Italy Reading Challenge: The Monster of Florence

It was Memorial Day weekend, and I still didn’t know what I was going to read for the June portion of the Italy Reading Challenge. And then, while browsing a used bookstore in Philadelphia, I happened upon a book entitled The Monster of Florence, by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi. After glancing at the back cover and realizing it was about a serial killer, I knew I had to buy the book and take it home. I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with serial killers, and I’d never heard of this case before.

The book is in two parts. First, there is Spezi’s story, which describes the early years of the case (when the killings were happening), and the numerous botched attempts to find the identity of the killer and bring that person to justice. Then, we have Preston’s perspective. He’s a journalist who has moved his family to Italy. After making the acquaintance of Spezi, he learns of the Monster case, and the two of them decide to do their own research and write about it. Unfortunately, this inspires the ire of the largely-incompetent local authorities who are more interested in listening to conspiracy theorists than respected journalists. Eventually, even Spezi is accused of being the Monster. Throughout the book, lives are ruined and threatened as the botched investigations continue. At the end of it, the real-life story of the Monster is still unresolved.

All in all, this was a riveting book. It piqued my interest in serial killers, and taught me about a dark period in Florentine history that I’d never heard about before. This is one of the most educational books I have encountered in this challenge, and for the most part, it really captivated my attention.

I have to say that I found part 1 more engaging than part 2. I think this is due in part to the fact that the case is much more interesting in the early stages. In part 1, young lovers are being murdered while having trysts in the countryside. The killer could be anyone. Spezi is making his career scooping stories about the case. By part 2, I was getting a little tired of reading about inept police and legal authorities botching crime scenes and ruining the lives of innocent people. The story had lost a bit of its spark due to the way Italian officials handled things. While Spezi’s incarceration and Preston’s own legal trouble were harrowing, ultimately, things started wearing a little thin. But I don’t know if this is so much their fault as it was my fatigue with the ineptitude of the people who should have been bringing this killer to justice.

All in all, The Monster of Florence is an intriguing book. If you’ve never heard of this case, I suggest you read this, because you’ll definitely learn a thing or two.