Customer Reviews

The Paradiso Files: Boston's Unknown Serial Killer

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This smart, fast account of an 80s crime spree investigated and prosecuted by a determined young DA reads like a great suspense novel. The author writes of his own experience (somewhat awkwardly in the third person)and brings his city and characters vividly to life in this account of Leonard Paradiso, a serial rapist and murderer of women who evades prosecution for far too long. As the assistant District Attorney and his cohort, "Ponytail," the cowboy-boot-wearing trooper, close in on Paradiso, the reader feels the tension ratchet up.

This way-above-average true crime account is built for fun, with two and three page chapters, colorful characters and settings, and a truly evil subject. Great read - would make a cool movie.

True crime fans should put The Paradiso Files on the top of their "must read" list. Burke weaves an incredible tale of murder and mayhem in his well-written first book. It's a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to seeing more by this author

This a great book. Incredible insight not just about the criminal justice system, but also about Boston during the time period. Despite being aware of how the "story ended" I still felt a strong level of suspense and dread going through each page, scared that the killer would slip away. The author was on the forefront of groundbreaking legal decisions including self incrimination, statute of limitations and forensic testing.

What a book, if you like Dennis LeHane, if you like Robert Parker, If you

like John Grisham, you will love Tim Burke. This author seems to have combi

ned the talents of all three into one well written book. The descriptions

of the characters, the visits to the many venues, and the courtroom drama,

Are all combined into a gripping tale of a true case. Once I started this

I could not put it down, and finished in the wee hours of the morning. I am

eagerly awaiting his next book, I hope.As an avid reader, I reccomend this

to all.

Jim Staples

This book is gripping in its depiction of the cruel and vicious psychopath, Lenny Paradiso. While reading, I could picture myself in the various locations Burke describes with cinematic accuracy- having lunch among cops and businessmen at Durgin Park, out on dirt roads searching for clues, in the courtroom full of tension... This is a must read! Both its faced-paced action and realistic dialogue make it an enjoyable read.

This is a great book. I found that I could not put it down and was constantly thinking about the book when I was not reading it. The author does a great job of telling a compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I have also enjoyed the historical aspects of the book about Boston and the legal system in the 80s. I would highly recommend this book!!!

Burke does a good job of describing the times (the 80s and the CI tools available at the time) Boston neighborhoods , and Law enforcement tools available in the 80s. The reading is quick and he keeps you interested (what's next?). It never ceases to amaze me how our DAs and police who have had to deal with the pathetic characters such as Paradiso can overcome dead ends, criticism, and obstacles often within LI.

I found this book very interesting. I grew up in the neighborhood and know or knew many of the people involved. I felt that it was well written and was a very fast read.

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This was a pretty good story once he decides to tell it. But I have to wade through many pages before he gets around to doing that.

First, he accuses the suspect of many crimes without offering any proof. (Since JFK summered 72 miles south of Boston (where the story will eventually unfold) I'm waiting for defendant Paradiso to be implicated in the assasination.) Then the author, a lawyer, misstates the law on double jeopardy (page 29) and burden of proof.

When he finally settles down to investigating and trying a man for murder, he does a fairly nice job, if a somewhat stilted one.

He was the prosecuting attorney in the case and uses the third person. So it's "the DA" did this and that. (Actually, he was probably an ADA--Assistant District Attorney but, hey, who's quibbling.)

Another DA used the first person in "Helter Skelter" to great effect. Doing so would have improved this book.

Given his role, the trial is a major part of the book and is described blow by blow. Even if he oversstates his chances of losing the case to heighten the drama, it's an interesting tale.

Sounding like a non-fiction Mystic River, this is an excellent book about the darker side of the human psyche and one assistant DA's effort to protect society from it. Despite a previous reviewers' contention to the contrary, the author's case against a human predator is carefully laid out, citing corroborating testimony and evidence in a tightly constructed presentation. I found the writer's style refreshing and innovative. Facts from the author's experience and testimony are interspersed with minimalist best estimations of events and there's an interestingly variable boundary between a third and first person point of view. Its a real-life detective story that's difficult to put down.