First Watch

Alice Madison #0.5

by Valentina Giambanco

A exclusive ebook-only standalone preview to The Gift of Darkness, a perfect introduction to the critically acclaimed Detective Alice Madison series. Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Sharon Bolton and Kathryn Croft. Featuring a special prequel scene and an extract from the new book.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Crime, Thriller

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Valentina Giambanco was born in Italy. She started working in films as an editor's apprentice in a 35mm cutting room and since then has worked on many award-winning UK and US pictures: from small independent projects to large studio productions. Valentina lives in London.

Her books were originally published under the name of V.M. Giambanco

Reviews

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is a nice way to get to know Alice Madison and the writing style of Valentina Giambanco. It can't be compared to the actual books but it's pleasant to read about the first steps of the later homicide detective while she is on patrol.
I miss Valentina Giambanco's stories, my favorite characters and the setting of Seattle. I hope the 5th installment will be published soon.
In my humble opinion if you want a good crime story and haven't read the Alice Madison series yet you should whether you start with this short story or an actual book. As for me I think it's time for a re-read!

[Χρύσα Βασιλείου · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Το βάπτισμα του πυρός" για τη συγγραφέα Valentina Giambanco και την ηρωίδα της, Άλις Μάντισον, δίνεται με αυτή τη μικρή νουβέλα.
Η Άλις Μάντισον έχει αποφοιτήσει πρόσφατα από την Ακαδημία της Αστυνομίας, έχει ολοκληρώσει την εκπαίδευσή της και δεν έχει προλάβει να κλείσει τον πρώτο της μήνα στις περιπολίες, όταν έρχεται αντιμέτωπη με την πρώτη (από τις πολλές) υποθέσεις που θα αναλάβει στην καριέρα της. Είναι η πρώτη φορά που καλείται να αντιμετωπίσει μια δύσκολη κατάσταση, την ομηρία μιας οικογένειας, και η πρώτη φορά που θα αντικρίσει το πτώμα ενός ανθρώπου.
Η ιστορία μάς δίνει μια μικρή μόνο γεύση από το τι εστί Άλις Μάντισον σε ό,τι αφορά την πλοκή ενός βιβλίου και το τι εστί Valentina Giambanco στο 'χτίσιμο' της εν λόγω πλοκής. Δεν είναι κάτι ιδιαίτερο, δεν μπορεί φυσικά να συγκριθεί με τα βιβλία, όμως είναι προς τιμήν των εκδόσεων Διόπτρα που επέλεξαν να την προσφέρουν και αυτή στους αναγνώστες τους - ευχαριστούμε πολύ!

Προσωπικά αναμένω με τρελή αγωνία το επόμενο "επίσημο" βιβλίο της συγγραφέως με τις περιπέτειες της Άλις, που έχει κερδίσει τον δικό της χώρο στον ανδροκρατούμενο κόσμο των ηρώων της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας, αλλά και μια θέση στις καρδιές μας!

[Kitzya · Rating 3 out of 5]

ha estado interesante.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the exclusive prequel to the brilliant new book from V.M. Giambanco The Gift of Darkness which I read a few months ago and absolutely loved.

Featuring Alice Madison, this short has her facing questions around procedures followed whilst on the job. It's short, snappy and well written. If you have not yet read The Gift of Darkness, grab it. This is a nice little taster.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short prequel chapter to Giambanco's novel, The Gift of Darkness. Since there's not much meat on the bone, this story is basically an introduction to the main character, probationary officer Alice Madison, as we follow what happened when she was teamed with an officer who's been accused of using excessive force on more than one occasion.

The story is well written and moves quickly, but it's not quite enough to compel me to pick up the subsequent novel.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I read “Second Watch” first, not intentionally, but the story was focused on the “story” and Alice Madison was merely a character in the story. In this one she IS the story. This series warrants following.

[Selefa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Έχει -όπως είναι λογικό- γρήγορη πλοκή.
Διάβασα πέρσι το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς -νομίζω πριν από κανένα χρόνο- το οποίο δε μου άρεσε καθόλου.
Το βάπτισμα του πυρός, που είναι το prequel της σειράς, είναι λίγο αδιάφορο... για εμένα...

[Heather Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I will check out the series

Apart from a couple of spelling mistakes which kind of stand out with so few pages it does its job I fancy reading the series now.

[Bonny Millard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Descrriptive Read

Acute rendering of one night as a patrol officer. It was descriptive enough to squelch any desire to become a police officer for me.

[Ritch Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of first watch.

I found it to be an intense read. I am disappointed in just getting a small sample of the book instead of the whole book.

[Sharan King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will definitely be looking for Madison books excellent short read

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story introduction to Alice Madison, 27 days into her first days on the job as as police officer in the Seattle.

An interesting read and captivating.

[Natasha Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseñado en mi blog Nanny Books

Primera misión es un relato breve que tiene como protagonista a una Alice Madison recién salida de la Academia de Policía, que ya tiene determinado trabajar en Homicidios, pero a la cual todavía le tiembla el pulso al sostener su arma y que constantemente juega con las esposas.

Ahora bien, para aquellos que no han leído (y no están enterados) de la novela 13 días que comienza esta saga, este relato les parecerá un poco flojo. Sin embargo, para los lectores de Giambanco estas pocas páginas significarán un nuevo relieve para la construcción de la detective.

Alice ha sido llamada para testificar lo sucedido durante una patrulla con el agente Walsh, un hombre reconocido por tener mano dura con los criminales... Demasiada mano dura. Una noche que quedará marcada para siempre en su memoria.

Con una narración sencilla, con continuos flashbacks, la historia se lee de un tirón y es muy entretenida. Incluso teniendo en cuenta las pocas páginas, se puede apreciar la tensión y el estilo contundente de la autora.

Una precuela intensa, a pesar de que se trate de un caso sencillo, pero con un marco esperado para el lector de policial, de esos que siempre son un deleite leer. Una probadita del misterio y la adrenalina que nos esperará en la saga de Alice Madison.

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel to The Gift of Darkness

Thoroughly enjoyed this prequel to a detective novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. It sets up the main character of Amy Madison, a patrol officer, before she becomes a homicide detective

Short and sweet, it is well-written and makes you look forward to more works about the same detective.

[Kathryn Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh a good intro into the series, more please.

[Samm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punchy.

Really enjoyed this short story. I have read the first two books and this was a lovely dot connector. I can't wait to read the third.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Sally]

Maybe a prequel wasn’t the best start as it didn’t make me want to read more.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good insight into the beginnings of the novel "The Gift of Darkness"

[Rubina G Gomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read