THE ABOMINATION by Jonathan Holt

The Abomination
Jonathan Holt

Rating: A
Synopsis:
When the clock strikes midnight on the feast day of La Befana, Venice is aglow as a cascade of glittering fireworks bursts above the city. Masked figures crowd the vaporettos, the trattorias are humming with grappa-soaked gossip, and the possibility for random passion heats the frosty winter air.

Across the Grand Canal, beneath the stunning white dome of one of Venice's grandest landmarks, Santa Maria della Salute, a body with two slugs in the back of the head has been pulled from the icy waters. The victim is a woman. To the dismay of the police, she is dressed in the sacred robes of a Catholic priest--a desecration known as the Abomination.

Working her first murder case, newly promoted Captain Kat Tapo of the Carabinieri embarks on a labyrinthine trail that soon proves as elusive and confusing as the city's twisting backstreets. Her investigation leads from a crumbling asylum on a deserted island to the impenetrable complex of American military bases ringing the medieval city--and deeper, into an eerie virtual Venice that is both alien and familiar.

The influential and highly secretive simulated world of Carnivia.com holds the city's secrets, dark knowledge that reaches into the highest levels of government and the church, involving its most influential figures. The site's founder is a notorious hacker and the scion of one of Venice's oldest families--a man already convicted of cybercrimes whose life is threatened by an anonymous group determined to silence him and destroy his virtual city.

Just when every lead seems to send a frustrated Kat in a new direction, the various trails go cold, evidence goes missing, and the case is officially shut down. What follows is the unraveling of a dark conspiracy whose roots go back seventy years, revelations that will test Kat's loyalties and remind the dedicated cop of a simple truth: that unless old crimes are punished, corrupt forces will continue to repeat their mortal sins. . . .

My thoughts on the book:
The Abomination by Jonathan Holt is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that cannot be missed. The characters are well-developed, the setting is magnificent, the mystery is captivating, and Holt's writing is top notch. While I'm not a huge fan of non-paranormal mysteries, this book grabbed me and did not let me go. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this novel and would recommend it to anyone. 

Kat is a terrific leading character. She's independent and strong, but she also has heart. She's flawed, but still extremely likable. The secondary characters are also strong. Each one has his or her own personality and doesn't serve as a simple filler character. The evolution of Kat is organic, and I enjoyed watching her change throughout the novel. 

I absolutely adored the setting. Venice is such a unique place, and I can't think of a better area to set this novel in. Holt paints Venice in an accurate light (from what I've heard about it from friends who have traveled there), and his details allow the reader to picture the city, even if they've never visited, which I haven't. I felt as if I was in the city, though, which was a nice touch. Holt's writing is clear and concise. The plot itself is reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code, but somehow this novel still stands on its own. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves good mysteries. This is a fantastic debut novel. 

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