A Bullet for Carlos

<b>Book Info</b>: <u>Genre</u>: Suspense/Thriller<br /><u>Reading Level</u>: Adult<br /><u>Recommended for</u>: Fans of suspense/thrillers<br /><u>Trigger Warnings</u>: murder, rape, drugs, torture, domestic violence<br /><u>Animal Abuse</u>: attempted cat murder (with arrow), torture of small animals (snake specifically mentioned), dog murder, attempted dog murder<br /><br /><b>My Thoughts</b>: While this is the second book this author published, I'm reading it first since the other two books I have by him are in the same series, while this one is a separate series. However, Frankie Donovan, a minor character in this book, is one of the main characters in the other series.<br /><br />One of the cool things about this book is that there is not just one case on which Connie is working, and not all of them are connected. This is much more realistic toward actual police work, and is handled very well in this book. Characters are also very well developed. I really like the dichotomy and tension created for Connie by her being a cop but her family are mobsters. It adds a great touch, and gives her a lot of dynamism.<br /><br />There is a lot of brutality in this book, of course, but it's about some very not-nice people—mobsters and drug dealers and serial killers—so that is really to be expected. However, sensitive readers should take note of my trigger warnings. This is not a pretty book.<br /><br />That said, it is a highly enjoyable book for fans of suspense/thrillers. <i>A Bullet for Dominic</i> will be the next book in this series (Blood Flows South), scheduled for sometime in the next year. A novella is currently available, called <i>Finding Family</i>; it is a prequel outlining Dominic's youth. I definitely want to continue reading these books. An outstanding story, and a talented author.<br /><br /><b>Disclosure</b>: I won this book in a giveaway. All opinions are my own.<br /><br /><b>Synopsis</b>: Detective Connie Giannelli's life has been torn apart several times. First when her mother died and then years later when she found out her Uncle Dominic was in the mob. Her life is about to be shredded again, and this time it could destroy her. <br /><br />Connie’s love of family and her badge are both threatened when an undercover drug bust leaves two cops dead and the drugs missing. Internal Affairs is looking for any excuse to take her badge, but she’s not worried about them finding the missing drugs—her secrets could prove to be far worse. <br /><br />Now Connie’s racing against the clock to figure out who killed her partners and took the drugs—dirty cops or Uncle Dominic’s friends. And she has to do it before IA pins the whole damn thing on her.

<br />A Bullet For Carlos (Blood Flows South)<br />I had not read any of Giacomo (Jim) Giammatteo's work before, but I am a big fan of action packed, hard edged crime stories and I loved A Bullet For Carlos (Blood Flows South).<br /><br />Detective Connie Gianelli is a wonderfully human, determined woman whose values have been formed by her life experiences. Years before, Connie's "mother" had refused to marry the love of her life, Dominic Mangini because she could not accept his mobster lifestyle, but she would not marry anyone else either. Dominic was who his was--he could not change; but he loved Maria Gianelli unconditionally and faithfully.<br /><br />The story opens with a violent mobstyle murder and the unexpected complication of a baby girl found in a backroom. On the "job" Dominic Mangini is a violent, merciless mobster, but in his private life he is a devoted, loving man who cannot leave a child to die. He thinks of Maria, and he knows that now he can give her one thing he has cheated her of--a child. He takes the baby to her and convinces her that it was abandoned in the cold on a street corner and that it was god's gift to her. Reluctantly, but joyfully, Maria embraces the child, whom she calls Concetta. Through the years the child grows up loving her "uncle" Dominic who instills strong Italian family traditions in her--"family is everything" and he is there to protect Connie and Maria, a strong fatherly influence in their family.<br /><br />When Connie eventually learns that Dominic is actually a mobster she is stunned and she despises him. She joins the police force, in defiance of what he is and does--determined to represent law and justice. Connie Gianelle becomes known "Brooklyn's toughest cop" as she and her team doggedly bring down drug dealers and bad guys. Then one night a drug bust goes bad, and her fellow members are killed. Connie knows she will be next to die. Desperate, she phones uncle Dominic for help, which comes immediately.<br /><br />Inside the police force rumours about mob family connections have shadowed her career in the past, but now hard question arise--why was she the only one to survive? Why had basic procedure been circumvented? Why wasn't back-up in place? Why had one of her fellow police officers called a mobster? Where did the drugs go? Internal Affairs is investigating her convinced that she is dirty, the police chief wants to bury her, take away her badge. Connie refuses to go easily, so she is assigned to a desk job solving cold cases. She does her job, but is determined to work behind the scenes to clear her name and find out what really happened in that dark alley on that fateful night.<br /><br />The heart of "A Bullet For Carlos" takes off from this point.<br /><br />Giammatteo has crafted a masterful piece of work. The plot is convoluted; filled with tenacity, adventure, violence, love and family tradition and loyalty, good guys, bad guys. The characters become real people that you can relate to; some you root for, others you intensely dislike and some that you can't help but admire and yet despise at the same time.<br /><br />When I came to the last paragraph I felt justice had been done and I was satisfied. Then I realised that in one sense it had been, but in another, I had actually been led to the edge of a cliff and would have to wait for the next book in the series to find discover "the rest of the story." And I will be first in line to read it.<br /><br />I so liked Giammatteo`s work that I immediately downloaded "Murder Takes Time" and read it. I'm a diehard fan now. If you like great characters, and a hard edged plot filled action, don't miss this book. It will keep you riveted from beginning to end.<br />

Giacomo Giammatteo wrote one of my favorite books of the year, Murder Takes Time (read it, you won’t regret it), so it’s no surprise that his latest release is also a great book. This is not a continuation of the original series, but it has some parallels that make reading both books worthwhile.<br /><br />In his new book, Connie Gianelli is a detective on an undercover bust gone bad. Two officers are killed and she is wounded; the press loves her but Internal Affairs has questions. To pacify everyone she is reassigned to a cold case which leads her from New York to Houston. Once there, she stumbles into the orbit of the drug kingpin behind the bad bust in NYC.<br /><br />Her cold case turns out to be a serial killer still operating in Houston. Meanwhile, facts about the IA investigation keep spilling out of NYC where dirty cops and Italian mobsters compete with drug dealers connected to Houston. Family bonds are tested and ethics are pushed to the limits in pursuit of a cleared record and real justice. Our heroine ends up working with a likable good ol’ boy with a big heart and lots of Texas charm.<br /><br />From there the story twists and turns until you reach the exciting conclusion. I don’t use that term lightly. In this case, Mr. Giammatteo has drawn such deep and complex characters that when you see where the plot is leading, you start reading faster and faster, hoping our heroine can fend off the forces of evil that you know are descending on her. Like a Hitchcock ending, you find yourself urging the heroine ‘don’t go in there… don’t go in there!’ (Then you look around the room to see if you yelled it out loud.)<br /><br /><br />To see the whole review, <a href="http://seeleyjames.com/2013/01/04/review-a-bullet-for-carlos/" rel="nofollow noopener"> <b>click here.</b> </a><br /><br />Peace, <a href="http://seeleyjames.com" rel="nofollow noopener"> <b>Seeley</b> </a><br /><br />

Libro meraviglioso, un poliziesco vecchio stile che si sposta da uno Stato all'altro con personaggi meravigliosi e convincenti, ambientazioni realistiche e una trama mai scontata, che sa tenerti col fiato sospeso fino alla fine. E grazie al cielo sembra una serie!!! Lo leggerò dal primo all'ultimo volume!

Brooklyn Narcotics Detective Connie Giannelli knew she would be a cop since she was twelve years old, when she found out that her Uncle Dominic Mangini was a mobster. She has a love/ hate relationship with Uncle Dom. She loves him because he is family, and he had taught her that nothing in life is more important than la famiglia ... family is everything. But she hates him for who he is and what he does; but most of all for what it does to her reputation as a cop, for putting her in the position of being under suspicion of being a "dirty cop" with family ties to the mob.<br /><br />Known as "Brooklyn's Toughest Cop," Connie and her narcotics team are number one on successful drug busts. But when an undercover drug bust goes bad and leaves her two partners dead, Connie has to fight to clear her name. Connie is transferred to the homicide unit, and while under the pretense of investigating a cold murder case with ties to Texas, she travels to Houston to investigate the Mexican cartel who is running the drugs and the ruthless drug cartel leader who wants her dead, while tracking down a sadistic serial killer. Will Connie be able to clear her name and bust the drug cartel, or will she fall victim to the drug cartel leader or sadistic serial killer?<br /><br />A Bullet For Carlos is a gripping crime / mystery thriller that will draw the reader into the story and keep them on the edge with its riveting suspense. In the first book of the Blood Flows South Series, author Giacomo Giammatteo weaves an intriguing tale with multiple subplots that are neatly interwoven, with alternating first and third person narratives, and enough action packed adventure with exciting twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing what will happen next. The story features mob activity, police corruption, drug cartels, and serial killer/murders ... with the reader following Connie Giannelli, an honest cop who tries to clear her name and reputation. I loved the interweaving of the subplots: the reader gets a glimpse into the world of a mob family, and the lengths they will go to protect one of their own; while also delving into the underground drug cartel world filled with its propensity for cruelty and ruthlessness.<br /><br />With a realistic and diverse cast of complicated characters who leap off the pages; engaging dialogue and riveting interactions; two richly detailed and descriptive settings; and a complex and graphically violent storyline that leaves you wanting more, A Bullet For Carlos is one hell of a thriller that will make your heart race!<br /><br /><br />Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.<br /><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-bullet-for-carlos-by-giacomo.html">http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...</a>

At this point I'm beginning to think that I aught to just preemptively mark any book by Giacomo Giammatteo as a five star, 'cause I'm just gonna love it. A Bullet for Carlos was no exception. Mr. Giammatteo somehow makes bad, bad men lovable. I adored Dominic, even though he was unquestionably dangerous and maybe even evil. Though I kind of think the things that made me love him also redeem him a little bit, as well as made me wonder if deeper exploration of other such evil characters (like Carlos) might reveal small redemptive qualities too. It definitely leads a reader to consider whether anyone can really be wholly evil, no matter how bad they appear on the surface or to an outsider. This same theme is further explored when good cops are left having to decide if or when they'll choose to 'cross the line' for the greater good.<br /><br />This is much more of a police drama than a mafia mystery, but I was THRILLED when Donovan and Mazzetti showed up as side characters. This was the first book by Giammatteo I've read that wasn't part of the Friendship &amp; Honor series and I was really afraid I'd miss Nicky and Frankie enough to sour my experience of reading it. No such thing. Connie and Tip were great characters on their own. If I HAD to choose I'd still take Nicky/Frankie, but I don't have to choose so I'm free to enjoy both in future books. And I plan to.<br /><br />I also rather enjoyed the cultural differences between New York and Texas. No big deal was made of this, but the small regional quirks were apparent. Different catch phrases, politeness levels, etc. It is yet one more testament of Giammatteo's talent that he can take such small matters and somehow invest them with so much meaning, having a large impact on the feel of the book. It's enviable really. My only complaint, beyond the fact I have to wait for more books, is one I've mentioned before and is JUST a personal preference. The main protagonist was a rapist and there were a few 'tasteful' rape scenes. By which I just mean they weren't gratuitous or titillating in any fashion. They furthered the plot and weren't overly uncomfortable, but they were there. I look forward to the continuation of this series. Definitely worth a read.

<br />I have just finished another gripping read from Giacomo Giammatteo. A Bullet for Carlos is the start of another series and is just as excellent as Murder Takes Time. <br /><br /><br />For most people, the mafia are faceless thugs with no feelings, but there are family men, who care deeply. Dominic Mangini is one of these. The mob has cost him the love of his life, who won’t marry him because of his connections and won’t marry anyone else because she loves him. When he finds a baby girl, he takes her to Maria, who looks after the child as her own until her death returns the child, Connie, to Dominic’s loving care.<br /><br /><br />Now thirty, Connie has grown up as an independent woman with a surprising career as an honest cop. She is trying to distance herself from her mob connections, but not from the love of her Uncle Dominic. When a drug bust goes sour, leaving Connie wounded, fighting for her life in an alley with no prospect of police backup, Connie calls for the only kind of help she can get, the mob, who save her.<br /><br /> Unfortunately, the drugs are now missing and she is a suspect, until Uncle Dominic uses his connections to portray her as a hero cop. Instead of suspension, she is now consigned to cold cases and gets sent to Texus on one of them, where she meets the notorious Tip Denton.<br /><br /><br />Tip has a massive chasm on his shoulder about his absent father. He is loud, brave, pig-headed and tends to over react when dealing with dangerous criminals. Connie must now work with this man when they are thrown together over a series of gruesome murders of women. At the same time, Connie is trying to get evidence against the drug baron Carlos Cortes in connection with the wrecked drug bust for which she is still quietly under suspicion. <br /><br /><br />What happens next is beyond thrilling. It is edge of seat non-stop reading. The characters are compelling and so real, they leap off the pages at the reader. This is a must buy.<br />

I'd heard so many good things about this book that I was almost wary of reading. My contrary nature means I will look for faults to prove everyone else wrong. Can't help it, it is the Gemini in me.<br />But I couldn't prove people wrong.<br />Immaculately written, A Bullet For Carlos kept me intrigued from start to finish.<br />All the ingredients are here - good cops, bad cops, a serial killer, pretty girls and mobsters. Oh, and an animal or two.<br />This book is not for the squeamish. Realistic crime scenes pave the path to a mystery. While New York cop Connie Gianelli escapes Brooklyn when a drug bust goes wrong, she replaces drug dealers with a murderer. It doesn't help her reputation that her 'uncles' want to help her clear her name, but family is all important and she gets help whether she wants it or not.<br />In Texas - clever play on words for the title btw - Gianelli meets Tip, a somewhat maverick cop. While Gianelli seeks clues to solve who is behind the drug bust in New York, a serial killer moves in. Now she has several problems to solve.<br /><br />Fast paced and gripping, the novel takes a reader through the highs and lows of being a cop as well as how family can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help. Gianelli is a tough but sympathetic character. Female enough to like a pretty dress but strong enough to handle the men she works with. Tip might like to think he is a womaniser at heart, but truly he often shows a more caring side, especially around his animals.<br />I am not a huge mystery reader but this is one of the few books where I wanted to go find out what else the author had written at once.<br /><br />

Being a cop and having an uncle who is the head of the mafia doesn’t mix well together. Or does it? A Bullet for Carlos is an Italian family saga as much as it is a thriller.<br /><br />Remembering the sound advice given to her while being raised by her uncle Dominic, Connie is trying to figure out what or who is good or bad – within the police force as well as outside it. Is family indeed everything?<br /><br />This book is way more than a ‘who-dun-it’. I love thrillers that give just thát bit more, something that makes you think. The storyline is complex, well thought out with many surprising twists and turns brought with a seasoning of humor. It kept me engaged till the very end and left me wanting more.<br /><br />Even with the signs Giacomo kindly put in for clarity regarding point of view (first or third person) the shifting was sometimes annoying. Although there is quite a bit of strong language and some graphic descriptions of the murders, it wasn’t disturbing to me. Somehow it fitted within the story telling.<br /><br />I highly recommend this read! In fact, I can’t wait for the next in the series to come out.

I love novels in a series. With each book you get to know the characters and their world a little better until they become like friends and you can hardly wait until your next visit. With the debut of Jim Giammatteo’s A Bullet for Carlos, I’ve discovered a new friend in Brooklyn cop Connie Gianelli.<br /><br />Connie has a starkly divided life. A single woman with a job that leaves her no time for a social life, she lives alone with her cat Hotshot, rescued from a crack house. She frets over her loneliness and yearns to marry and raise children. The trouble is, she’s committed to being a cop, a career she chose because of her uncle, mobster Dominic Mangini. She loves him but detests what he does. Both her parents are dead; Dominic is like her father. He has impressed on her the importance of family. “La famiglia é tutto,” he tells her. Family is everything.<br /><br />Read the full review at Ancient Children (no spoilers):<br /><br /><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://www.ancientchildren.com/?p=609">http://www.ancientchildren.com/?p=609</a>