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A Sum of Destructions
Police psychologist Edwardo Bratenahl is a young widower, still mourning the tragic loss of his wife. Bratenahl, an academic and native of the insular Cleveland neighborhood of Little Italy, is asked to assist with the homicide investigation of world-class geneticist Dr. Simon Pederson, who was viciously slain during Sunday mass. Bratenahl is partnered with Mary Kate Calderon, veteran homicide detective. The two soon discover a related murder, which Calderon confesses looks eerily like a scenario she witnessed as a child in Nicaragua, with all the hallmarks of a Sandinista interrogator dubbed Diablo Rojo. Bratenahl brushes this off as coincidence, but the psychologist soon discovers just how perilous the world around him is, as he collides with the Red Devil, Simon Pederson’s legacy of destruction, and the weight of family history in this twisty, dark police procedural.
556 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 8, 2026
Strong new voice in the world of Psychological Crime Thrillers
If you enjoy the likes of Lee Child or Michael Connelly, add J. J. Campanella to your list of new authors to read.
My go to read is not the psychological crime thriller, but I check the genre out once in a while, and this book came upon my radar because of a Christmas letter. An old college friend responded to my reading and writing news by mentioning this author and thought I might enjoy his work. I often have reservations when “not horror” readers give me recommendations, but I was curious enough, and I was not disappointed. A Sum of Destructions is a solid entry in its genre.
Eddie Bratenahl is a psychological therapist for the Cleveland PD who is suffering through his own depression after the loss of his wife, when he is dragged into a murder case involving a professor from his old alma mater. The case dredges up open wounds involving the loss of his wife and reignites ties to his extended mafia family that he would prefer to have laid dormant. It’s a political, psychological, crime thriller all rolled into one, with a touch of science fiction that borders on the all too real. The characters are nicely depicted, although maybe a tad too reliant on certain stereotypes. But overall, it’s a good read with a strong plot and some nice twists.
Some minor drawbacks for me:
I don’t know, there were times when I felt like the detail I was being given slowed the pace of the story. BUT a lot of that detail felt like a bit of a love letter to the history of Cleveland. The detailed history that served as a backdrop for much of the story often felt specifically tailored for residents of the Cleveland area. So if you are a Clevelander, definitely check out this book. Also, due to that detail, the book felt longer than I would have liked. I feel like the book could have been edited down by 50-100 pages without sacrifice to the characters or the story.
I was able to overlook the length of the book to some degree, though due to the strong development of the main character, and many of the supporting ones. The plot is engaging. This is a solid thriller, and I’m glad I took the time to check it out.
If you enjoy the likes of Lee Child or Michael Connelly, add J. J. Campanella to your list of new authors to read.
My go to read is not the psychological crime thriller, but I check the genre out once in a while, and this book came upon my radar because of a Christmas letter. An old college friend responded to my reading and writing news by mentioning this author and thought I might enjoy his work. I often have reservations when “not horror” readers give me recommendations, but I was curious enough, and I was not disappointed. A Sum of Destructions is a solid entry in its genre.
Eddie Bratenahl is a psychological therapist for the Cleveland PD who is suffering through his own depression after the loss of his wife, when he is dragged into a murder case involving a professor from his old alma mater. The case dredges up open wounds involving the loss of his wife and reignites ties to his extended mafia family that he would prefer to have laid dormant. It’s a political, psychological, crime thriller all rolled into one, with a touch of science fiction that borders on the all too real. The characters are nicely depicted, although maybe a tad too reliant on certain stereotypes. But overall, it’s a good read with a strong plot and some nice twists.
Some minor drawbacks for me:
I don’t know, there were times when I felt like the detail I was being given slowed the pace of the story. BUT a lot of that detail felt like a bit of a love letter to the history of Cleveland. The detailed history that served as a backdrop for much of the story often felt specifically tailored for residents of the Cleveland area. So if you are a Clevelander, definitely check out this book. Also, due to that detail, the book felt longer than I would have liked. I feel like the book could have been edited down by 50-100 pages without sacrifice to the characters or the story.
I was able to overlook the length of the book to some degree, though due to the strong development of the main character, and many of the supporting ones. The plot is engaging. This is a solid thriller, and I’m glad I took the time to check it out.
March 11, 2021
LOL, I'm cheating here since I am the author of this novel. If you get in touch with me with interest in reviewing, I will send you an Audible Code that will allow you to download the newly published audio book for free.
Thanks much,
J.J. Campanella
Thanks much,
J.J. Campanella
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews