Campanelli: Siege of the Nighthunter

Campanelli #3

by Frederick H. Crook

June, 2110. A serial killer strikes the populace of the City of Chicago. The first victim is a wanted man by Detective Frank Campanelli’s Sentinel Division. His body had been mutilated and, from the evidence uncovered by forensic genius, H. Lincoln Rothgery, it has been partially consumed. The unknown invader leaves a trail of corpses behind in short order, including that of a homicide detective.

To add to the mystery, the DNA evidence retrieved from a stolen vehicle indicates that the killer is former military, but special encoding prevents the murderer from being identified. Frank’s partner, Marcus Williams, seems to know more about what’s going on than he lets on, until the former Navy SEAL calls in a friend from the FBI to help.

“The Nighthunter”, as the media has labeled him, instills terror and virtually shuts down Chicago. Together, Campanelli, Williams, and the agent must work to capture the enigmatic and frighteningly efficient cannibal.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2016

About the author

Born in Chicago, Frederick lives with his wife, Rae and their dachshunds, Moxie, Luke, and Parker. He writes dystopian sci-fi, but has written a ghost story and recently a thriller.

Reviews

[Steven Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Frederick Crook's new book, Campanelli: Siege of the Nighthunter, a new tale of future detective Frank Campanelli. In this new story Frank is dealing with a genetically created super soldier run amok, deranged and on a killing spree and with cannibalistic tendancies! The story is fast paced and suspenseful. Detective Campanelli has his own future technology that allows him to solve crimes even though he is blind. Excellent and highly entertaining storytelling. Frank is a wonderful character. Mr. Crook's Campanelli series would make a great cable TV series! He is a very talented local writer from Villa Park who also has several other science fiction novels and short stories that are all great reads.

[Vicki-Ann Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Campanelli: Siege of the NightHunter is an amazing story blending futuristic elements with those of present day. It takes the reader on a journey of mystery and at the same time captures the feel of those long gone detective stories of the nineteen-thirties. Our hero, Frank Campanelli, possesses a Humphrey Bogart like quality that emanates throughout the pages, while placing the reader in a Terminator like setting. The villain is vicious and yet holds child like characteristics that leaves the reader intrigued by the pattern of his thought process, setting up an unusual cat and mouse chase with many twists and turns.

Author Frederick H. Crook did an amazing job with this unusual and captivating blend. I recommend this story to anyone who wants to be swept away into a world of fantasy meets horror meets The Maltese Falcon.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing and the story reminds me of the writing of Austin Dragon and his liguid cool series. It’s intriguing, fast paced, action packed and keeps you hanging on until the very last second.

I felt for Frank because he was trying to get out of homicide and Elliott the serial killer brought him right back into the fold. This killer isn’t a normal one though. He is freaky. I mean freaky. He is super killer. He has DNA that can’t really be known for it has been mutated. He has no parent but donors and was raised in the military. He mutated to bad and can heal himself via sleep. I love how he toys with Frank and his partner. Hated what happens to Kirby though. He was a good character and Gherling was so earnest and fun.

the way that Frank and Marcus communicate via link was awesome. So was the scene at soldier field. That was wild. I didn’t like what he did to one of his creators. The guy believed in him and how he could change again. He thought he was only upset about what happened to all the others like him little did he know. The hospital scene at the end jaw dropping and freaky. Did not expect that. Wow Elliott really was super freaky killer person that could survive everything but he was truly truly evil.

This is the fun hang on by your toes suspense story of how Frank and Marcus discover a serial killer in their city. A killer that is superhuman. He can turn off cars, get into police information, jump up to ceilings, heal quickly and be a cannibal. He has no remorse and learns things super fast. The story of how they discover who he is and how they finally take him down. It is also a look at Frank looking to who he is and what he wishes to do in the future. The plot is action driven via the characters and what is going on at the moment to precipitate the next part of the story. Look forward to the next suspense mystery for Frank and seeing how he and his girlfriend turn out. She has been through so much I hope that she finally gets some quiet time. A wonderful entertaining read.

[Silvia Villalobos · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the core of Campanelli: Siege of the Nighthunter, a futuristic story with modern-day elements, is a well-written, three-dimensional detective with strength and style, not one bit afraid of showing both. The villain is a uniquely written murderer, a super soldier, who terrorizes the city of Chicago and must be stopped before he kills again. To add to the intrigue, the murderer’s previous victim is known to Frank on a professional level.

The story is at times both poignant and mysterious. Well-paced with interesting and believable twists, the story takes the reader on intellectual and emotional roller coasters as we follow characters we become attached to and care for. Overall, Campanelli: Siege of the Nighthunter is a great concept well executed by the author. I felt myself drawn to the main character and invested in the outcome.

I recommend the book to readers of the genre and readers looking for well-developed characters and mysteries. While you’re at it look for other books by Frederick Crook, and make note of this author’s name.