 |
|
|
|
Reviews of books by some of the hottest writers working today, exclusive author interviews, literary news and criticism.
|
|
|
|
|
Fill out your email address
to receive our newsletter!
|
|
|
|
|
 Get new reviews the instant they are posted to the site with RSS
What is RSS?
|
|
| Search Box (type in author's last name or one key word) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 The Deal Master is Mr. Bianco's debut novel and he shows great potential. This thriller has key elements that make for a compelling story: short chapters that enhance the suspense, a flawed, but engaging protagonist and villain who only slowly reveals himself.
Reviewed by Roberta Austin
The Deal Master
by Gerard F Bianco
iUniverse, Inc
Paperback: 258 pages, February 22, 2006, ISBN: 0595378390
Detective William Gillette, along with his partner Frank Madden are assigned to the investigation of a particularly grisly murder case. After killing his victim in a horrific manner, the murderer makes a call to the police emergency line saying, "Please come and put Mommy to bed." The police are afraid they have a potential serial killer on their hands and their fears are realized with two more victims in quick succession.
Gillette and his partner wonder if twisted killers, such as the one they are dealing with,are born that way or if some incident in childhood is the catalyst for future evil. Gillette has never shared with anyone a fearsome event from his childhood that has certainly been pivotal in all that has happened since.
As the investigation continues, Gillette is approached by a man who has formed an acquaintance with Gillette's wife. This stranger offers some unusual deals to help Gillette solve the crimes. The stranger seems a bit too smooth, but Gillette has no other leads so he falls into a tangled web that forces him to deal with his past, as well as the future.
The Deal Master is Mr. Bianco's debut novel and he shows great potential. This thriller has key elements that make for a compelling story: short chapters that enhance the suspense, a flawed, but engaging protagonist and villain who only slowly reveals himself. As with most thrillers, the plot is mostly action driven, but the reader gets rare insight into Gillette early on as we are told, "If you knew him, you'd say he was old fashioned in many ways-steadfast and predictable. His upbringing and his job caused him to be generally insensitive, and on top of that, when it came to women he usually acted headstrong and impulsive. He was shy around strangers and uncomfortable in social situations, and unlike a lot of guys who grew up on the streets of New York City, he didn't like sports and he didn't know much about cars. But there was one thing he did know-he knew a lot about being a detective."
The storyline is not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of horror,this is the book for you. The first chapter will grab you with its intensity and all the twists will keep you turning the pages until the stunning conclusion.
It may be only a personal preference, but I would suggest that in future novels that the author drop giving individual titles to each chapter. It was more of a distraction than enhancement, in my humble opinion.
Mr Bianco is currently working on a collection of mystery/thriller short stories. I wish him much success with that endeavor,as well as this current book.
About the Reviewer: Roberta Austin was born in Roanoke , Virginia, and as an army child, she spent most of her young life traveling to Germany, Japan, Texas, Maryland and Georgia. With librarians and teachers in her background, she learned to read at 5 and has been an avid reader ever since. Currently residing in Atlanta GA, she works as a Library Associate; a dream job for a book addict.
|
|
|
|
|
|
