The Killing Cards

Rating:
Summary: A powerful, riveting story
Review: As a Rochester, New York cop for twenty-two years, Lou Campanozzi worked undercover in narcotics, commanded robbery and homicide squads, and rose in rank to a Captain after serving as District Commander on Rochester's west side. Lou and his wife Nancy presently are retired in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Lou presently serves as a Police Chief on an Indian Reservation. The Killing Cards is the winner of the 2001 Audie Award, for Best New Audiobook Publisher.

When Ace Amato is called to the murder scene of Frankie "Ten Times" Lanovara on February 2nd, he thinks it might be a mob hit. Ace is a Lieutenant on the Rochester Police Department, has twenty-five years in, and sometimes thinks that he should retire. He is tough, resilient, is a Viet Nam vet, and has, as one of his worst enemies, his Chief of Police, Westfield. Ace talks to his contact, one "Fast Eddie," who swears this isn't a mob hit. Furthermore, most mob hits don't leave playing cards on bodies as clues. Even Ace's superior officer, Charles Novitski, is stunned when Westfield demands briefings every day from Ace. Something is up:

"You know the story about me and him, boss. He hates me and I wouldn't give a fat rat's ... for him. Our feeling go way back. You know better than anybody what that's all about.' I do,' Charles Novitski said. Than he paused and looked down at the seat of his chair, as if he would find the words he needed there. He usually wants nothing to do with you, and he's one for sticking to the chain of command. Now out of the blue, he wants you to go directly to him every single day. It don't make sense to me, Mike.'"

In this gritty tale, Campanozzi writes a powerful, riveting story about a maniac committing serial murders and the effect this type of stress has on actual police officers and detectives. Campanozzi presents a reality package in this story that goes far beyond a normal police procedural.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

Rating:
Summary: A Real Page turner!
Review: Coming from a family of cops and being a person who loves police mystery novels--this one hit close to home. It is truely one of the best books that I have ever read because it was true to life. I found myself feeling the main characterts emotions while he is trying to solve this horrific crime. I couldn't put this book down and look forward to this authors next release!

Rating:
Summary: Bravo!!!
Review: I love Lou Campanozzi's fresh style of writing. I picked up this book because I'm a Rochester, NY native and thought the similarity of the backdrop would be interesting. What I didn't expect, was to be glued to the pages! This book is well crafted with many twist and turns, told in a voice that puts you right in the scene. Only a real cop could bring the words on these pages to life as Mr. Campanozzi has done. Bravo! Ground Lions was equally as good. I'm hooked. Now that I'm a Mike Amato fan, I can't wait for the next book in the series. Hollywood will no doubt come knocking.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I would encourage anyone who loves to read detective mysteries to read this one. The story is intriguing and well thought out. Mike Amato is one of the best characters in this particular genre. I'm sorry to hear about the death of the author. I hope someone will continue on with this series of books. A truly exciting read.

Rating:
Summary: Homicide detective Lieutenant Amato must work against odds
Review: In Lou Campanozzi's The Killing Cards, a serial killer is stalking the city. Methodically selecting his victims according to the symbolism of their names, this ruthless murderer marks his success by leaving a "calling card" on each body, beginning with the Ten of Spades, then the Jack of Spades, then the Queen of Spades. Homicide detective Lieutenant Amato must work against the odds to identify this killer before he can crown his lethal spree with an Ace of Spades in this deadly and bizarre game. Lou Campanozzi's debut mystery is deftly narrated by film and television veteran Alan Zimmerman who does full justice to a compelling suspense thriller in this highly recommended audiobook adaptation. (Running Time: 360 minutes).

Rating:
Summary: I distribute Camapnozzi's books
Review: Since the author's untimely death, I am sole distributor of all three of his novels. (The Killing Cards, Ground Lions and Justice.) If you are interested in ordering any of his novels please contact me at [e-mail] and please check out our web site to learn more about the author at www.loucampanozzi.com

Rating:
Summary: A Real Page turner!
Review: The Killing Cards is the kind of mystery book that drives me crazy. I begin reading and can't stop. If I set the book down and try to accomplish other tasks, I find myself daydreaming and thinking about the characters in the story. The Killing Cards is quick and smart, and provides an inside look to the real police work that goes on when a homicide is being investigated. If this first Mike Amato novel is a prelude for forthcoming books in the series, I can hardly wait for the next tale.

Rating:
Summary: An Explosive Mystery
Review: The Killing Cards is the kind of mystery book that drives me crazy. I begin reading and can't stop. If I set the book down and try to accomplish other tasks, I find myself daydreaming and thinking about the characters in the story. The Killing Cards is quick and smart, and provides an inside look to the real police work that goes on when a homicide is being investigated. If this first Mike Amato novel is a prelude for forthcoming books in the series, I can hardly wait for the next tale.