The Burden of Innocence

The Infantino Files #2

by John Nardizzi

Investigation is continuing with the return of PI Ray Infantino in a crime thriller written by “a bold new poet of American noir - This is the book Chandler would have written if he’d been a real-life private eye.” – Ellen McGarrahan, Author of NYT Editor's Choice Two Truths and a Lie

Innocence is pain—when you're locked in a cage.

Private investigators Ray Infantino and Tania Kong take on the case of Sam Langford, framed for a murder committed by a crime boss at the height of his powers. But a decade later, Boston has changed. The old ethnic tribes have weakened.

As the PIs range across the city, witnesses remember the past in dangerous ways. The gangsters know that, in the new Boston, vulnerable witnesses they manipulated years ago are shaky. Old bones will not stay buried forever. When a vicious gangster and a corrupt cop team up to derail the investigation, the stakes are higher than ever.

Can Ray and Tania solve the case in time to free an innocent man?

Content Warning: Please note that this is a crime novel and contains content that may disturb some readers, including scenes of violence, sexual assault/rape, and emotional/physical abuse.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2021

About the author

John Nardizzi is an award-winning writer and investigator. His crime novels have won praise for crackling dialogue and pithy observations of detective work. He speaks and writes about investigations in numerous settings, including World Association of Detectives, Lawyers Weekly, Pursuit Magazine and PI Magazine.

His work on innocence cases led to the exoneration Gary Cifizzari and James Watson (he was awarded the Arc of Justice for the Watson case in 2021), as well as million dollar settlements for clients Dennis Maher and the estate of Kenneth Waters, whose story was featured in the film Conviction. Prior to his PI career, he failed to hold any restaurant job for longer than a week. He lives near Boston, Massachusetts.


www.johnnardizzi.com
@AuthorPI

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

THE BURDEN OF INNOCENCE (The Infantino Files Book #2) by John Nardizzi is a P.I. crime mystery/thriller set in South Boston with a hard-boiled, truth and justice seeking P.I. named Ray Infantino. While this is the second book in the series, it is very easily read as a standalone.

P.I. Ray Infantino is hired by the attorney of Sam Langford, who has declared his innocence from the day he was sentenced for murder fifteen years previously.

The gritty South Boston of fifteen years ago has changed as well as alliances. As Ray investigates Sam’s case, he is finding a vicious Southie gangster and a corrupt police officer are still working to manipulate the witnesses’ whose false testimonies sent an innocent man to prison.

Can Ray discover the truth from the past and help free an innocent man?

I love an old case investigation with a white knight trying to prove a miscarriage of justice. Ray is no innocent, but he cannot tolerate injustice in the law and corrupt officials who are supposed to uphold that law. This story has chapters that flashback to the original crime and witnesses interspersed as the present-day case unfolds and even with the timeline jumps, I was never confused or lost. The characters are fully fleshed and believable. The investigation is character driven rather than technology being the focus which was a joy to read for a change in pace. This is a realistic investigative page turner.

I can highly recommend this P.I. crime mystery/thriller!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “The Burden Of Innocence,” Nardizzi’s Second Ray Infantino private investigator novel, he puts the “gritty” back in South Boston. It’s a tale of an innocent man framed and put behind bars by the testimony of some rather questionable witnesses and, fifteen years later, the mess that comes up stinks to high heaven and the stakes are high enough for someone to pull all the stops against Ray’s investigation. This is a adrenaline-loaded thrill ride of a novel taking the reader on a seamy ride into Boston’s dark underbelly of strip clubs, payoffs, informants, and connected-guys.

While this indeed is fiction and not reality, Nardizzi makes it feel authentic and true. The writing is crisp and to the point. The characters feel genuine. Not a legal thriller, although it starts out appearing as if it would go in that direction.

[Pat Fayo Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Burden of Innocence is the 2nd book in the Ray Infantino’s private investigator series, but can be read as a stand-alone. John Nardizzi uses his private investigator and crime background to create a book that takes Boston to a place where the mafia has taken over. An innocent man is convicted of rape and murder of a woman named Katie Donnegan. Fifteen years later, Ray Infantino and Tania Kong, reopen the case because they believe this innocent man was framed by questionable witnesses. What they go nd is unbelievable! The stakes are high enough that someone will try to stop his investigation at any cost. This book will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and the adrenaline pumping like you drank a whole pot of coffee! It is very hard to put down. The author did a great job bringing you into the underworld of informants, strips clubs, the persons whose palms get “greased” and who the connected big guys are. The author created characters that are realistic and authentic. Using his expertise as a private investigator, he writes with such reality, you are transported to the streets of Boston and can place yourself in the scenarios. The story flows well and the descriptions of Boston can bring the sights and sounds to life for the reader. With a multilayered storyline, this book holds your interest without confusing the reader. In this book, dirty cops, the mafia and the gangs have danger lurking in every corner. But there is a twisting revelation between Ray and his past that brings even more intrigue to the investigation. Can Ray and Tania solve the case in time to free an innocent man or will all their hard work be for nothing when the mafia calls the shots? Thank you to #NetGalley and #partnersincrimevbt for an ARC of this book. All opinions here are mine alone.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray Infanto grew up in South Boston and has succeeded in a career as an investigator for criminal defense lawyers. In The Burden of Innocence, he takes on a case for the principle involved. Sam Langford has been in jail for fifteen years for a rape and murder he did not commit. What's more, it looks like the people who set him up had ties to the police and to organized crime. In this book, it's less a question of whodunnit and more a story of what happened and how a whole bunch of characters, vulnerable people, evil people, powerful people could do whatever they wanted to the victim and to their next victim, picked randomly as the perpetrator. Nardizzi gets the tone of the story and, in particular, his characters just right. He also tells a good story. This is well worth a read!

[Reading-for-life (Angela Sanford) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Burden Of Innocence,” is Author John Nardizzi’s Second Ray Infantino private investigator novel and is a thrilling read! When private investigator Ray Infantino and Tania Kong are hired to look into a murder case that happened 15 years ago, they are not prepared for the trouble that begins. Boston was a different place when the murder occurred, so now they are not only fighting to prove their client innocent, but to save their own lives as well!
Author Nardizzi is fast becoming one of my favorite Crime thriller authors! Never one to skip on detail, Nardizzi has continued to keep me on edge throughout the entire novel! I am looking forward to see what this incredible author has planned for next! I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are truly my own!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book from start to finish! Excellent book with a lot of solid police procedure. It gave me everything I like in a crime novel. I also really enjoyed being back in Boston for a while. Innocence is pain—when you're locked in a cage. This begins the story of Sam Langford. Poor Sam is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. I know as a reader and listener to all crime podcasts that this happens a lot. The main character is private investigator Ray Infantino who has a long history in the Boston area. The author takes his time with great details in placing clues and various crimes throughout the greater Boston area.

The corruption side of the story is completely amazing! The plot moves along a a steady pace. Once you see how deep this goes you will be shocked. The book shows from page one that Sam is innocent. That is no secret. How it happens, well that is a page turner.

Ray goes about doing his job, interviewing old witnesses and shaking the trees to see what rotten fruit falls and it is a lot! The only thing I didn't like was that Tania really comes in to help Ray in the last 1/4 of the book. She is not a main character and the book would have been fine without her.

Personally I liked the author's style of writing. If you like gangsters, cops and a good Private investigator then grab this one. I highly recommend it.

[Kassidy Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and what a roller coaster it was. I finished it in a day. I absolutely loved the white knight hero aspect, with some revenge tactics. Would love to have read more on the background of the father of the hero, but it completely makes sense why Ray was so determined to put these men behind bars. The ending was wonderful, and my heart bleeds as I know this has actually happened to men/women in real life. What a wonderful, mysterious, nail biting book! Absolutely recommend!

[Samantha Orszulak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Weathertop Media Company for an ARC of this book!

I actually read the first Infantino Files novel before this one and can say this book is a lot better than the last. The writing is much better, the plot is more exciting, and the ending was expected but not boring.

I enjoy that the author did adapt to the current times in this book. In the first book, I found it to be cheesy at times while using misogynistic verbiage (every female character’s breasts were mentioned at some point). While this book discusses current issues like rape, violence against woman, corruption, dirty cops, and the prison complex. With that being said, I do find the extensive rape scenes to be unnecessary and very obvious that they were written by a man who has never dealt with such a violent act. If we are going to include rape scenes in literature they should be done in better way (i.e. not showing it from the point of view of the rapist who claims it was a moment of weakness).

Overall, I would recommend this book as it was easy to read and fast-paced. I would say reading the first one did help to understand some of the personal plot points of the main characters, but the mystery/crime story is completely different and unrelated so it isn’t 100% necessary. I think if there were to be a third book the publishers should pay attention to how sensitive topics such as rape are being portrayed and if they help or hurt the already toxic rape culture women are living in.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors is Dennis Lehane. I love the majority of his books and they always take you on a wild ride. When I first started reading The Burden of Innocence, it also reminded me of Lehane and that’s not a bad thing. John Nardizzi has a similar writing style and both authors write about Boston’s crime world.

Anyway, the plot and writing style drew me in very fast. Sam Langford was the unwittingly fall guy for a rape and murder of a woman. 15 years later, he’s still in prison but maintains his innocence. Ray Infantino is the PI that’s hired to find out the truth. The reader knows what’s happening and who the actual murderer is early in the book but all the machinations that surround what happened get played out. And of course, in the book, the line between the crime world and the police is a muddy one at best. The ending was a little unsatisfactory because I wanted to see more punishment doled out but overall, I thought the book was very good.

Thank you to NetGalley, Weathertop Media Company, and John Nardizzi for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Burden Of Innocence, the second book in The Infantino Files Series, author John F. Nardizzi weaves an exciting crime thriller that transports the reader to the streets of Boston as they follow private investigator Ray Infantino on his latest case.

Ray is hired to uncover new evidence in a fifteen year old murder case in order to file a motion for a new trial and prove the innocence of Sam Langford, a man who was convicted of murder in the first degree of Katie Donnegan.

The Burden Of Innocence is an intriguing novel that easily draws the reader into private investigator Ray Infantino's latest investigative adventure. This fast-paced crime thriller transports the reader to the streets of Boston as Ray works to uncover new evidence to prove that Sam Langford was setup and falsely convicted of the rape and murder of Katie Donnegan. There's enough action, danger, and suspenseful twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next as the investigation unfolds on the streets of Boston.

Author John Nardizzi utilizes his extensive legal and investigative experience to weave a thrilling tale that takes the reader on one heck of a roller coaster ride. He captures the essence of the setting with a very detailed descriptions of the sights and sounds of Boston. You can't help but feel like you are walking the streets with Ray as he goes about his investigation. There is a great mixture of intensity and humor to Ray's character, plus an intriguing cast of supporting characters, witty dialogue and dramatic interactions, and a riveting multi-layered and complex storyline that exposes dirty cops, mafia and gangs, and lying informants, danger around every corner, and the intensity to prove the burden of innocence. And if that isn't enough, there is a surprising revelation of a personal connection between Ray and his traumatic past with his current investigation that will easily keep the reader's attention throughout the whole book, it just doesn't get any better than that.

If you are looking for a riveting dark noiresque crime thriller featuring a snazzy private investigator that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat in suspense, then The Burden Of Innocence is the perfect book to read!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation ina virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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[Dorothy Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Nardizzi is a professional investigator. He focuses on exploring wrongful convictions and works with the New England Innocence Project. Nardizzi has also turned to fiction, publishing Telegraph Hill, book one of the Ray Infantino Files. He has followed up with a second book in the series: The Burden of Innocence. While The Burden of Innocence is a second book in the series, it is easily a standalone novel too.

Ray Infantino and Tania Kong, private investigators, are looking into the case involving Sam Langford. They believe Langford has been framed for a murder. One sentence on the back of the novel caught my attention: “Innocence is pain – when you’re locked in a cage.”
The true killer is a Boston crime boss, but how can Infantino and Kong find the evidence to prove that Langford has been wrongly convicted and also help convict the real killer? Adding to their difficulties is police corruption. They must also figure out how to work around the corruption and find honorable police help.

As the story unfolds, more and more dangers arise. Langford has already been in prison for fifteen years. When years have passed, evidence is sometimes lost or, certainly, more difficult to obtain. Still, Langford has always maintained his innocence. What happens when a corrupt police officer persuades witnesses to give false testimony? How can Infantino and Kong combat those wrongs?
The story moves forward allowing readers to keep up with the story even as it jumps from the past to the present. Those parts from the past help inform the present, allowing readers to understand the complete picture.

The Burden of Innocence is a bit more graphic and violent than most of the books I read. It also contains several types of abuse. It is a hard-hitting story. It would be suitable for the right book club; the leader of the club would know if the book were right for a particular group. Certainly, those who read The Burden of Innocence will find a great deal to discuss: wrongful convictions, police corruption, and several kinds of abuse.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has an innocent man sat in prison for fifteen years because of a corrupt justice system?

Have the years broken alliances and loosened tongues enough to find the truth?

If those were the only questions to right a wrong, this book would be about ten pages!

But when private investigator Ray Infantino takes on Sam Langford’s case, he’s buried in questions… and not liking the few answers he finds. There was a coverup and it’s mired in corruption on both sides of the law, and neither side is happy about him snooping around.

No choirboy himself, Infantino is repulsed by the depths of the corruption and how high into the halls of justice and money and power it reaches.

Fast-paced and raw, this read at times has an old-style noir feel. While there is a possible trigger disclaimer after the book’s blurb, its in-your-face style for me, was the appeal that kept me turning pages. The plot is no more sensational than present-day headlines, but Infantino and partner, Tania Kong, make it more relatable as their investigation takes them to the grittier side of life most of us never see.

Though book two in The Infantino Files, The Burden of Innocence can be read as a standalone. But with great writing like this, why cheat yourself? Grab book one too!

Enjoy!

[Lelia Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen years is a long time to spend in prison and it’s an eternity when you’re not guilty as Sam Langford has been claiming all along. Sam is lucky enough to have people who believe him and, now, private investigator Ray Infantino has been hired to prove his innocence but doing so means finding the real killer and/or the reasons behind Sam’s conviction for rape and murder, a task that turns out to be very dangerous.

Southie has long had a reputation as the dark underbelly, the haven of gangs and assorted perpetrators of corruption in Boston. The more Ray delves into this old crime, with his apprentice Tania Kong’s help, the more obvious it becomes that certain parties don’t intend to let any light shine on what really happened and why.

I don’t normally read noir crime fiction but Mr. Nardizzi got my attention and held it with his clear knowledge and understanding of this gritty world and his vivid evocation of the setting. That, in turn, brought a sense of real life to his characters, good and bad, and I was compelled to keep reading into the night with the hope that Sam Langford would get justice, whatever that might mean.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Sam Langford was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder and has spent 15 years behind bars. He knows he is innocent of the crime. As investigators Ray Infantino and Tania Kong delve into the case, they face the difficulties of finding old evidence and witnesses. They must also deal with organized crime and police corruption that is still an important part of the Boston scene. Will they be successful in their pursuit of justice?

As a resident of the Boston area, I particularly enjoyed John Nardizzi's accurate and compelling descriptions of the local communities.

[BookTrib.com]

What makes THE BURDEN OF INNOCENCE special is that quick twist into a gritty, dirty underworld in which “new evidence” isn’t just the dry stuff of too many police procedurals.

Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2022/03/15/book-...

[Kim Hovanecz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy F, Daytona Beach Shores Fl Book Club Reader says.......I loved reading the back stories of each of the good and bad characters and how the author wove them into the story line. An excellent "couldn't put it down" read. Once started, must finish.

[R.W. Rush]

Awesome book

This is a thrilling read you don't want to pass up! So much excitement, with twists and turns, that the reader will just shake the head and say "WOW"!! Enjoy this rollercoaster ride.

[Kristine Braley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, awesome read!

Real life private eye and innocence investigator with the New England Innocence Project—John Nardizzi—has upped his game in this second installment of The Infantino Files series. After the iridescent world building of real life places he so deftly dropped his readers into in Telegraph Hill, Nardizzi elevates his characters, settings, and scenes in the dark and dangerous streets of Boston under thrall of a crime syndicate hiding a wrongful murder conviction. As it starts to unravel, private eye Ray Infantino pulls the threads of corruption, deceit, cruelty, and powerplays to find the perpetrators of heinous crimes permitted to cover up an ever-growing hoard of original crimes.

Take one look at a map to orient yourself, and off you go on a thrilling caper through the city to find crooked cops and mob bosses, innocence lost to drugs and prostitution, redemption and grace.

Ray Infantino has a certain flair that gets peoples of all walks to feed him information. He’s sharp and knows when to change direction to get what he needs through chit chat, being real, and reading situations and body language, and it’s fascinating to read him doing it. Ray’s own private idioms are distinctive and fun to read, and because he knows how to dress for success and Nardizzi knows how to show it in words, a deeper level of crisp visuals are available to all readers.


It’s obvious Nardizzi respects and admires women for their skills of observation, loyalty, and intelligence, and he extends this grace to Ray Infantino. His fierce ideals of protecting the innocent and wronged are enlivened through the plot, woven from the present to the past and back again. Private eye Infantino shows his humanness in ways that allow us to speculate what PI Nardizzi’s experiences could be like. This is the fine line between real life and fiction

I highly recommend getting your hands on this book and devouring it immediately.