Title: Requital: “When the Seed of Vengeance Is Sown, It Has No Bounds…”
Author: Monique Gliozzi
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
ISBN: 9780228851677
Pages: 238
Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Hollywood Book Reviews
There are many times in life in which people can have an impact on life. Whether it is their own lives, the lives of someone they love, or a complete stranger, the decisions and actions that people make every single day can have long-standing repercussions that cascade to the lives of others without anyone even realizing. The ability to take stock of a person’s actions and see how that impact affects other people is a skill few are prepared to have, but in times of crisis must be accounted for.
The actions of those deemed by society to be too cruel or violent can have the biggest impact of all. That is what author Monique Gliozzi explores in the book Requital: “When the Seed of Vengeance Is Sown, It Has No Bounds…” The novel sees the lives of several people clash together in unexpected ways. A serial killer stuck behind bars explores the events which turned her into a deadly killer. With no parole in her future, the killer instead seeks ways to manipulate others in her orbit. A mother desperate to save her sick child becomes a target, while an ex-FBI agent trying to balance her new business and her family life gets drawn into the case when an unexpected kidnapping takes a drastic turn.
The author did an incredible job of capturing the mystery and intrigue that serial-killer-driven narratives often have. The reader is shocked to discover the killer is already in prison, and yet the web of lies and deceit she leaves in her wake brings shocking realities to life as the story progresses. The rich imagery used in the author’s writing brought those tense standoffs both physically and mentally to life in visceral ways, and the multiple points of view allowed the reader to get lost in the narrative with every twist and turn.
For any fan of serial killer thrillers, especially those with layered mysteries and heart-pounding suspense, this is the absolute perfect read. The character development was the driving force behind the story, as readers not only got the chance to see from the perspective of multiple characters and how their past added to the growing plot, but the backstory of the serial killer, Larissa, and how trauma mixed with a developed sociopathy evolved Larissa into a cold-blooded killer with a singular focus made her a well-developed antagonist to get lost in. A novel of emotional connections with characters and dynamic action and suspense, this is one story that readers will come back to time and time again when a good thriller is needed.