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Carmine Delmonico #4
The Prodigal Son
Internationally bestselling author Colleen McCullough presents a new novel in the thrilling, gritty series featuring Captain Carmine Delmonico, who must find a brilliant killer hiding out in the prestigious and cutthroat world of academia.Holloman, Connecticut, 1969. A lethal toxin, extracted from the blowfish, is stolen from a laboratory at Chubb University. It kills within minutes and leaves no trace behind, and worried biochemist Dr. Millie Hunter reports the theft at once to her father, Medical Examiner Dr. Patrick O'Donnell.
Patrick's cousin Captain Carmine Delmonico is therefore quick off the mark when the bodies start to mount up. A sudden death at a dinner party followed by another at a gala black-tie event seem at first to be linked only by the poison and the presence of Dr. Jim Hunter, a scientist on the brink of greatness and husband to Millie. A black man married to a white woman, Dr. Jim has faced scandal and prejudice for most of his life, so what would cause him to risk it all now? Is he being framed for murder--and if so, by whom? Carmine and his detectives must follow the trail through the university town's crowd of eccentrics, no matter how close to home it may lead.
Patrick's cousin Captain Carmine Delmonico is therefore quick off the mark when the bodies start to mount up. A sudden death at a dinner party followed by another at a gala black-tie event seem at first to be linked only by the poison and the presence of Dr. Jim Hunter, a scientist on the brink of greatness and husband to Millie. A black man married to a white woman, Dr. Jim has faced scandal and prejudice for most of his life, so what would cause him to risk it all now? Is he being framed for murder--and if so, by whom? Carmine and his detectives must follow the trail through the university town's crowd of eccentrics, no matter how close to home it may lead.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
48 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Colleen McCullough
129 books3,139 followersColleen Margaretta McCullough was an Australian author known for her novels, her most well-known being The Thorn Birds and Tim.
Raised by her mother in Wellington and then Sydney, McCullough began writing stories at age 5. She flourished at Catholic schools and earned a physiology degree from the University of New South Wales in 1963. Planning become a doctor, she found that she had a violent allergy to hospital soap and turned instead to neurophysiology – the study of the nervous system's functions. She found jobs first in London and then at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
After her beloved younger brother Carl died in 1965 at age 25 while rescuing two drowning women in the waters off Crete, a shattered McCullough quit writing. She finally returned to her craft in 1974 with Tim, a critically acclaimed novel about the romance between a female executive and a younger, mentally disabled gardener. As always, the author proved her toughest critic: "Actually," she said, "it was an icky book, saccharine sweet."
A year later, while on a paltry $10,000 annual salary as a Yale researcher, McCullough – just "Col" to her friends – began work on the sprawling The Thorn Birds, about the lives and loves of three generations of an Australian family. Many of its details were drawn from her mother's family's experience as migrant workers, and one character, Dane, was based on brother Carl.
Though some reviews were scathing, millions of readers worldwide got caught up in her tales of doomed love and other natural calamities. The paperback rights sold for an astonishing $1.9 million.
In all, McCullough wrote 11 novels.
Source: http://www.people.com/article/colleen...
Raised by her mother in Wellington and then Sydney, McCullough began writing stories at age 5. She flourished at Catholic schools and earned a physiology degree from the University of New South Wales in 1963. Planning become a doctor, she found that she had a violent allergy to hospital soap and turned instead to neurophysiology – the study of the nervous system's functions. She found jobs first in London and then at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
After her beloved younger brother Carl died in 1965 at age 25 while rescuing two drowning women in the waters off Crete, a shattered McCullough quit writing. She finally returned to her craft in 1974 with Tim, a critically acclaimed novel about the romance between a female executive and a younger, mentally disabled gardener. As always, the author proved her toughest critic: "Actually," she said, "it was an icky book, saccharine sweet."
A year later, while on a paltry $10,000 annual salary as a Yale researcher, McCullough – just "Col" to her friends – began work on the sprawling The Thorn Birds, about the lives and loves of three generations of an Australian family. Many of its details were drawn from her mother's family's experience as migrant workers, and one character, Dane, was based on brother Carl.
Though some reviews were scathing, millions of readers worldwide got caught up in her tales of doomed love and other natural calamities. The paperback rights sold for an astonishing $1.9 million.
In all, McCullough wrote 11 novels.
Source: http://www.people.com/article/colleen...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 20, 2015
This book made me weirdly uncomfortable, because I found it hard to tell if its reflection of racism and sexism during its setting (1969) was really accurate or if the book was racist and sexist in and of itself.
Also, I'm impressed that the police found a "Rubic cube" at a crime scene in 1969 when the Rubik's cube wasn't invented until 1974.
Also, I'm impressed that the police found a "Rubic cube" at a crime scene in 1969 when the Rubik's cube wasn't invented until 1974.
January 8, 2013
When I hear the name Colleen McCullough, I automatically think of The Thorn Birds. I read it when I was a teenager and it is still one of my favorite novels. When the publisher suggested that I read her new novel, The Prodigal Son, I was surprised. I had no idea that she had written a mystery series. For me, Colleen McCullough began and ended with The Thorn Birds. Well, no more…I have become a fan of her Carmine Delmonico mysteries.
The Prodigal Son is the fourth in the Carmine Delmonico series. I haven’t read the first three installations which may explain why I did find it difficult to keep track of the large cast of characters. The first of the novel dragged a bit for me but the second half really took off and I had a hard time putting the book down before I had finished it.
My daughter has started making friendship bracelets. You know the kind where you have a number of thin threads that you interweave together to form designs. The threads get tangled up and you have to spend time constantly separating them (at least we do!). Well, that is exactly what the second half of this book felt like to me. McCullough built so many layers to this mystery that I was intrigued to the very end. I have virtual whiplash from bouncing back and forth between my own accusations of characters. Even now, having finished the book, I still have my doubts about a few of them.
This was a hard one for me to get into but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I could recommend it as a stand alone novel to any mystery fans but think it might be even more enjoyable when read as part of the entire series.
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Prodigal Son is the fourth in the Carmine Delmonico series. I haven’t read the first three installations which may explain why I did find it difficult to keep track of the large cast of characters. The first of the novel dragged a bit for me but the second half really took off and I had a hard time putting the book down before I had finished it.
My daughter has started making friendship bracelets. You know the kind where you have a number of thin threads that you interweave together to form designs. The threads get tangled up and you have to spend time constantly separating them (at least we do!). Well, that is exactly what the second half of this book felt like to me. McCullough built so many layers to this mystery that I was intrigued to the very end. I have virtual whiplash from bouncing back and forth between my own accusations of characters. Even now, having finished the book, I still have my doubts about a few of them.
This was a hard one for me to get into but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. I could recommend it as a stand alone novel to any mystery fans but think it might be even more enjoyable when read as part of the entire series.
*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2022
A deadly neurotoxin is missing from Chubb University biochemist Millie Hunter’s laboratory refrigerator. She reports it to her dad, CT’s Chief Medical Examiner. They both know it has to be recovered soon because it is a poison that shuts down the nervous system. Soon the bodies begin to pile up and it’s up to Captain Carmine Delmonico, his colleague Delia and his wife Desdemona to solve the case. What’s concerning is all evidence leads close to home.
My favorite characters was Delia who was a no nonsense cop. Delia knew her job. Delia was confident and didn’t invite anyone in to throw her off her course. The story had a good premise but I can’t put my finger on it but I couldn’t buy into the story even with Charles Leggett good storytelling skills.
My favorite characters was Delia who was a no nonsense cop. Delia knew her job. Delia was confident and didn’t invite anyone in to throw her off her course. The story had a good premise but I can’t put my finger on it but I couldn’t buy into the story even with Charles Leggett good storytelling skills.
December 5, 2013
In the interest of full disclosure I must tell you that the publisher provided me with a free paperback copy of this book.
I've been a fan and admirer of Colleen McCullough since "The Thornbirds". Her subsequent historical fiction is some of the best I have had the pleasure of reading. If that's what you're expecting, don't spend your time on this book.
The Prodigal Son is the fourth novel in the Carmine Delmonico series. In the prologue, John Hall, a long-lost heir recently arrived from Oregon, dies from a lethal injection of a stolen toxin at a black-tie family party held on the evening of January 3, 1969.
Capt. Carmine Delmonico of the Holloman, Connecticut police department investigates Hall’s murder and two subsequent poisoning deaths. Delmonico has a personal interest in the crime — his medical examiner cousin’s biochemist daughter, Dr. Millie Hunter, was the keeper of the pilfered poison. Dr. Hunter is married to an even more famous biochemist, Dr. Jim Hunter.
Suspects include relatives who were slated to lose large amounts of money from Hall’s reappearance as well as ambitious faculty members from the town’s Chubb University. A weak premise, unconvincing characters and flat dialogue caused me to lose interest well before the end.
I've been a fan and admirer of Colleen McCullough since "The Thornbirds". Her subsequent historical fiction is some of the best I have had the pleasure of reading. If that's what you're expecting, don't spend your time on this book.
The Prodigal Son is the fourth novel in the Carmine Delmonico series. In the prologue, John Hall, a long-lost heir recently arrived from Oregon, dies from a lethal injection of a stolen toxin at a black-tie family party held on the evening of January 3, 1969.
Capt. Carmine Delmonico of the Holloman, Connecticut police department investigates Hall’s murder and two subsequent poisoning deaths. Delmonico has a personal interest in the crime — his medical examiner cousin’s biochemist daughter, Dr. Millie Hunter, was the keeper of the pilfered poison. Dr. Hunter is married to an even more famous biochemist, Dr. Jim Hunter.
Suspects include relatives who were slated to lose large amounts of money from Hall’s reappearance as well as ambitious faculty members from the town’s Chubb University. A weak premise, unconvincing characters and flat dialogue caused me to lose interest well before the end.
November 27, 2012
Reading The Prodigal Son and other books in the historical crime fiction Carmine Delmonico series, you would never guess that they are written by the same author as The Thorn Birds. Colleen McCullough proves once again that she’s a master of fiction with a wide ranging imagination in this book.
Although this is the fourth book in the series starring Carmine Delmonico, detective in Holloman, Connecticut, the books are easily read as stand-alone novels or out of order. (However, I would recommend all four books to you simply because of the chill down the spine McCullough leaves you with on the last line). These books are set in the 1960s, so the policing is done the ‘old-fashioned’ way without internet, mobile phones or DNA evidence. It provides a fascinating setting that relies on closely observed reactions and mannerisms of suspects, lateral thinking and the odd bit of luck.
Strangely enough for a crime fiction novel, Carmine is happily married detective with children. His wife, Desdemona, plays a supporting role as sounding board and a different view on the crime. In this novel, the crime is once again murder – but the murder weapon is rare. It’s the toxin from fugu (or puffer fish) and it was painstakingly extracted by one of the professors at Chubb university, Millie – who happens to be the daughter of the chief medical examiner. When multiple murders occur, several people stand to benefit from their deaths. Did someone steal Millie’s toxin or was the thief closer to home?
McCullough’s characterisation is also a strongpoint. While we see the return of old favourites like Carmine’s eccentrically dressed colleague, Delia, there are also many new characters to meet. There’s Millie and her husband Jim, Uda the strange servant and some unusual suspects. The subject of racism also comes up in this book, as Jim is a professor trying to be recognised for his ground-breaking work. The only problem is that he’s an African-American man in late 1960’s America. Could Jim have tired of the struggle for equality (which has seen him in hospital with deadly infections) and decided to remove the main man opposed to his book? Or is this a red herring?
The things that set McCullough’s murder mysteries apart is that they are not always concluded satisfactorily or that the ending is open enough to make you wonder if Carmine and his team really have succeeded. The latter can also be very frustrating if you want to see justice done! It is definitely a page turner though and McCullough will have you questions your suspicions for ‘whodunit’ throughout.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Although this is the fourth book in the series starring Carmine Delmonico, detective in Holloman, Connecticut, the books are easily read as stand-alone novels or out of order. (However, I would recommend all four books to you simply because of the chill down the spine McCullough leaves you with on the last line). These books are set in the 1960s, so the policing is done the ‘old-fashioned’ way without internet, mobile phones or DNA evidence. It provides a fascinating setting that relies on closely observed reactions and mannerisms of suspects, lateral thinking and the odd bit of luck.
Strangely enough for a crime fiction novel, Carmine is happily married detective with children. His wife, Desdemona, plays a supporting role as sounding board and a different view on the crime. In this novel, the crime is once again murder – but the murder weapon is rare. It’s the toxin from fugu (or puffer fish) and it was painstakingly extracted by one of the professors at Chubb university, Millie – who happens to be the daughter of the chief medical examiner. When multiple murders occur, several people stand to benefit from their deaths. Did someone steal Millie’s toxin or was the thief closer to home?
McCullough’s characterisation is also a strongpoint. While we see the return of old favourites like Carmine’s eccentrically dressed colleague, Delia, there are also many new characters to meet. There’s Millie and her husband Jim, Uda the strange servant and some unusual suspects. The subject of racism also comes up in this book, as Jim is a professor trying to be recognised for his ground-breaking work. The only problem is that he’s an African-American man in late 1960’s America. Could Jim have tired of the struggle for equality (which has seen him in hospital with deadly infections) and decided to remove the main man opposed to his book? Or is this a red herring?
The things that set McCullough’s murder mysteries apart is that they are not always concluded satisfactorily or that the ending is open enough to make you wonder if Carmine and his team really have succeeded. The latter can also be very frustrating if you want to see justice done! It is definitely a page turner though and McCullough will have you questions your suspicions for ‘whodunit’ throughout.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
August 19, 2019
Odd, odd, odd. The odd colloquialisms (US phrases via an Aussie's ear??) plus the sometimes Yoda-ish syntax, made it odd to read - to the point of distracting from flow (plot and dialogue). Terms related to racism, misogyny, and other biases all too often were used not to highlight inappropriate attitudes, but just as regular descriptions. This was perhaps the least palatable oddity. Less distracting (but still worth editing), regular vocabulary choices were to advanced for daily conversation - even for characters with PhDs. Oddly wide swings on psychological insight/expertise; the tone ranged from self-assured insight to just silly (not by character, but by plot/theme underpinnings). Delmonico isn't dumb, but it seems to be his wife that is the actual brains - maybe I needed to have read 1-3 to agree that this wasn't odd/illogical. Odd juxtaposition of cartoon villain-y characters (the sisters, the sister in law) and small town, more realistically wrought cops. Speaking of cops, would they really turn their eye from a key suspect just b/c she's well known by the force? And the suspects? Well, if this had been written more as a psych thriller than standard gum shoe, a slow reveal of their backgrounds and proclivities could've worked. As written, there were a lot of things hidden from and then dumped on the reader. Not red herrings or oblique references...just sudden reveals or super-convenient plot twists. There was some clever weaving in of the biochemists' science, forensic work, and even geopolitical history to enhance character details and plot. So that was 'oddly refreshing.' Instead of just conveying a decades old setting, it's almost as if it were written decades ago in terms of language use, attitudes, and plot structure.
November 24, 2012
I'm a big fan of McCullough's fiction, especially her Master of Rome series. Now she's enjoying writing whodunits such as she loved when she was very young. This is #4 of the Carmine Delmonica series, set in the 1960s, so no DNA tests, cell phones, or other high-tech stuff. She kept me guessing about the identity of the murderer until Detective Delmonica arrived at certainty, though without proof. Plenty of plot twists here, and a surprise ending. In retrospect, I had a little bit of trouble believing in the relationship of a couple of the main characters, but it would be a spoiler to say why.
March 28, 2015
Foi bom rever Carmine e Desdemona e ver como interagem no seu dia-a-dia, em casa e com os filhos. Delia foi outra personagem que me cativou, não me lembro dela dos outros livros da série e achei-a fantástica, com aquele jeito despachado dela e a forma de se vestir, juntando padrões e cores vivas tornam-na peculiar. O caso policial também foi intrigante. Desde o início desconfiei de uma pessoa, mas enganei-me :)
March 19, 2015
Gostei, quero ler mais livros desta serie.
May 8, 2015
No início custou e entrar na estória, não me conseguiu cativar e apesar de no decurso ter melhorado não consigo dar mais de 3*
September 18, 2023
When I finished this book I thought of Iris Murdoch’s last book, Jackson’s Dilemma, written after the onset of Alzheimer’s. McCulloch wrote another book after this, which was quite successful, Sins of the Flesh, so she probably didn’t have Alzheimer’s but she was 77 and suffering from a lot other disorders. She had successes with Tim, then of course The Thorn Birds and the Roman series. So skip the Alzheimer’s interpretation. Rather I think she had had great success and thought it time to muck around in her old age, to show off that she had a whacky mind and knew a lot of neurology (which she did), try out some fun events …. At all events, this book doesn’t cut it. Some of the characters are just grotesque, such as but not only Davina and Ud, the loving pair Millie and Jim, bonded as one and thinking as one, and yet (spoiler avoided). The bizarre names and even more bizarre events. The unlikely account of the relationship and motives re John and Jim . . . Well, Colleen no doubt had great fun writing this, but this reader did not share in the fun while reading it.
January 31, 2018
I'm reading through Colleen McCullough's Carmine Delmonico series; for the most part they will work as standalone novels without it mattering terribly if the order is a little mixed up. In my case, I've read 1,2, 4, and then hope to go back to 3 shortly.
The book made me oddly uncomfortable, as much of this series has, as some of it's tone has me questioning the sexism and racism portrayed. I feel that if it were an author I knew less well, my discomfort would be increased and I would be more likely to assign bias to the author. Having read many of the author's other books, which are meticulously researched, I am inclined to assign it as being representative of the times. I appreciate that some of the characters are quite 'forward thinking' for their times and therefore offer a slightly different point of view,. I would be interested to know the thoughts of African American readers of the book as I feel I don't really have the insight to comment.
The book made me oddly uncomfortable, as much of this series has, as some of it's tone has me questioning the sexism and racism portrayed. I feel that if it were an author I knew less well, my discomfort would be increased and I would be more likely to assign bias to the author. Having read many of the author's other books, which are meticulously researched, I am inclined to assign it as being representative of the times. I appreciate that some of the characters are quite 'forward thinking' for their times and therefore offer a slightly different point of view,. I would be interested to know the thoughts of African American readers of the book as I feel I don't really have the insight to comment.
May 17, 2022
A most unsatisfying read. While it's nice to read a book from a series that works well as a stand alone novel, this piece standing on its own merits falls on its face. It was dry, it was slow. It missed the hallmarks that make mystery novels enjoyable. While the climax was sufficient enough to get me to raise an eyebrow, the ending still leaves much up in the air, and not in a good way. This isn't a mysterious story I will be thinking of long after I've read it. This was a most unsatisfying literary snack. This book could have dug into its themes deeper, posed more interesting questions, and the characters could have been sharper and brighter. There was a lot of potential here that simply never bore fruit. The flippant use of racist language outside of dialogue where it would be expected also left a sour taste in my mouth. There are ways to describe African Americans, even ones living in the 60s without using racial slurs. I can't believe this thing was published in 2012.
April 2, 2018
3.5. so much going on in this book. Unfortunately it's number 4 of 5 and I hadnt read any of the previous ones so although it is a stand alone story I missed the development of the police characters, some of whom looked interesting. Having given some thought to questions for my book club, I'm not too sure of the focus of the novel. Firstly crime but so overlaid with the black/ white question in 50s/60s US I began to feel uncomfortable at the way the novel had actually been written, especially as it was published in 2012. Also immigration and obsession. It was a struggle to read because the print was so small and I kept having to reread because of the sheer number of characters. The crime involved the theft of deadly poison and as the author is a neuro scientist the effects were totally and horrifically believable.
September 6, 2017
This is my favorite, to date, in this series about Detective Delmonico, set in a CT university town in 1969. Someone is using a very rare neurotoxin extracted from the blowfish to murder people. Delmonico's own niece is the biochemist who has extracted the toxin, and reports 6 ampules of it stolen from her lab. Her husband, another biochemist, is about to have a book published that is expected to be a best seller but not everyone thinks he wrote the book or is enthusiastic over its pending publication. And so the murders begin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2020
I enjoy reading Colleen McCullogh books an interesting which started with The Thornbirds back in the late 70s. I wasn’t aware until recently she had written crime novels. This is the 4th in the series set in the 1960s so there are no new technological advances to help solve crime, it’s very much based on instinct, understanding individuals and what drives them. This is an interesting tale exploring family relationships and there impact on life. The twists and turns lead up to the surprising climax, it kept me urning the pages!
April 11, 2020
(The fourth book in the Carmine Delmonico series) You have to stick with this mystery as the bodies pile up. The book is set in 1969 because DNA is required for resolving one question but is not available. Some deaths seem to make sense as you read, but the final chapter gives you all the explanations. Well written. Recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
August 23, 2020
Couldn’t` read this fast enough’! Great mystery with loose poison. (compare to the China virus at large today. So many characters to keep track of. Plot not solved until the very end. Will read more of McCullough
Interesting group of characters and a complicated plot not solved until the very end. Will certainly read more of McCullough!!
Interesting group of characters and a complicated plot not solved until the very end. Will certainly read more of McCullough!!
September 22, 2021
Book started out slow and boring, but I kept trying to connect the people introduced in the beginning. I thought about giving up on it several times throughout the book; however, I then would get into an interesting and mysterious part, so kept reading. It was basically an "ok" book, but did not truly like the ending.
August 30, 2017
I have enjoyed this book. It is long and full of turns and twists. The Delmonico series will be something I look forward to read from this author. It seemed at time quite unbelievable, but it was another era. What do I know?
August 12, 2020
Lots of catty gossip and talk about clothes and recipes. Poor Carmen must weigh 400 pounds coming home to a 6,000 calorie dinner every night. I think the author showed her had too early, making the mystery not very mysterious.
January 15, 2021
A bit of a slog. At times seems more confusing and convoluted than anything else. And the mystery was disjointed, just never seemed to gel. I like McCullough’s writing but this one was a miss for me.
December 30, 2017
Enjoyed! Who knew a blowfish could stir up so much controversy.
October 6, 2017
An engrossing who -done-it from McCullough. Enjoy driving by listening to an entertaining audio book.
December 31, 2017
My first Carmone Delmonico novel... I liked the storyline OK but found some of the writing a bit superfluous.
January 14, 2018
Did not see that coming.
On a re-read, I can see how it leads to that naughty person/persons, but... wow...
On a re-read, I can see how it leads to that naughty person/persons, but... wow...
January 25, 2018
My favourite of the series so far.
May 28, 2018
3 1/2 Stars
May 1, 2019
Didn't see that one coming.....a few pieces of it but not the end. Hmmmm..........
August 5, 2019
Definitely not my favorite of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews