The Monster of Florence

I used to like this genre so much more. I remember reading the granddaddy of the genre "In Cold Blood" as a teen and enjoying the works of Anne Rule and Joe McGinnis in my twenties, but I kind of stopped reading true crime accounts. Maybe it is a result of all the true crime stuff that television puts out these days. We are bombarded with stories about the Scott Peterson's of the world these days. So going out of the country to cover a true crime story or exploring a true crime tale from the past ("Devil in the White City" for example), seems to be the way to go with the genre to get a successful seller. And this book is far stronger than the aforementioned Devil, but it still lacks the greatness of the many books written about true crimes in the 70's and 80's. Preston's own involvement in the case says a lot more about the Italian Culture than anything else, and it makes for an interesting diversion in the tale, but the book goes on a bit too long, and I feel that once a real killer is revealed that Preston kind of drops the ball before going far enough into his and Spezi's conclusions. It moved a bit slow for me, though I did not really lose interest as a myriad of characters were introduced. All in all, I would give it 3 and a half stars if such a distinction were available.

I think the authors might overdo the mentions of Thomas Harris in the book, but it is an interesting footnote that Harris extensively researched the Monster of Florence killer for his "Hannibal" series. The Monster of Florence is unique in several ways I think. Many of you know, if you read my reviews, that I love true crime. I'd rate this the most unique yet. You have an unsolved case, and an attempt by two past journalists to solve the crime. These two journalists end up arrested themselves. I'm sure it was no fun for them, but it makes for great true story-telling. The unsolved case really works, and I'd like to see more of this. Patricia Cornwell did this with Portrait of a Killer, where she tried to solve the Jack the Ripper case. p.s. I think she got it right! But this approach, two journalists on the trail of a killer, is quite compelling. Frankly, the Preston section (the last half) is better written, probably due to the language barrier Spezi dealt with, but the whole book is really a must read. Italy and Florence really comes alive. Corruption of police and officials is well presented. It makes me glad we live where we do. I can't imagine any true crime fan not having fun with this book, even with the vivid crime scene details. It's just a good read overall, and I wouldn't miss it. The only thing that would have made it more satisfying would be an arrest. This is beyond the control of the authors of course. The only area I felt a little light was Preston's wife. He mentioned she moved to Italy with him. She's mentioned a few times. But she isn't really a character here. But there's not a lot to fault here. It's a top notch read.

In reading this book I can't tell if Mr. Preston's goal was to tell the story of the Monster of Florence or his and Mr. Spezi's run in's with the Italian authorities over this case. Either way the result is a work that is very muddled and in many aspects is dull and confusing. The story lacks clear structure and does not leave the reader with any feeling that anything has been resolved or if there is a final confusion.

At the end of this book we are clear of two things. First we have no idea who the monster really is and if it is a conspiracy as the latest theory seems to be reaching out at. Secondly, the Italian legal system is seem as totally incompetent and more interested in protecting key players then in justice. Either way this is book does not tell a story worth reading.

In terms of writing this is, as someone else noted, journalistic rather than richly written. But the most terrifying thing in it is not the serial killer, but the Kafkaesque mindsets of the police and public of Tuscany. It gets more and more frightening as you go on, and not because you fear the serial killer, but because you think you are beginning to lose your sanity.

This book has everything and more that a crime story should have, objectivity, irony, tension, unexpected turns, etc.

Well written and a engaging story of a serial murderer who keeps on killing not through his wiles and intellect but through the abominable incompetence of Italian law enforcement.

The book is populated with a host of characters that could have stepped out of one of Fellini's films, over inflated public officials, a village idiot or two, legitimate nutters who the authorities give currency to as they support their investigative theories which like water have sought and found a path of least resistant and flows along an idiotic course developing an over arching super conspiracy that would be too stupid for a comic book.

The book also nicely juxtaposition the popular vision of the idyllic Florentine environs by illustrating that at least in part they are inhabited by a significant number of wacked out inbreds with attendant sexual peculiarities that make their Appalachian counterparts seem tame in comparison.