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Books4Tomorrow
Posted May 15, 2013
When I look for excuses to read rather than work, the book must be a page-turner. Such was the case with Diavolino. Was it a good idea for the Catholic Church to exile their murderer and rapist priests to an island where there might be a latent supernatural phenomenon? When Tom Lubton and his family arrives on Diavolino, they find out that, not only are the locals from Polvese dead set against development of the island, but, there is also something strange and threatening on Diavolino itself. Soon they are in for a hair-raising adventure filled with the stuff of their worst nightmares.
This extremely well-researched and suspense laden book kept me spellbound for hours. Filled with action from the word go, the story builds to a mighty climax in the second half of the book. The author took the time to wind the story down in a satisfactory way with some of the questions unanswered - something that I like in a book.
The characters are truly realistically and skillfully crafted. From Sir Roger, the typical old English gentleman, to the numerous Italian locals on Polvese, they are all so absolutely unique and vivid that I could visualize them throughout the story. Some of the bad guys actually have second thoughts when they realize how destructive their mission is, and what is an almost five-hundred-year old priest and his doctor, who is a transplant specialist, doing in the Vatican?
The author uses multiple points of view to tell the story and this serves to crank the suspense up to almost unbearable at times. During the main crisis of the book, he adds what is being broadcast on the media to the rapidly switching points of view thus emphasizing the sense of disaster. This book contains some of the best descriptions of pure evil that I have ever read. His use of the mythical Stymphalian birds gives a nicely inventive twist to the events.
For an edge-of-your-chair reading experience I highly recommend Diavolino, a truly five star read by an author who clearly put in a great deal of effort to create a highly exciting and informative book. (Ellen Fritz)
PopsHarris
Posted September 16, 2012
The book was well constructed. The characters were interesting. The plot thickened and came together as the story progressed. Some of the characters were interesting. Towards the end of the book it got very interesting very quickly! It highlights the constant struggle between good and bad that affects all of us every day , and the choices we make in life. Well done. Book could have been more compact.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Brinda_Berry
Posted March 25, 2012
Emmett sets the mood from page one in this horror masterpiece. There's plenty of foreshadowing in place that leads me to wish I could warn the Lupton family. Emmett builds your knowledge of the characters' personalities layer by layer while moving the plot along at fast pace that keeps you turning the page. The imagery of the novel immerses the reader in several environments - England, Italy, and Hell.
If you want a read that feels like a stroll in the park, this isn't it. This book keeps your running with the Boogie Man behind you.
Cat_Cavendish
Posted December 6, 2011
This is my kind of horror story. Great plot, plausible characters that you actually care about and a pace that never lets up. This is 21st century Dennis Wheatley meets Stephen King and I found it unputdownable. Highly recommended.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5260569
Posted September 23, 2011
Highly recommend! I couldn't put it down! Unique story line, like nothing I've never read before. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PatriciaL
Posted February 18, 2011
Diavolino is a riveting supernatural thriller. This well-crafted book includes terrifying scenes, vivid monsters, and three-dimensional characters. The exquisite setting in Italy's Lake Trasimeno area provides an intriguing contrast between intense beauty and horrifying occurrences.
Architects Tom and Elspeth Lupton, accompanied by their young daughter, Alice, travel to Italy at the request of an affable but unconventional client, Roger Ashby. It seems as though they have an enviable assignment to build a house on a previously unknown island that Ashby purchased. But the island has an occult history involving human torture and sacrifice.
Sima, Tom's assistant, accompanies the Luptons. Her ties with the supernatural provide the spark that ignites a shocking sequence of events, which a powerful sinister character orchestrates. His malicious intentions pose a global threat. Tom's race to save his family provides the reader with unrelenting suspense.
Anyone who reads the book will be pleased to know that this talented author has already started on a sequel.
Elizabeth65
Posted February 16, 2011
If you enjoy getting lost in adventures, this is the book to read. Fast-paced with characters you care about (one way OR the other), the author craetes a dark but entertaining story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SueR56
Posted February 16, 2011
If you're a fan of Dan Brown and Stephen King, look no further. I have just read "Diavolino" that will keep fans of both thrilled - a kind of DB and SK one-stop book. How it could be overlooked by large publishing houses is beyond me, but maybe it's the sign of the times, I don't know.
I'm not usually a fan of paranormal and horror but this new story grabbed me from the very first page. I just had to, so I emailed the author and said, Wow! And I was only on chapter three. By the end I was breathless, so wrung out I couldn't touch a keyboard until now.
The scene is set in Italy, there's Vatican involvement in this thriller (we believe), and a puzzle to solve that leads back to ancient icons and history, not forgetting a simmering fight between Good and Bad on the point of boiling over. Sounds like Dan Brown? Maybe, but this is so much better.
The reader is able to smell, taste, feel and see the countryside of Umbria, the author really knows his stuff about this area. But, don't worry, it doesn't overwhelm the plot at all.
We start out in the Papal States, circa 1545. In true Stephen King fashion the reader gets a foretaste of the horror to come and what a horror, the author is a master at conjuring up the worst images and situations. I was just wiping my brow when I breathed a sigh of relief to be taken to recent London and characters as normal as you or I (!) Fully rounded characters, I might add - none of your two dimensionals à la D.B. - with believable dialogue and quirks.
It's not my place here to give the plot away, suffice to say that my relief was short-lived as I was transported off to modern-day Italy - back to that place in Umbria which had me reeling in the beginning. And that's where the suspense builds. And if the horror at the beginning was bad, you won't believe what comes up later.
The author is exceedingly clever: he's done a lot of research into his subject and releases it at just the right pace. He knows how to tease, to thrill and to leave almost every scene on a cliff-hanger that has the reader begging for more. It is a heart-racing thriller with twists that take you on a roller-coaster which will have you clinging to the sides of your chair. But it's a fun ride that builds to a horrifying climax having reduced Italy to a boiling cauldron (Italians watch out!).
All I can say is, put this at the top of your reading pile and be prepared to sweat (or glow, in my case).
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