The Dark Heart of Florence

Chief Supt. Michele Ferrara faces both a cunning killer and a maze of bureaucratic ineptitude in his exciting sixth outing, a direct sequel to The Black Rose of Florence. After 75-year-old Sen. Enrico Costanza, an important politician and a Freemason, is found shot to death in his Jacuzzi with his eyeballs gouged out, a killer calling himself “Genius” releases a taunting video. Coming on the heels of the sensational murders committed by a serial killer in the previous book, including that of society scion Giovanna Innocenti, Costanza’s slaying attracts much press attention. As Ferrara and his able team investigate every possible lead, he’s warned off the Freemason track and ordered to make some minor arson attacks his focus. With his career at risk, Ferrara presses on in the face of more deaths, more taunts, and a surprising tie to the earlier crimes. Giuttari, who once headed the Florence police force, smoothly ratchets up the suspense. (Dec.)