Welcome to Litsy!

On my Italy splurge kick, this just arrived! #litsymail

This was an interesting book. Douglas Preston went to Florence Italy to write a fictional crime novel & ended up getting mixed up with the real monster of Florence case. A case that was compared to London's Jack the Ripper & helped inspire Thomas Harris' Hannibal.
#BBRC #GrowUp #TrueCrime @LibrarianRyan
#Booked2022 #WrittenByAJournalist @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage
#BFC2022 @wanderinglynn
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I love this cover so much.

Really interesting book about a serial killer in Florence in the 70s and 80s. The first part tells the story of the murders and the second part tells of the retaliation the government enacted on the journalist who challenged the government‘s investigation. Interestingly, the magistrate who oversaw this case was the same one that oversaw the prosecution of Amanda Knox. He seems a bit obsessed with the idea of Satanic sex rituals. 🤨

Finished up the #20in4 with some more audiopuzzling, which is really helping me with work stress. @Andrew65

I liked the audiobook narrator‘s ability to speak English & Italian well. This story was interesting, but a little drawn out. I‘m not sure that I‘d recommend anyone else go through the whole ordeal, but I am interested to read some of Preston‘s novels.

This was a book that I would not have picked for myself as it‘s a true crime story of a serial killer which is something I would usually avoid. However, as this was a gift I plowed ahead and was glad I did. The Monster of Florence murdered couples in secluded areas of the city over several decades. The story of the Italian justice system and the authors‘ personal involvement in the investigation was just as incredible as the crimes themselves.

This is the strangest, most convoluted true crime that I have read! The judicial system in Italy is so scary and backwards that I see now why this crime has never been solved. The author decided to write this book after moving to the Florence area and ended up being charged with crimes related to the case! One of the inept ministers was also involved with charging Amanda Knox with murder and now those false charges make sense. Thank you @Cinfhen

I know there‘s corruption everywhere, but I had no idea it was so bad in the Italian judicial system. And the machismo! It‘s like Florence is 50 years behind the times. Fascinating unsolved serial killer case, with larger than life characters. Another great book from the #NewYearWhoDis list.

I am literally speechless. This book should be given to anyone thinking of an Italian holiday with the label Proceed At Own Risk. I cannot believe that a country that gave us the Renaissance has such a farcical legal system. Anyone who still thinks Amanda Knox is guilty, needs to read this. In the end, the story isn‘t about the murders, it‘s about what happened after them. Madness. #Jumpstart2020 #NonFiction2020 #SomethingAboutAScandal #Booked2020

“Ghiribelli, the alcoholic prostitute...claimed that Pacciani & his picnicking friends frequented the house of a self styled Druid or wizard(whose day job was that of a pimp)where they held black masses & worshiped the devil.”
The wizard-pimp she named died ten years before.

Am I glad I don‘t live in Italy! This “investigation” is taking a decidedly Pink Panther turn of epic proportions! Everyone & their dog seems to have been under suspicion.

Getting back this as Bk4 of #JumpStart2020 while hiding in my aircon from the 40C heat outside. Smokes not bad today but fires have escalated due to the conditions. My thoughts are with our fireys today, they‘re all putting their lives on the line for us. If any Littens would like to donate

https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-donate or

https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund for wildlife rescue

It‘s almost 6am here but I just can‘t put down this book! The people in charge of this investigation were ridiculous, so many men were arrested & paraded as the killer, then let go because either the case fell apart or there was another double murder while they were in jail. Honestly, I understand now how the Amanda Knox case turned into such a farce. They were planting evidence & obliterating crime scenes here too. Wow. Just wow. #JumpStart2020

Today‘s check in for #JumpStart2020 I‘m taking a break from audio to switch to another NF, this time in print. One of the #libraryhaul the hubby picked up for me yesterday, this is about a serial killer who terrorised Florence, Italy between 1968-1985. He killed 7 couples in that time period, brutally & painfully and was never caught. Italy‘s version of Jack The Ripper, He earned his nickname The Monster Of Florence.

I love getting unexpected book mail! 💛. Thank you so much @Cinfhen for popping this in the mail and brightening my day. 🌝. My little granddaughters will be thrilled with their surprises when I see them later today! I‘m very anxious to read this one after seeing your review.

This book falls under the category of #RealLifeIsStrangerThanFiction 🤯What a wild read!! Douglas Preston is a gifted storyteller & this book didn‘t disappoint. Preston later ties in the Amanda Knox case which took place in the same area and with the same shoddy investigators. Makes one question the abuse of power & legal system worldwide. Thanks for the impromptu buddyread @vivastory and hope you enjoy this book @peaknit #NonFictionNovember

Hoping to sneak in some reading at lunch today for #NonFictionNovember - Thanks @Cinfhen and @vivastory for the recommendation.

Just got a big laugh after reading Douglas Preston describing “transitions” and “cultural differences” 😂😂😂In August 2000 he moved to Florence with his wife and two young children “ Living in Italy was going to be the adventure of a lifetime, for which we were singularly unprepared.” Yup!!!! #LifeOfAnExpat #NoClue

#NonFictionNovember

This story keeps getting stranger and stranger @vivastory It‘s hard NOT to imagine The Pink Panther‘s inept police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau when I read about the Polizia and Carabinieri.

Unquestionably one of the most bizarre true crime cases I've ever read. Preston writes nonfiction that reads like a novel: memorable characters, good pacing, dramatic conflict. It's always strange when the author becomes a part of the story. One of the best nf books I've read this year.

Whoa @vivastory I can‘t stop reading !!! Book is so wild ~ and tantalizing 😲I was in Florence the summer of 1984/ backpacking with a friend. I have no recall about this terrifying case.Scary to think a serial killer was on the loose☠️I just finished chapter 18 and I need to force myself to put the book down so I can run a bunch of errands.

Seems I better get cracking on my #BuddyRead with @vivastory Scott has managed 100 pages already 🙌🏻 BUT first, coffee ☕️ There are 5 pages of secondary character index😳

What are your thoughts @Cinfhen ? I'm finding it really bizarre & fascinating so far. I can see why it frequently makes best true crime lists.

Storm System King is leaving the area, after lingering a bit longer than expected. Up next we have a nice warm front moving in from Florence. I'll be keeping a close eye on this system the next few days with my co-anchor @cinfhen Front will move out on on Tue or Wed, cooler air will return from Virginia. Very fall-like weather for a day or two, great for a bonfire, or a movie. Then Storm System Crouch arrives, with unpredictable weather patterns.

I read this when I was young, it was my eldest sisters book. Anyway, 10 year old me thought it was horrific and 22 year old me blames my internal troubles on it, nevertheless I read it all and I still cannot believe that they are real cases.

Fascinating true crime story with some unexpected aspects. I didn‘t know that the monster of Florence inspired Thomas Harris‘ Dr. Hannibal Lector novels. There are several references to TH. Also, the authors became a part of the case as the Italian authorities were not pleased with their research/investigation. #MountTBR

A thing that I love in crime writing is when the reporter becomes a part of the story, which is what happens here. While investigating a decades-old serial killer in Florence, the reporters also find themselves targeted by authorities for daring to challenge the Italian legal system‘s accepted bureaucratic obfuscation. They name who they believe the killer to be, and also expect that nothing will come of it.

I love true crime but this one got a little bogged down in the author‘s‘ involvement in the case and I found that part boring. The story itself is interesting though!

Unforgettable window into a corrupt and wholly Italian police system

Holy. Crap. Y'all.

This is really good yet horrifying. Strangely the account of the serial killer's crimes isn't even the scary part. Rather the bizarre, self-serving, bullheaded actions of the police & prosecutors is the real horror story here.

The take-away: To get away with murder Florence is the place to commit your crime. OTOH any resident or tourist in the city when a murder is committed has a good chance of being wrongly convicted. 😲

Working out of my favorite cafe today. They sell used books for .50 cents and my wallet quivers every time I walk in. I am on a budget, waiting for Baby B to get here, so I limited myself to only 1 today 😫😫 #WorkVibes

I'm trying to make an economical start to Halloween decorations so I've been #audiocrafting all day to this book. Nothing like true crime to make time fly by! 🖤🌸

Omg, thank you soooo much @Chocamanda for the super awesome box of goodies! My niece keeps trying to grab things and hide them on me 😂😂 I'll post when I open the cards
Thank you for putting this on @JenlovesJT47
#Itstrulycriminalswap

Taking advantage of my office's green roof as a workspace.🌿🥀 Just started this new audiobook and I'm already hooked.

I had no idea Hannibal Lecter was possibly based on the Monster of Florence. 😱

You can tell which one I had to get for book club vs. what I normally gravitate toward. 🖤 Probably not going to find any hidden gems in DC's newest bookstore but still a nice place to browse the top of the charts. #bookhaul

I just adore #bookmail! Today I received this beauty from @Callemarie as part of the #MarchMysteryBookSwap. It‘s been on my TBR for ages and now it has flown to the top! Thank you!

This story takes insane turns. When I read that Giuliano Mignini was involved in the investigation I knew it was going to be a crazy ride.

Iced in today from work! So I plan on sitting on my couch and reading this spooky book. Figured I‘d just get a picture of the book‘s cast than any text because it can be a bit gruesome! ❤️ #IceDay

#7days7bookcovers #day1

Post a book cover you love. No explanation, no information about the book. Just covers you love.

An excellent book. I just don‘t know what to say. To see how the prosecution twisted every single aspect of the case in order to fit their suspect of the month and their insane “satanic cult” theory is horrifying, but made for a riveting read. I would love to read about the developments in the case since this book was published!

If true crime has taught me anything, it‘s that a satanic cult is always the suspect but NEVER the answer.

Sadly I‘m not doing the 24 in 48 readathon (someday!) but nevertheless I‘m gonna settle in with some gruesome true crime for the day! 🤘

This book is ah-making! Blew my mind! Love the cultural differences and the twists - my favorite true crime book!

I finally finished this. I loved it! I loved how in depth it got. Incredible read. I highly recommend it if you love true crime.

This was my first time reading a true crime story and I couldn't put the book down! I cannot believe how crazy this case is!! My mind is blown that I had never even heard about it before coming across the book. It made me want to read more serial killer books. 😳 #SCREAMATHON

Another book on my tbr.

#acityinthetitle
#uncannyoctober
@RealLifeReading