Predators & Prayers

I absolutely loved Predators & Prayers! This book is a page turner, I could not put it down. I enjoyed the characters and locations, especially Carlo's description of the Amalfi coast. All in all, quite amazing.

Predators & Prayers is an intriguing and disturbing account straight from todays' headlines. A true page turner that kept me in suspense from beginning to end. This novel will be a subject for our next book club.

I LOVED THIS SPELL BINDING THRILLER. I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN. I READ IT IN 2 SITTINGS. NOW I KNOW HOW THE CHURCH BECAME A BIG PLAYGROUND FOR CHILD MOLESTORS. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK THAT EVERYONE INTERESED IN THE TRUTH AND A REALLY GOOD READ SHOULD RUN OUT AND GET.GREAT BOOK!!!! GET IT!!!!!

New York Police Department Captain Tony Flynn investigates a serial killer targeting priests, but also uncovers criminal activities by the victims. As he follows up that link, the Catholic Diocese pressures the cops to back off that side of their inquiries even if that is the key connection besides religion between the deceased. The Church wants the killer stopped, but not with a spotlight on them; if he or she remains free to murder a few more priests until caught so be it. The NYPD brass and the mayor's office heed the Church's desire to back off from anything that makes the priesthood look bad. They press Tony to stop following clues that paint the Church in a nasty light. The Church also uses the media claiming the cops are anti-religious activists hating Catholics. Already with a cloud over him from his past, Tony refuses to back off as he wonders about the Church's attitude until he finds a taint impacting children that have conspiracy, cover up and crime reaching into the top levels of the Catholic hierarchy. This is an exhilarating police procedural suspense thriller that grips the reader from the moment the Church begins to complain to the media and the politicians that the cops are Catholic bashers who are not interested in capturing a deranged killer. Fans will wonder why they take that position as the conspiracy starts to surface at the same time that the audience will feel the tension of a serial killer psychological thriller. All this comes together though some readers will think perhaps Phillip Carlo went too far with the conspiracy, but all readers will finish this in one tense sitting to learn the several whys behind the realistic cast. Harriet Klausner

There are some books that grab your attention from the first word, such is the case with this outstanding work, Predators & Prayers. Priests in New York City are being brutally killed, mutilated, degraded and the pressure is on to find this madman. That was the job set before Captain Tony Flynn, a man who has seen more than his fair share of murders, but this case would run into deep un-charted waters, waters he didn't like being in as they stirred memories that he had tried to forget. This one would be personal. As for our killer, he has his reasons for what appears to be senseless death, and as the author details the deep-seated pain of his past you must rebuke the urge to cheer him on, knowing within yourself murder is never the answer, two wrongs do not make a right. Yet, the author takes you so deep into the pain in the soul of this man that you bleed within for the sorrow that was his life. We are introduced to Carole Cunningham, a hard nose attorney from the DA's office, who is carefully working another angle of the case. The author worked this side of the investigation in allowing you to know facts that otherwise would be left by the wayside. That was a good move and really enhanced the read. The story is quick paced as the killer travels to Rome, his quest, the death of the Pope. We are introduced to Nino Maranzano, the Italian Chief of police who merges forces with Flynn to stop this killer. Mr. Carlo builds character upon charter, defining each one so vividly that they nicely layer the story and pull you into the core of this book, the lives of these people. There are many emotional surges throughout this work and some surprising twists, such as the first true feeling of love our killer experiences for a wonderful woman named Diane, and the final chapter that brings closure to a life wracked in pain. As details are revealed you want to laugh, you want to cry and your emotions spiral within you. I really can't say enough good things about this work. Philip Carlo brings out a hidden truth of sexual abuse that plagues the very institution that should be a haven of safety, the Catholic church. Yet, understand this, he makes it plain that it is not the belief in God, nor the soundness of such a belief that is to fault, but the concept that predators always find openings to feed upon their prey. He opens our eyes to a problem that is sweeping our country, infiltrating many sacred institutions and touching those who cannot defend themselves. This read is one of pain, revenge, love, hate, forgiveness and frank honesty that you will never forget. This is a must read that you will not be able to put down. Highly, highly recommended. Shirley Johnson/Senior Reviewer MidWest Book Review