Old Wounds

Redemption #2

by Giacomo Giammatteo

Gino Cataldi loved three his wife, his son, and his job as a cop. Cancer took his wife. Drugs have his son. And Gino is pulling desk duty, suspected of killing a drug dealer.


Every night he dreams of a chance to make things right. That chance comes when a high-society woman is brutally murdered, her body parts spread all over town. The investigation quickly hits a dead-end…until a late-night caller with too much information contacts Gino. Between the mystery surrounding what she knows and his penchant for helping women in trouble, more than Gino's curiosity is aroused. He only hopes she's not the killer.

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2016

About the author

I live in Texas now, but I grew up in Cleland Heights, a mixed ethnic neighborhood in Wilmington, Delaware that sat on the fringes of the Italian, Irish and Polish neighborhoods. The main characters of Murder Takes Time grew up in Cleland Heights too, and many of the scenes in the book were taken from real-life experiences.

Somehow I survived the transition to adulthood, but when my kids were young I left the Northeast and settled in Texas, where my wife suggested we get a few animals. I should have known better; we now have a full-blown animal sanctuary with rescues from all over.

At last count we had 41 animals—12 dogs, a horse, a three-legged cat and 26 pigs.

Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with me every day and happens to also be my best buddy.

Since this is a bio some of you might wonder what I do. By day I am a headhunter, scouring the country for top talent to fill jobs in the biotech and medical device industry. In the evening I help my wife tend the animals, and at night—late at night—I turn into a writer.

Reviews

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Giacomo has delivered the goods with his latest offering. It is a fast moving, well developed suspense novel. With many favourite characters there and a great storyline, it will please all who pick it up to read it, I'm sure. It will go in the collection with all my other favoured Giacomo novels. I do not hesitate to recommend as a read that will keep you enthralled and leave you satisfied at the end of it all.
Thank you to Giacomo for sending along a pre-published copy for Review.

[Phil Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read

Well written, although with as few inconsistencies. An enjoyable read so long was one doesn't think too deeply about the plot.

[Kathleen Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman is brutally murdered, dismembered and scattered around the city. Identifying this woman is hard to do as there are no fingerprints, they were cut off by the murderer. Why would someone go through all of this to keep her identity unknown. That is the task that faces the police in Houston Texas need to figure out.

Gino Cataldi has demons that he tries to deal with, the death of his wife and an unruly son who has started taking drugs. Gino is on a path of revenge on those who supplied his son with the drugs. So between dealing with his son, who he has sent to rehab and a complicated case, he "steps over the line" and does the unthinkable. Gino also receives late night phone calls from a woman who knows about the murder and who did it. He is paired with Tip Denton, another unconventional cop and the two of them must search the clues to solve the case.

We find as the story goes on that there is corruption and it goes all the way to the newly elected president. A group of friends who come from the same town and will protect each other to the death. Deception, lies and coverups lead the detectives, Gino Cataldi and Tip Denton on a merry chase from their own boss, who is part of the group of friends, all the way to the president. When another woman is murdered the search for the murderer intensifies and time is running out as there is pressure from "above" to get this case solved.

I have read a few of Mr.Giammatteo's books and always enjoyed them. They are fast paced, suspenseful stories that keep the reader turning the page. I read in the back of the book that the author had some health issues, so had not written in awhile, in spite of that Mr.Giammatteo has written another keeper! If you love a police procedural and a who dunnit, then you can't go wrong with this novel!

[Feather Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Old Wounds is both character and plot driven - my favorite. It takes a lot to keep my interest in a story. Author Giacomo Giammatteo has what it takes to make me read long into the night. While I crave thrilling action, fast-paced plots, twisted characters, Old Wounds doesn't drift into over-the-top horror or unbelievably nasty characters. Yes, they are on the top rung of psychotic and evil, but still believable.

Old Wounds is very well written and precisely edited. Giacomo Giammatteo made me hang onto the heels of the main character, Detective Gino Cataldi, a cop struggling with his conscience and his career. In this intense mix is his crumbling relationship with his troubled son. The secondary characters were equally engaging. What made the story shine? It was more than the action packed scenes of hunting for the killers and drug dealers. In fact, while I'm recalling each chapter of Old Wounds, I feel drawn back into Gino's agony and desperation. It is as if I became a character within Old Wounds, shadowing a real man with flaws, a real hero.

I felt sad there had to be an ending. Thankfully, Giacomo Giammatteo has many more highly recommended novels to read. I highly recommend Old Wounds to readers who enjoy suspense thrillers. In fact, I think readers of other genres would also enjoy this emotional packed journey into a man's struggle to define what is right, versus what is necessary. Perhaps you, too, will finish reading Old Wounds and question your own preconceived ideas on how far afield would you go for the ones you love, for justice.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gino Cataldi’s life is falling apart. When he abuses the power being a police detective affords him, he can no longer delude himself that he is coping with his drug addicted son and the loss of his wife and. When dismembered body parts are found in two dumpsters he is partnered with Detective Tip Denton, a cop whose personnel files question both his ethics and mental stability. As their trust in each other grows, they become a formidable and tenacious crime solving team.
This is a tale of corruption at the highest levels. As Gino and Tip unravel the threads of history and the layers of deception that lead to identifying the murderer they are forced to question the integrity of their own Captain. Just as I began to think I might know who dunnit an unexpected piece of information or a new piece of evidence would appear which undermined my conclusions. I love that I was kept guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Gino and his sweet-talkin’ unorthodox partner, Tip.

This is the first book I have read in this series and it stands alone fine. However, I have now purchased the first book in the Redemption series, “Necessary Decisions”, to get to know Gino and his story better. I look forward to reading more of Gino and Tip’s crime solving exploits.

DISCLOSURE: I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl Masciarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became a fan of this author after reading MURDER TAKES TIME, A BULLET FOR CARLOS, MURDER HAS CONSEQUENCES, and OLD WOUNDS didn't disappoint. Matter of fact, I think he outdid himself.

OLD WOUNDS has palpable suspense with murders, blackmail, political corruption and big money. Once I started reading, it was hard to put down.

The author introduces the reader to multiple suspects and the evidence that Detectives Gino Cataldi and Tip Denton are working with, which gives the reader the opportunity to try and solve the case. However, as the story progresses, I kept changing my mind as to who the real murderer was, and when it was revealed and what the motive was, I was totally surprised. Didn't see that one coming!!!

Riveting and engrossing from page one to the last word! A read so captivating that I lost track of time and my surroundings! It felt that I was part of the investigation, trying to figure out the mystery before the characters did, which I didn't even come close.

Another outstanding book by a master storyteller! Giacomo Giammatteo does it again!

[Huma · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing first, I received a free copy from the author and I had told him that I would review the book in 3 weeks, so here I am.

I am glad I got a free copy of the book. I must say, this part was seriously fantastic. The way the author weaves the situation into one another was simply awesome.

At one point, I got confused as to where the story is leading with Camwyck and Richards. What was with them blackmailing Marnsen and Ingle. However, it all becomes clear once the real motive comes to light.

Exceptionally well-written plot. Loved every part of it.

P.S. Tip Denton and Coop are my favourite characters without a doubt of this series.

Highly recommended to people who are interested in crime/mystery/murder genre. Looking forward to more free books.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

The story had many twists and kept me guessing. Many interesting characters. I loved the relationship between Tip and Gino, I remember Tip from other books by Mr. Giammateo but have not yet read Necessary Lies (part of the Gino Cataldi series). I have now purchased it. Old Wounds is a great title for the book as it speaks about the past in many ways not just in the primary murder plot. I want to read more about Gino and his son, Ron so I look forward to other books in this series.

[Jeanne Haskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spellbinding read from an author who never disappoints. The plot is full of intrigue. It's a fast-moving story that kept me constantly guessing. Can't wait for the next release.

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual Giacomo Giammatteo has delivered a fast paced, gripping police procedural complete with extraordinary characters. Now the long wait for the next one.

[Carl A. Marine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I find the authors books well written with attention to detail. Story flows well and it is hard to stop reading. Can't wait until the next book.

[C.N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lived up to all my expectations based on the previous books from this author and then some more. I love the depths of the characters, warts and all. It makes them jump into life from the pages and I adore the twists and turns they take along the way. Without giving away this wonderful story, I was thinking first one person was responsible, and then another until I was caught out at the end with the most delicious twist of all.

Aside from the excellence of the storytelling, there is a real sense of 'being there' in the vivid descriptions of the locations. I have never been to this part of America, but I would have no problem recognising these places if I did go there. Each book by this author is such a wonderful read for all those into thrillers with a touch of horror and a whole lot of humanity. Now where is the next? I can't get enough of these.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Old Wounds by Giacoma Giammateo, we meet a dynamic duo working a homicide case that they were shoved together on yet appear to compliment each other in their controversial first assignment together. The pair come together to investigate a grisly murder scene where a body is dismembered and unidentifiable, but they find their investigation leads them to a group of suspects that will want them to cover up the case or cost them their badges. When all seems like a dead end, will their detective work pay off for them or are they destined to become fatalities of the system?
The first thing that needs to be complimented on this book is the two main characters, Trip and Gino, with such an easy partnership formed between them despite the fact that they are forced to work together. The pair both have attitude and do not back down easily. They are very nicely developed characters with a great deal of depth displayed in them by their mannerisms and not necessarily the descriptions of them, which is exactly what every author should strive for. I was afraid it would turn into a stereotypical partnership where they hate each other but come to like each other but the two display an easy partnership even if it gets slightly intense at times. It was refreshing and really helped the story. Additionally, the plot was full of twists and turns that kept the reader on their feet; a never ending list of suspects, red herrings, multiple motives, shootings, and mysterious discoveries kept the rather lengthy novel’s pages turning with curiosity. The plot was well developed as were the subplots and all fit together nicely. The story didn’t seem as long as it was, the chapters were a nice length, and it kept the reader involved to the end. The depth and scope of the plot in itself is something that requires the length of this book and feels like a real life situation of the conspiracy in politics. This is easily a realistic story, sadly, but because it is the scope of the suspects can be entertained easily and adds to the excitement of the novel.
The subplots weren’t overwhelming but provided Gino with more depth and character as they developed. The book ended with Gino growing as a character with some religious scenes and reuniting with his son. It made the character easy to relate to despite any less savory actions he had taken. He deals with quite a bit through the book but allows it to challenge him as a person.
The one major problem I had in the beginning was trying to figure out who the main character was as the viewpoints shifted and several individuals came to be tied together. It eventually became clear but several places were still a touch confusing especially the tail that Gino had on him from the police department that was never followed through on. The editing is well done with just a handful of mistakes which can be expected from any book.
This is an exciting mystery book with plenty of police procedural to it that will keep the reader entertained and guessing at who the murderer is throughout the book. It was fun and easy to read despite the rather bulky nature of it, with plenty of dialogue that kept it flowing nicely. It is well developed and written with enjoyable and hilarious characters.