Colloquium

A Neil Baggio Suspense

Fiction - Mystery - Sleuth
289 Pages
Reviewed on 10/27/2020
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Colloquium is a work of fiction in the mystery, detective fiction, crime, and suspense sub-genres, and was penned by author Charles D'Amico. Written as another novel in the Neil Baggio suspense novel series, the work is intended for adult audiences but is not especially graphic, and therefore is accessible for all to enjoy. In this new case, we see Neil on the hunt for a missing girl, but this single thread turns into a much wider tapestry of deceit and intrigue. What follows are cover-ups and conspiracies, assistance from unseemly sources, and a battle for survival like never before.

Having read the Neil Baggio series before, I am always amazed by the inventive new trials which author Charles D'Amico has his daring protagonist face, and once again the stakes are raised even higher in this new adventure. The mood surprised me here as I settled in for a cozy mystery read because the atmospheric touches and the conspiracy vibes give the whole novel a tenser, darker feel than previous books. As always, the plot was expertly conceived to connect the clues and give the audience a great follow-along mystery to unpick, without ever being spoon-fed the ideas. I really enjoyed the dialogue in this one, especially when Neil was getting intel from his unusual new informants and assistants, who were gritty, amusing, and very well developed indeed. In conclusion, I would highly recommend Colloquium and the Neil Baggio series in general to fans of eloquent and enveloping detective mystery fiction.

Romuald Dzemo

Colloquium: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico is an engaging thriller for fans of crime, sleuth, and suspense novels. While it is part of the series featuring Neil Baggio, it reads perfectly as a standalone novel. Erin Beddington works for a local newspaper while protesting Gaines Chemical, a powerful chemical company that has just secured a big contract which is a bit dirty. After bringing it to light, Erin gets a lot of press, and the contract is scrapped, costing Gaines Chemical millions. Then suddenly she goes missing. The case slowly grows cold as local authorities figure out that it isn’t the first time for Erin to disappear after causing a stir. When new evidence links her to another plant in Ohio, the Feds get onto the case and after hitting dead ends, they decide to contact Neil and his team. In a conversation with Frank Cappelano, his former boss turned murderer and now an FCI inmate, Neil discovers a disturbing link between Erin’s disappearance and the head of Gaines Chemical. But can he navigate the complexity of the case and unearth the truth?

Twisty and filled with compelling characters, Colloquium: A Neil Baggio Suspense is tightly written. The point of view is that of the protagonist, Neil, and it is engrossing. The author writes wonderful characters like Nicolette and Christian in Neil’s team, and Cappelano has an intriguing air around him, provocative in the way he talks, and insightful. Charles D'Amico explores the relationship between the protagonist and his former boss brilliantly and crafts interesting backstories into the dialogues. The novel is well-plotted and filled with surprises. Charles D'Amico is a master entertainer and his protagonist, Neil Baggio, is a character that readers will adore.

Foluso Falaye

Colloquium: Book 3 of Charles D'Amico's Neil Baggio series takes readers into an action-packed crime, mystery, and thriller combo. Now that the serial killer Neil had been pursuing for years is behind bars, Neil questions him about his killings and finds out about a link between the CEO of Gaines Chemical and a missing girl who was protesting against Gaines Chemical. To uncover the dark secrets of Gaines Chemical (a harmful chemical disposal company that pushes the limits of the law), Neil takes to the streets to extract more vital information while being creative and adaptive to the unexpected, life-risking circumstances he faces. Is Neil quick enough to escape the hail of bullets flying at him while he races to uncover the truth?

It was greatly satisfying to tax my mind with the enigmatic storyline and make predictions based on the events. Just when I thought I knew how the story would end, it would take another turn and leave me in complete shock. Yet, I found myself returning for more jaw-dropping surprises. Charles D'Amico communicates the emotions of his protagonists so well that I could relate to them even though I am not a detective or a criminal; I understood and connected with their basic life struggles. As I have not read the previous books in the series, I believe you would enjoy Colloquium as a stand-alone book like I did. In fact, I loved it so much that I must now check out the other Neil Baggio books. Prepare to discover many layers of secrets and several spontaneous and suspenseful plot twists.

Tammy Ruggles

Colloquium: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico is a tension-filled Baggio mystery that will make you an instant fan. This time Baggio is out to find a missing girl after talking with his former boss and enemy, Frank Cappelano, now in prison for murder. Baggio learns from this conversation that there is a link between the missing girl (a protester) and Gaines Chemical. Is there a cover-up? A conspiracy? This is an international crime drama you don't want to miss.

In the third offering of the Baggio series, D'Amico pulls out the stops to deliver suspense, intrigue, and a scintillating mystery involving a powerful chemical company and a missing activist. The plot is clever and new. As you read, you don't feel as if you're rehashing just another detective mystery. You become invested in the characters and the outcome. The characters in the prison system become intriguing as well, and you'll be trying to solve the case right along with Baggio. I really enjoy plots involving criminal profiling and the psychology of crime. Baggio comes off as a real investigator trying to get inside the mind of a killer, not just a cardboard cutout detective, so this hits all the bells for me.

Neil Baggio's meeting with Frank Cappelano reminded me of Will Graham's meeting with Dr. Hannibal Lecter. D'Amico's writing is lean and quick, the various points of view are interesting, and the dialogue drives a lot of the story. All the key elements are here for an entertaining read, and it piques curiosity concerning the other Baggio cases. Fans of Netflix's Mindhunter will enjoy Colloquium: A Neil Baggio Suspense by Charles D'Amico.

Rabia Tanveer

Colloquium is the third book in the Neil Baggio Suspense series by Charles D'Amico. A new kidnapping case proves to be a tough one for Neil. A young woman named Erin goes missing, and Neil finds the most baffling clues that make it almost impossible for him to solve this case. Erin is an activist who was protesting against Gaines Chemical before she goes missing. Certain things point towards the head of Gaines Chemical, but something tells Neil that he should look further. But nothing is as it seems, and Neil is almost in over his head with this one. He seeks help from Frank Cappelano at the FCI Millan, but can he trust the Veritas Killer to guide him in the right direction? There are lies and deceit around every corner, and Neil has to look for help in the most unlikely places. Can he solve this case before it is too late? Can he find an innocent girl before she is lost forever?

Charles D’Amico has a way with words. He makes sure the reader is absorbed in the story from the moment it begins. Neil is a very smart man; he thinks analytically and very objectively. I like how he has a shrewd mind yet he never overthinks. I loved Ava Maria, but this is so much better and a lot more complicated. The mystery behind Gaines Chemical, the detailed family history, and Neil’s connection with Frank Cappelano all prove to be driving points of the plot. The narrative runs smoothly until the end, and this is exactly what I expect from the author at this point. I am a huge fan of Mr. D’Amico and cannot wait for the next novel in the series.