A former FBI agent has become a serial killer and challenges his mentee to find and stop him in the exciting thriller Veritas (A Neil Baggio Suspense) by Charles D'Amico. In 2001, Neil Baggio left the FBI when his boss hindered his efforts to capture and incarcerate the dangerous murderer who had once been Neil's mentor. Once he left the agency, Neil continued his hunt for the deadly killer until he ruined his marriage and personal life. Co-creating a private investigating business with a friend, Neil got his life back on track and was happy with the outcome. After four years, the serial killer has resurfaced, and the FBI wants to reinstate Neil to his former position. Not entirely trusting the Bureau, Neil accepts the job but unobtrusively employs the specialists and investigators from his own company on the side. With the killer inciting and provoking him, can Neil locate him before another victim is tortured and murdered? Or will the FBI and their bureaucracy once again obstruct Neil's investigation and let the madman escape?

Veritas (A Neil Baggio Suspense) by Charles D'Amico is a suspenseful tale in which a serial killer toys with an FBI agent. Superbly written, the fabulous narrative cleverly combines a compelling plot, an exciting storyline, and a sharp and sadistic adversary to create an intense and intriguing novel. The enigmatic past and twisted relationship linking the main character and the antagonist captured my interest from the very beginning, and I couldn't put the book down until the shocking finale. It is an outstanding psychological thriller that will delight everyone who loves a rogue hero that will do whatever is necessary to eliminate a menace from society.

Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense novel is a work of fiction in the serial killer thriller sub-genre, and was penned by author Charles D'Amico. Highly enticing, exciting, and tense, the story focuses on the titular character Neil Baggio, whose intense chase of his mentor-turned-killer Cappelano seems to be a lost cause. But the master is not yet ready to let his student go, and a spate of fresh killings brings Neil back into the Bureau and the hunt. What results is a suspenseful chase and investigation in which the astute former FBI agent will try to catch the killer and put his own demons to rest once and for all.

Author Charles D'Amico has crafted a powerful plot that drives the thrills on from the very first moments of the opening chapter, and some fantastic pacing rides the train of suspense right to the book’s startling conclusion. As a central character, Neil assumes the role of a frazzled ex-agent extremely well, living on booze and haunted by the darkness of his career thus far, and of course the mentor whom he once trusted. The close narration and astute dialogue bring readers into his dark world and hold them there, and the other agents who come to join his team offer a fresh foil for his wit and wisdom. Frank Cappelano is also a masterfully developed villain and a sinister one to follow. Overall, I would highly recommend Veritas to readers who enjoy a good crime mystery with smooth writing and plenty of thrills.

Veritas by Charles D'Amico is the first book in the Neil Baggio Suspense series, setting the foundation for its titular protagonist in the action thriller of this quaternary saga. Neil is asked back to his former post with the FBI when a serial killer named Franklin “Veritas” Cappelano reemerges. Being recalled to close the case once and for all is far from a disappointment for Neil who, alongside his FBI colleagues Maria and Mike, is better equipped to shut Cappelano and his terrifying crime spree down for good. Neil is a hard work and harder play kind of guy who cares for little more than what flows into his bank account or down his throat, with the exception of an ex-wife and daughter who still remain the only spark of tenderness in a man with a deeply dogged nature.

Veritas is a fast-paced and action-packed read wherein Charles D'Amico has drawn a perfectly imperfect rough-around-the-edges alpha male in Neil Baggio. The entire book is narrated in the first-person and throughout Neil breaks the fourth wall with a running account of where he's been and what he's doing. I enjoy a good anti-hero and Neil's thuggishness and complete lack of filter make both the dialogue and narrative entertaining. He's presumptuous to the point where he can be a real jerk, at one point assuming a contact may have a dubious immigration status to which the contact responds, “I’m a US citizen, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.” D'Amico is well versed in putting his characters back in their place when necessary. The ending feels a bit abrupt but—and I'm making an assumption myself here—the remaining three books in the series have already been released, so the adventures of Neil Baggio and the readers who adore him can carry on without interruption.

Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico is a suspenseful novel that follows two strong characters, Neil Baggio who has left the Bureau and is adjusting to his new life as an independent contractor, and his mentor, Frank Cappelano, a former FBI agent who has become a monster. Neil has worked on Cappelano’s case and has almost accepted that he is beaten, but then Cappelano still has not finished his game with him. Frank is a sick bastard and a killer who enjoys the intimate process of customizing each victim’s stamp. After everyone thinking that the killer has disappeared, he comes back as Veritas, and now his victims are close to home. Neil finds himself coming back to work with the Bureau, and this time he will play by different rules, his own rules, to catch Cappelano.

This is a spellbinding thriller with unforgettable characters, a novel that is written by a great storyteller. The story features a strong point of view and conflict, and it bears Charles D’Amico’s unique signature for gorgeous prose and a captivating first-person narrative voice. One of the things I enjoyed about the story is the relationship between Neil Baggio and Frank. Readers are introduced to two characters who had once worked together, a mentor and a mentee. Now it feels like the mentor has turned bad and is taunting the mentee, understanding his emotions perfectly, and knowing exactly where and how to make him frustrated. The question is: Can Neil use what he learned from Frank to catch him? Neil can easily get paranoid and worried about his competence when faced with the taunts the killer throws at him. Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense is a page-turner and it will be easy to adore this author’s gift for writing elaborately developed and extraordinary characters.

Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico introduces readers to another spellbinding entry in the series featuring Neil Baggio, who once worked for the Bureau. He left the FBI without solving the case involving his mentor, Franklin Cappelano. Frank has become a killer and is wanted by the FBI. When Frank commits new murders, Neil finds himself coming back to the Bureau, and this time he is determined to bring the criminal in. Frank is not an ordinary killer. In fact, he was one of the best agents of the Bureau and it was he who trained Neil Baggio. So if Neil Baggio is to catch him, then he will have to be better than Frank.

Veritas is suspenseful and emotionally and psychologically rich. I particularly loved the effect that Frank has on Neil Baggio, for just the thoughts of him can easily get the detective on edge. The author uses the stream of consciousness deftly, allowing background information and backstory to filter through the idle thoughts of the protagonist. The style is gloriously inventive, the voice captivating, and the plot is cleverly written. Charles D’Amico plots like a master and executes with the intelligence of a detective. The relationships between the characters are well-established and the reader is left in no doubt that the protagonist is driven by a strong motivation to catch his mentor. The author allows the egos of the two key characters to clash as the story moves forward, with Neil Baggio unable to put Frank out of his mind. Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense is a world that fans of sleuth will never get tired of navigating, filled with clues and surprises.

Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico is a captivating thriller that has the author’s trademark for compelling and utterly enjoyable characters. Having read several books in the Neil Baggio series, I can say that this author does not disappoint. His name is Franklin Cappelano, now known as “Veritas,” and he is the scourge of the FBI. He had once been Neil Baggio’s mentor, teaching him to catch criminals. Now he has become an elusive serial killer. His recent killings have made Neil Baggio come back to the Bureau. And if he has to stop and bring “Veritas” in, then he will have to play by his own rules. It is a cat-and-mouse game filled with action. Can Neil beat a master at his own game?

Charles D'Amico writes impeccably well and I enjoyed the way the author uses the first-person, allowing the emotions and thoughts of the characters to come out with clarity through the narrative. He creates two strong characters and sets them on the stage; the mentor becomes a criminal and the mentee goes after him. One thing that is interesting is how these characters are written and it is genius that the villain is someone who has hunted people like him before, so he knows the rules and can easily anticipate every step that Neil Baggio takes, even taunting him and stirring his anger. The prose is crisp and flawless, littered with dialogues that are easy flowing. Veritas: A Neil Baggio Suspense is a spellbinding, unpredictable crime thriller that offers a real thrill ride to readers. It is another page-turner in the series.

Veritas is the first novel in the Neil Baggio Suspense series by Charles D'Amico. Neil was glad to say goodbye to his Bureau days, but it seems like the Bureau has yet to say goodbye to him. He is called back to the Bureau to investigate Frank Cappellano, his mentor, now known as Veritas. A despicable and evil serial killer, Veritas is a hard man to catch. The only one who can stop him is Neil, but Neil is not ready to face the man who he once looked up to. With the body count increasing, Neil is almost out of time. He has to bring his A-game to make sure he catches Veritas, matches his every step, and eventually beats Veritas at his own game. But can Neil do it? Can he even surprise a man who taught him everything he knows?

It is where the saga begins, and I loved everything about it. It is no surprise that I love Charles D'Amico's narrative style. I don't think there is a novel by Mr. D'Amico that I haven't read and loved. As I expected, the narrative is vivid, it is descriptive, and it reveals so much about what is going inside a character's head. Neil is more level-headed than I could ever wish to be. He thinks with his mind and follows his guts, something that comes to him by instinct. The action never stops in the story, and the fast-paced narrative is a testament to that. The author knows how to tell a story and keep his readers hooked to it. This book series is worthy of getting its own TV series!