard to ignore the further I got into the book.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of this genre and, because I enjoyed it so much I am hoping the Author decides to develop the characters through the next book and beyond.
Originally reviewed on http://catesbooknuthut.wordpress.com/...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
The story line is outstanding and serves to remind us that things are not always as they seem at first sight, so going with your first instinct may not always be the best thing to do. The main character, Frank Rinelli, reminded me a lot of Phillip Marlow, he has a good moral and value base which includes being involved with his family. Not something you see a great deal of in books of this genre. To add to this the story-line is very relevant, as anyone with in-depth knowledge of the Catholic Church would confirm.
The action and tension required in a good murder mystery or suspense novel are all there. Plus some parts that really make you wonder if they connected to the current murders, or are they leading into the next book. As usual I will not be writing any spoilers in this review.
One of my big things when looking at books in a store is the cover, as this can sometimes make or break whether or not I read the summary. If I’d picked this one up in a store, the cover would have done its work. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about the proofreading, as there were far too many grammatical errors for my liking and they became pretty hard to ignore the further I got into the book.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of this genre and, because I enjoyed it so much I am hoping the Author decides to develop the characters through the next book and beyond.
Originally reviewed on http://catesbooknuthut.wordpress.com/...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
August 20, 2013
My rating for this book is more like 2 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding it up to 3 because it was entertaining!
After two priests are murdered, Detective Frank Rinelli and his partner, Nick Lorenzo are assigned to track down the killer. They are both devoted Catholics who knew the priests well so they take the case very personally. The book takes place over a short period of time as more murders occur, and the frustrated detectives struggle to solve the case. Not surprisingly, the murders are related to a scandal that took place in the Catholic church years ago. While I'm not a religious person, and it was clear that the main characters were, I didn't find any of that to be bothersome.
It was an easy read with an intriguing plot. Even though I thought Frank seemed like a really sweet guy, I didn't think he was very bright. For example, there was a fake name used that was clearly meant to mean something. As soon as I glanced at the word, I knew what it implied, but Frank had to think about it long and hard before he could figure it out. There was also an instance where he called his sister before he called for backup to make sure she stayed safe. While I understand that he was worried about her, she was not the one in immediate danger so it made no sense to me. Some of the police procedures were questionable; at one point, the morgue supervisor was telling the detectives about something a witness said and did. I thought it was odd that she would have talked to one of the witnesses. The lead detectives or at least another investigator should have interviewed him instead.
At times, the writing seemed too simplistic and a bit awkward. There was a lot of stating the obvious. But I enjoyed the fact that it took place in Philly since I have lived in the Philadelphia area my entire life. (Although, just as a side note, no one says soda pop here; we just say soda.)
Overall though, as I stated earlier, it was an entertaining read. The story moved fast, and there were quite a few surprises along the way. I was eager to see how it would all turn out, and it was a bit stunning!
After two priests are murdered, Detective Frank Rinelli and his partner, Nick Lorenzo are assigned to track down the killer. They are both devoted Catholics who knew the priests well so they take the case very personally. The book takes place over a short period of time as more murders occur, and the frustrated detectives struggle to solve the case. Not surprisingly, the murders are related to a scandal that took place in the Catholic church years ago. While I'm not a religious person, and it was clear that the main characters were, I didn't find any of that to be bothersome.
It was an easy read with an intriguing plot. Even though I thought Frank seemed like a really sweet guy, I didn't think he was very bright. For example, there was a fake name used that was clearly meant to mean something. As soon as I glanced at the word, I knew what it implied, but Frank had to think about it long and hard before he could figure it out. There was also an instance where he called his sister before he called for backup to make sure she stayed safe. While I understand that he was worried about her, she was not the one in immediate danger so it made no sense to me. Some of the police procedures were questionable; at one point, the morgue supervisor was telling the detectives about something a witness said and did. I thought it was odd that she would have talked to one of the witnesses. The lead detectives or at least another investigator should have interviewed him instead.
At times, the writing seemed too simplistic and a bit awkward. There was a lot of stating the obvious. But I enjoyed the fact that it took place in Philly since I have lived in the Philadelphia area my entire life. (Although, just as a side note, no one says soda pop here; we just say soda.)
Overall though, as I stated earlier, it was an entertaining read. The story moved fast, and there were quite a few surprises along the way. I was eager to see how it would all turn out, and it was a bit stunning!
July 27, 2013
First of all, I want to thank the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
As a fan of thrillers/suspense and plots involving religion and The Church, I have to say Killer Rumors caught my attention.
This book has a lot of potential, however there were a few issues that bothered me, hence why I didn't give a higher rating:
1. The language - I think the English has to be somewhat perfected.
If, on one hand, I think the book is easier to read because the language used in it is so close to actual oral speech, on the other hand, I think the words have to be more refined.
If that happens, the story in itself certainly appeals more to the reader.
2. Repetition of words/expressions - I noticed that, a lot of times, there were used the same words, when they could have been easily replaced by pronouns, articles and so on.
3. The length of the chapters - The chapter shouldn't be so short. In my opinion, it only disrupts the natural flow of the story and, somewhat breaks the hold it has on the reader.
4. The fact we know from the start who the killer is - This may be a pet peeve of mine, but I just can't ignore it. I do enjoy, love it even, when we have access to the killer's thoughts and emotions. It is truly intriguing to have the bad guy's point of view on the events that are happening. But I can't know his identity. It is really a turn off for me.
But you should read the book and decided for yourself what you think about it.
September 2, 2013
Received a free copy courtesy of the author
1.5 stars
My Opinion
I accepted this book from the author because I liked the storyline and also because the average rating on goodreads is 3.72 from 40 ratings.
To say that I was dissapointed when I finished the book is an understatement.
There were a lot of things wrong with this book:
*The homicide detectives, and their LT. were like rookies
when it comes to basic investigation skills. (When Rinelli and his partner were interviewing the nuns, they could have just asked them to list all the people involved in the scandal instead of going to visit them one million times.)
They were also missing a lot of blatantly obvious information.
* A lot of details, were stated, then completely changed pages later.
* A lot of the scenes are definitely not humanly possible.
Although this is a work of fiction, it's also a police procedural and should be as close to reality as possible.
* Repetition of words. A lot of times, a pronoun or an article would have done the job.
The sentences are too long with unnecessary details and descriptions.
* Wrong word choices, typos and switching tenses made the whole book a lot more annoying to read.
There are basic grammar mistakes and words used in the wrong context.
This book had a lot of potential. It has a great storyline. Better editing would have done a lot for it.
Read the full review and more reviews at We Blog About Books
1.5 stars
My Opinion
I accepted this book from the author because I liked the storyline and also because the average rating on goodreads is 3.72 from 40 ratings.
To say that I was dissapointed when I finished the book is an understatement.
There were a lot of things wrong with this book:
*The homicide detectives, and their LT. were like rookies
when it comes to basic investigation skills. (When Rinelli and his partner were interviewing the nuns, they could have just asked them to list all the people involved in the scandal instead of going to visit them one million times.)
They were also missing a lot of blatantly obvious information.
* A lot of details, were stated, then completely changed pages later.
* A lot of the scenes are definitely not humanly possible.
Although this is a work of fiction, it's also a police procedural and should be as close to reality as possible.
* Repetition of words. A lot of times, a pronoun or an article would have done the job.
The sentences are too long with unnecessary details and descriptions.
* Wrong word choices, typos and switching tenses made the whole book a lot more annoying to read.
There are basic grammar mistakes and words used in the wrong context.
This book had a lot of potential. It has a great storyline. Better editing would have done a lot for it.
Read the full review and more reviews at We Blog About Books
April 4, 2013
I received a free download of "Killer Rumors" by Antonello Fiore, to read on my Kindle, in exchange for an honest review.
I love reading mystery, suspense, crime thrillers, and reading this book was a real treat and honor to read. This book was amazing.I recognize that there were grammatical errors, but it still never took away from the actual plot and storyline.
Father D'Angelo and Father Bakeman, affiliated with St. Mary's Church in Philadephia,were out for a evening stroll, when they were brutally murdered.Each victim had a apple placed in their mouth and two symbols on each apple, beta and a cross.They had a Bible passage carved on their chests.What kind of a monster would do this?
Homicide detectives Frank Rinelli and his partner Nick Lorenzzo were called to the crime scene.They were members of this parish and knew the deceased. They needed to do whatever it takes to solve the case.
In the interim, we meet the murderer and his hitman. We see them planning and executing two more murders.The killer knew that he would have his day of reckoning and punish those who betrayed him.
This was a fast paced crime thriller, with short chapters that kept you flipping the pages, to see what would happen next. The ending was definitely a surprise, and I hope a sequel will soon be coming.
If you enjoy reading mystery suspense crime thrillers...don't miss out on this one. An amazing novel by a very talented author. Thank you for allowing me to read your novel.
I love reading mystery, suspense, crime thrillers, and reading this book was a real treat and honor to read. This book was amazing.I recognize that there were grammatical errors, but it still never took away from the actual plot and storyline.
Father D'Angelo and Father Bakeman, affiliated with St. Mary's Church in Philadephia,were out for a evening stroll, when they were brutally murdered.Each victim had a apple placed in their mouth and two symbols on each apple, beta and a cross.They had a Bible passage carved on their chests.What kind of a monster would do this?
Homicide detectives Frank Rinelli and his partner Nick Lorenzzo were called to the crime scene.They were members of this parish and knew the deceased. They needed to do whatever it takes to solve the case.
In the interim, we meet the murderer and his hitman. We see them planning and executing two more murders.The killer knew that he would have his day of reckoning and punish those who betrayed him.
This was a fast paced crime thriller, with short chapters that kept you flipping the pages, to see what would happen next. The ending was definitely a surprise, and I hope a sequel will soon be coming.
If you enjoy reading mystery suspense crime thrillers...don't miss out on this one. An amazing novel by a very talented author. Thank you for allowing me to read your novel.
February 12, 2013
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Two priests are very publicly and horrifically murdered, their bodies left in front of their church bearing strange markings and objects. It's up to Frank Rinelli and his partner to solve the case before more bodies turn up, but that's easier said than done.
Honestly, I really liked the premise of this story. The action was there, and tension was included throughout as the reader learns more about the who/what/when/where/why of the murders before the police do. However, there were so many errors in grammar and proofreading that I just couldn't ignore them after the first few pages. A few examples: five sentences in a row with the word "scene"; five out of six in a row with the word "bodies"; direct quote -- "It connected unto Branchard's chest activity." There was so much redundancy and other issues in the writing that I found myself having to take a break from reading because it was making my head hurt. All-in-all, it's a pretty good book; it just definitely needs a thorough proofreading and editing before I'd give it a higher rating.
3 stars
Two priests are very publicly and horrifically murdered, their bodies left in front of their church bearing strange markings and objects. It's up to Frank Rinelli and his partner to solve the case before more bodies turn up, but that's easier said than done.
Honestly, I really liked the premise of this story. The action was there, and tension was included throughout as the reader learns more about the who/what/when/where/why of the murders before the police do. However, there were so many errors in grammar and proofreading that I just couldn't ignore them after the first few pages. A few examples: five sentences in a row with the word "scene"; five out of six in a row with the word "bodies"; direct quote -- "It connected unto Branchard's chest activity." There was so much redundancy and other issues in the writing that I found myself having to take a break from reading because it was making my head hurt. All-in-all, it's a pretty good book; it just definitely needs a thorough proofreading and editing before I'd give it a higher rating.
3 stars
April 4, 2013
Detective Frank Rinelli and his best friend and partner Nick Lorenzzso have been summoned by his boss, Lt. Parson to a crime scene very near and dear to Rinelli and Lorenzzo's hearts. Both men have attended St. Mary's church since they were children and knew and cared about the entire staff there. What's worse is the victims, Father D'Angelo and Father Bakeman are two men who Rinelli and his partner deeply adored and cared for. The way this crazy lunatic butchered and left these two priests was beyond comprehension. As the two detectives began questioning the staff more and more victims were falling prey to this crazed killer. Rinelli and Lorenzzo had to find this murderer fast, before he was able to complete his final mission and the city could once again be at peace.
Author Antonello Fiore did a stellar job on executing a superb story line. As you read on, each chapter brings you closer to the discovery of this mad man and the methods of his madness and the surprises along the way just kept me reading until the last word! Fabulous!
Author Antonello Fiore did a stellar job on executing a superb story line. As you read on, each chapter brings you closer to the discovery of this mad man and the methods of his madness and the surprises along the way just kept me reading until the last word! Fabulous!
August 20, 2013
Killer Rumors is an excellent hard boiled crime mystery by Antonello Fiore. Set in modern day, Fiore takes the reader through a roller-coaster of murder and mayhem with carefully laid out plots and subplots. This was a great introduction to Detective Frank Rinelli as the reader gets a heavy dose of this thoughtful and cunning detective's life, emotions and inner mental workings. Working within a very tight window of opportunity, Detective Frank Rinelli must solve a riddle and stop the bodies from piling up! Using good old fashion detective know-how, Rinelli and his partner dare to interceed upon a killer that will stop at nothing to see his vengence is complete.
The action is non-stop and I could even see this becoming a movie someday.
The action is non-stop and I could even see this becoming a movie someday.
June 26, 2013
Overall, I really enjoyed the story. There were a number of twists that make the plot more convoluted, but also more interesting. We know who the killer is from the beginning - but his reasons for killing were not made clear until near the end.
There were a couple of items that detracted from the story. There were issues with the verb tense changing - sometimes in the middle of a sentence. The arrangement of words made me wonder if english is a second language for the author. Several times I had to re-read sentences to make sure I understood what the author was trying to convey.
*I received a free copy from the Making Connections group on Goodreads for a book review*
There were a couple of items that detracted from the story. There were issues with the verb tense changing - sometimes in the middle of a sentence. The arrangement of words made me wonder if english is a second language for the author. Several times I had to re-read sentences to make sure I understood what the author was trying to convey.
*I received a free copy from the Making Connections group on Goodreads for a book review*
March 6, 2014
The first of the series with Frank Rinelli and a great read!
Two priests are murdered and Frank has been called in to find their killer. You do know from the beginning who did it, but is that the
real story? Frank and his partner Nick are assigned the case and know the Priests as they attend the church.
This one will keep you guessing to the end. I really liked Frank and the way he interacts with his family, friends and partner.
Killer Rumors is cop story all the way with no romance..Frank and his partner -Nick are best friends and work so well together.
I can't wait to read more about Frank Rinelli!
Great debut novel.
Two priests are murdered and Frank has been called in to find their killer. You do know from the beginning who did it, but is that the
real story? Frank and his partner Nick are assigned the case and know the Priests as they attend the church.
This one will keep you guessing to the end. I really liked Frank and the way he interacts with his family, friends and partner.
Killer Rumors is cop story all the way with no romance..Frank and his partner -Nick are best friends and work so well together.
I can't wait to read more about Frank Rinelli!
Great debut novel.
Read
May 15, 2013Author is more interested in spamming/self promotion than having people read the actual book
"Message from Antonello:
Hi everyone, My novel, Killer Rumors, is nominated for "Best First Book by New Author." I would appreciate if you could help vote for my book. I thank you for your support. Wishing you all the best! Antonello Fiore "
Hey man, you want people to vote for you without reading your work, then fine, here is my rating - 1 star.
"Message from Antonello:
Hi everyone, My novel, Killer Rumors, is nominated for "Best First Book by New Author." I would appreciate if you could help vote for my book. I thank you for your support. Wishing you all the best! Antonello Fiore "
Hey man, you want people to vote for you without reading your work, then fine, here is my rating - 1 star.
July 6, 2013
It was twist after twist, bitting my lip in anticipation as to what new secret will be revealed next. I love that the action started on page one and didn't end until the last one. From front to back it was like a intricate puzzle being put together. The attention to details made me feel as if I was in the story and not just a curious reader. This was book was everything I wanted in a murder mystery. Ready for the next one.
June 10, 2013
Killer Rumors is a different mystery novel. From the beginning, you know who the killer is and you know that he has killed two priests. The question is why and who is next? There are hints throughout as to why this man is so enraged and why he has targeted these Fathers. It keeps you reading to find out if what you suspect is true. There is a surprising twist in the story. It's a good, quick read.
I was given a copy for an honest review.
I was given a copy for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews