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Children of the Savage City
Some cities feed on secrets. Naples is ravenous.
A peaceful evening mass at the historic Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is shattered when a young au pair is killed in one of the cathedral’s quiet chapels. The daughter of the US Ambassador sees it happen—but she’ll speak only to one person: Nikki Serafino.
Shaken by betrayal in her last high-profile case, Nikki has retreated from the relentless vigilance that once defined her work as liaison between Italian police and the US military. Withdrawn and mistrustful, she works her shifts, cares for her aging family, teaches self-defense classes, and avoids entanglement. But this case threatens her self-imposed invisibility—drawing her into a web of lies and resurfacing old wounds and buried loyalties. The murder investigation leads Nikki and her friend, Naples officer Valerio Alfieri, into a shadow architecture of power: built to protect the guilty and hide their secrets at any cost.
Can she and Valerio—each carrying dangerous debts—resist the undertow of corruption that swallows truth whole?
Set against the chaos of modern Naples—the city of Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend—where grace and corruption share the same narrow streets, Nikki and Valerio navigate a landscape where even the most principled must confront the cost of survival.
A peaceful evening mass at the historic Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is shattered when a young au pair is killed in one of the cathedral’s quiet chapels. The daughter of the US Ambassador sees it happen—but she’ll speak only to one person: Nikki Serafino.
Shaken by betrayal in her last high-profile case, Nikki has retreated from the relentless vigilance that once defined her work as liaison between Italian police and the US military. Withdrawn and mistrustful, she works her shifts, cares for her aging family, teaches self-defense classes, and avoids entanglement. But this case threatens her self-imposed invisibility—drawing her into a web of lies and resurfacing old wounds and buried loyalties. The murder investigation leads Nikki and her friend, Naples officer Valerio Alfieri, into a shadow architecture of power: built to protect the guilty and hide their secrets at any cost.
Can she and Valerio—each carrying dangerous debts—resist the undertow of corruption that swallows truth whole?
Set against the chaos of modern Naples—the city of Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend—where grace and corruption share the same narrow streets, Nikki and Valerio navigate a landscape where even the most principled must confront the cost of survival.
416 pages, Paperback
Published February 17, 2026
22 people are currently reading
9502 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Heider
2 books128 followersElizabeth Heider is a PhD physicist whose most recent jobs include work for Microsoft’s AI4Science Research Program and the European Space Agency’s Human Spaceflight Program. Her short fiction has earned recognition from the Santa Fe Writer's Project Literary Awards and the New Century Writer Awards, as well as writing and research for military and government agencies where she worked as a scientist. She lived and worked in Naples Italy for several years, deploying as a civilian analyst aboard U.S. and European naval ships. She's based in The Hague.
Originally from Utah, Elizabeth is the second of six children, all unrepentant bibliophiles. She's written stories for as long as she can remember.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Utah and a MS and PhD in physics from Tufts University
Elizabeth worked for eight years as a civilian researcher for the U.S. Navy, where she wrote and ran wargames, assessed at-sea exercises, and deployed for weeks and months at a time aboard naval warships. She lived and worked in Naples Italy, for three years, researching in fifteen African countries, and training troops in Senegal, Gabon, and Cameroon. At the invitation of the Admiral of the Royal Danish Navy and the Admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy, she conducted assessments and mission support in those countries. In 2014, INTERPOL brought her to their headquarters in Lyon, France, to present a workshop and lecture at their fingerprint conference.
In 2016, Elizabeth moved to the Netherlands and worked as a scientist for the European Space Agency's Human Spaceflight program, supporting research on the International Space Station. In 2023, she became a Technical Program Manager for Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence Science Research Laboratory, AI4Science. She also works as a consultant for the commercial spaceflight industry.
Elizabeth's short fiction has earned recognition in the Santa Fe Writer's Project Literary Awards and the New Century Writer Awards. Her writing credits include a play produced at the University of Utah, numerous research papers (including an article co-written with ESA Astronaut Thomas Pesquet), a chemistry patent, and wargames written for the Navy and other US government agencies. Her original research and writing about Navy programs in Africa were used in US Department of State Congressional testimony. She authored a comic series developed by the European Space Agency, and for the better part of a decade, her science writings were regularly read by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Elizabeth currently lives in The Hague, where she bicycles across the dunes, makes wine from the grapes in her garden, and skates on frozen canals.
Originally from Utah, Elizabeth is the second of six children, all unrepentant bibliophiles. She's written stories for as long as she can remember.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Utah and a MS and PhD in physics from Tufts University
Elizabeth worked for eight years as a civilian researcher for the U.S. Navy, where she wrote and ran wargames, assessed at-sea exercises, and deployed for weeks and months at a time aboard naval warships. She lived and worked in Naples Italy, for three years, researching in fifteen African countries, and training troops in Senegal, Gabon, and Cameroon. At the invitation of the Admiral of the Royal Danish Navy and the Admiral of the Royal Netherlands Navy, she conducted assessments and mission support in those countries. In 2014, INTERPOL brought her to their headquarters in Lyon, France, to present a workshop and lecture at their fingerprint conference.
In 2016, Elizabeth moved to the Netherlands and worked as a scientist for the European Space Agency's Human Spaceflight program, supporting research on the International Space Station. In 2023, she became a Technical Program Manager for Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence Science Research Laboratory, AI4Science. She also works as a consultant for the commercial spaceflight industry.
Elizabeth's short fiction has earned recognition in the Santa Fe Writer's Project Literary Awards and the New Century Writer Awards. Her writing credits include a play produced at the University of Utah, numerous research papers (including an article co-written with ESA Astronaut Thomas Pesquet), a chemistry patent, and wargames written for the Navy and other US government agencies. Her original research and writing about Navy programs in Africa were used in US Department of State Congressional testimony. She authored a comic series developed by the European Space Agency, and for the better part of a decade, her science writings were regularly read by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Elizabeth currently lives in The Hague, where she bicycles across the dunes, makes wine from the grapes in her garden, and skates on frozen canals.
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January 6, 2026Naples, the city of death and corruption, feeds on secrets. From web of lies, old wounds and buried loyalties, Naples is ravenous.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking Penguin and the author, Elizabeth Heider for the early eARC.
Publication date: February 17, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking Penguin and the author, Elizabeth Heider for the early eARC.
Publication date: February 17, 2026
January 14, 2026
Another banger!
October 26, 2025
“To kill the beast, you need to understand it completely.”
Can I just say: WOW! This book surprised me in the best way possible. It’s not something I would normally pick up, but I was in a reading slump and figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try and I am soooo glad I did! Undoubtedly one of my top reads of the year and would highly recommend it.
Nikki Serafino works as a liaison between the Italian police and the U.S. Military at a company called Phoenix Seven when she gets called into work in the middle of the night for a high-profile murder investigation. At the scene is Valerio Alfieri, Naples police officer whose mother witnessed the murder and long-term friend and co-owner of their boat Calypso. As both try to investigate the murder, their own mysteries and past pull them into the dark underbelly of Naples and what it takes to survive.
“In death, a person was at their most vulnerable; to witness it an intimate invasion.”
There are so many mysteries and elements here I’m not sure where to even begin. My favorite part of this book is how all the small threads linked together: Nikki’s ex, her mother’s obsession, her brother’s death, Valerio and their boat, his dating life, Gianni’s friend, etc. It’s one of those stories where midway through you think, “This can’t POSSIBLY be connected to this part of the story – right?” only to find out it is. They are woven so seamlessly together that every reveal has you reeling in your seat.
The way Heider writes is short, direct, and captivating. I really loved how within chapters, paragraphs are broken up after only a couple of sentences. It made the book fly by for me since the short chapters and clear setting made everything soak in faster. It’s difficult to convey that much emotion and description in only a few lines, but it is so well done here.
Even if this doesn’t seem like a book up your alley, I would definitely give it a try! It surprised me in the best way possible and I can not wait to see if there is another installment and if Heider will continue on the series!
“Her knowledge of Valerio was something Nikki had trouble measuring. She knew the shape of his hands when he tied a bowline. She knew the way he puffed out his breath as he dashed around Calypso, trimming the sails. She knew the way he liked to knock the cap off his beer, the irresistible sound of his belly laugh, and the pungent stink of him after a day of hard work together under a hot sun. But she didn’t know his blood type.”
Can I just say: WOW! This book surprised me in the best way possible. It’s not something I would normally pick up, but I was in a reading slump and figured it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try and I am soooo glad I did! Undoubtedly one of my top reads of the year and would highly recommend it.
Nikki Serafino works as a liaison between the Italian police and the U.S. Military at a company called Phoenix Seven when she gets called into work in the middle of the night for a high-profile murder investigation. At the scene is Valerio Alfieri, Naples police officer whose mother witnessed the murder and long-term friend and co-owner of their boat Calypso. As both try to investigate the murder, their own mysteries and past pull them into the dark underbelly of Naples and what it takes to survive.
“In death, a person was at their most vulnerable; to witness it an intimate invasion.”
There are so many mysteries and elements here I’m not sure where to even begin. My favorite part of this book is how all the small threads linked together: Nikki’s ex, her mother’s obsession, her brother’s death, Valerio and their boat, his dating life, Gianni’s friend, etc. It’s one of those stories where midway through you think, “This can’t POSSIBLY be connected to this part of the story – right?” only to find out it is. They are woven so seamlessly together that every reveal has you reeling in your seat.
The way Heider writes is short, direct, and captivating. I really loved how within chapters, paragraphs are broken up after only a couple of sentences. It made the book fly by for me since the short chapters and clear setting made everything soak in faster. It’s difficult to convey that much emotion and description in only a few lines, but it is so well done here.
Even if this doesn’t seem like a book up your alley, I would definitely give it a try! It surprised me in the best way possible and I can not wait to see if there is another installment and if Heider will continue on the series!
“Her knowledge of Valerio was something Nikki had trouble measuring. She knew the shape of his hands when he tied a bowline. She knew the way he puffed out his breath as he dashed around Calypso, trimming the sails. She knew the way he liked to knock the cap off his beer, the irresistible sound of his belly laugh, and the pungent stink of him after a day of hard work together under a hot sun. But she didn’t know his blood type.”
November 27, 2025
You don’t have to read May the Wolf Die before you read Elizabeth Heider’s new book but I had, so I was excited to read Children of the Savage City. It’s 11:43pm and I just realized that I read the whole book in one day. That’s how much I liked it. Kudos, Ms. Heider!
Review of advance copy
Nikki Serafino wages war with the System in Naples. It is a relentless enemy that has woven its criminal tendrils into all parts of the city's societal structures, including law enforcement. Not knowing who to trust with her soul bruised from her last case, she relies on family and her stalwart friend Valerio, who is also in a predicament with the System himself. Nikki is that errant knight, so when another murder investigation pulls at her sense of injustice, she applies her skills to the task. But her anger at betrayal has put her on edge, causing her to be unbalanced while applying her detective craft. She is at odds with herself, familial secrets, and the System. Come along for the ride and find out what happens in the Savage City.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After beginning this book, I realized that it explores themes I wasn’t prepared for and ultimately decided not to continue. This is a personal choice based on my own content limits, not a reflection of the author’s skill or the quality of the writing.
I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy and encourage readers who are comfortable with challenging subject matter to consider it.
At the time of this review, the average rating on NetGalley was 4 stars and I am giving it the average rating based of needing to give a star rating.
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Viking Penguin Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy and encourage readers who are comfortable with challenging subject matter to consider it.
At the time of this review, the average rating on NetGalley was 4 stars and I am giving it the average rating based of needing to give a star rating.
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Viking Penguin Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
March 1, 2026
Naples is so crazy I get why my granddad came to America
December 29, 2025
Having read May the Wolf Die, I was excited to learn of Children of the Savage City. I have a fondness for the city of Naples, and enjoy well written novels using that city as a setting. Ms. Heider's novels do not disappoint! Her characters are engaging, and the interwoven relationships among them are a definite strength. There is enough character development from one book to the next to maintain interest, and plenty of action. Overall, a very enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read this pre-release.
October 28, 2025
I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for letting me read this book early.
The vibes I have received on this book and just the storyline overall was like the movie Anna meets Law and Order: SVU. It was some of everything in it from murder, kidnapping, and betrayal. It always seems to be dirty cop in these types of things but, overall it was good. I feel like I can see Dick Wolf portraying this into something because it reminded me so much of something he would do.
The vibes I have received on this book and just the storyline overall was like the movie Anna meets Law and Order: SVU. It was some of everything in it from murder, kidnapping, and betrayal. It always seems to be dirty cop in these types of things but, overall it was good. I feel like I can see Dick Wolf portraying this into something because it reminded me so much of something he would do.
December 11, 2025
This book was such a well written adventure. The storyline definitely kept me reading and thinking.
February 21, 2026
I picked up Children of the Savage City without fully knowing what to expect, and honestly, that was the best way to dive into it. It’s a mix of psychological thriller, character exploration, and reflections on trauma and connection. Whatever it is, it’s extraordinary.
This book operates on multiple layers, making it feel like trying to describe a spiderweb while standing too close. She starts with seemingly separate threads—Nikki’s complex past with an ex, her mother’s strange fixation, her brother’s haunting death, Valerio and their shared love for a boat, his romantic life, and Gianni, who appears at odd moments. At first, these seem like different stories in one book.
But then Heider expertly weaves these threads together, showing she’s a master at work. Things that seemed unrelated—like Valerio’s dating life and Nikki’s mother’s obsession—start to connect, and you want to reread to catch what you missed. Halfway through, I kept thinking, “Wait, how does this connect to that?” only for Heider to surprise me in ways that made perfect sense in hindsight. Every revelation made me rethink what I thought I knew. Her plotting appears effortless but requires incredible skill.
What struck me most is Heider’s writing restraint. She uses short, precise bursts—brief paragraphs and chapters that don’t linger. Initially, I worried it might feel fragmented, but instead, it brings clarity. Every sentence matters because there’s no filler. She provides vivid details without lengthy description, and emotions hit hard through what’s unsaid as much as what’s on the page.
This style made the book a fast read for me. I’d glance up and realize an hour had passed because the structure pulls you along so efficiently. The short chapters create momentum, and the clear scene-setting means you’re never lost. It’s impressive how much Heider conveys in so few words—the emotional depth of a moment, the tension in conversations, the weight of a character’s history—all captured in concise sentences.
The real strength is the characters. Nikki and Valerio feel incredibly real, transcending the page. They’re not stereotypes—they’re complex people shaped by their histories. Both have good hearts, making their journeys through trauma all the more moving. They’ve both made choices that made me pause, not because they felt out of character, but because Heider allows them to be flawed and act from hurt or confusion.
Their backstories are developed with care, making them three-dimensional. You understand why Nikki reacts as she does, why Valerio makes his choices. Even secondary characters feel like real people rather than plot devices. Heider treats everyone as a whole person, even if we see just fragments of their lives.
The pacing deserves mention. Much of the story focuses on the everyday rhythms of the characters’ lives—daily routines and small interactions. Some might find this slow, but it’s essential to the story. By spending time in the mundane, you truly get to know Nikki and Valerio intimately. You see how they navigate the world, what matters to them, how they treat others when nothing extraordinary is happening.
Gradually, tension builds. It’s so subtle you might not notice at first—just a growing unease, unanswered questions, and emerging patterns. By the climax, Heider has wound the tension so tightly that its release feels overwhelming. The contrast between quiet daily life and the frenzy of the ending amplifies both.
There’s something about Heider’s storytelling—the balance of character development and tension, the weaving of threads into a whole, her precise prose—that goes beyond genre expectations. It could become a favorite, even if it’s not your usual pick.
For readers who like:
Fans of The Likeness by Tana French, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris will enjoy this.
Final Verdict
Elizabeth Heider’s Children of the Savage City is a remarkable tale that works on many levels, all while staying perfectly in control. This writing trusts its readers, leaving room for personal interpretation and showing the power of what’s unsaid. Even if it doesn’t seem like your typical read, consider giving it a try—Heider has crafted something that goes beyond easy labels and offers an experience that lingers, quietly unsettling and deeply moving.
Grateful to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Elizabeth Heider for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
This book operates on multiple layers, making it feel like trying to describe a spiderweb while standing too close. She starts with seemingly separate threads—Nikki’s complex past with an ex, her mother’s strange fixation, her brother’s haunting death, Valerio and their shared love for a boat, his romantic life, and Gianni, who appears at odd moments. At first, these seem like different stories in one book.
But then Heider expertly weaves these threads together, showing she’s a master at work. Things that seemed unrelated—like Valerio’s dating life and Nikki’s mother’s obsession—start to connect, and you want to reread to catch what you missed. Halfway through, I kept thinking, “Wait, how does this connect to that?” only for Heider to surprise me in ways that made perfect sense in hindsight. Every revelation made me rethink what I thought I knew. Her plotting appears effortless but requires incredible skill.
What struck me most is Heider’s writing restraint. She uses short, precise bursts—brief paragraphs and chapters that don’t linger. Initially, I worried it might feel fragmented, but instead, it brings clarity. Every sentence matters because there’s no filler. She provides vivid details without lengthy description, and emotions hit hard through what’s unsaid as much as what’s on the page.
This style made the book a fast read for me. I’d glance up and realize an hour had passed because the structure pulls you along so efficiently. The short chapters create momentum, and the clear scene-setting means you’re never lost. It’s impressive how much Heider conveys in so few words—the emotional depth of a moment, the tension in conversations, the weight of a character’s history—all captured in concise sentences.
The real strength is the characters. Nikki and Valerio feel incredibly real, transcending the page. They’re not stereotypes—they’re complex people shaped by their histories. Both have good hearts, making their journeys through trauma all the more moving. They’ve both made choices that made me pause, not because they felt out of character, but because Heider allows them to be flawed and act from hurt or confusion.
Their backstories are developed with care, making them three-dimensional. You understand why Nikki reacts as she does, why Valerio makes his choices. Even secondary characters feel like real people rather than plot devices. Heider treats everyone as a whole person, even if we see just fragments of their lives.
The pacing deserves mention. Much of the story focuses on the everyday rhythms of the characters’ lives—daily routines and small interactions. Some might find this slow, but it’s essential to the story. By spending time in the mundane, you truly get to know Nikki and Valerio intimately. You see how they navigate the world, what matters to them, how they treat others when nothing extraordinary is happening.
Gradually, tension builds. It’s so subtle you might not notice at first—just a growing unease, unanswered questions, and emerging patterns. By the climax, Heider has wound the tension so tightly that its release feels overwhelming. The contrast between quiet daily life and the frenzy of the ending amplifies both.
There’s something about Heider’s storytelling—the balance of character development and tension, the weaving of threads into a whole, her precise prose—that goes beyond genre expectations. It could become a favorite, even if it’s not your usual pick.
For readers who like:
Fans of The Likeness by Tana French, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris will enjoy this.
Final Verdict
Elizabeth Heider’s Children of the Savage City is a remarkable tale that works on many levels, all while staying perfectly in control. This writing trusts its readers, leaving room for personal interpretation and showing the power of what’s unsaid. Even if it doesn’t seem like your typical read, consider giving it a try—Heider has crafted something that goes beyond easy labels and offers an experience that lingers, quietly unsettling and deeply moving.
Grateful to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Elizabeth Heider for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2025
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Children of the Savage City, by Elizabeth Heider, from Viking Penguin | Penguin Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
I feel the need to make it clear from the outset that I am quite the fangirl when it comes to Liz Heider. Her professional life would make for an incredible series on its own (maybe multiple series), and her nonfiction writing (which I read on her website: https://elizabethheider.com/) regularly blows me out of the water. And I very much enjoyed the first book in what I think of as the Nikki Serafino series. Plus, we’re sort of friendly through correspondence, which began because I’m good friends with a member of her extended family.
So it pains me to say that I didn’t really dig Children of the Savage City like I did May the Wolf Die. And the first reason is probably gonna sound really stupid to a lot of people…..it’s because on the first page of chapter one “all right” was written as “alright.” Yes, yes, pedant that I am, something seemingly small like that can—and does—get my jaw set out all sideways, and I’m here to tell you that it takes an inordinately long time to pull it back in.
Normally I might not mention such as this, but I do this time because it seemed to play into some sort of choppy writing/formatting that meant my reading experience was not as smooth as I expected it to be. Also, I kept having to try to remember what all happened in the first book and connect it to current events and characters (of which there were about a bazillion, which was wearying). At some point I felt like I was watching a tennis match as events unfolded here, then there, then back there, then back here again, etc., etc. Again, choppy. And Nikki seemed somehow so much darker to me this go-around, almost in an unrelatable way.
I wonder if maybe I would’ve enjoyed this book more had I read it immediately after the first in the series, when I still had everything and everybody fresh in my mind. Or if the book had had more of the pacing of the last quarter of it, when things seemed to get faster paced/more interesting. I told my husband that this felt like one of those books in a series that was written just to structure some scaffolding to get to the next one.
All that said, this was a good book—both in terms of writing, research, and descriptors (in particular). It just wasn’t great.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
PS
Here's a link to an actual comprehensive review of this book. Bonus—it's very positive: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/ter...
DESCRIPTION
Some cities feed on secrets. Naples is ravenous.
A peaceful evening mass at the historic Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is shattered when a young au pair is killed in one of the cathedral’s quiet chapels. The daughter of the US Ambassador sees it happen—but she'll speak only to one person: Nikki Serafino.
Shaken by betrayal in her last high-profile case, Nikki has retreated from the relentless vigilance that once defined her work as liaison between Italian police and the US military. Withdrawn and mistrustful, she works her shifts, cares for her aging family, teaches self-defense classes, and avoids entanglement. But this case threatens her self-imposed invisibility—drawing her into a web of lies and resurfacing old wounds and buried loyalties. The murder investigation leads Nikki and her friend, Naples officer Valerio Alfieri, into a shadow architecture of power: built to protect the guilty and hide their secrets at any cost.
Can she and Valerio—each carrying dangerous debts—resist the undertow of corruption that swallows truth whole?
Set against the chaos of modern Naples—the city of Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend—where grace and corruption share the same narrow streets, Nikki and Valerio navigate a landscape where even the most principled must confront the cost of survival.
Received a complimentary copy of Children of the Savage City, by Elizabeth Heider, from Viking Penguin | Penguin Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
I feel the need to make it clear from the outset that I am quite the fangirl when it comes to Liz Heider. Her professional life would make for an incredible series on its own (maybe multiple series), and her nonfiction writing (which I read on her website: https://elizabethheider.com/) regularly blows me out of the water. And I very much enjoyed the first book in what I think of as the Nikki Serafino series. Plus, we’re sort of friendly through correspondence, which began because I’m good friends with a member of her extended family.
So it pains me to say that I didn’t really dig Children of the Savage City like I did May the Wolf Die. And the first reason is probably gonna sound really stupid to a lot of people…..it’s because on the first page of chapter one “all right” was written as “alright.” Yes, yes, pedant that I am, something seemingly small like that can—and does—get my jaw set out all sideways, and I’m here to tell you that it takes an inordinately long time to pull it back in.
Normally I might not mention such as this, but I do this time because it seemed to play into some sort of choppy writing/formatting that meant my reading experience was not as smooth as I expected it to be. Also, I kept having to try to remember what all happened in the first book and connect it to current events and characters (of which there were about a bazillion, which was wearying). At some point I felt like I was watching a tennis match as events unfolded here, then there, then back there, then back here again, etc., etc. Again, choppy. And Nikki seemed somehow so much darker to me this go-around, almost in an unrelatable way.
I wonder if maybe I would’ve enjoyed this book more had I read it immediately after the first in the series, when I still had everything and everybody fresh in my mind. Or if the book had had more of the pacing of the last quarter of it, when things seemed to get faster paced/more interesting. I told my husband that this felt like one of those books in a series that was written just to structure some scaffolding to get to the next one.
All that said, this was a good book—both in terms of writing, research, and descriptors (in particular). It just wasn’t great.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
PS
Here's a link to an actual comprehensive review of this book. Bonus—it's very positive: https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/ter...
DESCRIPTION
Some cities feed on secrets. Naples is ravenous.
A peaceful evening mass at the historic Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is shattered when a young au pair is killed in one of the cathedral’s quiet chapels. The daughter of the US Ambassador sees it happen—but she'll speak only to one person: Nikki Serafino.
Shaken by betrayal in her last high-profile case, Nikki has retreated from the relentless vigilance that once defined her work as liaison between Italian police and the US military. Withdrawn and mistrustful, she works her shifts, cares for her aging family, teaches self-defense classes, and avoids entanglement. But this case threatens her self-imposed invisibility—drawing her into a web of lies and resurfacing old wounds and buried loyalties. The murder investigation leads Nikki and her friend, Naples officer Valerio Alfieri, into a shadow architecture of power: built to protect the guilty and hide their secrets at any cost.
Can she and Valerio—each carrying dangerous debts—resist the undertow of corruption that swallows truth whole?
Set against the chaos of modern Naples—the city of Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah and Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend—where grace and corruption share the same narrow streets, Nikki and Valerio navigate a landscape where even the most principled must confront the cost of survival.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Lord have mercy" is a prayer that many of us have said. Children of the Savage City by Elizabeth Heider both shows that prayer answered and leaves unanswered.
Italian officer Valerio Alfieri's mother is attending a mass in a historic Neapolitan chapel that gets interrupted by the horrified scream of an English au pair as she is murdered. Valerio's mother calls him in a panic, and after he reaches her, she's covered in the au pair's blood. His friend, Nikki Serafino, who works as a liaison between the U.S. military and the Italian police force, is also drawn into the case when a witness, an American ambassador's daughter, will only speak to her. They must both try to catch a killer in this city, where power protects the guilty and hides their secrets.
The strength of this story is the characters, hands down. Nikki and Valerio feel like real human beings someone might actually know. They both have good hearts, and they've both experienced unique traumas. Neither is perfect. In fact, some of the things they have done in the past made me scratch my head. Their pasts have been fleshed out enough to give each character a solid foundation. I also enjoyed how nuanced even the more minor characters were.
Much of the story focuses on their everyday rather than intense drama. Some people won't care for this, but I actually appreciated it because I got to know them better through doing so. I loved following along with them as the pace gradually ramped up to a frenzy at the climax.
Heider's style is lean, controlled and quietly tense. The prose is deliberate and precise instead of flashy. The dialogue is natural and understated, with meaning sitting between the lines rather than being spelled out. Emotional moments land through small, sharp details. She keeps the perspective close to the characters and trusts the reader to pick up on implications, creating a psychological tension. Basically, her writing style is grounded and observant, with an underlying current of restrained menace flowing through it.
I stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish Children of the Savage City. I dragged all day before writing this review. Totally worth it. I had a blast reading this. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy complex characters and to those who enjoy noir undertones.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— Character-driven, atmospheric, and simmering with restrained menace.
Let's Discuss:
What in a book hooks you enough to keep you up reading past your bedtime?
Italian officer Valerio Alfieri's mother is attending a mass in a historic Neapolitan chapel that gets interrupted by the horrified scream of an English au pair as she is murdered. Valerio's mother calls him in a panic, and after he reaches her, she's covered in the au pair's blood. His friend, Nikki Serafino, who works as a liaison between the U.S. military and the Italian police force, is also drawn into the case when a witness, an American ambassador's daughter, will only speak to her. They must both try to catch a killer in this city, where power protects the guilty and hides their secrets.
The strength of this story is the characters, hands down. Nikki and Valerio feel like real human beings someone might actually know. They both have good hearts, and they've both experienced unique traumas. Neither is perfect. In fact, some of the things they have done in the past made me scratch my head. Their pasts have been fleshed out enough to give each character a solid foundation. I also enjoyed how nuanced even the more minor characters were.
Much of the story focuses on their everyday rather than intense drama. Some people won't care for this, but I actually appreciated it because I got to know them better through doing so. I loved following along with them as the pace gradually ramped up to a frenzy at the climax.
Heider's style is lean, controlled and quietly tense. The prose is deliberate and precise instead of flashy. The dialogue is natural and understated, with meaning sitting between the lines rather than being spelled out. Emotional moments land through small, sharp details. She keeps the perspective close to the characters and trusts the reader to pick up on implications, creating a psychological tension. Basically, her writing style is grounded and observant, with an underlying current of restrained menace flowing through it.
I stayed up until 2 a.m. to finish Children of the Savage City. I dragged all day before writing this review. Totally worth it. I had a blast reading this. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy complex characters and to those who enjoy noir undertones.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓— Character-driven, atmospheric, and simmering with restrained menace.
Let's Discuss:
What in a book hooks you enough to keep you up reading past your bedtime?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Outlier review!
I want to preface by saying I am not a stupid woman, but I felt like one at the end of this! 😅
Nikki Serafino is a police liaison and also teaches self defense classes in Naples. She is called to help look into a murder where the US Ambassador's daughter is a witness. She partners with Valerio to look into the witness statements. As the story progresses, there is so much corruption involving main characters. It is dark and atmospheric, and Nikki is a very strong protagonist.
I have to say that there were so many characters and different arcs of the main characters. I had to reread a couple of places to remind me of the connections. The original case of the murdered girl in the church was interesting. I also felt the connections between the different plots of the two main characters when everything settled was well done. However, in the middle it did feel like I was reading three different stories! I like intricate plotlines, but the number of characters, and the amount of information on all the characters, was a lot. I found that I was working really hard to try to keep every character and event straight- and this took some enjoyment from my reading. Once I figured it out and got to the end, I felt it was a solid story- but may too much was happening!
I am a definite outlier because the reviews are outstanding for this book. I encourage you to read others to help you decide if this is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I want to preface by saying I am not a stupid woman, but I felt like one at the end of this! 😅
Nikki Serafino is a police liaison and also teaches self defense classes in Naples. She is called to help look into a murder where the US Ambassador's daughter is a witness. She partners with Valerio to look into the witness statements. As the story progresses, there is so much corruption involving main characters. It is dark and atmospheric, and Nikki is a very strong protagonist.
I have to say that there were so many characters and different arcs of the main characters. I had to reread a couple of places to remind me of the connections. The original case of the murdered girl in the church was interesting. I also felt the connections between the different plots of the two main characters when everything settled was well done. However, in the middle it did feel like I was reading three different stories! I like intricate plotlines, but the number of characters, and the amount of information on all the characters, was a lot. I found that I was working really hard to try to keep every character and event straight- and this took some enjoyment from my reading. Once I figured it out and got to the end, I felt it was a solid story- but may too much was happening!
I am a definite outlier because the reviews are outstanding for this book. I encourage you to read others to help you decide if this is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a second book in a series following May the Wolf Die. I think it would have been helpful to have read this first book but this one was still intensely readable without having done that.
A nanny is killed in a church in Naples. Two Americans find the body of Claire Sexton of which one is the daughter of the US Ambassador to Italy who advises his daughter to only speak to Nikki Serafino of Phoenix Seven. Nikki’s good friend, Valerio Alfieri, has been called in as a favor for a highly influential man to investigate as well. The starts an intense investigation with red herrings and a final clue that I didn’t see coming.
I liked Nikki. She’s intense and focused. In this book she is still dealing with the loss of her mother and brother. I think this exploration is powerful and is great in character development which this author does so very well. I also thought the descriptions of the settings were well done. And I liked the structured - the short scenes interspersed with longer ones moved the story line rather well.
I liked this book but I think I would have liked it better if I had read the first book but that is not the fault of the author - just a suggestion for future readers.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this ARC.
A nanny is killed in a church in Naples. Two Americans find the body of Claire Sexton of which one is the daughter of the US Ambassador to Italy who advises his daughter to only speak to Nikki Serafino of Phoenix Seven. Nikki’s good friend, Valerio Alfieri, has been called in as a favor for a highly influential man to investigate as well. The starts an intense investigation with red herrings and a final clue that I didn’t see coming.
I liked Nikki. She’s intense and focused. In this book she is still dealing with the loss of her mother and brother. I think this exploration is powerful and is great in character development which this author does so very well. I also thought the descriptions of the settings were well done. And I liked the structured - the short scenes interspersed with longer ones moved the story line rather well.
I liked this book but I think I would have liked it better if I had read the first book but that is not the fault of the author - just a suggestion for future readers.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this ARC.
February 13, 2026
What a fantastic dark crime thriller. This book really felt like a twofer for me: while there was plenty of intersection and “aha” moments at the end, for much of the book you’re following two different plot lines, which made for double the suspense. If you’re intrigued by a mystery populated by mob underbosses, government officials, rowdy party girls, obscenely rich investors, and an enigmatic fortune teller, this book will have you in its grip from start to finish!
SYNOPSIS: in a quiet little church in Naples, a young au pair is brutally assaulted, stabbed, and left for dead on the stone floor. Witness to this atrocity is the daughter of the U.S. Ambassador, who’s instructed his daughter to only speak to one person: special liaison Nikki Serafino. While technically not acting in a law enforcement capacity, her proximity to the case and her own relentless curiosity quickly ensnare Nikki in the investigation. Working with her friend and fellow officer Valerio Alfieri, Nikki seeks to figure out who would want to hurt the au pair. But the city’s organized criminal underbelly has a vested interest in protecting the guilty, and they’ll use every inch of corruption, bribery, blackmail, and scare tactics to throw Nikki and Valerio off the scent.
SYNOPSIS: in a quiet little church in Naples, a young au pair is brutally assaulted, stabbed, and left for dead on the stone floor. Witness to this atrocity is the daughter of the U.S. Ambassador, who’s instructed his daughter to only speak to one person: special liaison Nikki Serafino. While technically not acting in a law enforcement capacity, her proximity to the case and her own relentless curiosity quickly ensnare Nikki in the investigation. Working with her friend and fellow officer Valerio Alfieri, Nikki seeks to figure out who would want to hurt the au pair. But the city’s organized criminal underbelly has a vested interest in protecting the guilty, and they’ll use every inch of corruption, bribery, blackmail, and scare tactics to throw Nikki and Valerio off the scent.
February 18, 2026
Children of the Savage City is a book with an interesting premise and quality twists and turns, but it lost something with main characters who were hard for me to connect with.
There is a lot going on in the book and it does a great job of keeping you drawn in with short chapters, changing perspectives, and a number of different plots intertwining. I knew what was going on but never quite knew what was going to happen next.
That being said, I found both Nikki and Valerio, our two main characters, to be hard to connect with. Nikki is tough and independent, but so much so that we don't get to see much vulnerability from her. Some softness would be so beneficial for her character. Valerio is a competent officer, a good person, and a good dad but he felt fairly one dimensional. I feel like his interactions with Ravenna gave him more depth but he could have used even more.
I don't know that I would read a second book in this series, but I would absolutely check out another offering from Elizabeth Heider with different characters. Her writing is great, I think I just personally needed more of a connection to the characters in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the chance to read this book early for review. All opinions are 100% my own.
There is a lot going on in the book and it does a great job of keeping you drawn in with short chapters, changing perspectives, and a number of different plots intertwining. I knew what was going on but never quite knew what was going to happen next.
That being said, I found both Nikki and Valerio, our two main characters, to be hard to connect with. Nikki is tough and independent, but so much so that we don't get to see much vulnerability from her. Some softness would be so beneficial for her character. Valerio is a competent officer, a good person, and a good dad but he felt fairly one dimensional. I feel like his interactions with Ravenna gave him more depth but he could have used even more.
I don't know that I would read a second book in this series, but I would absolutely check out another offering from Elizabeth Heider with different characters. Her writing is great, I think I just personally needed more of a connection to the characters in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the chance to read this book early for review. All opinions are 100% my own.
February 22, 2026
4.5 rounded to 5.
After reading May The Wolf Die, I begged for a sequel. And Liz Heider and the heavens delivered because this was THE sequel of all sequels.
First off, the synopsis this book is marketed with is just ONE of the storylines - there are a few and it was like hitting the jackpot with three stories in one. (I did at one point ask myself: “Are these REALLY three separate storylines? Do they come together?!” But trust the process my friends)
This book also manages to be fast paced yet a slow burn. I was literally on the edge of my seat (or bed, because I was reading this while laying down 😂) for the last 20% of it. I was locked in, as the kids say.
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
⚡️ how dark and well-written it was (the “bad guys” echo a lot of what’s going on in the world today and it made the book that much more real)
⚡️ the characters (they stay with you well after reading the book)
⚡️ ITALY
⚡️ the high-stakes international thriller vibe that felt realistic at the same time (I’ve read too many that are hopped up on steroids 😂)
Thank you to Liz Heider and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. May the Wolf Die and Children of the Savage City are out now!
After reading May The Wolf Die, I begged for a sequel. And Liz Heider and the heavens delivered because this was THE sequel of all sequels.
First off, the synopsis this book is marketed with is just ONE of the storylines - there are a few and it was like hitting the jackpot with three stories in one. (I did at one point ask myself: “Are these REALLY three separate storylines? Do they come together?!” But trust the process my friends)
This book also manages to be fast paced yet a slow burn. I was literally on the edge of my seat (or bed, because I was reading this while laying down 😂) for the last 20% of it. I was locked in, as the kids say.
𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝:
⚡️ how dark and well-written it was (the “bad guys” echo a lot of what’s going on in the world today and it made the book that much more real)
⚡️ the characters (they stay with you well after reading the book)
⚡️ ITALY
⚡️ the high-stakes international thriller vibe that felt realistic at the same time (I’ve read too many that are hopped up on steroids 😂)
Thank you to Liz Heider and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. May the Wolf Die and Children of the Savage City are out now!
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September 13, 2025ARC REVIEW:
so this is an arc i got from edelweiss! i was extremely excited for this book, the synopsis seems interesting the premise is promising and it does seem the kind of book i would go for! however, in only a handful of chapters i can tell this is not the book for me. the writing is often too simplistic and straightforward which isnt automatically bad, but in this instance it reinforces the lack of good prose and choppy pace. this is also a problem i had with the book: the pacing and even formatting of it threw me off. the chapters are divided into small sections which often i don’t believe are necessary and just cut the whole pace of the story. overall, the usage of italian (which i get is essential to the story and plot) felt very unauthentic (like if someone who didnt speak and never spoke italian wrote it, but dont take my word for it i dont speak it). im going to be totally honest and say this reminded me, in a bad way, of wattpad writing and style. just feel like either the book isnt for me or it need reediting!
so this is an arc i got from edelweiss! i was extremely excited for this book, the synopsis seems interesting the premise is promising and it does seem the kind of book i would go for! however, in only a handful of chapters i can tell this is not the book for me. the writing is often too simplistic and straightforward which isnt automatically bad, but in this instance it reinforces the lack of good prose and choppy pace. this is also a problem i had with the book: the pacing and even formatting of it threw me off. the chapters are divided into small sections which often i don’t believe are necessary and just cut the whole pace of the story. overall, the usage of italian (which i get is essential to the story and plot) felt very unauthentic (like if someone who didnt speak and never spoke italian wrote it, but dont take my word for it i dont speak it). im going to be totally honest and say this reminded me, in a bad way, of wattpad writing and style. just feel like either the book isnt for me or it need reediting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
In this second book in a crime series set in Naples, special detective Nikki and her Italian police friend Valerio work a case of a British nanny who was stabbed in a church. Initially two American girls who were at the scene were brought in, but the case is found to be much more complicated. The mob in Naples is embedded in all walks of life, and Nikki and Valerio's must investigate with their own mob complications.
I liked this book, but it turned out to be somewhat convoluted. It actually ended up reminding me of an S.A. Cosby crime book- lots of violence, lots of deeper crime connections, some pretty unbelievable actions. I did really like most of this book, but the uneven pacing got to me a little as well as the incompleteness of some of the storylines. I think I'll keep reading this series due to the unique setting and complicated main characters but this one for me was pretty good but not groundbreaking.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review. All books are read by me and reviews are written without the use of AI.
I liked this book, but it turned out to be somewhat convoluted. It actually ended up reminding me of an S.A. Cosby crime book- lots of violence, lots of deeper crime connections, some pretty unbelievable actions. I did really like most of this book, but the uneven pacing got to me a little as well as the incompleteness of some of the storylines. I think I'll keep reading this series due to the unique setting and complicated main characters but this one for me was pretty good but not groundbreaking.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review. All books are read by me and reviews are written without the use of AI.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am hooked on this author. This is her second Nikki Serafino book and I do believe the ending hints of a third. Or maybe it is just wishful thinking on my part. Set in Naples, Nikki is a liaison between the United States Military and the Naples Police Force. Naples is a bed of criminal activity, think Mafia type people, and Nikki is right in the middle of it. This is a murder mystery but it is not JUST a murder mystery. Nikki has a family--what a worthless brother, and the relationships are part of the story. She works with some real winners--ok, mainly one really big jerk. The characters are well developed, the mystery is solid and I can't wait for more. Yes, you can read book 2 before book 1. I suggest though that you read them in order--just because it's easier to go forwards than backwards. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the complementary digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
***Goodreads Giveaway Win***
One sentence summary: Two people connected to and apart of the Napoli police force become involved in the murder of an American girl which runs much deeper than initially suspected.
Vibes: Naples; dark; atmospheric; conspiratorial; police-procedural; gritty; Italian
Review: This is the type of thriller I didn't know I wanted. Elizabeth Heider engulfed me in Naples. She set the scene so well that I felt like a citizen of Naples. I especially love that she didn't romanticize the place. I couldn't help but relate to my city, Portland Oregon. She wrote about it in a way that you felt the grit and the crime but also the love for the city. I was interested in the murder plot but, as I've made abundantly clear in previous reviews, I'm a character and setting girly. This book excelled in those two aspects. I'm going to go back and read Heider's first book and eagerly await the follow-up to Children of the Savage City.
One sentence summary: Two people connected to and apart of the Napoli police force become involved in the murder of an American girl which runs much deeper than initially suspected.
Vibes: Naples; dark; atmospheric; conspiratorial; police-procedural; gritty; Italian
Review: This is the type of thriller I didn't know I wanted. Elizabeth Heider engulfed me in Naples. She set the scene so well that I felt like a citizen of Naples. I especially love that she didn't romanticize the place. I couldn't help but relate to my city, Portland Oregon. She wrote about it in a way that you felt the grit and the crime but also the love for the city. I was interested in the murder plot but, as I've made abundantly clear in previous reviews, I'm a character and setting girly. This book excelled in those two aspects. I'm going to go back and read Heider's first book and eagerly await the follow-up to Children of the Savage City.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." Those classic lines spoken by Michael Corleone in The Godfather, Part III are a running theme in Heider’s terrific follow-up to her acclaimed debut, May the Wolf Die. Shaken by the traumatic events of the previous book, Nikki Serafino, a liaison between the Italian police and the U.S. military stationed in Naples, is lying low, teaching a self-defense class, when she’s rescued from a shakedown and mugging by Benedetto De Rosa. He is the right-hand man of Tito Calandra, Nikki’s childhood friend who has become a powerful figure in the city’s underworld. Not wishing to be drawn back into that world, Nikki refuses De Rosa’s request for a favor. But it’s not so easy to disconnect from the corrupt il Sistema (the System) of organized crime that is so much a part of Neapolitan life, as Nikki discovers when she agrees to help undercover cop Valerio Alfieri (who has his own issues with the Camorra) investigate a murder. The victim is a young nanny at the historic Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo, with the crime witnessed by Valerio’s mother and the daughter of the U.S. ambassador. Once again, Heider brings the beautiful and complicated city of Naples to life in all its elegant and squalid splendor while telling an exciting, dark, and violent tale with a high body count. Readers will eagerly await Nikki’s next quest for justice
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in modern Naples, the novel follows Nikki Serafino, a police liaison and self defense instructor pulled into a murder investigation involving the U.S. ambassador’s daughter. As Nikki digs deeper, she navigates criminal networks, institutional corruption, and personal obligations that complicate justice.
Naples feels like an active force in the story, both beautiful and brutal. The book explores survival inside compromised systems and the cost of exposing truth. Nikki’s commitment to teaching self defense offers a grounded counterpoint, emphasizing small, practical resistance in a city shaped by entrenched power.
Naples feels like an active force in the story, both beautiful and brutal. The book explores survival inside compromised systems and the cost of exposing truth. Nikki’s commitment to teaching self defense offers a grounded counterpoint, emphasizing small, practical resistance in a city shaped by entrenched power.
March 1, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Penguin for sharing this ARC. I did not realize until after I finished that this was the second book with the lead character. I read the first book a few years ago but I didn’t remember the connection, which I’m sure says more about my retention skills than the author or the story. So, first I recommend reading the first book first. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys police procedural, with a bit of action'ovie thrown 8n and a strong female protagonist. Think a grittier version of the Women’s Murder Club (minus the club) but set in the streets of Naples.
February 17, 2026
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
An atmospheric story that captures both the beauty and the darkness of its settings, with a variety of interesting, complex characters. I do recommend reading the first book in the series before this one for context.
An atmospheric story that captures both the beauty and the darkness of its settings, with a variety of interesting, complex characters. I do recommend reading the first book in the series before this one for context.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i jumped into this series and it was fine as a stand alone, an interesting police case, two engaging main characters. It is a long book, and could be somewhat shorter for my taste but it is easy to read and get involved
February 22, 2026
The opens with a murder in a Naples, Italy church. As police and police liaisons work to solve the murder they have their own troubles to address. This is a character driven book with wonderfully written characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
intense and thrilling stand-alone story with a fantastic sense of setting and great plotting. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one was very well written and the character development was great. The pacing kept me engaged and moving.
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