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El Camino Drive
Detroit Detective John Valentino knows El Camino Drive all too well. His father was murdered there on Halloween, 1978. Antonio Valentino was killed after work by three men, alleging he was having an affair with one of their wives. Claiming self-defense, the murderers are exonerated, believing that a toy pistol in the victim’s pocket was an actual weapon. After the murder trial, a family vendetta is loudly placed against his father’s killers.
Forty years later, Detective Valentino is now an alcoholic, losing his wife and family to his drinking. After his mother dies, he cleans out the attic of her home, to find a wooden truck with an evidence bag from the night of the murder. Included, is a blood-stained, water pistol he once owned as a little boy…the very toy pistol his father used to fool his killers.
One evening, the wife of one of the murderers is found brutally stabbed in her ex-husband’s mobile home. Next to her body, is the stanza of a poem and a toy water pistol. Valentino, the prime suspect, has no idea who the "Water Pistol Killer" is.
With every new murder, there's a new stanza to the poem and a toy water pistol, lying next to the body….
Forty years later, Detective Valentino is now an alcoholic, losing his wife and family to his drinking. After his mother dies, he cleans out the attic of her home, to find a wooden truck with an evidence bag from the night of the murder. Included, is a blood-stained, water pistol he once owned as a little boy…the very toy pistol his father used to fool his killers.
One evening, the wife of one of the murderers is found brutally stabbed in her ex-husband’s mobile home. Next to her body, is the stanza of a poem and a toy water pistol. Valentino, the prime suspect, has no idea who the "Water Pistol Killer" is.
With every new murder, there's a new stanza to the poem and a toy water pistol, lying next to the body….
450 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2020
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Edward Izzi
15 books31 followersA full-time CPA and Chicago businessman, Edward Izzi had always had a flair for creative writing. But he didn't start taking his writing talents seriously until much later in life. He has now written a countless number of short stories, poetry, and has completed several fiction thriller novels, including "Of Bread and Wine", "A Rose from The Executioner", "Demons of Divine Wrath", "Quando Dormo", "El Camino Drive", "When A Rook Takes The Queen", "The Buzz Boys", and "They Only Wear Black Hats".
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 3, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to Reedsy Discovery and Edward Izzi for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Edward Izzi returns with another of his sensational thrillers that toss a number of well-developed characters together into a story that will have the reader flipping pages well into the night. Detroit P.D. Detective John Valentino finds himself in quite the predicament. A recently divorced, raging alcoholic with an anger management problem, Valentino’s been suspended for beating up his partner. There are other underlying issues, including having been raised without a father. On Hallowe’en Night, 1978, Antonio Valentino was murdered by three men along El Camino Drive. Young Johnny was only six at the time and saw his family fall apart. At the trial, the men got off and skirted justice by claiming a twisted sense of self-defence. Bitter and shocked, one member of the family promised revenge. Now, Detective Valentino is unearthing some of the records and making sense of what happened all those years ago. Tackling some of his demons, Valentino stops drinking and finds himself in what he feels is a healthy relationship. He begins to better understand his philandering father and vows to find the men who caused his family such pain. However, it seems someone is a few steps ahead of him. A few of those tied to the previous murder end up dead, with a unique calling card left at the scene, as well as a small piece of poetry related to the El Camino murder. John Valentino is surely at the top of the suspect list, but is able to alibi himself. With an elderly uncle whose final goal in life is to kill the men who got away with murder, whispers of a mafia boss with a bone to pick with those who killed in such a sloppy way, and even a son who is just now learning the psychological complexities of life without a father figure, the list of suspects seems endless. Yet, someone is exacting revenge and trying to balance the scales for the bloodshed on El Camino Drive back in ‘78. An addictive novel that has so many subplots that the reader will have to stay attentive throughout this story. Izzi proves yet again that he is a master in the field and should let the creative juices flow. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who finds complex storylines to their liking.
I discovered Edward Izzi’s work by fluke when I was offered a copy of another book he wrote a number of months ago. Since then, I have been devouring all of his books within days of receiving them. Izzi writes in such a way that the reader is drawn into the story, with momentum gained as the plot thickens. John Valentino is a perfectly chosen protagonist for this book, with a backstory that is quite complex and sensational development throughout this book. The reader will see his struggles, which are tied into addiction and the trauma of his father’s murder, as well as how he sought to pull himself up by the proverbial bootstraps. Valentino may have a temper, but his passion to resolve the miscarriage of justice related to his father’s murder remains high on his priority list. Pulled into some complex subplots along the way by those who seek to use his access to information only adds to the story and richness of his character. The handful of other characters that Izzi creates add even more flavour to a story that is a perfect mix of thriller and coming of age. Izzi uses a technique that readers who have read all his other pieces will likely see. He creates a character in one of his novels and has them reappear in a subsequent book, offering updates and connecting the pieces without creating a formal series. A central character in one book might return and receive passing mention in another, or a wallflower might take up a major role in a subsequent novel. This is a brilliant technique and yet still allow the reader to pick up any of his novels without feeling the need to read the collection (though who would not want to read all these books?!). Izzi develops an ironclad story around a murder in 1978 and builds from there, offering not only flashbacks/forwards between that time and the present, but also fills in needed aspects from the past to develop more suspects in the present murders. This technique, while requiring the reader to pay close attention, offers rich rewards for those who accept the challenge. While the book is longer (close to 500 pages), it reads so easily that the reader will find they can devour a third of the book in one sitting and feel no sense of time drag. His dialogue is crisp, his plots evolving, and his characters relatable. Finally, using Detroit as his central setting, Izzi writes what he knows best and offers those who know the area with some special treats. This is one of those stories that is sure to receive a great deal of attention if put in the right hands. I can only hope others will discover the magic of this gritty novelist and turn to some of Izzi’s other work, which is just as captivating. Brilliant writing with a collection of standalone novels that have a thread of connectivity. I can only hope Edward Izzi keeps writing, as I am more than happy to keep reading. He stands above all others in a supersaturated genre and keeps getting better!
Kudos, Mr. Izzi, for another formidable effort. I cannot say enough and hope your work ends up into the hands of many, for they will be as astounded as I was to read such high quality work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Edward Izzi returns with another of his sensational thrillers that toss a number of well-developed characters together into a story that will have the reader flipping pages well into the night. Detroit P.D. Detective John Valentino finds himself in quite the predicament. A recently divorced, raging alcoholic with an anger management problem, Valentino’s been suspended for beating up his partner. There are other underlying issues, including having been raised without a father. On Hallowe’en Night, 1978, Antonio Valentino was murdered by three men along El Camino Drive. Young Johnny was only six at the time and saw his family fall apart. At the trial, the men got off and skirted justice by claiming a twisted sense of self-defence. Bitter and shocked, one member of the family promised revenge. Now, Detective Valentino is unearthing some of the records and making sense of what happened all those years ago. Tackling some of his demons, Valentino stops drinking and finds himself in what he feels is a healthy relationship. He begins to better understand his philandering father and vows to find the men who caused his family such pain. However, it seems someone is a few steps ahead of him. A few of those tied to the previous murder end up dead, with a unique calling card left at the scene, as well as a small piece of poetry related to the El Camino murder. John Valentino is surely at the top of the suspect list, but is able to alibi himself. With an elderly uncle whose final goal in life is to kill the men who got away with murder, whispers of a mafia boss with a bone to pick with those who killed in such a sloppy way, and even a son who is just now learning the psychological complexities of life without a father figure, the list of suspects seems endless. Yet, someone is exacting revenge and trying to balance the scales for the bloodshed on El Camino Drive back in ‘78. An addictive novel that has so many subplots that the reader will have to stay attentive throughout this story. Izzi proves yet again that he is a master in the field and should let the creative juices flow. Recommended to those who love a great crime thriller, as well as the reader who finds complex storylines to their liking.
I discovered Edward Izzi’s work by fluke when I was offered a copy of another book he wrote a number of months ago. Since then, I have been devouring all of his books within days of receiving them. Izzi writes in such a way that the reader is drawn into the story, with momentum gained as the plot thickens. John Valentino is a perfectly chosen protagonist for this book, with a backstory that is quite complex and sensational development throughout this book. The reader will see his struggles, which are tied into addiction and the trauma of his father’s murder, as well as how he sought to pull himself up by the proverbial bootstraps. Valentino may have a temper, but his passion to resolve the miscarriage of justice related to his father’s murder remains high on his priority list. Pulled into some complex subplots along the way by those who seek to use his access to information only adds to the story and richness of his character. The handful of other characters that Izzi creates add even more flavour to a story that is a perfect mix of thriller and coming of age. Izzi uses a technique that readers who have read all his other pieces will likely see. He creates a character in one of his novels and has them reappear in a subsequent book, offering updates and connecting the pieces without creating a formal series. A central character in one book might return and receive passing mention in another, or a wallflower might take up a major role in a subsequent novel. This is a brilliant technique and yet still allow the reader to pick up any of his novels without feeling the need to read the collection (though who would not want to read all these books?!). Izzi develops an ironclad story around a murder in 1978 and builds from there, offering not only flashbacks/forwards between that time and the present, but also fills in needed aspects from the past to develop more suspects in the present murders. This technique, while requiring the reader to pay close attention, offers rich rewards for those who accept the challenge. While the book is longer (close to 500 pages), it reads so easily that the reader will find they can devour a third of the book in one sitting and feel no sense of time drag. His dialogue is crisp, his plots evolving, and his characters relatable. Finally, using Detroit as his central setting, Izzi writes what he knows best and offers those who know the area with some special treats. This is one of those stories that is sure to receive a great deal of attention if put in the right hands. I can only hope others will discover the magic of this gritty novelist and turn to some of Izzi’s other work, which is just as captivating. Brilliant writing with a collection of standalone novels that have a thread of connectivity. I can only hope Edward Izzi keeps writing, as I am more than happy to keep reading. He stands above all others in a supersaturated genre and keeps getting better!
Kudos, Mr. Izzi, for another formidable effort. I cannot say enough and hope your work ends up into the hands of many, for they will be as astounded as I was to read such high quality work!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 27, 2020
Izzi explores family ties, friendship, childhood trauma, alcoholism, and themes of redemption and justice in this taut, suspenseful tale of a family’s struggles with the forty years old murder of one of their own.
Antonio Valentino was shot at point blank range on El Camino Drive on the night of Halloween, 1978. Claiming self-defense, the murderers were able to walk scot-free, unaware of a family vendetta placed against them. Now forty years later, Detroit Detective John Valentino, Antonio’s son, is still struggling with his father’s violent killing. Recently suspended from the police force for misconduct, John’s life is in shambles with his alcohol addiction out of control and his marriage dissolved. While sorting out the attic in his family home after his mother’s death, John comes across the blood-stained toy pistol he owned as a child that his father tried to use as a ploy to divert his killers’ attention but failed. Soon, the wife of one of the killers is found stabbed to death with a toy water pistol and a stanza from a poem next to her body. As more murders follow in similar fashion, John becomes the prime suspect. But is he really the one on the killing spree or is there someone else hiding in shadows, setting their personal score?
Izzi spins his story skillfully by moving the narrative between different timelines, and his handling of the large cast of characters is achieved with a sure-handed skill and ease. John as a man who’s barely drifting through life because of his childhood trauma gets on readers’ nerves with his self-destroying tendencies, but his rough-around-the-edges and yet good-hearted persona make him an apt protagonist. And his obvious disregard for authorities makes him an endearing hero. Readers will find themselves rooting for him throughout. The secondary characters are equally convincing and sketched with thoughtfulness and care.
Izzi doesn’t defer from disclosing the fact that a family vendetta was passed against the killers, thus narrowing down the list of suspects quite early in the story, but he strengthens the suspense with cleverly constructed twists and turns and hard-to-spot, ingenious red herrings. The tension throughout the narrative that keeps readers on their toes skillfully matches the final reveal.
Readers trying to avoid extreme violence, bloodshed, and strong language should look elsewhere.
With its swiftly paced narrative, exciting plot, and realistic, convincing characters, the novel makes for an entertaining read. Crime readers seeking a finely constructed, quick read will be highly rewarded.
This is a totally hypnotic crime thriller.
Antonio Valentino was shot at point blank range on El Camino Drive on the night of Halloween, 1978. Claiming self-defense, the murderers were able to walk scot-free, unaware of a family vendetta placed against them. Now forty years later, Detroit Detective John Valentino, Antonio’s son, is still struggling with his father’s violent killing. Recently suspended from the police force for misconduct, John’s life is in shambles with his alcohol addiction out of control and his marriage dissolved. While sorting out the attic in his family home after his mother’s death, John comes across the blood-stained toy pistol he owned as a child that his father tried to use as a ploy to divert his killers’ attention but failed. Soon, the wife of one of the killers is found stabbed to death with a toy water pistol and a stanza from a poem next to her body. As more murders follow in similar fashion, John becomes the prime suspect. But is he really the one on the killing spree or is there someone else hiding in shadows, setting their personal score?
Izzi spins his story skillfully by moving the narrative between different timelines, and his handling of the large cast of characters is achieved with a sure-handed skill and ease. John as a man who’s barely drifting through life because of his childhood trauma gets on readers’ nerves with his self-destroying tendencies, but his rough-around-the-edges and yet good-hearted persona make him an apt protagonist. And his obvious disregard for authorities makes him an endearing hero. Readers will find themselves rooting for him throughout. The secondary characters are equally convincing and sketched with thoughtfulness and care.
Izzi doesn’t defer from disclosing the fact that a family vendetta was passed against the killers, thus narrowing down the list of suspects quite early in the story, but he strengthens the suspense with cleverly constructed twists and turns and hard-to-spot, ingenious red herrings. The tension throughout the narrative that keeps readers on their toes skillfully matches the final reveal.
Readers trying to avoid extreme violence, bloodshed, and strong language should look elsewhere.
With its swiftly paced narrative, exciting plot, and realistic, convincing characters, the novel makes for an entertaining read. Crime readers seeking a finely constructed, quick read will be highly rewarded.
This is a totally hypnotic crime thriller.
January 7, 2021
An incredible thriller! Could not put this book down. A very gritty crime thriller set in the City of Detroit!! A face paced mystery that only Edward Izzi can write!!!
July 27, 2020
El Camino Drive is a unique murder mystery and crime novel that only Edward Izzi can write. It starts with the murder of a philandering family man, Tony Valentino, in Detroit on Halloween, 1978, whose death leaves his wife and family without a husband and father. The killers are exonerated for the murder, successfully pleading self defense. It seems that Tony had his son's water pistol in his coat pocket when he was killed on that Halloween night, trying to use it to fool his killers.
Forty years later, his son, John, is now a detective with Detroit P.D.'s Third Precinct. He has grown up to become an out of control alcoholic with severe anger issues. He has lost his wife and family to his drinking, and because of his anger issues, almost loses his job. After losing his mother, he and his sisters clean out her attic to find the evidence bags from his father's murder. Inside of that bag, is the green water gun that his father tried to use to ruse his killers.
John is now trying to fight the effects of his severe alcoholism, his uncontrollably bad temper, and the intense desire to inflict revenge on his father's killers who ruined his life.
This is a book that deals with the heartbreak of the tragic loss of one's father at a young age, and the long term demons that such losses inflict on one's life, especially when turning to alcoholism.
John Valentino is a struggling divorcee, a former father and husband, who is accused of possibly inflicting his revenge on his father's killers when they start turning up brutally murdered. And with each crime scene with green water pistol and a stanza of a creepy poem next to the body.
This story line is realistic, fast paced, and incredibly engaging. One will have a very difficult time putting this book down, as Izzi pulls the reader into this crime story further and deeper with each chapter. And like all of Izzi's books, there is the inclusion of some characters from his other crime novels that make this story even more endearing.
I highly recommend this new release by Edward Izzi, and as always, I look forward to reading more from this exciting new author.
Forty years later, his son, John, is now a detective with Detroit P.D.'s Third Precinct. He has grown up to become an out of control alcoholic with severe anger issues. He has lost his wife and family to his drinking, and because of his anger issues, almost loses his job. After losing his mother, he and his sisters clean out her attic to find the evidence bags from his father's murder. Inside of that bag, is the green water gun that his father tried to use to ruse his killers.
John is now trying to fight the effects of his severe alcoholism, his uncontrollably bad temper, and the intense desire to inflict revenge on his father's killers who ruined his life.
This is a book that deals with the heartbreak of the tragic loss of one's father at a young age, and the long term demons that such losses inflict on one's life, especially when turning to alcoholism.
John Valentino is a struggling divorcee, a former father and husband, who is accused of possibly inflicting his revenge on his father's killers when they start turning up brutally murdered. And with each crime scene with green water pistol and a stanza of a creepy poem next to the body.
This story line is realistic, fast paced, and incredibly engaging. One will have a very difficult time putting this book down, as Izzi pulls the reader into this crime story further and deeper with each chapter. And like all of Izzi's books, there is the inclusion of some characters from his other crime novels that make this story even more endearing.
I highly recommend this new release by Edward Izzi, and as always, I look forward to reading more from this exciting new author.
August 10, 2020
An amazing thriller, set out in Detroit! Couldn't put this book down!
August 27, 2020
Hard to put down!
The book El Camino Drive, by Edward Izzi, is a typical cop murder mystery in many ways and a layering of time and sins of the father type book in another. Izzi is a brilliant writer, who uses gifted a descriptive language and really vividly and clearly describing a scene, an action, a conflict, or even just what may seem like the most insignificant interaction so realistically the reader is transported and feels as if they are actually there. Also, his characters are realistic, well rounded, believable, and memorable.
The book begins with an unsolved murder that many years later seems to be mysteriously and slowly avenged. The question now becomes, who is the new murderer leaving behind lines to a poem and the green toy water guns. The twists and turns keep coming and deeper into the story the more information is revealed deflecting and highlighting, adding suspicion and then making you look else where. It really is a page turner.
I think even more compelling than the whole “who dunnit” quality is being able to see the amazing character work. This book deals with over 40 years of this family and all the trauma, suspicious, family ties, and serious decline all this has had on these family members. It portrays families well. It portrays forgiveness and redemption well.
This is a good book by an author I have not read before but who does Have serveral books out ther that I am very much looking forward to reading. 5 Stars.
The book El Camino Drive, by Edward Izzi, is a typical cop murder mystery in many ways and a layering of time and sins of the father type book in another. Izzi is a brilliant writer, who uses gifted a descriptive language and really vividly and clearly describing a scene, an action, a conflict, or even just what may seem like the most insignificant interaction so realistically the reader is transported and feels as if they are actually there. Also, his characters are realistic, well rounded, believable, and memorable.
The book begins with an unsolved murder that many years later seems to be mysteriously and slowly avenged. The question now becomes, who is the new murderer leaving behind lines to a poem and the green toy water guns. The twists and turns keep coming and deeper into the story the more information is revealed deflecting and highlighting, adding suspicion and then making you look else where. It really is a page turner.
I think even more compelling than the whole “who dunnit” quality is being able to see the amazing character work. This book deals with over 40 years of this family and all the trauma, suspicious, family ties, and serious decline all this has had on these family members. It portrays families well. It portrays forgiveness and redemption well.
This is a good book by an author I have not read before but who does Have serveral books out ther that I am very much looking forward to reading. 5 Stars.
September 6, 2020
El Camino Drive by Edward Izzi is a rollercoaster of a story that is equal parts dramatic and gritty. The story features John Valentino, a police detective in the Detroit area who must work to solve a string of murders taking place around him, all of which seem to be connected to his father’s murder from decades ago, and all of which seem to implicate him. He has to work quickly and carefully, gathering evidence and digging up his family’s past to solve the mystery before the killer can successfully frame him for the murders. It’s seemingly a story of vengeance, but who is the avenger?
The strength of this story comes from the flaws in each character. They have believable motivations and actions based on their personal histories, and this creates great dramatic irony for the reader. Each choice they make in the story will make sense, and their responses to each other are very understandable.
If there is one area in the story that is lacking, then it’s the dialogue, which can feel a bit generic and tacky in spots. However, this does not ultimately take away from the fantastic plot, which honestly felt like a good noir movie.
Still, the book is great. The way that Izzi structures the plot points and sneaks details into the writing is fantastic. He gives enough hints along the way that makes the final reveal both satisfying and surprising. This isn’t easy to do, but he’s found a way to do it, and it ties the entire book together. I’ll be looking for more from this author, because if his other works are half as good, they’ll still be worth reading. 4/5 stars!
The strength of this story comes from the flaws in each character. They have believable motivations and actions based on their personal histories, and this creates great dramatic irony for the reader. Each choice they make in the story will make sense, and their responses to each other are very understandable.
If there is one area in the story that is lacking, then it’s the dialogue, which can feel a bit generic and tacky in spots. However, this does not ultimately take away from the fantastic plot, which honestly felt like a good noir movie.
Still, the book is great. The way that Izzi structures the plot points and sneaks details into the writing is fantastic. He gives enough hints along the way that makes the final reveal both satisfying and surprising. This isn’t easy to do, but he’s found a way to do it, and it ties the entire book together. I’ll be looking for more from this author, because if his other works are half as good, they’ll still be worth reading. 4/5 stars!
August 27, 2020
Edward Izzi created a thrilling book full of adventure, action and drama. I really liked it! It was my first time reading one of his books and I must say that I am truly amazed with El Camino Drive.
The book follows the death of Antonio, who died in a horrifying way. John Valentino, his son, kept in his mind that one day he would solve this murder. His life turned around this, until one day he finds some reported killers who might be related to his father. The author did a wonderful job describing the characters emotions and personalities. This is the main key to create empathy between the reader and the characters.
Don’t expect this book to be a simple thriller, because you will find so many different topics: grief, trauma, love, family, murder and also drugs and alcohol. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. It is well paced and masterly written. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive, even though it has a lot of pages.
The book follows the death of Antonio, who died in a horrifying way. John Valentino, his son, kept in his mind that one day he would solve this murder. His life turned around this, until one day he finds some reported killers who might be related to his father. The author did a wonderful job describing the characters emotions and personalities. This is the main key to create empathy between the reader and the characters.
Don’t expect this book to be a simple thriller, because you will find so many different topics: grief, trauma, love, family, murder and also drugs and alcohol. You can expect a roller coaster of emotions. It is well paced and masterly written. Believe me when I tell you that it is addictive, even though it has a lot of pages.
August 16, 2020
The storyline in Edward Izzi’s ‘El Camino Drive’ is chilling and thrilling at the same time. We are first introduced to Antonio Valentino in 1978, a man who is tragically gunned down as he leaves work. The death of Antonio dictates the flow of the story. We follow the life of detective John Valentino, his son, through his career life, family life, and the personal demons he is battling. The detective moves from living a normal life to this disturbed man whose life seems to be falling apart with every new discovery. John Valentino may not have been the perfect man, but I admired his character for he loved his father despite all the stories that he had heard.
Decades after Antonio died, murders of his suspected killers get reported in the area. Naturally, John Valentino is named a suspect as the police believe that he could be avenging his father’s death. His uncle Rossano Valentino despite having publicly declared a vendetta a few years back is ruled out as a suspect as he is in a frail state with very little physical strength. The death of the killers linked to Antonio's death is not only strange but also terrifying. The reader follows enforcers as they try to solve these mystery murders and get to the killer. The flow of the plot gets intriguing as the author incorporates interesting elements in the story. A new plot twist emerges after every few chapters, spicing up the story and making the reader yearn for more.
Edward Izzi is an excellent crime writer whose texts and phrases encourage one to read more books in this genre. The life of John Valentino was unfortunate. Through his story, we see how the death of a family member can rob one a promising future. ‘El Camino Drive’ covers important themes like grief, alcoholism, crime, law, family, infidelity, and murder. The story is captivating from the first page of the book to the last. Edward Izzi’s style of writing is both engaging and easy to follow. I appreciate his plot formation and development of characters.
Decades after Antonio died, murders of his suspected killers get reported in the area. Naturally, John Valentino is named a suspect as the police believe that he could be avenging his father’s death. His uncle Rossano Valentino despite having publicly declared a vendetta a few years back is ruled out as a suspect as he is in a frail state with very little physical strength. The death of the killers linked to Antonio's death is not only strange but also terrifying. The reader follows enforcers as they try to solve these mystery murders and get to the killer. The flow of the plot gets intriguing as the author incorporates interesting elements in the story. A new plot twist emerges after every few chapters, spicing up the story and making the reader yearn for more.
Edward Izzi is an excellent crime writer whose texts and phrases encourage one to read more books in this genre. The life of John Valentino was unfortunate. Through his story, we see how the death of a family member can rob one a promising future. ‘El Camino Drive’ covers important themes like grief, alcoholism, crime, law, family, infidelity, and murder. The story is captivating from the first page of the book to the last. Edward Izzi’s style of writing is both engaging and easy to follow. I appreciate his plot formation and development of characters.
August 28, 2020
El Camino Drive by Edward Izzi is a high stakes murder mystery. An extra-marital affair leads to a revenge murder in which justice is absolutely not served. When one of the men involved in the murder decides to ignore a 40 year long warning and return, a string of murders are set in motion. John Valentino, the son of the deceased, didn't ask for any of it. He made some bad choices, became a cop, and nearly loses it all before TRYING to pull himself out of the tailspin that is his life. Then this happens, threatening to disrupt everything. Can John finally get his life together while also not letting himself get implicated?
This book is equal parts juicy, dramatic, and real. Old world Italian mafia, one man's struggle to pull himself out of the hole, and a mysterious serial killer. My personal favorite part was rooting for John to stay sober, but that's just me. I can see another reader really loving true justice being served. Another might enjoy trying to figure out who the murderrer is. After all, if it isn't John... who is it? (Obviously I know, I finished the book.)
This book is equal parts juicy, dramatic, and real. Old world Italian mafia, one man's struggle to pull himself out of the hole, and a mysterious serial killer. My personal favorite part was rooting for John to stay sober, but that's just me. I can see another reader really loving true justice being served. Another might enjoy trying to figure out who the murderrer is. After all, if it isn't John... who is it? (Obviously I know, I finished the book.)
August 30, 2021
Good story but this author really needs an editor.
August 27, 2023
So I read another book with Valentino in it before this one, so I didn't have this back story going into it. And although the story wasn't totally about him, it still made you wonder what caused him to get to where he was. And now I know. And what a story. Wow. I can honestly say I don't blame Valentino for being the alcoholic he was. Not with everything that happened in his life. It's one heck of a story. And then when it all turns on him, man. What a journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2023
Based on actual events, the book features a lot of action - though in bursts - and violence. The story starts in 1978 and ends in 2020, following Joe's journey through life as a detective.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews