Another great book in the series! I enjoyed the mix of past and present, learning more about Teresa’s past. The narrator was also excellent!

I love the character of Superintendent Teresa Battaglia and enjoyed the previous two outings in this series (both in the audiobook version as well). The latest book features multiple timelines, ranging from ancient Rome to earlier in Teresa's career to the present day. However, I found myself skipping through the chapters on centurions and the worshippers of Isis and would have enjoyed the book more if they hadn't been included. The intertwining of Teresa's past and present provided insights into her development and it was wonderful to see how her team--"her boys"--surrounded to protect her. While this could easily stand as a satisfying conclusion to the Battaglia trilogy, Ithat we get will get another chance to see more of Teresa in the future.

I didn’t get the chance to experience this book. I simply didn’t receive enough time to read it before it was removed from my audio selection. I do imagine it would have been great to experience.

Daughter of Ashes is the third book in the Teresa Battaglia series, and one that finds the strong female protagonist battling the early stages of Alzheimer's disease while trying to solve a murder case that has resurrected a painful past. Like others in the series, this novel is well written and portrays a cast of characters who are, for the most part, fiercely loyal to Battaglia. This iteration also introduces some new characters who played a major role in Teresa's earlier life, while delving more deeply into the backstories of some returning characters.

As a fan of this series and of the Teresa Battaglia character, I was slightly disappointed in this one. The storyline was not as compelling, and there were still a lot of unresolved threads at the novel's conclusion. By the time I reached the end, I felt like the conclusion was missing. I suspect this may be because yet another novel in the series will be forthcoming, which would be a welcome development for me, a fan of the series. But for a reader who is just picking up this volume as a stand-alone book, it may feel incomplete, as if meeting someone in passing from one place to another, without seeing them through to their destination.

Having said that, I would certainly read (or listen to -- this and the other novels in this series I've listened to in audio format, excellently narrated by Christina Moore) the next book in the series, should one be forthcoming.

3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up to four because Teresa Battaglia).

Thank you to Net Galley and RB Media for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I the previous books in this series to prepare for this ARC and I am glad I did, as I would have been lost without doing so. This book was a wild ride! I love that Teresa's team has become her family and is set to take care of her and protect her. She might be gruff but she has a heart of gold and they realize that and love her for it. I will definitely be reading more books by Ilaria Tuti!

#DaughterofAshes
#NetGalley

Daughter of the Ashes is an emotionally intense thriller, melancholic and dark in its undertones. Fabulously structured along dual timelines the present and more than twenty years in the past this book pulled me in and didn't let me go !
Teresa Battaglia, Ilaria Tuti's strong and beloved female protagonist in the male dominated world of the Italian police is growing old. Her body is aching but even worse her sharp mind is loosing it's grip. The sharp superintendent of the police to whom loyalty is sworn, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Even though she wants to retire and is technically on medical leave, she is called back in, a killer from her past has resurfaced, he is in jail and will only speak to her with information regarding a new killing. Knowing her mind is loosing bits and pieces she needs to rely on her trusty team evermore and take care with those who have always thought a woman couldn't cut it in the police force. The biggest problem though, this killer is close, he has seen her at her weakest moments when she was initially hunting him, and even worse he was kind to her when so few were, he is a monster for sure but what is going on now and who is pulling the strings?
This is a novel about violence against women, those who should love them, children, those who should protect them, and the consequences of such violence.
Is this a good book to start reading this author or her Teresa Battaglia series, it would probably be better to start with the first book in the series Flowers Over The Inferno, but it was possible to read this book by itself and I was excited to listen to the audio knowing that my dad loves to read Ilaria Tuti's books in Italian and having heard about Teresa Battaglia from him. So of course, I jumped at the chance when I saw the book on @netgalley. The narration was fabulous - Christina Moore brought Teresa Battaglia to life in my head !

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this gifted copy. I absolutely enjoyed the story.

The first thing I'm thankful about is the fact that even though this book is a part of a series, it still can be read as a standalone. However, I still want to read the previous books in the series in order to get a better understanding of the ending, and also because I really want to read them now.

I loved the character of Theresa. I loved her strength, her need to fight for herself. Her relationship with 'her boys' only showcased her character better. The supporting cast in this story is also enticing. The darkness of some of the characters, compensated by the light in the others, and especially the grayness of the villain, all contributed in making this story more appealing to me. The multiple timelines gave this book its meaning. Given that I absolutely love dark crime thrillers, I have fallen for this book and this series.

The translation was well penned, and even sometimes poetic. The narration was clear and contained the innuendos needed in an audiobook. I'll give both these aspects of the book five star ratings.

Overall I loved this book, will go back and read the previous books in the series, and am looking forward to reading more from the author. I will recommend this book to all dark crime fiction lovers.

Liked how the book flashed back-and-forth between present and past so that you got a little bit of the information at a time. In doing so it keep me guessing on what was going to happen in the present day situation. It’s sad that she is losing her memory and can’t remember things the same way that she use too and that she feels that if she just remembered she could solve this case that she is working. In the end she thinks that it is her that ordered the hit even though the killer says it is not her I feel she does not truly believe him that he is just telling her to spare her from the fact she ordered a hit on her ex-husband.

This book dealt with spousal abuse it was a trigger warning for anyone who's would be triggered by that it showed how the woman overcame the physical and mental effects of the spousal abuse well working as a law enforcement tight position and dealing with a Criminal

This is a very dark series not just because of the gruesome murders, but also due to the frailty of the protagonist. Superintendent Battaglia faced terrible odds as a woman in a world dominated by men and, now that she’s respected by everyone, she’s about to lose it all. Not only her career and memories but her whole mind. It appears that the previous volume has not been translated so I was a little confused at times. It doesn’t matter, though, because it can be read as a standalone. There are three timelines, one is historical and set in Roman times, which I’m not sure I understood and didn’t care about. The other two are worth the read. One is in the present, with a very fragile Teresa trying to connect with a serial killer that she put behind bars and who may be killing again. The other one tells much about her youth, how she became the formidable Superintendent that we all know, and it explains a lot. It is also the story of how she catches the murderer that she’s chasing in the present. In the audiobook Christina Moore doesn’t just play Teresa, she becomes her. She sounds like an old lady when she’s the Superintendent, but then she sounds young and spry when she plays the rest of the characters. Her two versions of Teresa are impressive. One is young but jaded, the other is dying but they are somehow the same woman. The synopsis says that this is the conclusion to the story but there is another one in Italian. I hope it is translated because I want more!
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#RB Media, Recorded Books.

Police superintendent, Teresa Battaglia, is on leave after a perilous investigation involving a murderer. Unannounced to her colleagues, Teresa’s Alzheimer’s is getting progressively worse. Any thoughts she might have about retiring or put on the back burner when she gets an urgent call from a serial killer that she helped apprehend and jail, decades earlier. He tells her that he is the target of a killer and he’s not alone, if Teresa, cannot help him, she, and everyone she knows will also be in mortal danger. Teresa will have to go back to a past she would rather forget, a time when she would do anything to save herself and catch a killer. This thriller is

In the haunting narrative that unfolds within the audiobook, Teresa Bataglia's life emerges as a profound journey through shadows and echoes of the past. The evocative storytelling skillfully immerses the listener in the enigmatic depths of her tumultuous existence.

Teresa's struggles resonate like haunting melodies, leaving a lingering sadness that permeates the narrative. The author's portrayal of her life intricately weaves a tapestry of challenges, creating a symphony of emotions that echoes in the recesses of the listener's mind.

Aquileia, a backdrop painted with words, becomes more than a setting—it transforms into a spectral companion to Teresa's journey. The author's meticulous descriptions transport the listener into a realm where every nuance of the environment becomes a ghostly presence, intensifying the overall atmospheric experience.

The audiobook's narration acts as a conductor orchestrating a hauntingly beautiful performance. Each character's voice resonates with authenticity, adding layers to the narrative. The pacing, akin to a rhythmic heartbeat, ensures that the listener remains entranced by the unfolding tale.

While the shadows cast by Teresa's life may be deep, the audiobook is not just a descent into darkness. It is a symphony that explores the resilience of the human spirit, creating a poignant harmony amidst the melancholy notes.

In essence, this audiobook is more than a story—it is an atmospheric composition that captivates, enchants, and leaves an indelible imprint on the listener's soul. If you seek an immersive experience that transcends the ordinary, dive into this symphony of shadows and let it envelop you in its haunting beauty.

3.5 rounded up for tackling tough issues in a realistic way.

Premise - a cop tries to do one last job (tracking down her final serial killer) while she’s slowly losing herself to Alzheimer’s.

First things first - this is the third in the series, but it can be read as a standalone without losing anything.

The story is at times plodding and I didn’t have quite enough fun with it to give it a flat 4, but it was too competent for a 3 and tackled meaty issues (Alzheimer’s, spousal abuse) in a way that felt respectful and honest. I read, in part, to become more empathetic and this was a great book for that goal.

Trigger warnings aren’t really my thing, but this has some very vivid, horrific descriptions of on-the-page spousal abuse and child loss (as well as off-page child abuse) so I think that’s worth noting for anyone more sensitive. That said, none of it is done in a way that feels tacky to me - it didn’t seem like a cheap grab for titillation, but rather an exploration of really horrible, but true, things that people experience.

Finally, this is set in Italy and peeks at religious motivations, etc (without being a pro-religion text itself.) Fans of the DaVinci code will love this, I think!

Thanks, NetGalley and SoHo Crime, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.