For those of you who don’t know The Monster of Florence, it’s the name that has been given to the biggest serial killer in Italian history.  The first official Monster murders were committed in 1974 (there was also a murder in 1968 that may be a Monster murder as well) and the last was in 1985 (14, possibly 16 in all.)  In each instance, two people were killed in the countryside outside of Florence while making love in their cars. The murders have never officially been solved but many people have been suspected, convicted and acquitted of the murders along the way in a complicated, bizarre and almost comical investigation.

I recently bought the book at the airport and cruised right through every mind boggling page.  I must say, I am a huge fan of non-fiction… in my opinion, it’s a much better story when it’s true than when it’s not.  The book was written by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi.  Spezi was one of the leading journalists that followed and wrote about the Monster investigation almost daily throughout the years and Preston is a well known American author.  The Italian version is called “Dolci Colline di Sangue” by the same authors.  Both authors were questioned and Spezi was actually arrested for criticizing the investigation and suspicion of planting evidence and being involved in the murders by the public prosecutor of Perugia…. who coincidentally is currently the prosecutor overseeing the murder of the English student in Perugia.  If it’s anything like the Monster investigation, I wouldn’t expect a resolution anytime soon.

I highly recommend The Monster of Florence especially if you like murder mysteries and I have decided to give it 4 out of 5 bottles of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil!

PS- If you haven’t commented on the post below titled, “Tweak it until it Works” make sure you do.  I’ll be selecting a winner for the $25 gift card on Sunday.