I have not been able to find an official website or blog for Lucretia (Walsh) Grindle.

In The Faces of Angels we meet Mary Warren. Mary Warren is a widow who lost her husband while they were on their honey-moon in Firenze. At that time Mary herself was attacked and almost lost her life as well.

The Faces of Angels introduces Inspector Pallioti. In this novel, he is trying to figure out who is killing off people Mary Warren has come into contact with. During a previous visit Mary, herself, was nearly killed. Her husband was murdered. Right after she returns to Florence, the killings begin again. It seems the serial killer has taken an interest in Mary.

Rituals for serial killers seems to be a must. So too with this killer. The murders are brutal and the victims are left with little gifts.

I’m reminded me of most British mysteries, where suspicion is moved from one person to the other (while one person after the other is killed). This novel is above average in its execution. Grindle has managed to keep the atmosphere tense through most of the novel. At times the flow hiccups, but for the most part Grindle manages to draw me from one line to the other.

The other Inspector Anthony Pallioti mystery is The Villa Triste

The Edgar Allan Poe Awards® 2012: Nominee for The Best Paperback Original