An excellent thriller, a novel of vengeance, betrayal and religious obsession. Primarily it is a hunt for a serial killer who sets his victims on fire. A young detective, Franco Patrese and his veteran partner Mark Beradino, search for a link between the apparently random victims. There is racial and religious tension when a young Muslim becomes a suspect and to add to the complications, this coincides with a Hollywood actress, charged with killing her newborn babies, being released. Patrese, a brilliantly flawed character, has to face his past as the bodies mount, seemingly leaving a message. All very mysterious. The author is a major thriller writer starting a new series under a pseudonym. Highly recommended.
An exciting new thriller, introducing Francesco Patrese, FBI expert on religious crime, for fans of Richard Montanari and 'Messiah'. When Pittsburgh homicide detective, Franco Patrese, and his partner Mark Beradino are called to a domestic dispute at the lawless Homewood estate events quickly spiral out of control. With two dead, Patrese believes he's got his killer - but things aren't always as simple as they seem. On the other side of town, the charred body of Michael Redwine, a renowned brain surgeon, is found in one of the city's most luxurious apartment blocks. Then Father Kohler, a Catholic bishop, is set alight in the confessional at his Cathedral. But they are just the first in a series of increasingly shocking murders. Patrese's investigation uncovers high-class prostitution, medical scams and religious obsession, but what Patrese doesn't realise is how close to the case he really is - and how it will take a terrible betrayal to uncover the truth.
Daniel Blake graduated with a First from Cambridge and went on to be a journalist before turning to fiction writing full-time. An avid triathelete, Daniel was the youngest ever participant to reach the semi-finals of Mastermind. He lives in London.