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DI Paolo Storey #1
Bad Moon Rising
*** SEMI-FINALIST in the KINDLE BOOK REVIEW 2012 competition ****** FINALIST for THE PEOPLE'S BOOK PRIZE 2014***One more soul is safe.Brought up believing sex is the devil’s work, a killer only finds release once he has saved his victims’ souls. Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption.Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives.The D.I. Paolo Storey Crime Moon RisingSomeday Never ComesCall It PretendingLooking For A Reason
Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2012
4 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Frances di Plino
5 books74 followersFrances di Plino (author of the D.I. Paolo Storey crime series: Bad Moon Rising, Someday Never Comes, Call it Pretending and Looking for a Reason) is the pseudonym of columnist, editor, children's author, non-fiction author and writing tutor, Lorraine Mace. Writing as Frances di Plino gives her the opportunity to allow the dark side of her personality to surface and take control.
As Lorraine Mace, she is a gentler creature, being humour columnist for Writing Magazine and writing agony aunt for Words with JAM. She writes fiction for the women’s magazine market, features and photo-features for monthly glossy magazines and is a writing competition judge for Writers’ Forum.
Winner of a Petra Kenney International Poetry Award, she has won and been placed in numerous creative writing and poetry competitions. From the other side of the writing fence, she runs the international flash fiction and humour verse competitions at Flash 500.
She is a former fiction and non-fiction tutor for the Writers Bureau, and is the author of the Writers Bureau course, Marketing Your Book. She is also co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam of The Writer's ABC Checklist (Accent Press).
As Lorraine Mace, she is a gentler creature, being humour columnist for Writing Magazine and writing agony aunt for Words with JAM. She writes fiction for the women’s magazine market, features and photo-features for monthly glossy magazines and is a writing competition judge for Writers’ Forum.
Winner of a Petra Kenney International Poetry Award, she has won and been placed in numerous creative writing and poetry competitions. From the other side of the writing fence, she runs the international flash fiction and humour verse competitions at Flash 500.
She is a former fiction and non-fiction tutor for the Writers Bureau, and is the author of the Writers Bureau course, Marketing Your Book. She is also co-author, with Maureen Vincent-Northam of The Writer's ABC Checklist (Accent Press).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 26, 2012
This is the first book I've read by Frances di Plino, but it won't be the last. Bad Moon Rising combines all the elements of outstanding crime fiction--an imperfect protagonist, a vicious murderer and a supporting cast of characters who are as real as your next door neighbor. But what makes this a 5-star book is the writing. Di Plino is a pro. There's not a word out of place and the plot leaves you guessing the murderer's identity to the very end. You'll suffer with her protagonist's messed up personal life while he tries to stop the murderer from finding another victim. Then when the case is solved, Di Plino avoids the temptation to solve all of her hero's problems. I hope that's because we'll meet him again in a sequel.
April 11, 2012
'He marked them only to save them, not for his own pleasure.'
Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is on the trail of a killer. As we meet him he is 'mad at the world in general, and justice in particular.' Several women's bodies are found on his patch and he is trying to piece together any clues to the killer's identity, but there is little left behind. His new partner, DS Dave Johnson, seems to have somewhat outdated attitudes to women and Storey tries to get a handle on this. We are also introduced to local Maltese criminal Frank Azzopardi, and the solicitor representing him, Matthew Roberts. Paolo is familiar with them both from schooldays together.
Meanwhile the DI has problems away from work; his daughter Katy, who lives with his ex-wife Lydia, is becoming troublesome at her Catholic school where she has begun to question the beliefs they are teaching there, and also Storey has history with Dr Barbara Royston, the forensic pathologist working on the bodies found.
Then we have the killer. A flashback to his childhood gives us an insight into how his troubled mind, and his own particular twisted reasoning for his crimes, has come about through strange practices at the hands of his mother. In his distorted beliefs, sex with the living is a sin, and he feels he is saving the souls of the prostitutes he abuses and kills, thinking he is carrying out the Lord's work; 'he could punish those he caught and deliver their souls to God wiped clean of sin.' Slowly, more of his actions and behaviour is revealed to us throughout the novel.
This is a very dark psychological crime thriller that grabbed hold of me right from the very first page with an arresting opening scene and kept me totally gripped throughout. I never wanted to put it down for long, as the story flows so well and kept my interest piqued. It cleverly keeps you guessing as to the identity of the perpertrator for most of the novel. It's compelling and very well written, and anyone who enjoys a good crime novel should find this thriller an absorbing read.
Paolo Storey is a complex and engaging lead character, with an awful lot to deal with. I also liked the rest of the cast of characters and found the relationships to be developed and believable. I sincerely hope there will be another novel featuring Paolo and this cast of characters. I would love to catch up with them again.
Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is on the trail of a killer. As we meet him he is 'mad at the world in general, and justice in particular.' Several women's bodies are found on his patch and he is trying to piece together any clues to the killer's identity, but there is little left behind. His new partner, DS Dave Johnson, seems to have somewhat outdated attitudes to women and Storey tries to get a handle on this. We are also introduced to local Maltese criminal Frank Azzopardi, and the solicitor representing him, Matthew Roberts. Paolo is familiar with them both from schooldays together.
Meanwhile the DI has problems away from work; his daughter Katy, who lives with his ex-wife Lydia, is becoming troublesome at her Catholic school where she has begun to question the beliefs they are teaching there, and also Storey has history with Dr Barbara Royston, the forensic pathologist working on the bodies found.
Then we have the killer. A flashback to his childhood gives us an insight into how his troubled mind, and his own particular twisted reasoning for his crimes, has come about through strange practices at the hands of his mother. In his distorted beliefs, sex with the living is a sin, and he feels he is saving the souls of the prostitutes he abuses and kills, thinking he is carrying out the Lord's work; 'he could punish those he caught and deliver their souls to God wiped clean of sin.' Slowly, more of his actions and behaviour is revealed to us throughout the novel.
This is a very dark psychological crime thriller that grabbed hold of me right from the very first page with an arresting opening scene and kept me totally gripped throughout. I never wanted to put it down for long, as the story flows so well and kept my interest piqued. It cleverly keeps you guessing as to the identity of the perpertrator for most of the novel. It's compelling and very well written, and anyone who enjoys a good crime novel should find this thriller an absorbing read.
Paolo Storey is a complex and engaging lead character, with an awful lot to deal with. I also liked the rest of the cast of characters and found the relationships to be developed and believable. I sincerely hope there will be another novel featuring Paolo and this cast of characters. I would love to catch up with them again.
April 15, 2012
Someone who I trust and respect recommended this read. At first I was not convinced it was something that I would enjoy. But, I gave it a bash. Agreed it isn’t light reading, but I couldn’t put it down. I had to force myself not to speed read. (I have a dreadful habit of peeking down the page when I am reading an exciting passage).
DI Storey and his apparently misogynistic sergeant are investigating grisly murders. The DI is a troubled soul and insights into his frustrating personal life, punctuate the narrative.
Storey’s monumental misjudgement of his ex-wife’s intentions seems a tad clumsy at first, but then strikes you as endearing and somewhat sad. His rational, inspective self is compromised. The diversity of the characters belies the comfortable, familiar links we find between them. I found it absorbing to watch relationships develop between colleagues, professional people and family members.
I had nearly all the main characters banged to rights in the build-up, and enjoyed the hints sprinkled throughout. Some were blatantly intended to send you off up some dark alley reeking of red herring. Other, quieter off the cuff remarks had me bleating ‘Aha’ and nodding wisely as I believed I had cracked the case before the DI. Only to change my mind three pages down the line.
The killer has his own tale and we are offered more about his twisted beliefs that having sex with a living person is sinful. The description of his self-flagellation is brutal and we learn more about his perverse ideas for cleansing the souls of those that sin. What intrigues you is that the killer appears to be deliberately leaving behind damning evidence.
The conclusion is harrowing. The twist is unanticipated, the characters are realistic, the story is original and the next one is eagerly awaited.
Thank you
DI Storey and his apparently misogynistic sergeant are investigating grisly murders. The DI is a troubled soul and insights into his frustrating personal life, punctuate the narrative.
Storey’s monumental misjudgement of his ex-wife’s intentions seems a tad clumsy at first, but then strikes you as endearing and somewhat sad. His rational, inspective self is compromised. The diversity of the characters belies the comfortable, familiar links we find between them. I found it absorbing to watch relationships develop between colleagues, professional people and family members.
I had nearly all the main characters banged to rights in the build-up, and enjoyed the hints sprinkled throughout. Some were blatantly intended to send you off up some dark alley reeking of red herring. Other, quieter off the cuff remarks had me bleating ‘Aha’ and nodding wisely as I believed I had cracked the case before the DI. Only to change my mind three pages down the line.
The killer has his own tale and we are offered more about his twisted beliefs that having sex with a living person is sinful. The description of his self-flagellation is brutal and we learn more about his perverse ideas for cleansing the souls of those that sin. What intrigues you is that the killer appears to be deliberately leaving behind damning evidence.
The conclusion is harrowing. The twist is unanticipated, the characters are realistic, the story is original and the next one is eagerly awaited.
Thank you
June 14, 2012
I found it hard to put this fast-paced, intriguing, crime thriller down. The author explores grim issues with a deft hand, and we can even empathize with the brutal killer. The darkness of the crimes at the heart of the novel is softened by the warmth and humanity of the investigating officer, DI Paolo Storey. The sprinkling of hints and the whiff of red herrings kept me absorbed until the final, harrowing conclusion. The twist is unexpected, the story original and I look forward to the next one.
April 5, 2012
This crime novel is a page turner. Anyone picking it up will fly through it - they'll be so desperate to find out what's really going on. The plot is a satisfying, twisty-turny mystery and the novel introduces a fascinating new addition to crime detectives in Paulo Storey, our damaged hero. I sincerely hope this is the first in a long series and recommend it highly.
September 13, 2017
Bad moon Rising by Frances di plino.
One more soul is safe. Brought up believing sex is the devil’s work, a killer only finds release once he has saved his victims’ souls. Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption. Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives.
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. A great start to a series. I will be reading more. 5*. Tbc on fb.
One more soul is safe. Brought up believing sex is the devil’s work, a killer only finds release once he has saved his victims’ souls. Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption. Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives.
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. A great start to a series. I will be reading more. 5*. Tbc on fb.
July 13, 2012
Bad Moon Rising is a strongly written psychological crime thriller. The author successfully pulls the reader into the story from the onset and maintains a sense of urgency throughout.
Paolo Storey is the lead detective investigating a serial killer who is targeting local prostitutes. He is a man who is facing his own personal emotional trauma yet is obsessed with solving the murders. I found him to be a character who I felt great empathy and compassion for.
I totally enjoyed the character of Barbara, the shrewd female pathologist and the interaction she has with Paolo as well as the important role she played in solving the crimes. All the characters in this story are believable and woven into the story in a way that kept me interested and wanting to know more about them.
The writing is fast paced and easy to read filled with plot twists and drama that kept me glued to the story. I thought I had this story figured out several times; needless to say I was wrong. The suspense propelled me forward and kept me guessing until the dramatic end. The science integrated into the story is presented in an easily understood fashion and well researched.
I found that the complex issues of religion, domestic abuse and class roles in society gave this book great depth and contributed to the story in an engaging and thought provoking way.
This is an engaging read that I recommend to all readers for its non-stop suspense and drama and the real life issues it brings to the surface.
September 26, 2013
Bad Moon Rising by Frances di Plino is a dark, psychological cop thriller which centres on the handsome and justice driven Detective Inspector Paolo Storey. As multiple women keep turning up dead, Paolo has to race to find the killer with the help of his friends and colleagues.
The book is very well written, complete with a brilliant mixture of danger, thrill and mystery, as well as believable characters that keep you invested in the story as it plays out. I enjoyed each character’s back story, and found it added even more depth – and crucial information on the case - to the overall plot.
What particularly stood out to me were the many red herrings that successfully keep you guessing on who the real killer is. You might actually find yourself accusing some of the main characters of the crime.
The ending is also very believable because while the case is resolved, the characters still have their own lives to figure out and so leaving this open to interpretation was a great decision.
The book is very well written, complete with a brilliant mixture of danger, thrill and mystery, as well as believable characters that keep you invested in the story as it plays out. I enjoyed each character’s back story, and found it added even more depth – and crucial information on the case - to the overall plot.
What particularly stood out to me were the many red herrings that successfully keep you guessing on who the real killer is. You might actually find yourself accusing some of the main characters of the crime.
The ending is also very believable because while the case is resolved, the characters still have their own lives to figure out and so leaving this open to interpretation was a great decision.
April 8, 2012
The subject matter of Frances di Plino’s novel, Bad Moon Rising, is disturbing. This is one of those sinister psychological thrillers that, even though it can hardly be described as an ‘enjoyable’ read, is nevertheless totally gripping.
DI Paolo Storey and his sidekick, Dave Johnson investigate a series of gruesome crimes and one of those suspected is someone Storey used to know and greatly dislikes. But he isn’t the only suspect. Storey’s own daughter is getting too close for comfort when she suggests a priest at her convert school is a paedophile.
Meanwhile, we get inside the mind of the aberrant killer who believes that having sex with a living person is a sin, and witness his bizarre behaviour, which includes filming himself with his victims, self-flagellation and deliberately leaving behind damning evidence. Why isn’t this evidence picked up by the police and forensics? That’s the cleverest and most surprising twist of all in Frances di Plino’s novel.
DI Paolo Storey and his sidekick, Dave Johnson investigate a series of gruesome crimes and one of those suspected is someone Storey used to know and greatly dislikes. But he isn’t the only suspect. Storey’s own daughter is getting too close for comfort when she suggests a priest at her convert school is a paedophile.
Meanwhile, we get inside the mind of the aberrant killer who believes that having sex with a living person is a sin, and witness his bizarre behaviour, which includes filming himself with his victims, self-flagellation and deliberately leaving behind damning evidence. Why isn’t this evidence picked up by the police and forensics? That’s the cleverest and most surprising twist of all in Frances di Plino’s novel.
February 8, 2016
I found this an excellent crime thriller. It was packed with opportunities for me to make assumptions which turned out to be wrong by the time I got to the last pages. Human frailties are exposed – those of the murderer, his victims and those of the investigating officers – sometimes in a sympathetic manner and at others with candid frankness. The novel’s pace is consistently good and engaged my interest throughout; the skilful interweaving of secondary characters and sub-plots something meaty to concentrate on. Though the theme of ritual murder is not a new one, Frances di Plino’s details of Detective Inspector Paolo Storey’s own background lent the novelty I personally needed to gain real enjoyment from Bad Moon Rising, the small city setting making this story very credible.
March 20, 2014
Bad Moon Rising is the story of Paolo Storey, a D.I. (detective investigator) who is investigating a series of gruesome murders. The story starts out quite vivid and dark, with a prostitute's murder by a man who believes he's doing the Lord's work. We follow DI Storey and his partner, Dave, as they try to track down this killer.
I love a good thriller, and there are parts of this book that do not disappoint. The author is quite adept at giving the reader enough information to keep them believing they know what's up until suddenly they don't any more. At one point or another, I had at least three characters pegged as the killer, even though I knew at least one of my suspects was likely a red herring.
I'm of the belief that serial killers in fiction should be sufficiently evil and the true culprit here was definitely that. Smart and cunning, evil to his very core, and above all, supremely dedicated to his mission.
Paolo was a respectable good guy, though he definitely has his faults. Barbara, the medical examiner, was smart and compassionate, and Katy, Paolo's daughter was an interesting addition to the mix. I did not care for Lydia, Paolo's soon-to-be-ex-wife, but then again I wasn't meant to.
Unfortunately, for me, the ending felt a little too predictable. I knew what was going to happen from the first or second time one of the characters was introduced, even though I didn't know how it was going to happen. There was a bit too much telling for my liking in the prose, but overall, the book is well edited.
Some of the various sub-plots were left unresolved, which is natural for a series work, but a bit unsatisfying for the reader. Though I hope that each of these threads will return in a future book, we're not left with that impression. One character disappears halfway through and though we do learn what happens in the end, I didn't feel like that character was given their due respect. Another character seems to do a complete 180 personality shift between the first and last page and we don't know why. I hope that these were not oversights, but rather planned vagaries to be resolved in future books.
I also felt that the treatment of one particular sub-plot surrounding domestic violence was not given the seriousness it deserved. However, the setting for this book isn't the United States, where I make my home, and I have little to no knowledge of how domestic violence is treated by law enforcement in the United Kingdom. It is entirely possible that the attitude of the police and the characters involved was perfectly normal. That said, if you're an American reader, you might be a little shocked.
Overall, a solid 3-3.5 star effort for a new series.
**This review originally appeared on Author Alliance**
I love a good thriller, and there are parts of this book that do not disappoint. The author is quite adept at giving the reader enough information to keep them believing they know what's up until suddenly they don't any more. At one point or another, I had at least three characters pegged as the killer, even though I knew at least one of my suspects was likely a red herring.
I'm of the belief that serial killers in fiction should be sufficiently evil and the true culprit here was definitely that. Smart and cunning, evil to his very core, and above all, supremely dedicated to his mission.
Paolo was a respectable good guy, though he definitely has his faults. Barbara, the medical examiner, was smart and compassionate, and Katy, Paolo's daughter was an interesting addition to the mix. I did not care for Lydia, Paolo's soon-to-be-ex-wife, but then again I wasn't meant to.
Unfortunately, for me, the ending felt a little too predictable. I knew what was going to happen from the first or second time one of the characters was introduced, even though I didn't know how it was going to happen. There was a bit too much telling for my liking in the prose, but overall, the book is well edited.
Some of the various sub-plots were left unresolved, which is natural for a series work, but a bit unsatisfying for the reader. Though I hope that each of these threads will return in a future book, we're not left with that impression. One character disappears halfway through and though we do learn what happens in the end, I didn't feel like that character was given their due respect. Another character seems to do a complete 180 personality shift between the first and last page and we don't know why. I hope that these were not oversights, but rather planned vagaries to be resolved in future books.
I also felt that the treatment of one particular sub-plot surrounding domestic violence was not given the seriousness it deserved. However, the setting for this book isn't the United States, where I make my home, and I have little to no knowledge of how domestic violence is treated by law enforcement in the United Kingdom. It is entirely possible that the attitude of the police and the characters involved was perfectly normal. That said, if you're an American reader, you might be a little shocked.
Overall, a solid 3-3.5 star effort for a new series.
**This review originally appeared on Author Alliance**
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April 2, 2012I almost never read thrillers, much less dark psychological ones. The older I get the more squeamish, and I find that reading about grusome murder doesn't sit well with me. Bad Mooon Rising doesn't pull any punches either. The book opens right into the viewpoint of a serial killer, in the midst of a grisly crime. We follow the murderer through the book too, and several more unpleasantly graphic crimes. However, the violence is never gratituous, the characters--even the murderer--are, without fail, well drawn, deep and compelling. The more I read, the more I found myself drawn into the life of the protagonist, Detective Inspector Paolo Storey, whose own personal 'story' and search for the killer helps ease the tension of the killings. Storey is as warm and personable as his misogynist partner Dave is off-putting, and following his attempts to re-gain his family as well as solve the crime is enough to drive the story forward.
The story is full of suspects, with all sorts of hints, twists, and subtle connections that will leave the reader guessing, and turning pages quickly right to the end. There are a number of sub-stories throughout he book that pick up on some of the stronger themes, in particular that of domestic violence and the belittling of women, which mirrors the more drastic actions of the murderer, who has chosen to pick on young prostitutes. Paolo's own back-story is well contrasted with the back-story of the murderer, revealed in small glimpses through the story's progression.
Though this is not a book for the faint-of-heart, Bad Moon Rising is extremely well-written, compelling and fast-paced. The quality of the writing, and deep, intense characters and their complications will stay with the reader, long after the book is finished. Though the ending is satisfying, there are a number of threads left open, which suggests a sequel might be on the rise.
The story is full of suspects, with all sorts of hints, twists, and subtle connections that will leave the reader guessing, and turning pages quickly right to the end. There are a number of sub-stories throughout he book that pick up on some of the stronger themes, in particular that of domestic violence and the belittling of women, which mirrors the more drastic actions of the murderer, who has chosen to pick on young prostitutes. Paolo's own back-story is well contrasted with the back-story of the murderer, revealed in small glimpses through the story's progression.
Though this is not a book for the faint-of-heart, Bad Moon Rising is extremely well-written, compelling and fast-paced. The quality of the writing, and deep, intense characters and their complications will stay with the reader, long after the book is finished. Though the ending is satisfying, there are a number of threads left open, which suggests a sequel might be on the rise.
May 4, 2014
Excellent. Frances de Plino takes command of the characters, the plot and the narrative in a measured, masterful way. The blurb and earlier reviewers have succinctly encapsulated the plot. I’ll simply add that DI Paolo Storey will gain lots of fans by the simple device of reading Terry Pratchett!
This book can be read on several levels. It’s a graphic, grim psychological thriller, a police procedural foray into the dark recesses of a destabilised killer, and it depicts a view of social breakdown: ‘I wonder who she voted for. None of the main parties seem to be interested in doing anything for this area of town.’
What raises this book above many others in the crime genre is its emotional intensity. De Plino gives us ‘show’, in spades: ‘He stood up on legs that felt too shaky to hold him, but was determined to leave with whatever dignity remained… He held himself together until he’d climbed in the car and driven around the corner. Then he pulled over, switched off the engine, laid his head on the steering wheel and wept.’ We feel his internal earthquake, sense the tremor of his heart.
Her prose is considered, visual. There’s also humour, as in life; Paolo doesn’t like modern art: he could have done ‘something similar if he’d attacked a canvass while blindfolded, using only his left hand to daub several brushes simultaneously, each one dipped in a different colour.’
The characters are believable and prone to hurt, and the villain is truly reprehensible. Not for the squeamish or the prude. De Plino deftly inserts red herrings and misdirection into her plot.
Like so many titles, this one comes from music: ‘As he ran towards the front door, he could hear music playing. Then, overlaying the words of Bad Moon Rising, the sound of someone in agony rent the air.’ Suspenseful, page-turning stuff! De Plino, in my book, can certainly give Minette Walters a run for her money.
This book can be read on several levels. It’s a graphic, grim psychological thriller, a police procedural foray into the dark recesses of a destabilised killer, and it depicts a view of social breakdown: ‘I wonder who she voted for. None of the main parties seem to be interested in doing anything for this area of town.’
What raises this book above many others in the crime genre is its emotional intensity. De Plino gives us ‘show’, in spades: ‘He stood up on legs that felt too shaky to hold him, but was determined to leave with whatever dignity remained… He held himself together until he’d climbed in the car and driven around the corner. Then he pulled over, switched off the engine, laid his head on the steering wheel and wept.’ We feel his internal earthquake, sense the tremor of his heart.
Her prose is considered, visual. There’s also humour, as in life; Paolo doesn’t like modern art: he could have done ‘something similar if he’d attacked a canvass while blindfolded, using only his left hand to daub several brushes simultaneously, each one dipped in a different colour.’
The characters are believable and prone to hurt, and the villain is truly reprehensible. Not for the squeamish or the prude. De Plino deftly inserts red herrings and misdirection into her plot.
Like so many titles, this one comes from music: ‘As he ran towards the front door, he could hear music playing. Then, overlaying the words of Bad Moon Rising, the sound of someone in agony rent the air.’ Suspenseful, page-turning stuff! De Plino, in my book, can certainly give Minette Walters a run for her money.
April 29, 2012
I wasn't sure I was going to like this. I have a problem with violence against women. However, while Frances di Plinio is unflinching in her descriptions, she is making a vital point. Bad Moon Rising is a fast-paced thriller, with a complex plot to keep you guessing, but it's also an examination of gender roles and sexual politics. The men who display aggression towards women, either physical or verbal, are shown up as being weak, ignorant, or even plain psychotic.
DI Paolo Storey is a man with baggage. For all his drive and detemination at work, his fractured home life shows him as passive. Towards the end, we realise why. And this adds to the tension which has you ripping through the pages to the end.
The forays into the sick and twisted mind of a truly damaged man are extremely well done. As are the hints and clues that suggest any number of the male characters could be responsible. On re-read, which I had to do immediately, you spot more clues, not just as to the identity of the killer, but crucial links to the theme. When one female character asserts her boyfriend could not possibly be the killer, when Storey's daughter Katy makes assumptions about a priest, when the killer's background is revealed, I couldn't help thinking about influence.
The sexist sergeant, the domestic abuser, the psychotic murderer are on a spectrum. Their early influences have shaped their attitudes, but di Plinio shows that, in some cases, present influences can still have a positive effect.
I was a little disappointed not to know the outcome for Katy, but it's one more reason to come back for the sequel. On putting this book down for the second time, I felt satisfied, thoughtful and uplifted.
Bad Moon Rising is the very definition of an intelligent thriller.
DI Paolo Storey is a man with baggage. For all his drive and detemination at work, his fractured home life shows him as passive. Towards the end, we realise why. And this adds to the tension which has you ripping through the pages to the end.
The forays into the sick and twisted mind of a truly damaged man are extremely well done. As are the hints and clues that suggest any number of the male characters could be responsible. On re-read, which I had to do immediately, you spot more clues, not just as to the identity of the killer, but crucial links to the theme. When one female character asserts her boyfriend could not possibly be the killer, when Storey's daughter Katy makes assumptions about a priest, when the killer's background is revealed, I couldn't help thinking about influence.
The sexist sergeant, the domestic abuser, the psychotic murderer are on a spectrum. Their early influences have shaped their attitudes, but di Plinio shows that, in some cases, present influences can still have a positive effect.
I was a little disappointed not to know the outcome for Katy, but it's one more reason to come back for the sequel. On putting this book down for the second time, I felt satisfied, thoughtful and uplifted.
Bad Moon Rising is the very definition of an intelligent thriller.
November 3, 2014
I was offered a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bad Moon Rising is the first book in a crime fiction series (4 so far)featuring Detective Inspector Paolo Storey and his team. It is, I do feel I must point out from the offset, at times a very violent book. The perpetrator of the crimes is not a nice person....not even close. The thing is though, for all the violence and nastiness what you have here is a very good story indeed.
In his own way D.I. Storey is very much what you would expect of a leading copper character - broken marriage, family issues, going off on his own hunches etc, but he doesn't come across too badly out of all that. He is a character that feels believable, not too much of the "woe is me" thing going on. His team all play their parts admirably and there is enough potential with this team to make me want to read more.
As for the main story itself - somebody is killing off the local prostitutes is the short version I guess. There are a few side stories as well - Storey's daughter doing her own investigation at school, the colleague who wants Storey to investigate the possible spousal abuse of a friend. All the little bits tie up nicely but it is a hell of a ride to get to the end. There are at least 4 possible culprits and quite a few red herrings along the way so it'll certainly keep you guessing.
As the first book in a series this is an admirable effort and I will certainly be reading the rest of the D.I. Paolo Storey books. I'd happily suggest you give them a try too.
4.5/5 stars
Bad Moon Rising is the first book in a crime fiction series (4 so far)featuring Detective Inspector Paolo Storey and his team. It is, I do feel I must point out from the offset, at times a very violent book. The perpetrator of the crimes is not a nice person....not even close. The thing is though, for all the violence and nastiness what you have here is a very good story indeed.
In his own way D.I. Storey is very much what you would expect of a leading copper character - broken marriage, family issues, going off on his own hunches etc, but he doesn't come across too badly out of all that. He is a character that feels believable, not too much of the "woe is me" thing going on. His team all play their parts admirably and there is enough potential with this team to make me want to read more.
As for the main story itself - somebody is killing off the local prostitutes is the short version I guess. There are a few side stories as well - Storey's daughter doing her own investigation at school, the colleague who wants Storey to investigate the possible spousal abuse of a friend. All the little bits tie up nicely but it is a hell of a ride to get to the end. There are at least 4 possible culprits and quite a few red herrings along the way so it'll certainly keep you guessing.
As the first book in a series this is an admirable effort and I will certainly be reading the rest of the D.I. Paolo Storey books. I'd happily suggest you give them a try too.
4.5/5 stars
April 23, 2012
This is a tightly written, well-researched psychological crime thriller. From the opening page through to the final scenes, Frances di Plino guides the reader through a labyrinth of twists and turns in both the main plot and multiple sub-plots, all of which may lead to a potential serial murderer who is targeting the local prostitutes.
All the characters are believable with just enough back-story allowed to permeate through the text, to leave the reader wanting to know more.
The lead detective, Paolo Storey obviously has some personal issues that colour his judgement and although the reader is permitted glimpses of these as the plot unfolds, I wasn't prepared for the cruel twist at the end. I found myself wanting some form resolution. Bad Moon Rising does not fall into the category of cosy police drama (aka. Midsomer Murders) it is more true to life. We cannot always have the happy ever after result we would like.
I think it leaves plenty of juice in the tank for a second book. Should there be one on the way, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
I sincerely hope that Francis di Plino is holding on tight, because I have a feeling that Bad Moon Rising is about to send her Supernova.
All the characters are believable with just enough back-story allowed to permeate through the text, to leave the reader wanting to know more.
The lead detective, Paolo Storey obviously has some personal issues that colour his judgement and although the reader is permitted glimpses of these as the plot unfolds, I wasn't prepared for the cruel twist at the end. I found myself wanting some form resolution. Bad Moon Rising does not fall into the category of cosy police drama (aka. Midsomer Murders) it is more true to life. We cannot always have the happy ever after result we would like.
I think it leaves plenty of juice in the tank for a second book. Should there be one on the way, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
I sincerely hope that Francis di Plino is holding on tight, because I have a feeling that Bad Moon Rising is about to send her Supernova.
August 8, 2012
Bad Moon Rising is a crime thriller and a good, solid read. It follows Police Officer Paolo Storey as he unravels the murders of a number of prostitutes.
The story was very much in the vein of Mo Hayder in some places, and I’m sure I wont be the only person to read this who is put in mind of the Da Vinci Code. It feels like Di Plino has borrowed some ideas from different books and brought them together successfully.
The story is clever enough in that it quickly creates a number of suspects for the murders; be it the resident bad guy who ‘controls’ the red light districts, the Priest who has something to hide, the wife beating pub landlord or Storey’s own side kick copper. Some suspects are more successful that others, but I had worked out who the killer was early on, just the twist in how he evaded capture was a different and unique idea.
Bad Moon Rising is an easy read, which is no mean feat for a thriller of this nature. Some parts of the story felt superficial in places (for example the suspect who ends up in intensive care) and some plot lines and twists could have been better developed. But, all in all, a successful book by Di Plino and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
The story was very much in the vein of Mo Hayder in some places, and I’m sure I wont be the only person to read this who is put in mind of the Da Vinci Code. It feels like Di Plino has borrowed some ideas from different books and brought them together successfully.
The story is clever enough in that it quickly creates a number of suspects for the murders; be it the resident bad guy who ‘controls’ the red light districts, the Priest who has something to hide, the wife beating pub landlord or Storey’s own side kick copper. Some suspects are more successful that others, but I had worked out who the killer was early on, just the twist in how he evaded capture was a different and unique idea.
Bad Moon Rising is an easy read, which is no mean feat for a thriller of this nature. Some parts of the story felt superficial in places (for example the suspect who ends up in intensive care) and some plot lines and twists could have been better developed. But, all in all, a successful book by Di Plino and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
May 20, 2012
I finished this novel today and flew through the final few chapters. When the plot got personal and the daughter of DI Paolo Storey became involved in a complex crime, it was clear the twists of turns of this gripping plot were about to reach fever pitch! I did find some scenes hard to read, and this is certainly not a light read in parts, but there are enough elements of a gritty detective drama here to keep every reader hooked till the final page. The author creates believable characters in DI Storey and his team, and I enjoyed the balance of personal and professional content cleverly wound into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the clever female pathologist, Barbara, and the key role she played in solving the crimes and also the will they won't they relationship with Paolo. Although on the face of it this is a standard crime novel, there are complex layers wound in that give the story depth, the examination of religion in society, the ongoing issue of gender roles and class roles in society, as well as sidelines such as police handling of domestic abuse help build this into a superb read. I hope to read more from this author soon.
July 3, 2012
If you wake up early on a weekend morning and your first thought is, "Great, now I'll have time to finish my book today!" instead of "Please, please, please, let me get back to sleep!" I think you know you're onto a winner.
This book was compelling from beginning to end. The main character, Detective Inspector Paolo Storey, is certainly not without his flaws, but he is a lovable character. He has the right mix of humour, sarcasm and love for his family to be respected by the reader.
The great thing that di Plino has done with this book is make it hard to guess who the killer is, despite the fact that he is a character within the narrative. I think this has been possible by her leaving several options open and by the middle of the book your mind is whirring trying to figure it out. Just before the killer's identity was revealed, I had it, but the ending is so clever you'll still be blown away.
This book was compelling from beginning to end. The main character, Detective Inspector Paolo Storey, is certainly not without his flaws, but he is a lovable character. He has the right mix of humour, sarcasm and love for his family to be respected by the reader.
The great thing that di Plino has done with this book is make it hard to guess who the killer is, despite the fact that he is a character within the narrative. I think this has been possible by her leaving several options open and by the middle of the book your mind is whirring trying to figure it out. Just before the killer's identity was revealed, I had it, but the ending is so clever you'll still be blown away.
May 19, 2012
Paolo Storey is on the face of it a typical fictional detective. He has an estranged wife, a troubled teenage daughter, a sergeant who's related to the Chief Constable and an incipient relationship with a pathologist. So far, so unexceptional. Where Paolo differs from most other fictional DIs though is in his background. A lapsed Catholic, still tied in many ways to the religion of his youth, he is drawn into a mystery involving four old schoolfriends.
One of the former acqaintances is a Priest, one a solicitor, one a big time criminal and one a bar owner with a penchant for beating his wife. In different ways, they are all in the frame as potential suspects in the series of vicious murders taking place on Paolo's patch.
An effortless read, BMR, keeps the reader guessing, making judgements, and changing her mind until the very end. And when the end comes and the mystery is solved, it is surprising and unique.
One of the former acqaintances is a Priest, one a solicitor, one a big time criminal and one a bar owner with a penchant for beating his wife. In different ways, they are all in the frame as potential suspects in the series of vicious murders taking place on Paolo's patch.
An effortless read, BMR, keeps the reader guessing, making judgements, and changing her mind until the very end. And when the end comes and the mystery is solved, it is surprising and unique.
February 3, 2013
Upon reading the first chapter of this book, I did wonder if I was actually going to be able to carry on. Crime thrillers are not really my thing and graphic scenes, especially if they involve children, are a huge turn off. I'm glad to say, however, that di Plino only ever tells us what we need to know, there is nothing gratuitous about it at all. What there is, is plenty of red herrings, which keep you guessing all the way through. I actually surprised myself and guessed the killer and the reasons behind it about 3/4's of the way through, but I still had to race to the end, just to make sure! Paulo Storey is a likeable 'hero', his tragic past allowing us to empathise with him straightaway. His daughter Katey is also very likeable. Dave, Paulo's somewhat dubious sidekick, is a grower, who I'm sure will prove his mettle even more in future books. Judging by the way the book ended, I'm assuming there will be more books and look forward to them.
August 30, 2012
This book was given to me by the author, who requested a review.
This is a well-written book and the character of Paolo Storey is well developed. I should have liked it more than I did; it deserved to be liked more. Unfortunately, I found it predictable. By the time I was halfway through the book, I felt like I'd already finished it, so I found it difficult to keep reading. I did keep reading, hoping to be surprised, but finished without experiencing that moment of oh no - I never saw that coming!
I enjoyed the development of Paolo's character, especially his relationship with his daughter, who is another delightful character in this story.
All in all, an enjoyable read, well written and well told, although predictable.
This is a well-written book and the character of Paolo Storey is well developed. I should have liked it more than I did; it deserved to be liked more. Unfortunately, I found it predictable. By the time I was halfway through the book, I felt like I'd already finished it, so I found it difficult to keep reading. I did keep reading, hoping to be surprised, but finished without experiencing that moment of oh no - I never saw that coming!
I enjoyed the development of Paolo's character, especially his relationship with his daughter, who is another delightful character in this story.
All in all, an enjoyable read, well written and well told, although predictable.
November 28, 2012
A shocking, perverted story, and not a book I would normally read. But it is written with emotion and considerable skill.
Just when the tortured violence reaches disgusting proportions, it is tempered by the stereotypical policemen going about their detection duties.
Brutally mutilated corpses multiply at alarming speed, and suspect piles upon suspect, while DI Paulo and his sidekick David struggle to keep up with events, and solve their respective personal problems.
Then there is a subtle change, the violence turns into tedious obsession, and the work of the police becomes deadly serious.
This is a compelling horror story, written in masterful fashion by an author who certainly knows her stuff.
Just when the tortured violence reaches disgusting proportions, it is tempered by the stereotypical policemen going about their detection duties.
Brutally mutilated corpses multiply at alarming speed, and suspect piles upon suspect, while DI Paulo and his sidekick David struggle to keep up with events, and solve their respective personal problems.
Then there is a subtle change, the violence turns into tedious obsession, and the work of the police becomes deadly serious.
This is a compelling horror story, written in masterful fashion by an author who certainly knows her stuff.
October 30, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The characters all have flaws. They are real human beings. This is a story of a serial killer who murders prostitutes in the name of God. It all has to do with his upbringing. His mother was against sex and would punish her helf with a flogging whip with studs if she felt aroused and taught her son to do the same thing. Now he is on a mission with the Lord to save the souls of all the prostitutes. It is an eery tale and some twists and turns then the ending was a surprise. I highly recommend it.
September 15, 2013
I don't usually read this genre but despite that I found Bad Moon Rising to be an entertaining book. The character of Paolo Storey is intrinsically human; an accomplished detective, a flawed father, a failed husband. He is joined by a cast of characters, each as well developed. A strong plot draws the reader along, offering teasers and red herrings, drip feeding clues and back story in carefully metered doses. The conclusion of course, will reveal the identity of the culprit, but there is something more to quicken the reader's pulse. No spoilers here - read the book, you won't regret it.
February 15, 2014
This first in the series of D.I. Paulo Storey novels by Frances Di Plino is an un-put-downable read. Gritty and slightly gory in parts, you will want to know who is doing the serial killing in Bradchester.
A believable main character, and his assistant, who is as moody as Paulo, who try and unravel the clues to the mystery.
You won't have a clue who the murderer is until the end of the story. Would recommend this book, now I'm reading the next two in the series.
A believable main character, and his assistant, who is as moody as Paulo, who try and unravel the clues to the mystery.
You won't have a clue who the murderer is until the end of the story. Would recommend this book, now I'm reading the next two in the series.
February 4, 2014
This was thrilling - I finished the whole book in one sitting. I honestly didn't expect or predict the identity of the murderer, and I was glad that things actually worked out differently to how I'd expected them to (the story would have been clichéd had they ended up as I was suspecting!). Definitely recommended if you like crime/thriller stories.
May 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book but it’s not a genre I would usually read. It was a well-written classic crime thriller - flawed detective tries to catch deranged serial killer with a number of characters that could potentially be the murderer. A tried and tested formulaic approach.
I liked the writing style - pretty much perfect.
I liked the plot twists - the end was clever and totally unexpected.
I didn’t like the predictability of the plot and the slightly cliched “red herrings” which were obviously so.
Then again, I don’t like crime thrillers on the TV for those very reasons but my partner loves them!
I didn’t predict the end which was unusual and imaginative.
Would I read the rest of the series? Probably not as it’s not my favourite genre but if you like crime thrillers you’ll love this.
I read it because I had a particular interest in the author and her writing and in this respect I enjoyed it. It was a lesson in characterisation, plot structure and grammar and punctuation - as I would have expected.
I liked the writing style - pretty much perfect.
I liked the plot twists - the end was clever and totally unexpected.
I didn’t like the predictability of the plot and the slightly cliched “red herrings” which were obviously so.
Then again, I don’t like crime thrillers on the TV for those very reasons but my partner loves them!
I didn’t predict the end which was unusual and imaginative.
Would I read the rest of the series? Probably not as it’s not my favourite genre but if you like crime thrillers you’ll love this.
I read it because I had a particular interest in the author and her writing and in this respect I enjoyed it. It was a lesson in characterisation, plot structure and grammar and punctuation - as I would have expected.
March 2, 2017
Very disappointed.
November 19, 2014
A dark psychological thriller, this is the first book featuring DI Paolo Storey.
"Brought up believing sex is the devil’s work, a killer only finds release once he has saved his victims’ souls. Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption. Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives."
Frances di Plino has written a tense, gripping story with a clever plot and characters that you can't help but care about. The main character, Paolo, has an awful lot going on - as well as being in charge of a baffling murder case his personal life has gone into free fall. In fact, as the story progressed I found myself just as interested in Paolo's family situation as I was in the progress of the investigation.
The author's writing style is easy to read and keeps the story flowing, making it easy to be hooked into 'just one more chapter' before putting the book aside. (I refuse to use the term page-turner in my reviews but you get the picture).
I don't like a lot of graphic violence in my crime reading and Bad Moon Rising stayed just within the boundaries with many descriptions of violence against women as well as some sexual description that could shock some readers.
I would recommend Bad Moon Rising to readers who enjoy a gritty, dark read with some surprises.
Thank you to the author for the e-book copy to review.
"Brought up believing sex is the devil’s work, a killer only finds release once he has saved his victims’ souls. Abiding by his vision, he marks them as his. A gift to guide his chosen ones on the rightful path to redemption. Detective Inspector Paolo Storey is out to stop him, but Paolo has problems of his own. Hunting down the killer as the death toll rises, the lines soon blur between Paolo’s personal and professional lives."
Frances di Plino has written a tense, gripping story with a clever plot and characters that you can't help but care about. The main character, Paolo, has an awful lot going on - as well as being in charge of a baffling murder case his personal life has gone into free fall. In fact, as the story progressed I found myself just as interested in Paolo's family situation as I was in the progress of the investigation.
The author's writing style is easy to read and keeps the story flowing, making it easy to be hooked into 'just one more chapter' before putting the book aside. (I refuse to use the term page-turner in my reviews but you get the picture).
I don't like a lot of graphic violence in my crime reading and Bad Moon Rising stayed just within the boundaries with many descriptions of violence against women as well as some sexual description that could shock some readers.
I would recommend Bad Moon Rising to readers who enjoy a gritty, dark read with some surprises.
Thank you to the author for the e-book copy to review.
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