I judged the title and I bought the book. I’ll admit it. I mean come on, when you first look at it, it reads as Kill Father. 

The book has been lying around the house since October 2020. And I received lots of not-so-happy reactions from my family. Given my strong views on Religion, they initially believed it was about killing a priest, which I assure you it is not. 

If you’re thinking it took me five months to read the book, well it didn’t, it took me 5 days. I began the book initially in October 2020 but wasn’t consistent. The book is addicting and brilliant but my close friend became unwell and then passed away in early November. I couldn’t read or focus on much for a long time post that. 

The close friend was my grandma. She was graceful yet sassy. She’d been with my now 90 yr old grandfather for 74 years! Jesus! My longest relationship was 2 years and the majority of it was long distance! 

Navigating romantic relationships is not easy especially when you’re trying to find a way to not lose yourself in the process. This year seems like a learning year for me. Learning when to compromise and when to draw my boundaries. Sometimes even the boundaries we have to draw with ourselves can be difficult.

Kill The Father is all about going out of your comfort zone. Both protagonists are trauma survivors and have both been tasked with the mission of finding a serial killer known as The Father. 

Set in Rome, Italy, Andre one of the protagonists is a victim and only survivor of The Father. He has been battling every day since trying to move on and survive from the traumatic experience, only to be pulled right back into it when The Father resurfaces after 25 years. Deputy Captian Colomba Caselli on the other hand, has survived an explosion in the literal sense, leaving her with severe signs of PTSD, causing her to leave the Italian police force altogether. But the case in an unexpected way much to her dislike reels her in as well. 

Every time you think they’ve gotten The Father or come close to getting him, the plot changes, and you’re left wanting more. It explains why I read for 6 hours without putting the book down, without drinking water, and without using the restroom. 

Reading the book sent me back to remembering a few flights I had to Italy, especially Roma as the natives say. It’s a city of ruins so beautiful it took my breath away (cliche’ but no other metaphor I can think of). I’ve been there in winter and summer. Both times I’ve had lovely trips. In summer I’ve eaten gelatos, pizzas, drank wine, and found profiteroles rolls I still dream of (the ones in the Italian Carrefour: Please don’t judge me!) The food in Italy is delicious and you have to go to understand! 

Fun fact btw, I cannot pronounce pizza properly! 

Well getting back to the book though, it takes you through the highs and lows of being on the police force, the limitations police officers have and their sense of duty many of them hold so dearly. 

I deeply recommend this book. It’s so full of twists and turns you may need to set aside a whole day just to have the full experience. It took me 2 hours AFTER reading to come back to reality to realize it was JUST a book. Because that’s the power Sandrone’s writing can have and I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on it. 

PS: I also lost my grandfather at the time I decided to put this on the website. It’s been difficult to lose two people that were a big part of my heart and world. I realize I was blessed to have them and the relationship I had with them up into my adulthood but, it doesn’t make the pain of them moving into the light any less.