At his first meeting with Spezi he learned that the farmhouse which he had rented was very close to the scene of an infamous crime. Beginning in 1974 and ending in 1985, seven young couples were savagely murdered as they made love in the secluded hills near Florence. These murders were thought to have been committed by the same individual who became known as the Monster of Florence. It was upon this man that Thomas Harris had based his famous villain, Hannibal Lecter.

Preston was taken by Spezi’s story which he had carefully followed in the Italian press. The investigation was hampered by infighting among the divisions of Italian law enforcement officials. The head of the operation changed several times and with it the focus and direction of the investigation. After Spezi told Preston his story the two men discussed the case in greater detail. They eventually came to a conclusion. If they wanted to discover the identity of the Monster they should conduct their own investigation.

The Monster of Florence is an attempt to present the facts of the case as well as document how the two men themselves became “people of interest” to the lead investigators in Florence. Though their research Preston learned how the carabinieri , or military police, and the civil servants interact to investigate crimes within Italy. This interaction is complicated in the courts by the fact there is more than one prosecutor responsible for a case, each for those murders that occurred when he was on call. In addition there is a prosecutor who represents the interests of the Italian state. To the dismay of both Spezi and Preston, they became personally acquainted with the Italian justice system. They became part of the case they were investigating.

As Preston points out writing a fictional account of a murder is much simpler than the real thing. In fiction the author has control over the characters and can manipulate them make all the facts and circumstances fit together. In reality all of the facts may not be available, it is difficult to separate truth from fiction, and, those in command in the justice system have their own agenda as to how the investigation will proceed.

Aside from the main focus of the book, there is much to be learned about the Italian language, Italian culture, and Italian history. In fact the beginning of the story has its roots in Sardinia and some individuals who migrated from Sardinia to Tuscany. In addition, the descendents of families that have lived in Florence since the Renaissance play a significant role in this true life thriller.

Though the identity of the Monster of Florence yet remains unknown, readers will find themselves caught up in the intricacies of the case just as Preston was himself.

--Andy Plonka