Blessed are Those Who Weep by Kristi Belcamino – a Review

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Description:
San Francisco Bay Area reporter Gabriella Giovanni stumbles onto a horrific crime scene with only one survivor—a baby girl found crawling between the dead bodies of her family members. Reeling from the slaughter, Gabriella clings to the infant. When Social Services pries the little girl from her arms, the enormity of the tragedy hits home. Diving deep into a case that brings her buried past to the forefront, Gabriella is determined to hunt down the killer who left this helpless baby an orphan.

But one by one the clues all lead to a dead end, and Gabriella’s obsession with finding justice pulls her into a dark, tortuous spiral that is set to destroy everything she loves



Review:

“Mrs. Martin called me at the newspaper yesterday and told me she had a big story-possibly the biggest one of my career”

Yet upon arrival, Gabriella encounters a 10-month old baby girl sitting amidst a horrific murder scene. What an opening chapter! Welcome to book 3 of the Gabriella Giovanni Mysteries, Blessed Are Those Who Weep. Kristi Belcamino continues to impress with her haunting thriller series. I am sorry to say that I missed the sequel *SMH*(and major events), so I had a lot to infer. Most notably was her ENGAGEMENT to swoon-worthy Detective Sean Donovan. It was a joy to reconnect with these lead characters (deciphering memories and recall) and get wrapped up in their next daunting investigation. Very well done!

The web gets tangled when the orphan’s future lies with a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing: Her own father who’s in transit from Iraq. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Military corroboration impedes police investigation to apprehend the killer and a wild, violent goose chase ensues with new motives, suspects and doubt. Nothing remotely kid-friendly about this game!

I loved the chapter spacing and story pacing. A brief chapter can be so precise and impactful! I do tear at my hair when Gabriella acts so recklessly/impulsively (though she downplays those moments “without thinking”). I’ll say! There are questions that should be second nature as a journalist, but she doesn’t ask those. She should also resist following leads as if she were a police officer! Having said that, Gabriella will ensure a villain is behind bars; there is a method to her madness.

The subplot of acquiring her sister’s killer is never far from Gabriella’s thoughts and is only augmented by the orphan. Gabriella suffered a miscarriage in book 2, so the protective feelings over the baby are a visceral reaction to her personal loss. As a natural consequence to the miscarriage, Gabriella reflects on the reasons why she couldn’t see her own baby to term.

“I can’t help but worry I’ll never be able to have a baby. That I’m being punished for taking a life. Taking two lives.”

It’s an agonizing reproach and you pray she stops berating herself (and starts sharing those feelings with Sean); otherwise this unhealthy obsession is going to push him away. I cringed frequently; saddened by her “wasteful” attitude when lovemaking wasn’t productive.

The clock is ticking on what seems to be all facets of Gabriella’s life. What will she salvage first or does her chaos result in a series of detonations? Blessed Are Those Who Weep was a great story in a thriving series. Ms. Belcamino arms Gabriella with great instinct. Details are gritty and intense and she never shies from the emotional and complicated issues. I look forward to the next installment and development of this character!

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Author