Veritas Reviews

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 Veritas by Charles D'Amico centers around the tough but frank Neil Baggio and his life after the Bureau. However, Neil is drawn back by the FBI because of an old case: that of his former FBI mentor and now serial killer, Franklin Cappelano. Cappelano, also tagged as ‘Veritas’ by the FBI, has an obsessive nature which made it difficult to get a handle on him. He would burn an insignia into his victim’s skin and each stamp was customized by the murderer himself. ‘Veritas’ enjoyed the thought of killing someone blissfully going about their day, completely unaware of the horror he had in store for them. Neil finds the former FBI agent to be a sick and twisted individual. This time, he is determined to play by his own rules and do all he can to catch this crazed killer. 

 
Author Charles D'Amico has crafted a powerful plot that drives the thrills on from the very first moments of the opening chapter, and some fantastic pacing rides the train of suspense right to the book’s startling conclusion. As a central character, Neil assumes the role of a frazzled ex-agent extremely well, living on booze and haunted by the darkness of his career thus far, and of course the mentor whom he once trusted. The close narration and astute dialogue bring readers into his dark world and hold them there, and the other agents who come to join his team offer a fresh foil for his wit and wisdom. Frank Cappelano is also a masterfully developed villain and a sinister one to follow. Overall, I would highly recommend Veritas to readers who enjoy a good crime mystery with smooth writing and plenty of thrills. 

 Veritas (A Neil Baggio Suspense) by Charles D'Amico is a suspenseful tale in which a serial killer toys with an FBI agent. Superbly written, the fabulous narrative cleverly combines a compelling plot, an exciting storyline, and a sharp and sadistic adversary to create an intense and intriguing novel. The enigmatic past and twisted relationship linking the main character and the antagonist captured my interest from the very beginning, and I couldn't put the book down until the shocking finale. It is an outstanding psychological thriller that will delight everyone who loves a rogue hero that will do whatever is necessary to eliminate a menace from society. 

 Veritas is a fast-paced and action-packed read wherein Charles D'Amico has drawn a perfectly imperfect rough-around-the-edges alpha male in Neil Baggio. The entire book is narrated in the first-person and throughout Neil breaks the fourth wall with a running account of where he's been and what he's doing. I enjoy a good anti-hero and Neil's thuggishness and complete lack of filter make both the dialogue and narrative entertaining. He's presumptuous to the point where he can be a real jerk, at one point assuming a contact may have a dubious immigration status to which the contact responds, “I’m a US citizen, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.” D'Amico is well versed in putting his characters back in their place when necessary. The ending feels a bit abrupt but—and I'm making an assumption myself here—the remaining three books in the series have already been released, so the adventures of Neil Baggio and the readers who adore him can carry on without interruption. 

 This is a well-crafted thriller that will delight fans of James Patterson. Neil Baggio is an experienced agent of the Bureau called back to help investigate his former boss. A curious case, indeed. The killer’s plan is elaborate and his intelligence is behind the twists and stunning surprises that are registered in the plot. The first-person narrative voice is arresting and pulls the reader into the worldview of the protagonist. The writing is impeccably good and I enjoyed the dialogues and how the author uses these dialogues to spice up the plot and enrich the characters. Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense has a lot of potential to not only entertain readers but to become a blockbuster movie, thanks to the strong plot points, the rich characters, and the well-developed conflict. 

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