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Jack "Keeper" Marconi #2
Godchild
He wanted justice, truth, revenge... whichever came first.
Prison-warden-turned-P.I. Jack "Keeper" Marconi understands the criminal mind. And he knows what it takes to break a man. His own life came apart the day a black Buick broadsided his car--and his wife died horrifically in the seat beside him.
Years later, on the eve of his second marriage, Marconi catches a split-second glimpse of the driver who killed his wife. Suddenly hurtled back into the past, he is determined to take one last shot at hunting him down. That is, until he is offered a job he can't refuse: to bust a beautiful woman out of a hellish Mexican prison.
Now Keeper's chase through Mexico follows a trail of bodies and lies back home: to the truth about a woman on the run, to a man sitting behind the wheel of a black Buick, and to a story that someone will kill to bury....
Prison-warden-turned-P.I. Jack "Keeper" Marconi understands the criminal mind. And he knows what it takes to break a man. His own life came apart the day a black Buick broadsided his car--and his wife died horrifically in the seat beside him.
Years later, on the eve of his second marriage, Marconi catches a split-second glimpse of the driver who killed his wife. Suddenly hurtled back into the past, he is determined to take one last shot at hunting him down. That is, until he is offered a job he can't refuse: to bust a beautiful woman out of a hellish Mexican prison.
Now Keeper's chase through Mexico follows a trail of bodies and lies back home: to the truth about a woman on the run, to a man sitting behind the wheel of a black Buick, and to a story that someone will kill to bury....
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
70 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Zandri
234 books576 followers"Vincent Zandri is one of the most acclaimed thriller writers working today!" --Publishers Weekly
“Zandri (is) a veteran wordsmith who executes quality and quantity at superlative levels.” --Book Reporter
"The story of Vincent Zandri is the story of our times."
--Business Insider
"Vincent Zandri hails from the future."
--The New York Times
“Sensational . . . masterful . . . brilliant.”
--New York Post
"...big time author..."
--Digital Journal
Considered one of the most prolific writers of his generation, Vincent Zandri is the winner of the 2015 PWA Shamus Award and the 2015 ITW Thriller Award, both for MOONLIGHT WEEPS in the Best Original Paperback category. He is also the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and AMAZON KINDLE OVERALL NO.1 bestselling author of hundreds of novels, novellas, and stories, including THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT WEEPS, THE EMBALMER, THE SHROUD KEY and QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT. His list of domestic publishers includes Delacorte, Dell, Down & Out Books, Thomas & Mercer, Blackstone Audio, Tantor Media, and more. He is also the CEO of Bear Media. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, his work is translated in the Dutch, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese. Having sold over 1 million editions of his books, Zandri has been the subject of major features by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Business Insider. He has also made appearances on Bloomberg TV and the FOX News network. In December 2014, Suspense Magazine named Zandri's, THE SHROUD KEY, as one of the "Best Books of 2014." Suspense Magazine selected WHEN SHADOWS COME as one of the "Best Books of 2016". He was also a finalist for the 2019 Derringer Award for Best Novelette. A freelance photojournalist, freelance writer, and the host of the popular YouTube Podcast, "The Writer's Life," Zandri has written for Strategy Magazine, RT, Living Ready Magazine, New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Times Union (Albany), Game & Fish Magazine, CrimeReads, Altcoin Magazine, The Jerusalem Post (ghost), Market Business News (ghost), Duke University (ghost), Colgate University (ghost), New York University (ghost), The Rice University Gazette (ghost), Yale University (ghost), Digital Journal (ghost), and many more. An Active Member of ITW, he lives in New York and Florence, Italy. For more go to WWW.VINZANDRI.COM
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 23, 2011
For those who have not yet experienced, nor heard of, Vincent Zandri, you are definitely missing out on a fabulous author. I fell in love with him through The Remains, enjoyed him through The Innocent and now luxuriated with him in Godchild. Lovers of the Thriller/Suspense genre, will feel right at home with Mr. Zandri and the dark and dank worlds in which he creates.
Godchild is the continuation of The Innocent. Though easily read as a stand-alone, this installment ties up loose ends and answers many whirling questions which arise within The Innocent. An excellent duo-ology that will leave readers flying through the pages and trying to figure out exactly what is going to happen next to "Keeper" Marconi. Not many men can survive what this man has gone through, but Mr. Marconi does so in a way that traps the reader within his emotional and physical grasp. Throughout both The Innocent and Godchild, I greatly enjoyed Marconi and found him to be a remarkable character - in strength, courage and likability.
I do have to admit that, for me, Godchild was a bit more sexually and physically graphic than what I had expected from reading previous works by Mr. Zandri. However, that is not a fault, just a bit of a surprise. The way in which Mr. Zandri plays these graphic (though not overtly so) scenes brought shivers and quivers to me, as I could vividly imagine these things taking place (particularly the scene in the prison with Renata being tortured, after being drugged). This is one of Vincent Zandri's talents - the ability to truly and openly show the reader scenes, characters and stories, rather than tell them.
Throughout Godchild, I was also treated to surprise twists and turns, that made my heart break, as well as my skin crawl. The ending was perfect and the story nicely tied up in a way that will leave the reader satisfied. I do have to say that I found a few mechanical/typo errors within the story, however, this did not deter, in any way, from the story itself. Vincent Zandri has another hit on his hands with Godchild and it is incredibly easy to see why this man is quickly climbing and holding top spots on the Amazon Kindle sales charts. Excellently entertaining and engrossing, Godchild is the perfect escape into a world of twisted political and medically corrupt worlds that are, sadly, none too far-fetched.
Godchild is the continuation of The Innocent. Though easily read as a stand-alone, this installment ties up loose ends and answers many whirling questions which arise within The Innocent. An excellent duo-ology that will leave readers flying through the pages and trying to figure out exactly what is going to happen next to "Keeper" Marconi. Not many men can survive what this man has gone through, but Mr. Marconi does so in a way that traps the reader within his emotional and physical grasp. Throughout both The Innocent and Godchild, I greatly enjoyed Marconi and found him to be a remarkable character - in strength, courage and likability.
I do have to admit that, for me, Godchild was a bit more sexually and physically graphic than what I had expected from reading previous works by Mr. Zandri. However, that is not a fault, just a bit of a surprise. The way in which Mr. Zandri plays these graphic (though not overtly so) scenes brought shivers and quivers to me, as I could vividly imagine these things taking place (particularly the scene in the prison with Renata being tortured, after being drugged). This is one of Vincent Zandri's talents - the ability to truly and openly show the reader scenes, characters and stories, rather than tell them.
Throughout Godchild, I was also treated to surprise twists and turns, that made my heart break, as well as my skin crawl. The ending was perfect and the story nicely tied up in a way that will leave the reader satisfied. I do have to say that I found a few mechanical/typo errors within the story, however, this did not deter, in any way, from the story itself. Vincent Zandri has another hit on his hands with Godchild and it is incredibly easy to see why this man is quickly climbing and holding top spots on the Amazon Kindle sales charts. Excellently entertaining and engrossing, Godchild is the perfect escape into a world of twisted political and medically corrupt worlds that are, sadly, none too far-fetched.
July 15, 2023
I read this shortly after the first one back in 2011, and I think 3 stars is perhaps too generous for this one. Maybe 2 would be better. The reporter lady was an idiot and the plot even more OTT than the first book. I don't remember much else though, so perhaps there were enough other things I found good at the time to balance that other stuff out, so I'll leave the rating as it is.
May 16, 2011
Godchild is a mystery suspense crime thriller.
Jack "Keeper" Marconi is about to get married but before doing so, he visits the grave of his first wife, who was killed by a hit and run driver in a horrific accident. As Jack is saying his goodbyes, the Black truck with The Bald Man, pulls up and taunts Jack. However, no one believes him, not even his best friend and Jack fails to attend his wedding, leaving his bride standing at the alter. After getting drunk and shooting up a bar, Jack is asked to take on a case to save a rich American woman from a Mexican jail.
Renata Barnes is a rich socialite and method writer who has been accused of drowning her own son just so she could write believably about her newest book. This time she's writing about burriers, rich woman who become courier's of drug, smuggling them across the border. They do it for the thrill and not about the money. Renata gets herself caught, arrested and her future doesn't look good.
Keeper is hired by Renata's husband to find her and bring her back. But Jack is being removed from his element and placed into unknown terrorities. Will Jack be able to save Ms. Barnes from the evil drug lords or will she end up in a nameless grave like the ones she has witnessed. When Jack realizes that The Bald Man was also at the funeral of Renata's child, he realizes that things may be interconnected in ways he hasn't fully understood yet and time is running out for all parties involved.
I wasn't really impressed with the character of Jack, he seemed a bit of a wimp to me and every time he got caught, I was rolling my eyes and groaning. He just came across as a bit of an oaf who through luck only, gets the job done. I found him to be cliched and stereotyped and his dialogue was stiff and disjointed.
I liked the back story concerning Renata and her child, the twists and turns in that story were enjoyable to read. However, it wasn't enough for this reader to state this was a great book, more along mediocrity and droll. The plot was the only thing keeping the story afloat. The Bald Man as a "bad" guy name was hilarious when I first read it and I immediately thought of "The One Armed Man" from "The Fugitive".
I have never had the opportunity to read a Vincent Zandri book before and had only heard good reviews but this reader isn't sold, maybe I needed to read "The Innocent" to further understand the machinations of Jack, even though Godchild is promoted as a stand alone novel. Maybe it was the format in which I read it in, I am not a huge fan of eBooks, they lack depth that is needed to read a book properly. Or maybe I am just not a huge fan of this writing style...I am not going to say this is a good nor a bad book, I'll have to leave that to you, the reader, I just know this reader didn't enjoy the experience, and was looking for more intelligence and substance from such a renowned author.
Jack "Keeper" Marconi is about to get married but before doing so, he visits the grave of his first wife, who was killed by a hit and run driver in a horrific accident. As Jack is saying his goodbyes, the Black truck with The Bald Man, pulls up and taunts Jack. However, no one believes him, not even his best friend and Jack fails to attend his wedding, leaving his bride standing at the alter. After getting drunk and shooting up a bar, Jack is asked to take on a case to save a rich American woman from a Mexican jail.
Renata Barnes is a rich socialite and method writer who has been accused of drowning her own son just so she could write believably about her newest book. This time she's writing about burriers, rich woman who become courier's of drug, smuggling them across the border. They do it for the thrill and not about the money. Renata gets herself caught, arrested and her future doesn't look good.
Keeper is hired by Renata's husband to find her and bring her back. But Jack is being removed from his element and placed into unknown terrorities. Will Jack be able to save Ms. Barnes from the evil drug lords or will she end up in a nameless grave like the ones she has witnessed. When Jack realizes that The Bald Man was also at the funeral of Renata's child, he realizes that things may be interconnected in ways he hasn't fully understood yet and time is running out for all parties involved.
I wasn't really impressed with the character of Jack, he seemed a bit of a wimp to me and every time he got caught, I was rolling my eyes and groaning. He just came across as a bit of an oaf who through luck only, gets the job done. I found him to be cliched and stereotyped and his dialogue was stiff and disjointed.
I liked the back story concerning Renata and her child, the twists and turns in that story were enjoyable to read. However, it wasn't enough for this reader to state this was a great book, more along mediocrity and droll. The plot was the only thing keeping the story afloat. The Bald Man as a "bad" guy name was hilarious when I first read it and I immediately thought of "The One Armed Man" from "The Fugitive".
I have never had the opportunity to read a Vincent Zandri book before and had only heard good reviews but this reader isn't sold, maybe I needed to read "The Innocent" to further understand the machinations of Jack, even though Godchild is promoted as a stand alone novel. Maybe it was the format in which I read it in, I am not a huge fan of eBooks, they lack depth that is needed to read a book properly. Or maybe I am just not a huge fan of this writing style...I am not going to say this is a good nor a bad book, I'll have to leave that to you, the reader, I just know this reader didn't enjoy the experience, and was looking for more intelligence and substance from such a renowned author.
June 3, 2011
The noir genre and I have an uneasy relationship. On the one hand, pitch black noir can entertain like no other. The characters are always in varying degrees of damnation, the violence is brutal, the alcohol/drug abuse is ubiquitous and nothing about the plot is as it seems.
On the other hand, there are certain noir stereotypes that never go away. If you've read one, you've read them all. There's the PI with the tortured past who drinks too much. There's the female in need of saving from something. There's the corrupt cops, politicians, lawyers and whatnot. There's the grim, forboding tone to the writing.
Vincent Zandri's "Godchild," the second in the Keeper Marconi series, has all of these things. Keeper is a PI with a tortured past who drinks too much. He gets hired to break a woman out of a Mexican prison. Because of the involvement of corrupt officials, things go haywire pretty quick.
If this was any other writer, I probably wouldn't've made it through all of "Godchild." The noir cliches were piled on thick. But this is Vincent Zandri. There's something about his writing style that I admire. It's the brisk pace of the action. It's knowing when to slow down and evaluate what's going on in the characters' heads. It's the way a backstory critical to the plot is slowly revealed throughout the novel.
Simply put, "Godchild" is full of noir cliches. But there's a big difference between well-done noir cliches and using a stereotype in place of the creative process. Zandri (who I made me a fan with "The Remains") is definitely the former. His writing has a voice, which is the most difficult and hardest to define thing for a writer to create.
I mentioned this is the second in the Keeper Marconi series. I hadn't read the first, "The Innocent," but that didn't matter. Readers will have no problem catching up. In all honesty, I bought "Godchild" first because the price dropped to 99 cents in May. Just my luck, "The Innocent" came down to 99 cents for June. I'll be reading that one next.
On the other hand, there are certain noir stereotypes that never go away. If you've read one, you've read them all. There's the PI with the tortured past who drinks too much. There's the female in need of saving from something. There's the corrupt cops, politicians, lawyers and whatnot. There's the grim, forboding tone to the writing.
Vincent Zandri's "Godchild," the second in the Keeper Marconi series, has all of these things. Keeper is a PI with a tortured past who drinks too much. He gets hired to break a woman out of a Mexican prison. Because of the involvement of corrupt officials, things go haywire pretty quick.
If this was any other writer, I probably wouldn't've made it through all of "Godchild." The noir cliches were piled on thick. But this is Vincent Zandri. There's something about his writing style that I admire. It's the brisk pace of the action. It's knowing when to slow down and evaluate what's going on in the characters' heads. It's the way a backstory critical to the plot is slowly revealed throughout the novel.
Simply put, "Godchild" is full of noir cliches. But there's a big difference between well-done noir cliches and using a stereotype in place of the creative process. Zandri (who I made me a fan with "The Remains") is definitely the former. His writing has a voice, which is the most difficult and hardest to define thing for a writer to create.
I mentioned this is the second in the Keeper Marconi series. I hadn't read the first, "The Innocent," but that didn't matter. Readers will have no problem catching up. In all honesty, I bought "Godchild" first because the price dropped to 99 cents in May. Just my luck, "The Innocent" came down to 99 cents for June. I'll be reading that one next.
February 24, 2009
The plot is completely insane. I like it.
But...what the fuck is up with the fake foreword about the author disappearing mysteriously?
But...what the fuck is up with the fake foreword about the author disappearing mysteriously?
March 24, 2009
Wrote this one too...
January 16, 2021
Godchild - a review by Rosemary Kenny
PI Jack Harrison 'Keeper' Marconi, ex-cop, ex- prison warder, widower (and now an unintended no-show at his second wedding), is deemed to be paranoid and delusional by former colleagues, due to the inability to bring his first wife's murderer to justice.
Then into his self-inflicted misery comes his friend Tony, with the offer of a well paid case - retrieving writer Renata Barnes, from a Mexican prison, where she's been flung, following her conviction for drug-smuggling. Jack hesitates, until a lawyer turns up with a restraining order from his fiancée, Val. Then his mind's made up and the dangerous mission begins...but whom can Keeper trust?
A tautly-written crime-thriller, with more twists and turns than a rattlesnake in a cement mixer, from the incredible King of Suspense, Vincent Zandri -the mastermind behind Godchild (and many other great books), that you simply must not miss.
Get it today - it's a chiller-thriller of a murder-mystery that I can highly recommend!
PI Jack Harrison 'Keeper' Marconi, ex-cop, ex- prison warder, widower (and now an unintended no-show at his second wedding), is deemed to be paranoid and delusional by former colleagues, due to the inability to bring his first wife's murderer to justice.
Then into his self-inflicted misery comes his friend Tony, with the offer of a well paid case - retrieving writer Renata Barnes, from a Mexican prison, where she's been flung, following her conviction for drug-smuggling. Jack hesitates, until a lawyer turns up with a restraining order from his fiancée, Val. Then his mind's made up and the dangerous mission begins...but whom can Keeper trust?
A tautly-written crime-thriller, with more twists and turns than a rattlesnake in a cement mixer, from the incredible King of Suspense, Vincent Zandri -the mastermind behind Godchild (and many other great books), that you simply must not miss.
Get it today - it's a chiller-thriller of a murder-mystery that I can highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2021
The Loss Of Life And Love
P. I. Jack Marconi is still having a profoundly hard time coming to grips with the horrible death of his wife some years prior and he's still grieving. So much so that he has just about hit bottom. His friend and attorney arranges a job that will reward him greatly. But the downside is that he could well end up dead. The twists and turns in this story kept me guessing just who did the nasty deeds right up till the end. And while the ends got neatly tied up the final scene was upsetting because of the grief that one specific person was dealing with in her life. This was an excellent continuation of Jack's life as a former Warden and now P. I.. I'm waiting to see what happens next!
P. I. Jack Marconi is still having a profoundly hard time coming to grips with the horrible death of his wife some years prior and he's still grieving. So much so that he has just about hit bottom. His friend and attorney arranges a job that will reward him greatly. But the downside is that he could well end up dead. The twists and turns in this story kept me guessing just who did the nasty deeds right up till the end. And while the ends got neatly tied up the final scene was upsetting because of the grief that one specific person was dealing with in her life. This was an excellent continuation of Jack's life as a former Warden and now P. I.. I'm waiting to see what happens next!
June 10, 2017
Keeper is now a PI. His assignment, if he decides to accept it (and for $200,000 who wouldn't?), is to rescue a damsel in distress for a Mexican prison. The problem is, his contact down their might not be playing on his team. Looks like this could be a suicide mission for both him and the woman. Maybe that was the plan all along. What is intriguing is that this might be connected in some way to the man that killed Jack's wife.
October 11, 2018
Very good thriller involving a former warden-now private eye. He's hired to rescue the wife-writer of a wealthy man. His lawyer is nearly as interesting. Very unusual set up and it kept me interested throughout. There were some gruesome parts, so if that bothers you, this is not the book for you.
Note: this is book 2 but the author gives sufficient background to the story that you can read this as a standalone.
Note: this is book 2 but the author gives sufficient background to the story that you can read this as a standalone.
February 22, 2019
Hold on for the ride if your life
I did not read in order but now that I have read the first few in this series I can't believe how real Vincent Zandri make you feel you are part of it !!!! From the first page to the last and just as you think you know the story you don't !! Sit back take a walk with Keeper Val the experience !!
I did not read in order but now that I have read the first few in this series I can't believe how real Vincent Zandri make you feel you are part of it !!!! From the first page to the last and just as you think you know the story you don't !! Sit back take a walk with Keeper Val the experience !!
March 21, 2019
I have to buy the first in this series. Mr. Marconi is quite the character and kept me on the edge of my seat with his excursions (so to speak). There were quite a few twists and turns and it took me awhile to figure out the good guys vs. the bad guys (and I still didn't guess a few until the very end). Wonderful book. This one's a keeper on my shelf to re-read in the future!!
Read
April 26, 2021Take a breath you are on a ride!
Very interesting the family relationships of all people concerned. Evil does not win! Life maybe mysterious, but truth will bring you to the the answer!
Very interesting the family relationships of all people concerned. Evil does not win! Life maybe mysterious, but truth will bring you to the the answer!
June 12, 2021
Always At The Top
Vincent Zandri NEVER disappoints. All his books should be made into movies. If you want high action, wide sweeping human emotion, a book that seems like it will never end he is the author for you.
Vincent Zandri NEVER disappoints. All his books should be made into movies. If you want high action, wide sweeping human emotion, a book that seems like it will never end he is the author for you.
May 30, 2020
Great read
This was a very different murder mystery: that is, it had romance, murder and mayhem, and more adventure than anybody could ask for!
This was a very different murder mystery: that is, it had romance, murder and mayhem, and more adventure than anybody could ask for!
January 26, 2011
GODCHILD by Vincent Zandri
Published by StoneGate, Ink
ASIN: B004KSR25O
At the request of the author, a galley PDF version was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Snyopsis (borrowed from Amazon): He wanted justice, truth, revenge...whichever came first.
Prison-warden-turned-P.I. Jack "Keeper" Marconi understands the criminal mind. And he knows what it takes to break a man. His own life came apart the day a black Buick broadsided his car--and his wife died horrifically in the seat beside him.
Years later, on the eve of his second marriage, Marconi catches a split-second glimpse of the driver who killed his wife. Suddenly hurtled back into the past, he is determined to take one last shot at hunting him down. That is, until he is offered a job he can't refuse: to bust a beautiful woman out of a hellish Mexican prison. Now Keeper's chase through Mexico follows a trail of bodies and lies back home: to the truth about a woman on the run, to a man sitting behind the wheel of a black Buick, and to a story that someone will kill to bury....
My Thoughts and Opinion: If you have followed my blog since May of 2010, when I was first introduced to this author, Mr. Vincent Zandri and I read his novel Moonlight Falls, this review will not come as a surprise. I was hooked and became even more so with his subsequent novels, The Remains and The Innocent and even his digital short, Pathological, and this latest book, Godchild, didn't disappoint. This is a sequel to The Innocent, picking up with former Warden (Keeper) Jack Marconi but is a story that can stand on it's own. The story starts off slow like a train departing an Albany station and picks up speed nonstop across country at warp speed to Mexico with a short lay over to break into a Mexican jail to rescue an American female writer who is incarcerated and then back to Albany. The story line takes place over a 2 week period. But does someone really want her rescued? Why is it that someone wants Keeper Marconi to be the one to rescue her? Where, why and how does the drug cartels have anything to do with rescuing Renata Barnes? And what does all this have to do with the accident that tragically killed Keeper's wife, a case that he has never solved?
Godchild is a pure Noir thriller, not to be read if you are alone, especially at night unless your doors are bolted, the windows locked and the drapes closed. Zandri is a genius story teller, alternating chapters between characters, whereas you have to keep reading to find out where he left you off with his cliff hanging chapters. Bone chilling!! Frightening!! By far his scariest!! Hitchcock and Stephen King combined. Brilliant!!! I can't wait to see what's next. He just keeps getting better!!!!
My Rating: 5
Published by StoneGate, Ink
ASIN: B004KSR25O
At the request of the author, a galley PDF version was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Snyopsis (borrowed from Amazon): He wanted justice, truth, revenge...whichever came first.
Prison-warden-turned-P.I. Jack "Keeper" Marconi understands the criminal mind. And he knows what it takes to break a man. His own life came apart the day a black Buick broadsided his car--and his wife died horrifically in the seat beside him.
Years later, on the eve of his second marriage, Marconi catches a split-second glimpse of the driver who killed his wife. Suddenly hurtled back into the past, he is determined to take one last shot at hunting him down. That is, until he is offered a job he can't refuse: to bust a beautiful woman out of a hellish Mexican prison. Now Keeper's chase through Mexico follows a trail of bodies and lies back home: to the truth about a woman on the run, to a man sitting behind the wheel of a black Buick, and to a story that someone will kill to bury....
My Thoughts and Opinion: If you have followed my blog since May of 2010, when I was first introduced to this author, Mr. Vincent Zandri and I read his novel Moonlight Falls, this review will not come as a surprise. I was hooked and became even more so with his subsequent novels, The Remains and The Innocent and even his digital short, Pathological, and this latest book, Godchild, didn't disappoint. This is a sequel to The Innocent, picking up with former Warden (Keeper) Jack Marconi but is a story that can stand on it's own. The story starts off slow like a train departing an Albany station and picks up speed nonstop across country at warp speed to Mexico with a short lay over to break into a Mexican jail to rescue an American female writer who is incarcerated and then back to Albany. The story line takes place over a 2 week period. But does someone really want her rescued? Why is it that someone wants Keeper Marconi to be the one to rescue her? Where, why and how does the drug cartels have anything to do with rescuing Renata Barnes? And what does all this have to do with the accident that tragically killed Keeper's wife, a case that he has never solved?
Godchild is a pure Noir thriller, not to be read if you are alone, especially at night unless your doors are bolted, the windows locked and the drapes closed. Zandri is a genius story teller, alternating chapters between characters, whereas you have to keep reading to find out where he left you off with his cliff hanging chapters. Bone chilling!! Frightening!! By far his scariest!! Hitchcock and Stephen King combined. Brilliant!!! I can't wait to see what's next. He just keeps getting better!!!!
My Rating: 5
June 1, 2012
This is a hard hitting, no holds barred, full throttle detective story. I'm reminded of Mickey Spillane's, Mike Hammer. As written in the books, not the watered down television version. P.I. Jack "Keeper" Marconi, was a former warden for a maximum security prison in New York. Lately he has been nursing a bottle and carrying a ton of guilt since his wife was killed. Their car was center punched by a hit & run driver in a black Buick. Marconi saw his wife die when her head was severed as she went through the windshield of their car. Jack has been obsessed ever since with trying to find the bald headed man who drove the other car. He has searched for three long years to no avail. It's as if the driver of the black Buick has dropped off the face of the earth or perhaps is being protected by persons unknown. A chance sighting of the Buick just as he is headed to the church to get remarried, tips him over the edge once again. In order to help him, his friend gets him a job involving rescuing a woman writer from a Mexican prison. Jack isn't particularly interested until he finds a wedding picture of the woman. In the background is the bald headed man. Is there a connection between the woman and the bald man? The only thing that stands between Jack and the answer is a heavily guarded security prison deep in Mexico. What could go wrong? Strap on that .45 and put the petal to the metal. Nothing will stop "Keeper" Marconi from getting to the bottom of this case. Book provided for review by Amazon Vine.
August 13, 2011
This is the first book of his I have read. And it was just as suspenseful as I had hoped it would be. It didnt take long to get hooked into the story and characters. And the story kept moving at a great pace though out the book.
The characters were complex but interesting and full of secrets that added to the story. Obviously you follow Keeper though the story. But why did seeing the man he thought killed his wife, keep him from getting married two years later. Why is this woman on the run in Mexico, and why is he hired to find her. What is the secret behind her book, Godchild. The book has almost constant twists and turns and new questions pop up almost as fast as old ones are answered. But though it all the reader never gets lost or left behind.
This is a classic suspense story. And any lover of suspense novels should not miss it.
The characters were complex but interesting and full of secrets that added to the story. Obviously you follow Keeper though the story. But why did seeing the man he thought killed his wife, keep him from getting married two years later. Why is this woman on the run in Mexico, and why is he hired to find her. What is the secret behind her book, Godchild. The book has almost constant twists and turns and new questions pop up almost as fast as old ones are answered. But though it all the reader never gets lost or left behind.
This is a classic suspense story. And any lover of suspense novels should not miss it.
June 2, 2011
"Keeper" Marconi's wedding day is ruined when the black SUV that killed his first wife shows up at the gravesite, while Marconi is saying goodbye to his dead wife. A few years before a black SUV with a bald driver rammed into the side of the passenger's side, decapitating his wife.
In Mexico Renata Barnes has been caught by Mexican soldiers while acting as a "burrier," which is a combination drug mule and courier. Keeper is hired to break Renata out of one of the most notorious prisons in Mexico.
This is a fabulous ebook to read. I was astounded with the twists and turns, especially when Keeper ends up in an insane asylum. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action and adventure with a whole lot of thrills.
In Mexico Renata Barnes has been caught by Mexican soldiers while acting as a "burrier," which is a combination drug mule and courier. Keeper is hired to break Renata out of one of the most notorious prisons in Mexico.
This is a fabulous ebook to read. I was astounded with the twists and turns, especially when Keeper ends up in an insane asylum. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action and adventure with a whole lot of thrills.
May 10, 2013
Well, that was addictive. Think of GODCHILD as Raymond Chandler meets Andrew Klavan. It's very different from its predecessor THE INNOCENT, it doesn't have its grimness or its originality, but GODCHILD compensates with terrific characters and a wild, sprawling adventure, all over "the territory", as Mark Twain would say.
Keeper, who was a prison warden in the first novel, is now a private investigation who sounds just a little bit like Philip Marlowe, except he's living in an underworld full of creepy, power-hungry, corporate types (just like in a Klavan novel). Will keeper get back on the bike and do the damn job? Will he found who killed Fran? You will need to read Godchild to find that out. Given that it's a pretty straightforward P.I novel, GODCHILD is a flagship novel for the genre.
Keeper, who was a prison warden in the first novel, is now a private investigation who sounds just a little bit like Philip Marlowe, except he's living in an underworld full of creepy, power-hungry, corporate types (just like in a Klavan novel). Will keeper get back on the bike and do the damn job? Will he found who killed Fran? You will need to read Godchild to find that out. Given that it's a pretty straightforward P.I novel, GODCHILD is a flagship novel for the genre.
December 12, 2015
The plotting of this book is bad. There are way too many convenient coincidences. There are also too many over-the-top scenes. For example, the protagonist, Keeper Marconi, is railroaded into a psychiatric hospital. The only medical staff is a single, sadistic psychiatrist who tortures him by sticking needles into his gonads. The orderly who is the psychiatrist's main assistant is also a sadist who forces patients to give him oral sex, and who masturbates while watching his boss torture Marconi. That is just one example of the ridiculous scenes in this book. I gave it two stars only because Zandri writes solid prose and has a nice eye for detail.
August 6, 2022
This Is My Second Go-around of The Godchild
And it's just as great a thriller this time as the first. The story is as fresh as if I'd never read it before and just as riveting. Vincent Zandri is an excellent writer and storyteller. The emotion and pain that comes through in this story can tear apart even the least sensitive reader's soul. Knowing how this book begins tells you nothing of the real story. Keep an open mind and let yourself be immersed in the story.
And it's just as great a thriller this time as the first. The story is as fresh as if I'd never read it before and just as riveting. Vincent Zandri is an excellent writer and storyteller. The emotion and pain that comes through in this story can tear apart even the least sensitive reader's soul. Knowing how this book begins tells you nothing of the real story. Keep an open mind and let yourself be immersed in the story.
October 2, 2010
Should have read "As Catch Can" first I guess. Mr. Zandri is of the school where the more physical injuries the hero suffers the better. Therefore, this is not a book for those with a weak stomach.
April 10, 2011
Loved all the unpredictable twist and turns in this sequel book that will have you cheering in the end! Be prepared to want to read this book from begining to end without putting it down. Another excellent book by Vincent!
February 3, 2017
Excellent!!
Another great story. Twists and turns enough to keep everyone guessing. A page turner for sure. Need to read this series in order. Very gritty, well written and just as captivating as book One! Loved it!!
Another great story. Twists and turns enough to keep everyone guessing. A page turner for sure. Need to read this series in order. Very gritty, well written and just as captivating as book One! Loved it!!
August 28, 2010
I really had a hard time getting into this book.
July 24, 2011
Another winner for Zandri...I really enjoy this series and wish it would continue. The main character is very likeable and the books are intelligently written.
June 23, 2011
Fast paced ride. Surprise ending.
Want to read
August 29, 2011from a Goodreads ad. This is book 2. The Innocent is book 1.
February 14, 2013
decent, but Very Dark.
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