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INTERCESSION
"Not for the faint-hearted."- Daniel Kenyon, author of The Savage Heart of Palermo. Bludgeoning him to death, a man who was abused by his priest returns and then sets out on a rampage with sharpened crucifixes righting the wrongs on behalf of other child victims who were sexually assaulted by their coach, Boy Scout leader, or other religious figure. A race through the streets of The Bronx, a swoop through the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, into the Hasidic Jewish community, that then leads to the doorstep of the Vatican has a team of police, one with his own distressing past, secretly rooting for the killer, yet trying to do the job they've been hired to do. VecchiaPublishing.com
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2013
36 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 9, 2014
Sadly, Flynn and Clancy are no longer with us. But never fear, Lou Romano has taken their place." Intercession", is Romano's fifth contribution to the thriller genre. I know you're familiar with all the clichés: page-turner, fast-paced, seat-of-your-pants, roller coaster ride. In all honesty, Louis Romano's writing embodies all of those terms and then some.
I was hooked from the first page. Lou Romano sets the scene in riveting detail; he leaves nothing out. I entered the rectory when Father O'Gorman opened the door to see who was knocking at such a late hour. I was in the booth when he heard the man's confession and I was there when Father O'Gorman took his last breath. I was there when Vic Gonnella, Romano's brilliant NYPD Detective, was called to the scene of the crime.
That's how Lou Romano writes. You cannot read Intercession and dissociate yourself from the action. Every page is hard-hitting, the action never lets up. By now, everyone has read about several cases of child molestation within the Catholic Church. Lou Romano has taken this a step further, revenge can be bitter and sweet at the same time.
Intercession overflows with emotion: self-hate, power and lust, greed, love and the need to be loved, deep-seated secrets. If you're looking for a fantastic quick summer read, Intercession will be just perfect for you. But make sure you wear gloves when you turn those pages, they are hot with action. Lou Romano, keep writing. The world will never forgive you if you stop, neither will I as I wait for your next book.
I was hooked from the first page. Lou Romano sets the scene in riveting detail; he leaves nothing out. I entered the rectory when Father O'Gorman opened the door to see who was knocking at such a late hour. I was in the booth when he heard the man's confession and I was there when Father O'Gorman took his last breath. I was there when Vic Gonnella, Romano's brilliant NYPD Detective, was called to the scene of the crime.
That's how Lou Romano writes. You cannot read Intercession and dissociate yourself from the action. Every page is hard-hitting, the action never lets up. By now, everyone has read about several cases of child molestation within the Catholic Church. Lou Romano has taken this a step further, revenge can be bitter and sweet at the same time.
Intercession overflows with emotion: self-hate, power and lust, greed, love and the need to be loved, deep-seated secrets. If you're looking for a fantastic quick summer read, Intercession will be just perfect for you. But make sure you wear gloves when you turn those pages, they are hot with action. Lou Romano, keep writing. The world will never forgive you if you stop, neither will I as I wait for your next book.
March 15, 2025
Great story
This is my first book by this author but will.. not be my last!! I loved his writing and his story line..loved the characters..this book grabs you at the first and does not let go.
This is my first book by this author but will.. not be my last!! I loved his writing and his story line..loved the characters..this book grabs you at the first and does not let go.
September 5, 2023
Good book. It was good listening to all of the accents and wondering if the serial killer is going to get away or not.
May 28, 2013
I have discovered a fantastic new author, Louis Romano, a fellow Bronxite. Great book, a real page turner, suspenseful, and opens your eyes to the abuse by our beloved Catholic Church. Very well written. On to Louis Romano's book, "Fish Farm"!
October 20, 2014
A really fast-paced read. I got through half of it on a flight from Chicago to L.A. It's fun to see a crime story through both perspectives simultaneously -- the killer and the detective.
August 18, 2025
“Intercession” opens with a chilling scene—the murder of a Catholic priest inside his confessional—and from that very first page, Louis Romano sets the tone for a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller. What begins as a brutal crime in New York quickly spirals into an international chase, pulling Detective Vic Gonnella and his partner Raquel Ruiz into a deadly cat-and-mouse pursuit that keeps readers on edge.
Romano’s strength lies in the way he balances relentless suspense with emotional depth. The investigation is layered with deception, danger, and sharp twists, but it’s the evolving bond between Vic and Raquel that brings warmth and humanity to the story. Their partnership—tested by violence yet touched by romance—adds another dimension to the chase, making the novel more than just a crime thriller.
For fans of gritty detective stories and international thrillers, Intercession delivers a gripping blend of action, mystery, and heart. It’s dark, fast, and unflinching, yet still finds space for connection and vulnerability. If you’re looking for a book that keeps you turning pages late into the night, this one will not disappoint.
Romano’s strength lies in the way he balances relentless suspense with emotional depth. The investigation is layered with deception, danger, and sharp twists, but it’s the evolving bond between Vic and Raquel that brings warmth and humanity to the story. Their partnership—tested by violence yet touched by romance—adds another dimension to the chase, making the novel more than just a crime thriller.
For fans of gritty detective stories and international thrillers, Intercession delivers a gripping blend of action, mystery, and heart. It’s dark, fast, and unflinching, yet still finds space for connection and vulnerability. If you’re looking for a book that keeps you turning pages late into the night, this one will not disappoint.
January 24, 2021
Good points:
The 'bad guy': This serial killer doesn't mess about. He's on a twelve step mission and the cops can just follow in his wake and clean up the mess.
The victims: It's pretty hard to care about them so you enjoy their comeuppances.
Bad points:
Annoying and unnecessary chapter endings attempting to provide overtures to what's next. I don't need 'pointers'.
The suspension of disbelief required to accept the 'bad guy's intimate knowledge of the psyche of the 'good guy'.
The last few pages...I mean, come off it. Like that would happen in a month of Sundays.
Not too taxing but I won't be rushing to read another in the series any time soon.
The 'bad guy': This serial killer doesn't mess about. He's on a twelve step mission and the cops can just follow in his wake and clean up the mess.
The victims: It's pretty hard to care about them so you enjoy their comeuppances.
Bad points:
Annoying and unnecessary chapter endings attempting to provide overtures to what's next. I don't need 'pointers'.
The suspension of disbelief required to accept the 'bad guy's intimate knowledge of the psyche of the 'good guy'.
The last few pages...I mean, come off it. Like that would happen in a month of Sundays.
Not too taxing but I won't be rushing to read another in the series any time soon.
January 17, 2024
What a Story
I being a devout Catholic thought about not reading this book! I put it down midway through and then picked it up again and finished it!
I love children and was a Catholic school teacher and the abuse part broke my heart! I wish I could protect all children in every abuse situation!
This book had a moral of the story which is the church needs to act on defrocking these abusers and the abused to come forward and pursue justice for the upcoming children!
I being a devout Catholic thought about not reading this book! I put it down midway through and then picked it up again and finished it!
I love children and was a Catholic school teacher and the abuse part broke my heart! I wish I could protect all children in every abuse situation!
This book had a moral of the story which is the church needs to act on defrocking these abusers and the abused to come forward and pursue justice for the upcoming children!
June 15, 2019
A real page turner
Well written book about the secrets of the Catholic church and their handling of this horrific crime against children and how far they went to cover it up,a real eye opener.
Well written book about the secrets of the Catholic church and their handling of this horrific crime against children and how far they went to cover it up,a real eye opener.
May 30, 2023
Fabulous
Wonderful book that addresses an very old problem within the Catholic Church. Hopefully more victims of priest sexual abuse will seek help because of this book. Bravo Mr. Romano.
Wonderful book that addresses an very old problem within the Catholic Church. Hopefully more victims of priest sexual abuse will seek help because of this book. Bravo Mr. Romano.
June 25, 2023
Intercession is not for the faint of heart. It is raw, gritty and disturbing but so well written. I could not put this book down. Priests, pedophilia and the Catholic Church have been the topic of conversations for many years. Five stars without a doubt.
March 3, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
This gripping, high-stakes thriller masterfully blends police procedural with a deep dive into the dark underbelly of organized religion. Fast-paced, intense, and keeps you guessing until the very end!
This gripping, high-stakes thriller masterfully blends police procedural with a deep dive into the dark underbelly of organized religion. Fast-paced, intense, and keeps you guessing until the very end!
April 9, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Would give it many more than 5 stars if it allowed that. Don’t miss this. Very real & a sad topic but well & realistically stated in this portrayal.
May 20, 2023
Fair. The story has promise, but could use some more editing. The constant tense changes were annoying. I will definitely be interested in continuing the series in hopes that it gets better.
June 18, 2023
great
A story that could be non fiction for sure. Loved the characters and the story and found myself a new author to follow
A story that could be non fiction for sure. Loved the characters and the story and found myself a new author to follow
May 16, 2023
Loved it. I know so many people abused by priests, etc. well written and characters are likable. I had trouble putting this down. Highly recommend.
April 19, 2015
Intercession is the first book in a Detective Vic Gonnella crime series and opens with a bang - or, rather, a rap on the door of a rectory where a late visitor intent on making a confession turns out to be something quite different … something from his past that the good Father Deegan can no longer escape.
What evolves from this encounter is a serial killer who leads Detective Gonnella and his sidekick and romantic partner Raquel on a trip out of the country to hunt down a murderer with connections to the church, and a deadly plan that promises to elude even their combined force.
One important note about Intercession is that everything is not as it seems: it's a twisting plot that at first leads in one direction; then in another. Another note is that it tackles some of the most venerable institutions in the world and winds them into a killer's mind and purposes, introducing a (somewhat predictable) element of pedophilia and church connections into the mix.
Fake belief, false love of god and man, and disturbing reflections on social structures designed to protect and shelter - all these are unexpectedly wound into the overall murder mystery/detective thriller format to create something just a little different; and while some of the story line is predictable from the outset, there are still enough surprises and superior characterization to keep the reading riveting and the action swift.
As Vic wonders if Raquel is "another fantasy he can't have" and both become mentally drained by their pursuit of an elusive killer, romance seems far in the side wings of deadly story. All this leads to a sum greater than its parts, ultimately making Intercession a multi-faceted, absorbing mystery.
What evolves from this encounter is a serial killer who leads Detective Gonnella and his sidekick and romantic partner Raquel on a trip out of the country to hunt down a murderer with connections to the church, and a deadly plan that promises to elude even their combined force.
One important note about Intercession is that everything is not as it seems: it's a twisting plot that at first leads in one direction; then in another. Another note is that it tackles some of the most venerable institutions in the world and winds them into a killer's mind and purposes, introducing a (somewhat predictable) element of pedophilia and church connections into the mix.
Fake belief, false love of god and man, and disturbing reflections on social structures designed to protect and shelter - all these are unexpectedly wound into the overall murder mystery/detective thriller format to create something just a little different; and while some of the story line is predictable from the outset, there are still enough surprises and superior characterization to keep the reading riveting and the action swift.
As Vic wonders if Raquel is "another fantasy he can't have" and both become mentally drained by their pursuit of an elusive killer, romance seems far in the side wings of deadly story. All this leads to a sum greater than its parts, ultimately making Intercession a multi-faceted, absorbing mystery.
June 10, 2016
I didn’t know anything about the Catholic religion, the Church or Priests, but I found Mr. Romano's meticulous research and attention to detail immediately educated me to a darker side of organized religion which grabbed hold and didn’t let go. Well-crafted with snappy dialogue complete and authentic NYC accents, I ate it up like candy.
This dark and brooding roman noir journey captured and exposed predators that fly under the radar and put children at risk within our own communities. New York detectives are hot on the trail of a brazen serial killer who’s set on drawing public attention to protected pedophiles within the business conglomerate of organized religion. I've never read a novel where I felt so conflicted, but in the end I found myself rooting for the villain as much as the police.
No spoilers from me, but this is must read Crime Fiction on the same par as a Michael Connelly Bosch novel. Brilliantly developed characters and a plot that played out as an international battle of good vs evil. Detective Vic Gonnella and serial killer John Deegan were awesome counterparts, hero vs anti-hero they both fight for the lead role as the protagonist and in the end prove to be two sides of the same coin. I was so excited by the climatic conclusion of this novel that I ran out and bought another Louis Romano gem ‘Besa’ which is currently being made into an Indie film. ‘Intercession’ was everything I’d hoped it would be and more, you'll love it, I did.
This dark and brooding roman noir journey captured and exposed predators that fly under the radar and put children at risk within our own communities. New York detectives are hot on the trail of a brazen serial killer who’s set on drawing public attention to protected pedophiles within the business conglomerate of organized religion. I've never read a novel where I felt so conflicted, but in the end I found myself rooting for the villain as much as the police.
No spoilers from me, but this is must read Crime Fiction on the same par as a Michael Connelly Bosch novel. Brilliantly developed characters and a plot that played out as an international battle of good vs evil. Detective Vic Gonnella and serial killer John Deegan were awesome counterparts, hero vs anti-hero they both fight for the lead role as the protagonist and in the end prove to be two sides of the same coin. I was so excited by the climatic conclusion of this novel that I ran out and bought another Louis Romano gem ‘Besa’ which is currently being made into an Indie film. ‘Intercession’ was everything I’d hoped it would be and more, you'll love it, I did.
July 20, 2013
Intercession by Louis Romano was sent to me by Goodreads as a free book to read and pass on. The only disappointment was that hardcover books are heavy. I had just had an operation on my dominant hand, which made it a challenge to hold.
That said; I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was realistic, well researched and had excellent flow. It left you wanting it to progress faster to see what happened and slower so you wouldn't finish it too quickly. Thanks, and I hope to read some more of Louis Romano's work soon.
That said; I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was realistic, well researched and had excellent flow. It left you wanting it to progress faster to see what happened and slower so you wouldn't finish it too quickly. Thanks, and I hope to read some more of Louis Romano's work soon.
March 23, 2015
I found myself relating to many of the characters in the book. Each played a different emotion for me. I was deeply in tune with John Deegan. I could understand his loss. When his soul was torn apart it was wrenching to me. I had a similar experience as a child, but it wasn't the Catholic Church. Vic Gonnella, was the one I related to as his reaction was mine. How we suppress all the anger and hurt.
I feel this book was very important to make the victim understand they are not in anyway at fault. Thank You, Lou
I feel this book was very important to make the victim understand they are not in anyway at fault. Thank You, Lou
June 12, 2014
The idea was great. Execution of the idea wasn't so great. The dialogue left much to be desired. It also developed fairly slowly and then was rushed in other places. Once you got to the last three/quarters of the book or so it really sort of picked up and became bearable. There also wasn't much character development for a fairly long book.
Not bad but not something I would recommend or read again.
Also, I received this book through a giveaway ages ago.
Not bad but not something I would recommend or read again.
Also, I received this book through a giveaway ages ago.
June 20, 2014
The story was really well paced so it kept me interested. What would you do yo avenge the innocent victims of pedophilia? That's what I was thinking through much of this story would I go as far as John Deegan and exact revenge. I wondered about Detective Vic Gonnella throughout the story as well was his personal life interfering with his ability to function on this case. I must say was I really surprise with the ending.
August 7, 2013
I found my self rooting for the BAD GUY. He got his revenge on those that abused him as a child. They took away his childhood and his hopes and dreams of becoming a Priest.
This was a very fast paced book.
This was a very fast paced book.
January 31, 2014
Louis Romano is a genius! Taking a hot button topic and turning it into one of the greatest crime thrillers ever. Through great description and dialogue Lou will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering who's next? And will the street wise detective Vic Gonnella catch his man?
August 12, 2014
Decent.but some what predictable
Decent.but some what predictable
There was not a lot of intrigue or mystery,pretty much what you surmised,the characters were not overly deep and acted as expected
Decent.but some what predictable
There was not a lot of intrigue or mystery,pretty much what you surmised,the characters were not overly deep and acted as expected
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews