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Summary: Swiniarski does it again!
Review: I read Raven by this author and loved it so much that I went on a search for other books by him. I found this book and loved it just as much. It is based on a real case in the 1930s that was never solved. Dubbed the torso murders, Elliot Ness has his work cut out for him when dozens of decapitated and mutilated bodies are found along the railroad tracks and waterways of Cleveland, Ohio over the period of four years. What makes the case even stranger is they all have been drained of blood. The citizens of Cleveland, Ohio are panicked and Ness hits deadend after deadend. In Swiniarski's world, vampires are the culprits. Detective Stefan Ryzard can't believe what he's uncovering as he investigates the case. I won't give any more away but it is good reading.
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Summary: Think it's creepy reading OUTSIDE Cleveland...!!!
Review: I really didn't know what to expect from this book, though the salesperson at my favourite bookstore on Coventry had it displayed in pride of place and recommended it."You'll never look at the case the same again" she said. No kidding! Living here in Cleveland for the past 10 years, of course I've heard a lot about the case - and have been reading the nonfiction books, but THIS book makes an already creepy case all the more eerie. I don't want to go into details and ruin it for others, but be prepared for some neat surprises and twists (I especially like the 'real' identity of "The Head" - the real-life victim's death mask is still on display at the Cleveland Police Museum, for anyone in Cleveland who's interested). A good read, and Mr. Swiniarski shows his knowledge of the area well. Toss in the fact that you'll never look at the East Ohio Gas Fire of 1944 the same again, either, and you've got a ripping good read! Three friends who've also read it all love it, but be warned, we ALL found it disturbing, as well. ...as an aside, just last night I heard one of my 20-something neighbours call to her 7 and 9 year old kids "Be home by dark or the Torso Man will get you!" Maybe she should read this book...
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Summary: WOW, WHAT A STORY!
Review: My hat is off to S. A. Swiniarski, he really blew me away with this book. I read Mr. Swiniarski's other book, "Raven" and enjoyed it so much that when I saw this book, I just picked it up. Thinking that it was a sequel. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that I had been duped. What a nice dupe! This is a wonderful book. I'm not a vampire fan per sec. I do enjoy a good book and interesting plot. "The Flesh, The Blood and The Fire" is just that. Mr. Swiniarski does a great job in developing characters and plot once again with this book. I loved the way that he worked fact and fiction together. I didn't realize that so much went on in Cleveland, Ohio! The 30's and 40's were a rockin' time for Cleveland. After I finished this book, I rushed to the net to find out how much of it was fact. I love history tossed into my fiction Mr. Swiniarski gives you a good dose of it. It is tough to cover so much time, a little over ten years, tying so many events together into a cohesive story. The author gets many kudos from me for such an outstanding job. His main heroes Stefan Ryzard and Nuri Lapidos are great characters; I felt so much for them all during this story. The author also does a great job of invoking the era. Those of us, who didn't get a lot of exposure to the depression and WW II, will enjoy the way that Mr. Swiniarski brings this time alive. I highly recommend this book. This is a wonderful book, weather you are a Mystery, History or Horror fan. If you like tight plot and good character development, this book is for you!
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