The Monster of Florence

When Douglas Preston moved his family to the outskirts of Florence in 2000, he thought he was just going to enjoy la dolce vita and write a mystery novel. What he found was both more interesting and scarier than any story he could have come up with on his own. As he was interviewing a journalist named Mario Spezi who was an expert on the Italian legal system, Spezi casually mentioned that just outside the villa Preston and his family had rented, was the site of one of the most gruesome murders in Florentine history. There, in 1983, the famed Monster of Florence had taken the lives of two of his victims.

Slowly Preston found himself getting pulled into the mystery of the Monster of Florence, who had between the years of 1974 and 1985 killed at least 7 couples as they made love in various out-of-the-way places in the Tuscan hills. Various men had been tried and convicted of the crimes, but the cases did not offer compelling proof and Spezi believed that the killer or killers were still free. Preston joined Spezi in trying to find the real killer, but what neither of them could have known was that they themselves were going to be charged crimes in connection with the case. In Italy, important magistrates don't appreciate being shown up by the press and Preston and Spezi showed up the flaws in the Monster investigation. What starts out as a murder mystery soon turns to much much more -- a chilling indictment of the Italian legal system and the lack of freedom of the press in Italy.

Preston and Spezi bring the people and places involved to life. The writing is crisp, the story well laid out and the implications of the abuse of government and suppression of a free press in a first world country shocking and important. So... Come for the monster, come for Florence, but stay for the journalists, who are much more interesting in the end.

More of a documentary than a mystery. Written well. It was a little confusing in part and too many different paths, with no one real clear idea. This could be because of the time period in which the crimes were committed.

I thought I was purchasing a solved crime written in a mystery format; but realized part way through it was more of a documentary, or at least that is how I found it to be. All in all still a good read.

Douglas Preston tells the compelling story of how a prosecutor driven by narcissism can destroy an investigation. The killer in this case was never caught because the prosecutor decided to make headlines rather than headway in a case that was ultimately very solvable. I congratulate Mr. Preston for his hard work, excellent writing, and perseverance in the face of abominable behavior by a narcissistic prosecutor. It's no wonder that the same prosecutor shamed himself by persecuting Amanda Knox in the Meredith Kercher case after getting away with the crimes he committed in the Monster of Florence case.

A true crime story. The aftermath of the serial killings over a period of years in Florence, Italy, is as strange and unpredictable as the crimes. Told in the first person by a skilled writer of thrillers (fiction). His venture into nonfiction brings us a tale involving the arrests of various accused perpetrators (including himself), law enforcement bungling and inter-agency rivalry and one-upsmanship, evidence ignored, falsified, or misinterpreted, and pressure-cooker journalism as the story is relayed by the western world's press. I would have liked a stronger ending. Action moves along; characters (including Florence itself) are well developed as the author conducts his own investigation and spends time with suspects and witnesses. Good writing of a compelling story.

More of a documentary than a mystery. Written well. It was a little confusing in part and too many different paths, with no one real clear idea. This could be because of the time period in which the crimes were committed.

I thought I was purchasing a solved crime written in a mystery format; but realized part way through it was more of a documentary, or at least that is how I found it to be. All in all still a good read.

Douglas Preston tells the compelling story of how a prosecutor driven by narcissism can destroy an investigation. The killer in this case was never caught because the prosecutor decided to make headlines rather than headway in a case that was ultimately very solvable. I congratulate Mr. Preston for his hard work, excellent writing, and perseverance in the face of abominable behavior by a narcissistic prosecutor. It's no wonder that the same prosecutor shamed himself by persecuting Amanda Knox in the Meredith Kercher case after getting away with the crimes he committed in the Monster of Florence case.

A true crime story. The aftermath of the serial killings over a period of years in Florence, Italy, is as strange and unpredictable as the crimes. Told in the first person by a skilled writer of thrillers (fiction). His venture into nonfiction brings us a tale involving the arrests of various accused perpetrators (including himself), law enforcement bungling and inter-agency rivalry and one-upsmanship, evidence ignored, falsified, or misinterpreted, and pressure-cooker journalism as the story is relayed by the western world's press. I would have liked a stronger ending. Action moves along; characters (including Florence itself) are well developed as the author conducts his own investigation and spends time with suspects and witnesses. Good writing of a compelling story.

I read the book before traveling to Florence. While it did not give a lot of color or detail that helped with my enjoyment of the city, it did provide insight into what a traveler might expect if they should come in contact with the law (police and/or courts) there. Amazing that the prosecuting judge in the case of this serial killer was allowed to continue in office and become embroiled in the travesty that ensnared Amanda Knox. Does not speak well for Italian justice, but is entertaining reading.

I just finished reading this book; it's Sunday morning, and I started it on Friday night during the recent snowstorm. It is a classic page-turner, absolutely fascinating. Anyone who appreciates true crime, and even those who don't, will like The Monster of Florence because it is one of those stories that seems almost too impossible to be true, and yet it is. Ironically it made me really rethink the Amanda Knox case because the Italian police work is just so shockingly incompetent at times, especially to anyone here in the US who is used to the good forensic work of the FBI and even local law enforcement. The fact that the two authors get dragged into the case is just another example of how crazy the investigation into the brutal slayings of the innocent couples became. Anyway, this true crime classic is highly recommended.

Great read!! The book is even more than anticipated. The authors nailed it
to perfection. Having lived in Florence for a few years myself, the places described are accurate to a fault. I was familiar with the story, but the details in the book are ever so enlightening. The book arrived within two days in perfect condition!

I've liked virtually all of Douglas Preston's work to date but I found this book his weakest. While the story of the Monster of Florence is interesting, I found the book began to feel repetitious about half way through. (SPOILER AHEAD) To be honest I only kept reading the book because the advertising suggested they "solved" the case - well, they don't. They end up offering their theory, but with no real proof, the guy is just another suspect. The book certainly makes me leery about visiting Italy; the justice system seems so befuddled you really wouldn't want to be at the wrong place at the wrong time or you're doomed!

An amazing work of investigative journalism and fine writing, elevating the true crime genre to a new level. First, there is the monster - slaughtering lovers and taking monstrous trophies. Then there is the corruption and incompetence of some Italian investigators, who destroy almost as many lives as the mysterious killer. Finally, as in thriller fiction, the writers become the threatened suspects. Preston delves into ancient passions, lusts and evils that darken the beautiful Florentine landscape and an inquisition that murdered the truth. Speaking as a reader and as an investigative reporter and author who has also dealt with a serial killer, I highly recommend The Monster of Florence as the best of its kind.

I purchased this book at an airport bookstore while waiting to board a return flight home. Five hours later, I turned the last page, having been unable to put the book down for even a moment. Authors Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi have done a masterful job of bringing this stranger-than-fiction story to life, along the way shining a light on a corrupt and inept police force, as well as giving the reader some insight into life in Italy.

This is unquestionably one of the most exciting books I've read in years, and highly recommend it!

Finding the author Preston through his wonderful character, Agent Pendergast, I was interested in his subject matter of The Monster of Florence but thought the nonfiction work might be a bit dry for summer reading; however, I should have known that the actual events would be spun into an entertaining account of the Italian justice system through the real life characters of Spezi and Preston, and the horrific serial killer that inspired the character of Hannibal Lector.

Although I haven't finished the book yet, The Monster of Florence is an engaging read. It's not heavy going on the forensic aspects of the murders, but more focused on the human element, the involved personalities. This isn't the kind of book I usually read, but I'm enjoying it. It's a book that you can pick up and read a chapter at a time without losing the continuity. I plan on sharing it with friends.

The book traces the investigation into a series of horrible murders in and around Florence as it evolved from merely incompetent into flat-out wrong and eventually into dangerously absurd. It does not come as a surprise that Italian cops still functioned in a pre-Jack Whicher mode in the 1970s and 1980s. An obnoxious old peasant was first found guilty, then not guilty, then ordered to stand trial again. Then he died. By that time, Inspector Giuttari had taken on the case.

In the late 1990s, Giuttari put together a completely unbelievable, unhinged theory of the crime - it was all Satanic! - and managed to get two people convicted on his wild speculations. (There were some honest, professional judges and investigators involved in the case over the years but they ended up sidelined.) In the early 2000s, prosecutor Giuliano Mignini joined Giuttari in his search for the secretive Satanic sect that had killed to use victim's body parts for Black Masses... In that chapter, known as the Narducci case, Mignini arrested twenty people accusing them of being members of the cult.

At some point into this book, you start suspecting that a substantial number of Italians just can't think straight. There's something wrong with them that makes them impervious to rational argument. Then you realize it's what suits the prosecutors and investigators. They are incompetent and cannot solve difficult cases but they are not in that business, really. They are in the business of selling conspiracy theories to the public, which may be a little more susceptible to them than the American public (but recall the child abuse hysteria of the 1980s).

Giuttari had to retire after all and has become a popular crime fiction author. Mignini went on to railroad Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. Your could hear the same old Satanic ritual stuff in his early court statements. I've read about corruption in Italy's institutions - it's a truism already - but I hadn't thought it could go so far until I looked into the Knox-Sollecito case and read this book.

Very well written and gripping - but I prefer true crime to crime fiction. I only wish the authors had included a critical review of other theories of the crime, especially by Italian observers. There must be quite a few out there.

I was impressed that these crimes continued over a 30 year period without the detectives finding clues to the killer. Interesting when the author and the Italian journalist figured it out the police didn't want to hear of it to save face. Fascinating story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were not polished and perfect, but real and believable. I enjoy the works of Douglas Preston and this one didn't disappoint. I have read so much of Preston and Child, I can differentiate who writes what in their dual author novels. I enjoy them both immensely - together and apart!

I liked the book. It is sometimes hard to follow--that makes the list of people at the beginning of the book more important. I wish there were more pictures of the victims and characters. It is tough, as they mention in the book, not to have a conclusion. It just kind of ends at a date.

I had not read anything by this author before. This is a factual account of serial murders in Italy and the ensuing investigation. Pretty interesting! I was surprised at the differences in the way criminal investigations are handled and charges are filed and adjudicated in other countries

I enjoyed this book very much. The author clearly became very involved in the whole investigation, almost to the point of getting too close to the story at times. The look into the Italian justice system was fascinating.

At first interesting, at second, diminishing, and so on...I kept looking forward to the discovery of "who is". It frizzeled liked a soda going flat. It was disappointing. Florence, a favorite city of mine, kept me hoping for more. More never arrived. Mi dispiace! I was sorry.

This book is written in a somewhat atypical fashion. The first part is a prologue including all factual (and typical Italian non-factual hysterical perspectives) on the life and times of a serial killer (unknown) and his victims.

The second part of the book is about the writer and newspaper reporter's foray into solving the murders that have been handled like a Keystone Cop movie by the Italians paramilitary and police. The second part has much repetition of part one, so it is like being forced to sit through a mediocre movie twice.

While interesting, the convolutions of the story, the many different linked and non-linked characters and the lack of any cohesion in presenting this "real crime" drama makes this a book that I found very hard to get through. The author could take a lesson from Ms. Rule on similar topics who engages the reader in an orderly and logistical perspective into the crime and criminal.

In my opinion, at least, this is not a book that you will pick up and not to be able to put down. It is more like a movie that you can't wait for it to end.

I bought this book thinking it would be like Douglas Preston's other books with Lincoln Child, the monstrous serial killer and the clever enigmatic agent who tracks him down. I read it through with dismay at the real life bungling of the hunt for a serial killer, who was in my opinion, the darkest, most interesting character of the book, yet I ended up not satisfied, not knowing what really happened. A good read, but I prefer Agent Pendergast!

Nicely written, albeit a bit too discursive on what the author ate throughout his experiences. Helps to understand what can go wrong in the Italian justice system and particularly the failings of the magistrate who was also responsible for the prosecution of Amanda Knox.

Sensational, horrible, serial murders in Florence. The lead investigative journalist comes under suspicion. Stunning, riveting story. Yes? Not as told in this particular book. I found this book tedious to get through. The second half was really a slog. I can't say exactly why. Perhaps it was the writing. Perhaps this particular team written effort just did not work for me. Perhaps both of the authors had written too much already about these murders and this version just came through stale.

I enjoyed this book very much. The author clearly became very involved in the whole investigation, almost to the point of getting too close to the story at times. The look into the Italian justice system was fascinating.

At first interesting, at second, diminishing, and so on...I kept looking forward to the discovery of "who is". It frizzeled liked a soda going flat. It was disappointing. Florence, a favorite city of mine, kept me hoping for more. More never arrived. Mi dispiace! I was sorry.

This book is written in a somewhat atypical fashion. The first part is a prologue including all factual (and typical Italian non-factual hysterical perspectives) on the life and times of a serial killer (unknown) and his victims.

The second part of the book is about the writer and newspaper reporter's foray into solving the murders that have been handled like a Keystone Cop movie by the Italians paramilitary and police. The second part has much repetition of part one, so it is like being forced to sit through a mediocre movie twice.

While interesting, the convolutions of the story, the many different linked and non-linked characters and the lack of any cohesion in presenting this "real crime" drama makes this a book that I found very hard to get through. The author could take a lesson from Ms. Rule on similar topics who engages the reader in an orderly and logistical perspective into the crime and criminal.

In my opinion, at least, this is not a book that you will pick up and not to be able to put down. It is more like a movie that you can't wait for it to end.

I bought this book thinking it would be like Douglas Preston's other books with Lincoln Child, the monstrous serial killer and the clever enigmatic agent who tracks him down. I read it through with dismay at the real life bungling of the hunt for a serial killer, who was in my opinion, the darkest, most interesting character of the book, yet I ended up not satisfied, not knowing what really happened. A good read, but I prefer Agent Pendergast!

Nicely written, albeit a bit too discursive on what the author ate throughout his experiences. Helps to understand what can go wrong in the Italian justice system and particularly the failings of the magistrate who was also responsible for the prosecution of Amanda Knox.

Sensational, horrible, serial murders in Florence. The lead investigative journalist comes under suspicion. Stunning, riveting story. Yes? Not as told in this particular book. I found this book tedious to get through. The second half was really a slog. I can't say exactly why. Perhaps it was the writing. Perhaps this particular team written effort just did not work for me. Perhaps both of the authors had written too much already about these murders and this version just came through stale.

Preston kept promising something exciting, and although he did reveal his personal thoughts on who the real Monster of Florence was, the book was anti-climatic. It was a series of tedious notes on the negative and fault-finding escapades of the Italian law enforcement investigation of the case, but not so interesting afterall. The case is compelling, but this book was not.

Spezi and Preston provide a fascinating account of a case that has both shaped and revealed Florentine sensibilities, politics, and justice. Their reporting becomes personal when Spezi is accused of being the Monster and Preston his accomplice.

The non fiction flavor of this book kept me enthralled. It is hard to believe that something like this could actually happen.
Anyone who likes to read historical fiction and has an interest in the Italian judicial system would find this a good read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had trouble putting it down. With the current muder trial of Amanda Knos, I understand how she may been convicted. The book talks about Italian judicial corruption. It helps us to understand the difference between the two culutes. You will enjoy this book!

A surprising true story. A serial killer in present day Florence, Italy. The investigation, and how the police and judicial authorities turn on the writers who are investigating the murders
I think this was Douglas Preson's only non fiction book, and it is as well written as his fiction

Enjoyed this book. Was certainly frustrating with what these journalists went through. I can see why there had to be so much detail -- after all, such a travesty -- but for me it did get a bit tiresome.

I remember when this was happening. As kids we used to spend the summers in Siena Italy where my father used to teach throughout the early 80's and I remember when the whole region was gripped by an almost crippling fear by these events. As teenagers staying in desolate farmhouses on the beautyful Tuscan hills our immaginations used to run with this story to the point of sleepless nights.
The book I read almost in one sitting this summer while vacationing in Spain. I found it truly fascinating and frightning not just relating to the horror of it, but just how screwy and beaurocratic the italian judicial system is.

For those of you who like true crime, and learning about another culture, specifically how Italy's judicial system works, will thoroughly enjoy this book. Amanda Knox did not have a chance at a fair trail after the same prosecutor- who is involved in the investigation of the crimes in this book- got a hold of her.