Heartbreaker [Hardcover]

Ferrigno keeps each of the characters distinct and interesting, whether he's in the head of protagonist, witty tough guy Val Duran, or whether he's exploring the people in Duran's life, like Junior, who has almost as much affection for Duran as he does his favorite program, Jeopardy!, but nevertheless wants Duran dead. Then there's "dead boy" Armando, the unlikely and eccentric muscle; the hulking, love-sick Dekker; Jackie, the lethal seductress who enchants both Dekker and pretty boy Kilo; Duran's shrewd Seminole grandmother, Grace; and Kyle, the sexy marine biologist for whom Duran falls hard.

The scenery is equally compelling, whether the action takes place in a Miami penthouse, a dangerous coastal cove in Southern California, or a backyard miniature golf course that pays tribute to cheesy horror films.

But despite the snappy settings and dialogue, there is also real suspense, primarily because the characters consistently seem motivated by their own inner demons and not by the needs of the plot. There are some unexpected "wow" moments, like when the two storylines converge, or when certain characters meet for the first time, where the readers is left surprised, muttering, "Oh, that's it." And even the pay-offs for events that seem pre-destined from page 1 are layered with an unexpected poignancy.

Okay, so by now you know I love the book. My husband, who's much harder to please and has really liked only two or three of the books he's read in as many years, also claims this as a favorite. Ferrigno does something that is a challenge: he presents a flawlessly written and plotted masterpiece and makes it all look like entertaining, escapist fun.

Now, my two cents - Is Val Duran a returning hero ? I don't think so. Then why his past is mostly a gray area ? There is not enough information in there as to why exactly Steffano got killed, Val's past..and the most important of 'em all - how Val got onto the real person behind the whole scheme ?? I mean, what the heck ? Nothing is explained in this book!!! And since even beyond a certain point of extreme cerebration I drew a blank, I gave up !!

Some characters are pretty contrived like Jackie Hendricks and Junior, the plot is pencil thin..there are a lot of illogical things happening - why would Val wanna go on air when he is hiding out ? And why didn't Val turn the real culprit in when he is convinced that the person has committed a heinous crime ? beats me !!

The highlight of the book I must admit, is the razor-sharp dialogue that flies back and forth..especially that of Dekker and Val. Kept me through the book anyways. Worth a read. I deem this book worthy of 2.5 stars (since there is no decimal datatype here, I round it off to the next whole number).