Three, Imperfect Number
(Murder Mystery)
By Patrizia Rinaldi
ISBN #978-1609451240
Europa Editions
Price $15.00
176 Pages
Rating 3-Stars
In Naples, a famous
singer is found murdered. Captain Malano calls it a serial killing and assigns
the case to Captain Vincenzo Martusciello’s office. With Detective Arcengelo
Liguari and Sergeant Blanca Occhiuzzi, they interview witnesses and act like
policemen. Blanca is blind, and sees more through voices than her partners.
Half way through the book a second murder is discovered with the same MO,
proving the case to be a serial killer. But is it a false trail?
The characters were
cardboard while the dialogue did not feel real, and the police investigation
meaningless. One murder might have been a ritual killing, but I’m not sure it
would constitute a serial killing until more than one was murdered.
The story had
possibilities. Perhaps if better written with more believable characters and
dialogue, it would hold readers’ interest. Liguari is a rich playboy, working
as a detective for who knows what reason. He certainly doesn’t need a job or
money. Blanca could have overshadowed her partners, but wasn’t used properly.
Even the killer didn’t stand out as true. A shame.
Tom Johnson
Detective Mystery Stories
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