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Redemption #1
Necessary Decisions
Gino Cataldi is a man hanging on by a thread. Cancer took his wife, and drugs put his son in rehab. All he has left is his badge.
When a teenage girl is kidnapped, it brings back nightmares from the worst case he ever worked—the one that tore his life to shreds and forced him out of Philadelphia.
Gino doesn’t want this case, but he knows he has to take it. Not just to save the girl, but to earn redemption for what went wrong in Philly.
When a teenage girl is kidnapped, it brings back nightmares from the worst case he ever worked—the one that tore his life to shreds and forced him out of Philadelphia.
Gino doesn’t want this case, but he knows he has to take it. Not just to save the girl, but to earn redemption for what went wrong in Philly.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2013
678 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Giacomo Giammatteo
129 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 92 reviews
December 21, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Suspense/Thriller
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of suspense/thriller/mysteries with a noir feel
Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, sexual assault, threat of rape, violence, drug use, mention of girl being raped in the past, murder
My Thoughts: This is actually the second book in a new series, but due to some issues that needed to be ironed out, the first book, Old Wounds, will not be released until next year. The books do not need to be read in order, so it all works out.
This is another excellent book by Giacomo Giammatteo. Gino is a great character, multifaceted. In fact, I was incredibly impressed by how everyone had shades of gray. Even many of the villains were highly relatable. Mostly this is a fairly sober book, as it's about serious things, but Gino has a dark sense of humor that comes out in unexpected ways, such as when he is watching the airport and thinks, “No one was coming out holding signs that read, 'we're the kidnappers.' I felt pretty confident of that.” Or when he was on hold: “I was deeply involved with trying to decipher the hidden meaning of it [Mr. Tambourine Man]—all songs from that era [60s] had hidden meanings...” Tip Denton was a real hoot, very much a Texan at heart and always first to make a comment about anything. Julie is never seen, but described as having purple hair, multicolored nails, and always listening to music from the 60s. Just a great group of characters.
One thing did bother me, though. Having faith is all well and good, but I found Lucia's constant comments that, “The Lord won't let anything bad happen to such a good person,” to be naïve and unrealistic. Bad things happen to good people all the time, and telling yourself that sort of thing will just bring heartache when those bad things happen.
But that is such a small thing, and really didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. If you like mystery/suspense/thrillers with a noirish feel, then you really can't go wrong with this one. Check it out!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Gino Cataldi is a man hanging on by a thread. Cancer took his wife, and drugs put his son in rehab. All he has left is his badge.
When a teenage girl is kidnapped it brings back nightmares from the worst case he ever worked—the one that tore his life to shreds and forced him out of Philadelphia.
Gino doesn't want this case but he knows he has to take it. Not just to save the girl, but to earn redemption for what went wrong in Philly.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of suspense/thriller/mysteries with a noir feel
Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, sexual assault, threat of rape, violence, drug use, mention of girl being raped in the past, murder
My Thoughts: This is actually the second book in a new series, but due to some issues that needed to be ironed out, the first book, Old Wounds, will not be released until next year. The books do not need to be read in order, so it all works out.
This is another excellent book by Giacomo Giammatteo. Gino is a great character, multifaceted. In fact, I was incredibly impressed by how everyone had shades of gray. Even many of the villains were highly relatable. Mostly this is a fairly sober book, as it's about serious things, but Gino has a dark sense of humor that comes out in unexpected ways, such as when he is watching the airport and thinks, “No one was coming out holding signs that read, 'we're the kidnappers.' I felt pretty confident of that.” Or when he was on hold: “I was deeply involved with trying to decipher the hidden meaning of it [Mr. Tambourine Man]—all songs from that era [60s] had hidden meanings...” Tip Denton was a real hoot, very much a Texan at heart and always first to make a comment about anything. Julie is never seen, but described as having purple hair, multicolored nails, and always listening to music from the 60s. Just a great group of characters.
One thing did bother me, though. Having faith is all well and good, but I found Lucia's constant comments that, “The Lord won't let anything bad happen to such a good person,” to be naïve and unrealistic. Bad things happen to good people all the time, and telling yourself that sort of thing will just bring heartache when those bad things happen.
But that is such a small thing, and really didn't detract from my enjoyment of this book. If you like mystery/suspense/thrillers with a noirish feel, then you really can't go wrong with this one. Check it out!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Gino Cataldi is a man hanging on by a thread. Cancer took his wife, and drugs put his son in rehab. All he has left is his badge.
When a teenage girl is kidnapped it brings back nightmares from the worst case he ever worked—the one that tore his life to shreds and forced him out of Philadelphia.
Gino doesn't want this case but he knows he has to take it. Not just to save the girl, but to earn redemption for what went wrong in Philly.
September 23, 2017
I see that many reviewers give this book more stars than I do. I think maybe I would have given more stars if this wasn't the first book of this apparent series that I picked up, and I knew more about the character. I don't remember why I picked this book up, except I was looking for something new. This came recommended because of some other books I had lately read. The writing is really pretty good, and the premise of the case was fine. I guessed ahead of time who had arranged the kidnapping in the story and I had a good idea why, but that didn't bother me. I like mysteries more than hard-boiled cop stories which this was. And when I say 'hard-boiled' I do mean there is a lot of bad language in this book, and some sexual content that was less my style than usual. I understand the 'why' for both of these in this type of book...I just don't prefer to read this style of book all the time. I do like to be warned ahead of time if a book has this type of content though.
Anyone who likes this type of book will enjoy to plotting and the characters. I take it the characters are more developed from earlier books, because I really didn't see a lot of character development in this one. But I'm sure other readers who enjoy books by this author will enjoy this one. I think maybe I might go back and read the first in the series...maybe I will find it more enjoyable than I did this particular book.
Anyone who likes this type of book will enjoy to plotting and the characters. I take it the characters are more developed from earlier books, because I really didn't see a lot of character development in this one. But I'm sure other readers who enjoy books by this author will enjoy this one. I think maybe I might go back and read the first in the series...maybe I will find it more enjoyable than I did this particular book.
January 5, 2014
Necessary Decisions, by Giacomo Giammatteo, is part of the Redemption Series, featuring Detective Gino Cataldi. The story opens with a robbery at a friendly poker game at which masked bandits, identifying one another only by number, rob the attendees of their money and jewelry. Included in their take is a watch Detective Cataldi wore, a watch given him by his wife in her dying days. Cataldi vows to find the culprits.
Necessary Decisions is a fast paced mystery that, while included within the Redemption Series, may be read separately of the others; the storyline of the tales is not a continuing one. With bits of evidence coming in from all directions, readers are in the midst of the investigation as though it were happening in real time. Cataldi becomes more real as the pages turn. Giacomo Giammatteo holds readers spellbound as tension builds. Mystery readers will be happy to know that Necessary Decisions is one of a series as, when turning its final pages, they will find themselves begging for more.
Necessary Decisions is a fast paced mystery that, while included within the Redemption Series, may be read separately of the others; the storyline of the tales is not a continuing one. With bits of evidence coming in from all directions, readers are in the midst of the investigation as though it were happening in real time. Cataldi becomes more real as the pages turn. Giacomo Giammatteo holds readers spellbound as tension builds. Mystery readers will be happy to know that Necessary Decisions is one of a series as, when turning its final pages, they will find themselves begging for more.
March 2, 2014
Necessary Decisions; A Gino Cataldi Mystery
By Giacomo Giammatteo
4 7/8 out of 5 stars
You know what I hated most about this book? The one tiny, little thing that kept it from being a full-on 5-star? The introduction!
Seriously, DO NOT tell me that it “starts out a little slow.” DO NOT tell me that the first book in the series got sidelined because you “didn't like the way it played out.” NEVER tell me that shit. It's like Tom Cruise or Dustin Hoffman apologizing for being short! Who gives a damn? And, in the grand scheme of things, what does it matter? It reeks of false modesty, only in Giammatteo's case, I know there's not much “false” about it.
I actually thought the book started out just fine, and where it sllloooowed doowwwn, was in the middle of the book, where the reader knew a lot more than the cops, and the narrative plucked excruciatingly at the curled edges of the plot. I had my head in my hands wondering how in the world they were going to reveal enough to understand what was happening. Let me rephrase that: I had my head in my hands wondering, even when I wasn't reading the book. When it was bedtime and I should be fast asleep, I lay there wondering if I had stopped reading just a page or two shy of some enormous breakthrough.
I'm a reviewer. I read books and books and books. Some are great books. Some are horrible; but the vast majority are middle-of-the-roaders. I would bet you race cars to tiddly-winks that what Giammatteo considers mediocrity would blow most of them out of the water.
Was every Dustin Hoffman film a winner? Did Al Pacino (5'7”) win an Oscar for the Godfather? No. (He won it for Scent of a Woman.) But who frigging cares? TALENT makes big men out of mice. TALENT covers a multitude of sins, of which Necessary Decisions has none. I get it, Dude. From a big Italian family, you learn to keep your head in the game; to not think of yourself as some Big Shot. Well, man up, Giacomo, 'cause, ready or not, you're riding a comet's tail. Clear?
By Giacomo Giammatteo
4 7/8 out of 5 stars
You know what I hated most about this book? The one tiny, little thing that kept it from being a full-on 5-star? The introduction!
Seriously, DO NOT tell me that it “starts out a little slow.” DO NOT tell me that the first book in the series got sidelined because you “didn't like the way it played out.” NEVER tell me that shit. It's like Tom Cruise or Dustin Hoffman apologizing for being short! Who gives a damn? And, in the grand scheme of things, what does it matter? It reeks of false modesty, only in Giammatteo's case, I know there's not much “false” about it.
I actually thought the book started out just fine, and where it sllloooowed doowwwn, was in the middle of the book, where the reader knew a lot more than the cops, and the narrative plucked excruciatingly at the curled edges of the plot. I had my head in my hands wondering how in the world they were going to reveal enough to understand what was happening. Let me rephrase that: I had my head in my hands wondering, even when I wasn't reading the book. When it was bedtime and I should be fast asleep, I lay there wondering if I had stopped reading just a page or two shy of some enormous breakthrough.
I'm a reviewer. I read books and books and books. Some are great books. Some are horrible; but the vast majority are middle-of-the-roaders. I would bet you race cars to tiddly-winks that what Giammatteo considers mediocrity would blow most of them out of the water.
Was every Dustin Hoffman film a winner? Did Al Pacino (5'7”) win an Oscar for the Godfather? No. (He won it for Scent of a Woman.) But who frigging cares? TALENT makes big men out of mice. TALENT covers a multitude of sins, of which Necessary Decisions has none. I get it, Dude. From a big Italian family, you learn to keep your head in the game; to not think of yourself as some Big Shot. Well, man up, Giacomo, 'cause, ready or not, you're riding a comet's tail. Clear?
January 1, 2014
Reviewed for Readers' Favorites
Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery is a suspenseful page-turner that combines a kidnapping, a crime spree, a hard-working, middle class family, and the personal stories of several characters into one explosive story that is not easy to put down.
Lonny Hackett finds himself out of employment after a lifetime of hard work, and he makes one bad decision that lands him in the middle of a crime ring and ultimately a kidnapping that hits too close to home. Gino Cataldi is the detective in charge of the kidnapping, and his own personal demons haunt him as he gets deeper and deeper into the case. As his life and the lives of Lonny and his family intertwine in ways that no one could have imagined, the intrigue gets deeper and deeper.
I normally do not read mysteries, but I decided to give Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery a chance. I am really glad I did! This book is the very definition of a page-turner. I was sucked into the story from the very first page, and I could not turn the pages fast enough. There were so many twists and turns that even if you're adept at figuring out whodunits, there are bound to be some surprises in these pages.
This is the first book I have read by Giacomo Giammatteo, but I am a fan. I cannot wait for the next book, and to see what Gino Cataldi will get himself into next!
Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery is a suspenseful page-turner that combines a kidnapping, a crime spree, a hard-working, middle class family, and the personal stories of several characters into one explosive story that is not easy to put down.
Lonny Hackett finds himself out of employment after a lifetime of hard work, and he makes one bad decision that lands him in the middle of a crime ring and ultimately a kidnapping that hits too close to home. Gino Cataldi is the detective in charge of the kidnapping, and his own personal demons haunt him as he gets deeper and deeper into the case. As his life and the lives of Lonny and his family intertwine in ways that no one could have imagined, the intrigue gets deeper and deeper.
I normally do not read mysteries, but I decided to give Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery a chance. I am really glad I did! This book is the very definition of a page-turner. I was sucked into the story from the very first page, and I could not turn the pages fast enough. There were so many twists and turns that even if you're adept at figuring out whodunits, there are bound to be some surprises in these pages.
This is the first book I have read by Giacomo Giammatteo, but I am a fan. I cannot wait for the next book, and to see what Gino Cataldi will get himself into next!
Want to read
November 2, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
September 25, 2018
This book was very well written. There was lots of twists and turns throughout. The author gave a good description of the scenes, the people, and more importantly allowed them to have personalities that shone all over the pages. One of my favorite characters is Tip, he seemed like a no funny business guy who liked to do things the old fashioned way lol We follow a family who is struck by loss of job, bills piling up, and kids who still just want to be kids. When presented with an opportunity to trade in some morals Lonny takes it to keep the roof over their heads. He loves his family more than anything in the world, and his wife you can tell loves him just as much, if not more. Afterwards, their daughter is kidnapped and we have to follow the detectives as they try to bring her home safely. There is so much good in this story. It touches difficult subjects such as; kids sneaking out and into hotel rooms, drug use, lying, money problems (from both sides), doing what's right, and family being there for each other no matter what.
December 23, 2013
Giacomo Giammatteo has an amazing ability to construct characters that are not perfect people and fill them with the breath of life. As before, in his other works, he has excelled again. Yes, various people did bad things, but these were human things. The finger on the pulse of absolute reality is there.
Gino, a detective suffering from the trauma of less than perfect completions of other cases of a similar nature is now charged with the rescue of a kidnapped girl. One of my favourite characters from another book by this author comes into play. A very sensitive dichotomy of the dynamics of various family structures is laid out bare. Twist and turns in this plot left this reader breathless. I had to devour it in one sitting, although it caused me to sit up to the wee hours of the morning. This was a book I just could not put down.
Through all of this ran a thread of a intensely intelligent bad person, trying to stay one pace ahead of the cops. Once again, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I hate books where I can predict the outcome and I most certainly was blind-sided by this one. Love it when this happens.
No, this is not my normal genre of choice, but I would follow any and all of this author's books in a heartbeat. He never fails to deliver and I have them all. I have no hesitation in recommending this one as a purchase. After you have read it, go check out the others. These books are truly special.
Gino, a detective suffering from the trauma of less than perfect completions of other cases of a similar nature is now charged with the rescue of a kidnapped girl. One of my favourite characters from another book by this author comes into play. A very sensitive dichotomy of the dynamics of various family structures is laid out bare. Twist and turns in this plot left this reader breathless. I had to devour it in one sitting, although it caused me to sit up to the wee hours of the morning. This was a book I just could not put down.
Through all of this ran a thread of a intensely intelligent bad person, trying to stay one pace ahead of the cops. Once again, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. I hate books where I can predict the outcome and I most certainly was blind-sided by this one. Love it when this happens.
No, this is not my normal genre of choice, but I would follow any and all of this author's books in a heartbeat. He never fails to deliver and I have them all. I have no hesitation in recommending this one as a purchase. After you have read it, go check out the others. These books are truly special.
July 8, 2016
A deadly gang of criminals known as Boss, Driver, Number One, Number Two, Number Three, Number Four, and Number Five are on the loose. Robberies at poker games become home invasions then escalate to kidnapping and murder as the criminal ring gets more daring and wants more money.
The suspense continues as Detectives Gino Cataldi and Hector “Ribs” Delgado work on the kidnapping case of a teenage girl. The two work as a team with their fellow detectives in the race to find the girl before harm comes to her but it seems that the criminals are always a step ahead of them. It’s amazing to read as they follow the clues to reach conclusions that lead them to the kidnappers along with the help of a mysterious woman caller.
The suspense continues as Detectives Gino Cataldi and Hector “Ribs” Delgado work on the kidnapping case of a teenage girl. The two work as a team with their fellow detectives in the race to find the girl before harm comes to her but it seems that the criminals are always a step ahead of them. It’s amazing to read as they follow the clues to reach conclusions that lead them to the kidnappers along with the help of a mysterious woman caller.
July 27, 2014
This was okay...a little too much profanity for my taste (though guess not any more than what one would hear in a police type movie). But if profanity doesn't bother you and you enjoy these types of books, I believe you will highly enjoy this read. The plot was pretty good. I did highly enjoy Lonnie and Lucia's characters. It wasn't overly predictable either, had it wrong a couple of times.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2014
With so many reviewers ahead of me, it's impossible to find new and innovative ways to say I loved this book, from the mystery, to the characters, to the ending. Looking forward to more books by Mr. Giammatteo.
October 6, 2018
Gino Cataldi, a cop and the protagonist of the novel, finds himself immersed (reluctantly) into a kidnapping case that seems all too reminiscent of a kidnapping case from Philadelphia that nearly destroyed him. Worse, his wife died of cancer and if Cataldi ever gets over that, well . . . it’s hard to imagine he will.
Now he’s on a new case by a crew of people who escalated from carefully crafted home invasions to the kidnapping of a teenaged girl, a potentially deadly situation that gets worse because of a case of mistaken identity.
The novel is described variously as a mystery, a police procedural, and a thriller. All are apt in a high-stakes situation where the clock is fast ticking and yet there are new, unexpected twists and secrets that inhibit moving forward in a way that appears likely to save the girl.
This was my first introduction to author Giacomo Giammatteo’s novels. If I have any quibbles at all, I suppose it would be the shifting viewpoints of characters, which occasionally threw me. On the overall, though, I’m delighted to have found him, and this won’t be the last of his books I read. I’m partial to stories that push life to the limit, and this is one of those.
Now he’s on a new case by a crew of people who escalated from carefully crafted home invasions to the kidnapping of a teenaged girl, a potentially deadly situation that gets worse because of a case of mistaken identity.
The novel is described variously as a mystery, a police procedural, and a thriller. All are apt in a high-stakes situation where the clock is fast ticking and yet there are new, unexpected twists and secrets that inhibit moving forward in a way that appears likely to save the girl.
This was my first introduction to author Giacomo Giammatteo’s novels. If I have any quibbles at all, I suppose it would be the shifting viewpoints of characters, which occasionally threw me. On the overall, though, I’m delighted to have found him, and this won’t be the last of his books I read. I’m partial to stories that push life to the limit, and this is one of those.
September 22, 2018
Best who done it I've read in a long time.
As a long time fan of who done it mystery novels it takes a lot to impress me and keep my interest. This book wasted no time getting my literary attention, I was hooked by the end of the first paragraph. There was nothing else I wanted to do but dig deeper and deeper into fabulously written mesmerizing assemblage of literary excellence, if you're interested in being glued to a storyline that will keep you guessing from start to finish this novel is a must read compilation of literary excellence.
As a long time fan of who done it mystery novels it takes a lot to impress me and keep my interest. This book wasted no time getting my literary attention, I was hooked by the end of the first paragraph. There was nothing else I wanted to do but dig deeper and deeper into fabulously written mesmerizing assemblage of literary excellence, if you're interested in being glued to a storyline that will keep you guessing from start to finish this novel is a must read compilation of literary excellence.
July 28, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. The plot is good. I learned a little bit about insurance in the process!
My one criticism is about character development. The protagonist, Gino is not well rounded. I want to know more about him!
Another character problem enters with the HUGE law enforcement team. There are too many characters and things get muddled.
I would recommend reducing that number of characters and giving Gino more depth. The smaller group of other characters also need !more development.
I would read another book by Mr Giammatteo.
My one criticism is about character development. The protagonist, Gino is not well rounded. I want to know more about him!
Another character problem enters with the HUGE law enforcement team. There are too many characters and things get muddled.
I would recommend reducing that number of characters and giving Gino more depth. The smaller group of other characters also need !more development.
I would read another book by Mr Giammatteo.
October 3, 2019
Engaging
This was one of those books that just gets better and better as it goes along. I quickly became vested in Gino and his watch. However the other detectives did not appeal to me. They were not well developed and were very difficult to keep straight. Mostly I just didn’t like them. I did like the techs and the office staff, especially the purple haired young woman who loved old rock and roll. (Think Penelope and Abby.) The story was terrific and I do recommend. I will be reading more in this series.
This was one of those books that just gets better and better as it goes along. I quickly became vested in Gino and his watch. However the other detectives did not appeal to me. They were not well developed and were very difficult to keep straight. Mostly I just didn’t like them. I did like the techs and the office staff, especially the purple haired young woman who loved old rock and roll. (Think Penelope and Abby.) The story was terrific and I do recommend. I will be reading more in this series.
April 24, 2018
Much better than I expected!!!
Because this is my first Giacomo Giammatteo book I didn't know what to expect but I must say that if you want suspense, mystery, some humor, and even a few tears, this book has all of the above. I was pleasantly surprised how good this book was and even read it all in one afternoon into evening and am looking forward to reading more from Mr. Giammatteo.
Because this is my first Giacomo Giammatteo book I didn't know what to expect but I must say that if you want suspense, mystery, some humor, and even a few tears, this book has all of the above. I was pleasantly surprised how good this book was and even read it all in one afternoon into evening and am looking forward to reading more from Mr. Giammatteo.
October 16, 2019
A really good story...
...though I had a little difficulty keeping all the characters straight. I think that was because the author sometimes writes in first person and sometimes in third person. Very confusing at times. So, four stars because of that, and I really didn't enjoy the foul language. I almost gave up on it because of those two issues but stayed with it to the end because the plot was so good.
...though I had a little difficulty keeping all the characters straight. I think that was because the author sometimes writes in first person and sometimes in third person. Very confusing at times. So, four stars because of that, and I really didn't enjoy the foul language. I almost gave up on it because of those two issues but stayed with it to the end because the plot was so good.
November 5, 2019
Necessary Decisions
I liked this book. Gino Cataldi is a man who has lost his wife and has not been able to finish grieving and is very lonely. He works all the time and had a bad result from a kidnapping in another city. Taking on this kidnapping proved to be a tangled web. He finally figured everything out but was still unable to arrest the kidnapper and fully settle the case.
I liked this book. Gino Cataldi is a man who has lost his wife and has not been able to finish grieving and is very lonely. He works all the time and had a bad result from a kidnapping in another city. Taking on this kidnapping proved to be a tangled web. He finally figured everything out but was still unable to arrest the kidnapper and fully settle the case.
September 26, 2018
A homely murder mystery
A cop with a tortured soul versus a conniving criminal genius what's not to like. Hi no makes you want to hug hi, Jennifer makes thousandth pull your hair out. They use all th other characters as well constructed pawns to create a page turning who funniest. Well worth the read
A cop with a tortured soul versus a conniving criminal genius what's not to like. Hi no makes you want to hug hi, Jennifer makes thousandth pull your hair out. They use all th other characters as well constructed pawns to create a page turning who funniest. Well worth the read
June 13, 2020
Good read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and that is how it got 5 stars.
Mr Giammatteo' s books have jumped into my favorites category quickly. Well thought out plots with intriguing characters. The i cannot put factor is high. I rarely take .it's than two days to read ,so the i can't put it down factor is high.
So that is why the 5 stars.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and that is how it got 5 stars.
Mr Giammatteo' s books have jumped into my favorites category quickly. Well thought out plots with intriguing characters. The i cannot put factor is high. I rarely take .it's than two days to read ,so the i can't put it down factor is high.
So that is why the 5 stars.
May 2, 2021
Will keep your attention.
Gripping police procedural that has Gino Cataldi investigating a poker game robbery and a brutal home invasion which appear to have been committed by the same individuals when he thrust into solving the kidnapping of a teenaged girl. Well written with lots of twists and turns.
Gripping police procedural that has Gino Cataldi investigating a poker game robbery and a brutal home invasion which appear to have been committed by the same individuals when he thrust into solving the kidnapping of a teenaged girl. Well written with lots of twists and turns.
June 28, 2018
4.6 For Wonderful Characters & Great Plot
I would give a 4.6 For A story that gives lots of information about all facets of a very involved plot while keeping the finish elusive to the very end.
I would give a 4.6 For A story that gives lots of information about all facets of a very involved plot while keeping the finish elusive to the very end.
September 20, 2018
Twists and turns!
Just when you think you've got it all figured out it takes a sharp turn and you're off and running. Great characters-Gino is a sweetheart who really cares. All of the characters are thought out and well developed. The story is wonderful.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out it takes a sharp turn and you're off and running. Great characters-Gino is a sweetheart who really cares. All of the characters are thought out and well developed. The story is wonderful.
September 23, 2018
Fantastic Book
Wow this book kept me on my toes this talented author was able to introduce Gunk and his police team in a captivating story. The Hackett family the Scott family and Gino 's family. Gunk makes a promise and delivers. I will follow this suthor
Wow this book kept me on my toes this talented author was able to introduce Gunk and his police team in a captivating story. The Hackett family the Scott family and Gino 's family. Gunk makes a promise and delivers. I will follow this suthor
September 23, 2018
Excellent mystery that all ties together very nicely.The characters are warm
And wonderful some are not so nice. There is plenty of action that makes this a page turner. I would read more of his books
And wonderful some are not so nice. There is plenty of action that makes this a page turner. I would read more of his books
September 26, 2018
A Great Mystery
I really enjoyed this book. It was one mystery after another. Who did it and why and how would they get caught. You will just have to read the book to find out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I really enjoyed this book. It was one mystery after another. Who did it and why and how would they get caught. You will just have to read the book to find out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
October 1, 2018
A good police story, well written
The story flowed well and the main characters developed so their actions matched their background descriptions. It was not easy to anticipate how all the issues would be resolved.
The story flowed well and the main characters developed so their actions matched their background descriptions. It was not easy to anticipate how all the issues would be resolved.
October 3, 2018
Figure it out...
... if you can. I usually can, but this author outsmarted me right to the end, thus earning one's respect. Exciting, gripping and stimulating. Exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks!
... if you can. I usually can, but this author outsmarted me right to the end, thus earning one's respect. Exciting, gripping and stimulating. Exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks!
October 16, 2018
Enjoyed the book
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are interesting and well developed. The plot was well developed and the action is good. The ending was a good surprise and quite enjoyable.
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are interesting and well developed. The plot was well developed and the action is good. The ending was a good surprise and quite enjoyable.
March 12, 2019
Great crime mystery!
This was a great mystery to read! Super complex with many interesting and well-developed characters. Kept my attention as I puzzled over “who done it” and commiserated with the victim.
This was a great mystery to read! Super complex with many interesting and well-developed characters. Kept my attention as I puzzled over “who done it” and commiserated with the victim.
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