Reader Reviews

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 Frank's Journal: Vol. 1 thru 3 by Charles D'Amico will be loved by fans of the Neil Baggio series. The author takes us right into Frank Cappellano’s mind. How does one of the best FBI agents become a cold-blooded killer? Frank will tell you how. From volume 1 to 3, Frank is candid with readers and shares how he became the notorious Veritas Killer. In the beginning, Frank is conflicted and has a hard time accepting the reality that he has become a killer. But he embraces it and even feels pride in what he has done. This is an up-close and personal look into the mind of the man who was a mentor to Neil Baggio and a meticulous killer who almost got away. 

 Having read plenty of works from the interconnected world which author Charles D’Amico has created, I was already excited stepping into this work to see the Neil Baggio saga from the criminal perspective. The narrative style, raw quality, and deep psychological consideration give readers a whole new perspective on Frank Cappellano, whom I always found fascinating but had never quite had the full range of time to examine owing to his villainous role in the main storyline. Here, the plot plays out with a steady conviction and rising tension, and we witness a well-penned and emotionally impactful breakdown which results in some real heart-in-your-throat moments of masterful storytelling. Overall, I would highly recommend Frank’s Journal: Vol. 1 thru 3 to fans of the existing Neil Baggio series and surrounding novels in order to appreciate the expertise, atmosphere, and astute sense of humanity in the fictional world as a whole. 

 Frank's Journal: Vol. 1-3 is a fascinating introspective study of the mind of a serial killer. Charles D' Amico explores the psyche of a killer in great detail and masterfully portrays Frank's delusions and the lengths to which a person can go to justify something as evil as killing. The book feels shorter than it is as it's tightly paced, and the plot moves quickly. I found Frank to be a very interesting character. Frank's interaction with other characters were some of the highlights of the book, and his conversation with Mike Adams was my favorite of the bunch. Overall, Frank's Journal: Vol. 1-3 was a highly enjoyable reading experience, and I would recommend it to fans of suspense thrillers. 

  I love the Neil Baggio series and always thought Cappellano was an enigmatic character. The novel delves deep into the mind of this integral and unique character. He is no hero; Frank knows this and so does the author. Charles D'Amico does not try to find reasons as to why Frank is like this and does not try to give him some sad emotional background. He simply shows how Frank is confident, cynical, and almost too sane to be considered a killer. The author tears Frank down, makes his story personal, and allows readers to understand why he is the way he is. All three volumes share a different stage in Frank’s life and how he changes after each stage in life. This is far more fascinating and entertaining than I thought… and I had exceptionally high expectations!  

 Frank’s Journal is a thought-provoking crime thriller that approaches serial killing psychologically. It reminded me of a chess game that involves conscious, meticulous calculation, and risk-taking. Charles D’Amico could take me through a cocktail of emotions, giving the story depth, and showing how the mind of a smart serial killer works. I found myself in a love-hate relationship with Frank. D’amico built raw, formidable characters from the ground up, presenting free-flowing dialogues that I connected with. I felt like I was reading a memoir, hence the thought that the story lived up to its title. I also appreciate that when I had a question in my mind, Frank answered it in the next paragraph, making the plot realistic. I enjoyed this book and would love to see it as a movie! 

 The first thing I look for in a novel is how the voice of the protagonist is projected because I believe it is a major factor that determines how engaging a story would be. Frank's Journal is a first-rate example of a book that strongly projects the voice of its protagonist. I was introduced to the serial killer character from an FBI agent's point of view in the Neil Baggio Series, so I was thrilled to read Frank's Journal as it provides another angle to the suspenseful storyline, and it even surpassed my expectations. Though the killings portrayed in the book might be disturbing to some, they are not described in detail. Frank's Journal is a brilliantly told story about how psychopaths think. Charles D'Amico has created a true masterpiece by intertwining a strong character development with an engaging, action-packed story. 

 The story is told in the first-person and puts Frank at the center of the narrative, a voice that fits the story perfectly as it allows the streams of consciousness, the narrator’s opinionated views, and his personality to be strongly portrayed. Frank’s Journal: Vol. 1 - 3 tells an engrossing story about a serial killer, a man who used to catch criminals, and it is interesting how he understands the way cases are worked by the FBI. Fans of sleuth novels will enjoy this book because one of its most powerful strengths is the way the author explores the mind of a serial killer. Charles D’Amico is a skilled storyteller and writes with confidence. The language is beautiful, accessible, and filled with wonderful descriptions. The author embellishes the story with ample details, shifts the narrative easily between timelines, and creates a character that readers cannot resist. As usual, another enjoyable and mind-blowing story from one of my favorite authors. 

 This is an interesting story, part-sleuth, part-crime, a thriller that is engrossing to say the least. It is an easy read and I enjoyed the author’s narrative voice. The story reflects the mind and voice of the key character — the killer. The descriptions of locales, emotions, states of mind of the characters, scenes, and interactions are impeccably good. The novel feels like the reminiscences of a sicko and it portrays the workings of the mind of a serial killer in a brilliant manner. Charles D’Amico’s novel stands out in its originality, and while I haven’t read any of the books in the Neil Baggio series, Frank’s Journal: Vol 1-3 is a great story that can be read as a standalone novel. The characters are sophisticated and elaborately written. It provides good entertainment for fans of crime and thrillers.