Enigma of the Missionary

, , , , , , , , , , , Book, E-book, Eng, Mystery, Thriller

A NEW INVESTIGATION FOR INSPECTOR NARDI

Who is the hooded man spreading terror on the streets of Rome? Who is the victim of whom? And what role will Inspector Nardi play this time? The hunter or the prey?

Called to investigate a suspicious death, Inspector Massimo Nardi must delve into the past of a missing woman. Determined to shed light on the dark aspects of her life, he immediately encounters uncomfortable truths. He is unaware that he, himself, is a target, subject to a larger scheme.

Only when a series of murders begins to interfere with the investigation does he realize that he is not the only one interested in the case. Hidden in the shadows is the serial killer who is terrorizing the city of Rome. And it is he who is pulling the strings of the game.

The media have nicknamed him “The Missionary” because of the signature that distinguishes the macabre crimes: a blood cross on the victims’ foreheads and a Bible verse inside the corpses.

For Nardi, the challenge with the killer will soon become personal. He has no idea what motives drive the perpetrator to kill, but he knows for certain that if he wants to outsmart him and prevent more bloodshed, he must quickly discover the invisible thread that connects him to his case.

PRESS RELEASE

"A meticulously crafted thriller that keeps the reader glued to the pages until the surprising conclusion. The characters are well drawn, and the Roman setting, both recognizable and enchanting, adds a layer of depth. Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo demonstrates exceptional narrative technique, creating a suspenseful atmosphere and proving expertise in investigative procedures. The plot is constructed with precision and attention; no detail is left to chance, resulting in a compelling book that captivates from start to finish." ~ Le Fleurs du Mal


"With order and meticulousness, the author weaves a intricate web… You'll encounter a thorough exploration of characters, a finely tuned and intricately plotted series of events, and genuine, emotionally resonant twists." ~ WeWrite Magazine


"The story is highly original, with a perfect interweaving of individual characters' situations. One mustn't overlook anything because nothing is superfluous; every detail proves to be a valuable clue. The author's style is straightforward and adept at setting the right pace for various scenes, skillfully misleading the reader about the truth of the case." ~ Buona Lettura

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Shadow of punishment

, , , , , , , , , , Book, E-book, Eng

CRYPTIC CHARACTERS, AN ENTHRALLING PLOT, LOTS OF SUSPENSE AND TWISTS

You will think you have figured it all out, but turning the page will reveal that the game is not over yet.


TOP 100 Best Sellers Amazon

Finalist in the literary competition ILMIOESORDIO

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Plot

In VitaNuova, Italy’s exclusive center for drug rehab, the lives of the people who work there are turned upside down when a young psychologist is murdered.
Hidden truths emerge linking together the apparently random lives of the characters in a dance of intrigue. The mask of hypocrisy slowly falls away uncovering the evil which makes them all both victims and perpetrators of unspeakable crimes.
Two sisters, two lovers and a fake marriage create an explosive mix where love is crushed by hate. A tragic tale of passion, betrayal, blackmail and revenge.
It’s up to inspector Nardi to investigate, and soon he will be forced to deal with his own past in order to solve the case.

 

 

Press Release

 
“I really liked the cover. It is very appealing designed. The writing style is pleasant and very fluently to read. The characters are very well described and look well thought out and consistently interesting. The tension is always present. The descriptions of surroundings, feelings and scenes were also very good. The story is told pleasant and it succeeds from the first pages to dive directly into the story. The storyline as a whole is very coherent and it seems very understandable and authentic. A very fascinating story that you won’t like to stop reading.” ~ NetGalley Reviewer

 

“Shadow of Punishment is a fantastic crime novel… Kudos to Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo for writing such a compelling, intriguing story… Murder, intrigue, suicide, and blackmail surround everyone. An excellent book filled with plot content, exceptional character development, and an interwoven theme that keeps the reader hanging on until the last page.” ~Teresa Syms for Readers Favorite, 5-Star Review

 

“This was a great murder mystery that wrapped itself around a colorful and interwoven cast of characters. Each of those linked to the murders is drawn with great care and the author’s sympathy for them is portrayed in detail. All of them are difficult to hate and the reader is pulled into a web of compassion because any of the suspects could be someone we know. Or ourselves. Each of them is offered justification for their crime, a reason which is suitably compelling as to lead Nardi and the reader in the wrong direction. We watch the intrigue play out without hindrance and are horrified bystanders to a complicated whodunit, not actually sure until the final pages who was at the root of everything. And then we are surprised. Shadow of Punishment has the spirit and momentum of an Agatha Christie mystery.” ~K T Bowes for Readers Favorite, 5-Star Review

 

“Shadow of Punishment by Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo is an edge of the seat thriller with several plots running through it. Each plot is a story on its own, but they all intermingle and it’s only at the end that you can see how they all join. There are loads of twists and turns, loads of surprises, and more than enough action to keep you hooked all the way through it. The author has done a good job of delving into the minds of all the characters, giving us a psychological insight that adds depth to a story already packed with suspense. These are real people, credible characters that you could be walking past in the street, and you will relate to them easily. This is a complex story and you do need your wits about you to keep up with all the different story threads.” ~Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers Favorite, 5-Star Review

 

“This thriller, which takes place in Italy, is well structured on all levels, technically basing on the American style. The dialogues and descriptions allow us to read fast and smoothly, without pausing, and reaching the next chapter without even realizing it.
Jacques Oscar Lufuluabo uses the proper language for all his characters, the right terms at the right time, and high-level psychology that ensures that the suspense typical of a good thriller lingers throughout the book. If they didn’t know the author or the title of the book, the lovers of this genre could easily confuse the thriller Shadow of punishment for a book by John Grisham or Jeffery Deaver.” ~ Passione Lettura

 

“An unconventional crime novel with the characteristics of a thriller; a book that reveals the great job done in laying its foundation. Even if it may appear a little slow in the beginning, in the second part of the book, every piece of the puzzle finds its perfect collocation.” ~ SoloLibri.net

 

Shadow of punisment is the English edition of L’ombra del castigo (more times featured in the Amazon Top 100 list and finalist in the literary competition Ilmioesordio).

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