3.5 stars

I loved “Kill the Father” & had high expectations for this sequel. The beginning definitely doesn’t disappoint. After opening with a chilling prologue, we switch to present day Rome where homicide Det. Columba Caselli is called to a crime scene straight out of a horror film.

A little tip when booking a high speed train into Rome: go steerage. Because no one is prepared for what’s found in the first class carriage. Who, how & why are the big questions & when ISIS claims responsibility, it makes sense. Sort of. Maybe. The city is in an uproar & when tensions explode at a local mosque, Columba is desperate for help. No other way around it…she needs the brilliant mind of Dante Torre.

It’s the start of a wild, violent ride that takes Columba & Dante on a fast paced tour of Europe as they attempt to hunt down those responsible. And along the way they uncover information that relates to the case that brought them together (first book).

This is one of those books where your enjoyment will be tied to personal preference & your ability to suspend disbelief. if you’re looking for a straight up graphic thriller, it should suit just fine

I really enjoyed Kill the Father & part of that was down to Columba & Dante. The story was incredibly complex & echoes of it are woven through this book as well. Unfortunately despite (or maybe because of) this being another fast paced thriller, I found the characters had stalled. There’s not much character development & the unique relationship between the 2 MC’s has cooled. Book #1 was an intense read but there were little moments of quirky humour between the two that gave you a chance to catch your breath & I missed that here.

I also had a credibility issue with Columba’s character. Because of previous events, she suffers from severe PTSD. The result is questionable judgement, emotional extremes & more physical trauma than a body should be able to take & remain ticking. I just had a hard time believing she would be allowed back at a desk job, let alone heading up a major investigation. Or even still breathing.

But full points for the ending. The shadow of the Father is always lurking in the background & the finale leaves little doubt that Dante’s past is not done with him yet. Highly recommend reading these books in order due to the complex & ongoing back story.