When Catherine Ducane disappears in the heart of New Orleans, the local cops react rapidly - she is the daughter of the Governor of Louisiana after all. But the case gets very strange, very quickly. Her bodyguard turns up horribly mutilated in the trunk of a beautiful vintage car and when her kidnapper calls he doesn't want money: he wants time alone with Ray Hartmann, who works for a Washington-based organised crime task force. All Ray wants to do is get this over with quickly, and go home to try and repair his broken marriage. Instead he must listen to the mysterious kidnapper, an elderly Cuban named Ernesto Perez, who wants to tell him his life story. It's only when he realises that Ernesto has been a brutal hitman for the Mob since the 1950s that things start to come together. But by the time the pieces fall into place, it's already too late...
A Quiet Vendetta
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Review
May well be the best Mafia novel since <i>The Godfather</i>, it's one damn fine book and should be highly recommended to all but the coziest of crime-fiction fans. <i></i> (Elliott Swanson Booklist USA )
Beautifully written, this is a novel to get lost in, a novel to savor and one that is a long ride into the darkness, and if you recall reading Mario Puzo's The Godfather as a teenager [as I did], then this powerful book will make you relive that memory - Masterful but beware of the brutality, because it comes out of the most literate prose I have read for many years. (Ali Karim SHOTS )
Ellory got his thriller writing off to a good start with Candlemoth and followed up tidily with Ghostheart. This book, though, should propel him right up there to battle it out with the big boys ... a satisfying puzzler, and you'll be turning the pages at a brisk rate. (LADSMAG )
With exquisite pace and perfect timing, Ellory has given us a piercing assessment of the nature of love, loyalty and obsessive revenge, not to mention a deep understanding of la cosa nostra. (Matthew Lewin GUARDIAN )
Ellory's entrancing tale weaves the two storylines together, keeping you turning the pages ... this is one of the best mafia reads since Mario Puzo's Godfather (BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY MERCURY )
This is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that warps effectively between a hugely enjoyable thriller and an authentic recreation of the claustrophobic Mob world of brutality and paranoia (TRIBUNE )
Beautifully written, this is a novel to get lost in, a novel to savor and one that is a long ride into the darkness, and if you recall reading Mario Puzo's The Godfather as a teenager [as I did], then this powerful book will make you relive that memory - Masterful but beware of the brutality, because it comes out of the most literate prose I have read for many years. (Ali Karim SHOTS )
Ellory got his thriller writing off to a good start with Candlemoth and followed up tidily with Ghostheart. This book, though, should propel him right up there to battle it out with the big boys ... a satisfying puzzler, and you'll be turning the pages at a brisk rate. (LADSMAG )
With exquisite pace and perfect timing, Ellory has given us a piercing assessment of the nature of love, loyalty and obsessive revenge, not to mention a deep understanding of la cosa nostra. (Matthew Lewin GUARDIAN )
Ellory's entrancing tale weaves the two storylines together, keeping you turning the pages ... this is one of the best mafia reads since Mario Puzo's Godfather (BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY MERCURY )
This is a beautifully written, atmospheric novel that warps effectively between a hugely enjoyable thriller and an authentic recreation of the claustrophobic Mob world of brutality and paranoia (TRIBUNE )
Book Description
An epic novel of gangland intrigue from 'one of crime fiction's new stars' [Sunday Telegraph]
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Hardeep
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have quite literally just finished "Quiet Vendetta" and as emotionally drained as I may be, I felt compelled to post my review/comments regarding this book immediately. In brief summary, a Governor's daughter goes missing following the gruesome murder of her bodyguard. An old Cuban by the name of Ernesto Perez turns up claiming responsibility and knowledge of the girl's whereabouts. Perez requests that his story be heard before relinquishing details of the whereabouts of the Governor's daughter.
And so, we fall headlong into Ellory's detailed and rich story, retracing the steps of one man's journey as a hitman for the mob stretching over four decades. Of course the "organised crime" genre has been covered by many, but not quite like this, not as superbly as this. Ellory's prose is so rich in detail, so original in composition and so creative in plotting, not to mention fantastically well researched.
I believe that Ellory has set a new standard with his writing, and it is certainly a tough act to follow for others who wish to write creatively in this genre. In Perez we have one of my favourite characters of any book, movie or play that I have encountered. This is not due to his criminal activity, and homicidal tendencies, certainly not, but due to the depth and richness Ellory has created in Perez, rarely has a character been so real to me.
I have no doubt that this book would make a great movie, and if directed and produced well, Ernesto Perez would become a character as memorable as Michael Corleone, Henry Hill and Tony Montana. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Ellory is a household name, as he is a bona fide talent, and this is another brilliant book. I highly recommend it
And so, we fall headlong into Ellory's detailed and rich story, retracing the steps of one man's journey as a hitman for the mob stretching over four decades. Of course the "organised crime" genre has been covered by many, but not quite like this, not as superbly as this. Ellory's prose is so rich in detail, so original in composition and so creative in plotting, not to mention fantastically well researched.
I believe that Ellory has set a new standard with his writing, and it is certainly a tough act to follow for others who wish to write creatively in this genre. In Perez we have one of my favourite characters of any book, movie or play that I have encountered. This is not due to his criminal activity, and homicidal tendencies, certainly not, but due to the depth and richness Ellory has created in Perez, rarely has a character been so real to me.
I have no doubt that this book would make a great movie, and if directed and produced well, Ernesto Perez would become a character as memorable as Michael Corleone, Henry Hill and Tony Montana. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Ellory is a household name, as he is a bona fide talent, and this is another brilliant book. I highly recommend it
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By DQ Nott
Format:Paperback
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this novel - its language and scope were certainly addictive - I feel I can't quite bestow upon it the highest praise possible. Of course, what was in the narrative was executed with sublime skill and artistry, I just felt that there was something lacking. This has more to do with the drive of the narrative than with the make-up of plot or characterisation, each of which were flawless in their appeal. I felt that the events in the chapters which took place in the 'here and now' would've benefitted from a sense of impending danger and how these threats were going to addressed by the various law enforcement agencies at play - of course, the kidnap was there but I didn't feel that I cared enough about the outcome.
All in all, though, I would heartily recommend the novel to anyone and I saw enough within it to know that it won't be the last Ellory I read, and that I may well read them all.
All in all, though, I would heartily recommend the novel to anyone and I saw enough within it to know that it won't be the last Ellory I read, and that I may well read them all.
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have now read all five in the R J Ellory portfolio (his sixth is due next month) and not for the first time, I kissed this one as I closed the last page. This man, in my opinion, doesn't know how to write a bad or even mediocre novel. I have never given 5 stars to every book by the same author before, and that would include my personal favourites. I guess Ellory will inevitably slip up sooner or later, but until then I must say that all five of his novels published to date are absolutely top-notch pieces of writing and any one of them could be another reader's first preference. As for A QUIET VENDETTA, the third of the five published, I can only say buy it, borrow it or somehow get your hands on it because it is a captivating story that you just won't want to end.
Some feel that Ellory isn't a crime fiction writer, that his work cannot be pigeon-holed into any specific genre, and while I understand that argument, this story is probably the most criminal of them all. It takes a while before the reader can latch onto who the central character is; at first we assume it to be John Verlaine, a Homicide Detective in New Orleans - but it isn't. Then we figure it to be New York based Special Investigator Ray Hartmann - but again, it isn't. In fact it is more than one hundred pages into the story before we finally know who it's really all about: Ernesto Cabrera Perez, and the narrative switches from third-person to first person as the elderly Perez tells Hartmann his life story. And what a life it was.
Perez is a quite extraordinary man, a man of unquestioning loyalty and devotion to his family. But apart from his own family, at least the one he creates as opposed to his forebears, he is very deeply entrenched in a family of a very different kind.... Read more ›
Some feel that Ellory isn't a crime fiction writer, that his work cannot be pigeon-holed into any specific genre, and while I understand that argument, this story is probably the most criminal of them all. It takes a while before the reader can latch onto who the central character is; at first we assume it to be John Verlaine, a Homicide Detective in New Orleans - but it isn't. Then we figure it to be New York based Special Investigator Ray Hartmann - but again, it isn't. In fact it is more than one hundred pages into the story before we finally know who it's really all about: Ernesto Cabrera Perez, and the narrative switches from third-person to first person as the elderly Perez tells Hartmann his life story. And what a life it was.
Perez is a quite extraordinary man, a man of unquestioning loyalty and devotion to his family. But apart from his own family, at least the one he creates as opposed to his forebears, he is very deeply entrenched in a family of a very different kind.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A Quiet Vendetta
I picked up this book in a waiting room, I then had to go out immediately to buy this booked, I was hooked instantly. Mr Ellory somehow managed to get me to feel that the 'bad' guy was not so bad after all, and almost and I say almost wished I could get to know him personally. After reading this book I immediately went on to Amazon and ordered every other title that Mr Ellory had written, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single one of them, but this one remains my favorite! Can't wait until September 09 for the latest one!
I picked up this book in a waiting room, I then had to go out immediately to buy this booked, I was hooked instantly. Mr Ellory somehow managed to get me to feel that the 'bad' guy was not so bad after all, and almost and I say almost wished I could get to know him personally. After reading this book I immediately went on to Amazon and ordered every other title that Mr Ellory had written, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single one of them, but this one remains my favorite! Can't wait until September 09 for the latest one!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By C.G
Format:Hardcover
Simply one of,if not,the best book ive read,Ellory is a genius,so many twists and turns,if you enjoyed The Godfather,you will enjoy this even more
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4.2 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quiet Vendetta
This is another brilliant book by my favourite author, lent my copy out and had to have another copy on my bookshelf.!
Published 3 months ago by Patricia Fletcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Slow start,fantastic ending!!
It took me a few chapters to finally find momentum but once the pace picked it, it remained at full speed right to the finish line.
Published 5 months ago by Barry Price
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Brit who writes of America like a British writer
I have read several of R J Ellory's books but thankfully there are still some more left to read [his later books as I am going through from earliest to now] - I tend to "save... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joseph Stalin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quite Vendetta
One of the best books i have read, Ernesto Perez's character was brilliant! i felt that i knew him, the story was captivating and unfolded to a twist at the end.
Published 6 months ago by Grahame Hills
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cheat
Written by a cheating Author who reviews his own books. Don't buy this book if you decision is based on reviews as they are most probably false.
Published 9 months ago by Laurence
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hugely disappointing
R J Ellory was at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Although I did not go to listen to him I thought if he had made it that far he must be pretty good. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Big A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes I agree - this one is Superb
Roger's done it again.
I'm a big fan of all things Mafia, with Goodfellas and Casino being two of my favourite films. Read more
I'm a big fan of all things Mafia, with Goodfellas and Casino being two of my favourite films. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Suenos6
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vendetta
I think my favourite of Ellory's works, A Quiet Vendetta tells the life story of a Cuban hitman, revealing his childhood difficulties, his rise into the murky world of organised... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Columnist
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quiet Vendetta: Outstanding novel
A Quiet Vendetta
Author: R.J. Ellory
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Enter the world of a Medical Examiner as he takes you through the process of discovering a corpse,... Read more
Author: R.J. Ellory
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Enter the world of a Medical Examiner as he takes you through the process of discovering a corpse,... Read more
Published 18 months ago by fran Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Quiet Vendetta.
Yet another superb novel by what must be one of the best writers around at the moment. I have only recently started reading R J Ellory's books, and I can't read his back catologue... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Brendan
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