Early Reviews for the 5th Installment

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 In Consilium by Charles D'Amico, with serial killer Cappelano behind bars, FBI agent Neil Baggio is determined to complete his mission of taking down the illegal drug operation of sociopath businessman Jason Gaines. But Gaines has powerful and corrupt friends who are more than willing to help him keep one step ahead of capture. Slowly, Gaines is destroying everything Baggio holds dear with the help of a hired female assassin, hoping to remove the FBI agent for good. As Gaines comes after Baggio with everything he has, it seems Gaines has become an expert in getting inside Baggio's head. With undercover spy Marie still investigating Gaines's operation in New Orleans, she has managed to avoid her identity being revealed but for how long? She must risk everything to stop Gaines from importing his deadly street drug Requiem into the United States before he discovers who she really is. As Gaines plans to expand his operation and execute the release of Cappelano, Baggio's reputation and future are on the line. Gaines will stop at nothing to win but neither will Baggio. 

 Charles D'Amico is one of my absolute favorite authors, and I always have high expectations when I pick up a novel by him. The best part about reading his novels is that he never disappoints. This new installment in the Neil Baggio series hits hard from the moment the story opens, and there is never a lull in the action. Neil has his work cut out for him, and he is really tested by his opponent this time. Things are not as easy for him, but Neil’s character is so powerful that he always shines through. However, he is the most “human” character ever. He goes through some heavy emotions in this one because of Maria and especially because he does not have her to rely on. I always enjoy the relationship between Neil and Cappelano, and this novel is no different. Gaines is one of the worthiest antagonists, and the author does him justice. I love this new installment, and I cannot wait for more. 

 Author Charles D'Amico offers another thrilling installment in the ongoing saga of the Neil Baggio world, and this time the stakes are yet more emotive and eternal. One of the things that I love about this as a crime/suspense series is the fact that putting the bad guys behind bars doesn’t solve the problems, and there are so many more complexities, legalities, and dangers for the characters to navigate in this highly realistic world. As always, the characters are exceedingly well developed, and the dialogue gives us subtle clues and entertaining asides that relate to other stories in the series for those die-hard fans out there. That said, picking up any book in this collection delivers a complete story with a strong satisfaction at its conclusion. Overall, I would definitely recommend Consilium as another great episode to add to the Baggio collection. 

 Consilium by Charles D'Amico is another explosive storyline with non-stop action and shocking plot twists. Each of the characters, even the minor ones, is brought to life with masterful vividness. The entire cast of characters is believable and each plays an integral part in the story. I absolutely loved meeting new characters especially Jai; his relationship with Baggio was endearing. I was also pleased Marie made another appearance as her fearlessness and expertise in human behavior are always impressive. I thought showing Baggio interact with his daughter was fantastic as this really highlighted another side to his personality. As with all the other novels in the Neil Baggio series, the areas of conflict were amazing and there were some great plot twists throughout. I loved the psychological game of cat and mouse Gaines and Baggio played; it really kept me on the edge of my seat. The scene in the courtroom towards the end of the story was outstanding. Although I would recommend reading the previous novels in this series, Consilium is a stand-alone read, as the author does an exceptional job creating wonderful backstories. 

 This is an engrossing entry that is as captivating as any I have read in the series. The author’s first-person narrative voice gets its unique signature in this story and it pulls the reader irresistibly into the world of the protagonist. It is interesting to follow Neil as he works together with Frank, reviewing old case files and getting under each other’s skin like old pals. The story reads as a stand-alone novel, and the author’s use of streams of consciousness helps to introduce readers to other characters and events that happened in earlier books in the series. The relationship between Neil and Frank is deftly written. Both Frank and Gaines are well-written characters, each having a unique effect on the protagonist. Neil is driven by rage to outwit Gaines in his game, and this is the underlying force that drives motivation in the story. In addition to being a suspenseful narrative, Consilium by Charles D'Amico is a rich study of detective work and an interesting take on criminal minds and behaviors. 

  Charles D’Amico's style of writing keeps you intrigued as to where the storyline is going next; every time you turn the page there’s a new, exciting scene. Charles takes you right into the mind of Neil Baggio as he fights with emotion over the deaths of his loved ones. The mind pictures that the author helps you create are both exciting and vivid, enhancing your enjoyment of this fast, action-packed book. It is written in such a way that you would enjoy it as part of the series or a standalone book. So whether you are a fan of the Neil Baggio series of books or are reading Charles D’Amico's writing for the first time, you are bound to be entertained and it does make you want to read the other books.