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A Luca Mystery #2
Vanished
Obsession can be deadly.
That's what Dom Stewart discovers when his buddy, Phil, goes missing. Dom has long coveted Robin, Phil's beautiful wife, ... is it time for him to step in?
Detective Luca is also dazzled by Robin; even while acknowledging she may be involved in Phil's disappearance. Luca struggles with his heart as the investigation reveals the case is about much more than a missing man. Something dark and disturbing is behind the scenes. Is there a murder here?
As fraud and romantic interests verging on pathological fixation emerge, the question remains: what happened to Phil?
That's what Dom Stewart discovers when his buddy, Phil, goes missing. Dom has long coveted Robin, Phil's beautiful wife, ... is it time for him to step in?
Detective Luca is also dazzled by Robin; even while acknowledging she may be involved in Phil's disappearance. Luca struggles with his heart as the investigation reveals the case is about much more than a missing man. Something dark and disturbing is behind the scenes. Is there a murder here?
As fraud and romantic interests verging on pathological fixation emerge, the question remains: what happened to Phil?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2018
1043 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Dan Petrosini
113 books177 followersDan is a USA Today and Amazon best seller author, who wrote his first story at the age of ten and enjoys telling stories and jokes.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 28, 2021
I like to support writers who self publish. I have a friend who has done so though she is not as prolific as Petrosini. However, I think her work, also in the police procedural genre, is quite a bit better.
This is the second book by Petrosini that I’ve read, curtesy of a friend who offers me bags of books she’s already read. So the first one wasn’t bad but I’m afraid I just can’t recommend this volume.
I started getting restless within the first 50 pages. I don’t really like his main character, Detective Luca, who even though he is placed in sympathetic situations, doesn’t get far beyond cardboard.
The plot of the first book in this series had some interesting aspects but he broadcasts the guilty guy in this one by giving him occasional chapters from his point of view. Plenty of red herrings are thrown out, a couple of them pretty good, but overall this book was flat. It had nothing that kept me reading other than a desire to be fair by finishing it.
After two books I should feel some engagement with the main character but I’m just not. And just a nit—hard to say if it’s done on purpose to reflect various characters’ backgrounds but since it isn’t consistent, that’s not clear—occasionally the dialogue has some pretty bad grammatical errors. If it’s not on purpose, he needs a better copy editor.
This is the second book by Petrosini that I’ve read, curtesy of a friend who offers me bags of books she’s already read. So the first one wasn’t bad but I’m afraid I just can’t recommend this volume.
I started getting restless within the first 50 pages. I don’t really like his main character, Detective Luca, who even though he is placed in sympathetic situations, doesn’t get far beyond cardboard.
The plot of the first book in this series had some interesting aspects but he broadcasts the guilty guy in this one by giving him occasional chapters from his point of view. Plenty of red herrings are thrown out, a couple of them pretty good, but overall this book was flat. It had nothing that kept me reading other than a desire to be fair by finishing it.
After two books I should feel some engagement with the main character but I’m just not. And just a nit—hard to say if it’s done on purpose to reflect various characters’ backgrounds but since it isn’t consistent, that’s not clear—occasionally the dialogue has some pretty bad grammatical errors. If it’s not on purpose, he needs a better copy editor.
December 27, 2017
Luca is pulled into a beautiful woman's spell. The problem is, her husband is missing. Is he just missing or dead? Phil, is Robin's husband, but no one knows where he is. Dom Stewart is Phil's buddy. He has feelings for Robin and has for a while. Should he step in to Phil's shoes? There is a lot of things going on in this story. Mind games, twists and turns, and yet the question remains....What happened to Phil? Can Luca answer that question? You will need to read the book to find out. I voluntarily read ARC of this book. The review is my own opinion.
February 15, 2021
If you read the first book in this series, you will be surprised how many things have changed in Frank Luca’s life. It was like he was a different man. The only similarity was his determination to conduct thorough police work to solve crimes. Luca even experiences another major event in this story (a life-changing one that I unfortunately relate to). The emotions and scenes dealing with this traumatic situation were well written.
I liked the Quotes that started the chapters. My problem was the story dragged on in the middle section. Besides Luca and his partner, no other characters were even likable. Philip was such a tool, it was hard to get emotionally involved in solving his disappearance. I really liked the first book in this series, so it was disappointing to find this story average, at best.
I couldn’t believe the author actually wrote that a 2 week-old puppy was given as a gift to Robin! Who would take a puppy that young from her mother? It’s actually illegal in most states, including Florida, to sell a puppy under 8 weeks old. A mistake like that is a pet peeve and honestly, I should have only rated this Book with 2 Stars for that error.
I liked the Quotes that started the chapters. My problem was the story dragged on in the middle section. Besides Luca and his partner, no other characters were even likable. Philip was such a tool, it was hard to get emotionally involved in solving his disappearance. I really liked the first book in this series, so it was disappointing to find this story average, at best.
I couldn’t believe the author actually wrote that a 2 week-old puppy was given as a gift to Robin! Who would take a puppy that young from her mother? It’s actually illegal in most states, including Florida, to sell a puppy under 8 weeks old. A mistake like that is a pet peeve and honestly, I should have only rated this Book with 2 Stars for that error.
March 5, 2018
Vanished - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Dominic Stewart's best friend Phil Gabelli's vanished without trace - a not unusual event as he was well known for playing around on his wife Robin and sometimes disappearing for a few days at at time. Difference this time is he hasn't come back and neither Dominic nor Phil's other friends or family have any idea where he can be!
Why does Robin call in Stewart on the case? Where does Stewart go searching for his missing pal?
What does Luca think about Phil's disappearance - and what changes his mind?
What does Robin have to gain if her husband's dead? What is her relationship with Stewart?
What other secret was Phil hiding from his wife? Does this lead to him being found?
With Phil Gabelli seemingly having vanished off the face of the earth and no-one admitting to being the last to see him, the reader is keen to learn of Luca's deductive processes and how he will ever clear a way through the conflicting clues and close-mouthed witnesses to reach the truth!
Dominic Stewart's best friend Phil Gabelli's vanished without trace - a not unusual event as he was well known for playing around on his wife Robin and sometimes disappearing for a few days at at time. Difference this time is he hasn't come back and neither Dominic nor Phil's other friends or family have any idea where he can be!
Why does Robin call in Stewart on the case? Where does Stewart go searching for his missing pal?
What does Luca think about Phil's disappearance - and what changes his mind?
What does Robin have to gain if her husband's dead? What is her relationship with Stewart?
What other secret was Phil hiding from his wife? Does this lead to him being found?
With Phil Gabelli seemingly having vanished off the face of the earth and no-one admitting to being the last to see him, the reader is keen to learn of Luca's deductive processes and how he will ever clear a way through the conflicting clues and close-mouthed witnesses to reach the truth!
September 9, 2018
A good ride
"Vanished: A Luca Mystery Crime Thriller" is a fast paced, enjoyable read. Phil Gabelli is married to a beautiful, successful woman; but, he likes to play the field. One too many times he doesn't come home. This time though its permanent. Detective Frank Luca is on the case! Between the case, finding he has cancer, meeting Kayla, he finally brings the culprit to justice.
Dan Petrosini tells a good story. Told from the perspective of two charaters, Mr Petrosini does a pretty good job of separating the personalities of the two. Though, to me, the culprit was a little too obvious. There were quite a few minor editorial issues. There were not enough to make me put this book down. There was one error at the end that might have if it had happened in the beginning. Luca was going to speak to another cancer victim and said that he could "emphasized" with him. "Empathized" is the correct word! For this reason, I am only giving three stars. I still highly recommend this book and intend to read more of Frank Luca.
"Vanished: A Luca Mystery Crime Thriller" is a fast paced, enjoyable read. Phil Gabelli is married to a beautiful, successful woman; but, he likes to play the field. One too many times he doesn't come home. This time though its permanent. Detective Frank Luca is on the case! Between the case, finding he has cancer, meeting Kayla, he finally brings the culprit to justice.
Dan Petrosini tells a good story. Told from the perspective of two charaters, Mr Petrosini does a pretty good job of separating the personalities of the two. Though, to me, the culprit was a little too obvious. There were quite a few minor editorial issues. There were not enough to make me put this book down. There was one error at the end that might have if it had happened in the beginning. Luca was going to speak to another cancer victim and said that he could "emphasized" with him. "Empathized" is the correct word! For this reason, I am only giving three stars. I still highly recommend this book and intend to read more of Frank Luca.
April 19, 2018
This was one of my favourite read/listens this year. A great mystery/thriller it is book 2 of a series - I haven't read book 1 But book 2 can easily be read as a standalone.
Luca is a Florida police detective, he is believable and dare I say "lovable".. A dogged cop that just keeps on and hates not closing cases.
well crafted story that keeps you guessing, and keeps you turning pages. I will be looking for more from Dan Petrosini as both books I have read are top class.
Andrew Starts narration is in tune with the book and is clear and concise and makes for easy listening.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Luca is a Florida police detective, he is believable and dare I say "lovable".. A dogged cop that just keeps on and hates not closing cases.
well crafted story that keeps you guessing, and keeps you turning pages. I will be looking for more from Dan Petrosini as both books I have read are top class.
Andrew Starts narration is in tune with the book and is clear and concise and makes for easy listening.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 9, 2018
A very nice detective story,
The way it was done is new to me, it was like a game of persona for each chapter which was a very nice idea which I never seen before ( nice writing trick ) .
The book itself was very well written!
The performance was perfectly done!
I enjoyed listening to it which made it hard to put it down or take a break till the ending.
Not to ruin the story I'll keep this short and
Totally recommend this book.
To review I received this audiobook for free.
The way it was done is new to me, it was like a game of persona for each chapter which was a very nice idea which I never seen before ( nice writing trick ) .
The book itself was very well written!
The performance was perfectly done!
I enjoyed listening to it which made it hard to put it down or take a break till the ending.
Not to ruin the story I'll keep this short and
Totally recommend this book.
To review I received this audiobook for free.
April 10, 2018
Excellently narrated mystery written by Dan Petrosini. Luca, a detective with major health problems works to solve a missing person case. Cancer and murder make for an interesting plot. Definitely worth listening to.
January 13, 2018
A fast paced enjoyable read. There are a lot of surprises and twists in Vanished, which is the second book with Det. Luca. Even Det. Luca has something unexpected happen to him.
September 12, 2018
Enjoyable detective work
I found this story absorbing, entertaining and fun because of the character development of the detective and his partner. Asides in the cases such as the detective Luan developing tumours in the bladder and having surgery to remove part of it, and endure having a substitute one created by using part of the bowel with the embarrassing adaptations required to learn to cope with it were amusing, while feeling sympathetic. Mary-Ann Vargas, his partner, did a stirling bit of police work getting a confession at the end from the murderer. Enjoyable!
I found this story absorbing, entertaining and fun because of the character development of the detective and his partner. Asides in the cases such as the detective Luan developing tumours in the bladder and having surgery to remove part of it, and endure having a substitute one created by using part of the bowel with the embarrassing adaptations required to learn to cope with it were amusing, while feeling sympathetic. Mary-Ann Vargas, his partner, did a stirling bit of police work getting a confession at the end from the murderer. Enjoyable!
September 14, 2022
3.25/5⭐: Overall this was an enjoyable read but it was not with out it's flaws. I started out sorta liking the characters but eventually: I hoped Stewart was the one that killed Phil because he's an extreme douchebag, no longer felt bad for Robin because she turns out to be a grade A witch, Vargas has little depth and Luca becomes kinda whiny. There's also a few spots that make no sense that just felt like they were dropped there. Granite this book was editorially better than book one but story wise and character depth the 1st book was better. Hopefully book 3 will be better.
July 23, 2024
Very good
Kept my attention, a lot of action. Overall, I think anyone who enjoys crime mysteries will find this book a worthwhile read. Being a tad "anal" there were a few things that bugged me, more an editing or proofing issue. Grammar issues,some research issues. Stewart uses an inhaler,which is NOT the same as a nebulizer as stated later in the story. Keep the facts straight. I'm an RT, small item to others, but a big mistake. Just me & my pet peeves...
Kept my attention, a lot of action. Overall, I think anyone who enjoys crime mysteries will find this book a worthwhile read. Being a tad "anal" there were a few things that bugged me, more an editing or proofing issue. Grammar issues,some research issues. Stewart uses an inhaler,which is NOT the same as a nebulizer as stated later in the story. Keep the facts straight. I'm an RT, small item to others, but a big mistake. Just me & my pet peeves...
March 21, 2020
even though it's clear from the beginning who the villain is, it was still interesting to see things from their perspective.
the narrator was okay, but the fact that it was one narrator for two male POVs, without changing the tone or giving each character their own vocal characterization made it a little difficult to remember which POV I was listening at each chapter.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
the narrator was okay, but the fact that it was one narrator for two male POVs, without changing the tone or giving each character their own vocal characterization made it a little difficult to remember which POV I was listening at each chapter.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2019
I'm such a sucker for mysteries, this was really good! Pacing was fast and who can resist a beautiful cover?? (that makes a big difference). Only one or two times I got a bit bored, but nothing that kept me from stopping!
June 29, 2019
Kinda slow
Not a fan of the languid writing style. It was obvious who was guilty but took forever to get there. It was also hard to like the protagonists since we never got to really know anything interesting about them. Just a snoozer for me.
Not a fan of the languid writing style. It was obvious who was guilty but took forever to get there. It was also hard to like the protagonists since we never got to really know anything interesting about them. Just a snoozer for me.
December 27, 2020
Death of your best friend
Finding a detective story that leads you right into very core of a case is intriguing. Frank Luca is a character with his own health problems but he never lets that stop him from solving the case.
Finding a detective story that leads you right into very core of a case is intriguing. Frank Luca is a character with his own health problems but he never lets that stop him from solving the case.
July 25, 2022
In Vanished, rich, beautiful, Robin’s husband, Phil, has disappeared, again. When Phil disappears, he shacks up with some woman for a few days, then reappears. Only this time he stays disappeared. His best friend, Dom, is there to support Robin. He is also interested in her, romantically. Who wouldn’t be, with her beauty and her money. So, has Phil bailed on Robin, found someone he can’t live without? Has something happened to him? Has Robin arranged for his failure to return? Detective Luca is investigating the disappearance. His partner is on vacation, so he is working solo. What will he find?
I enjoyed this whodunit. I found the characters real to life, the locales, descriptive, and the action plausible. I will be reading more of Detective Luca.
I enjoyed this whodunit. I found the characters real to life, the locales, descriptive, and the action plausible. I will be reading more of Detective Luca.
September 1, 2024
I started reading these Luca books out of order, not realizing it. Now I’m starting at the first & I want to read them all! Luca is such a good guy, real people. And he’s tenacious about solving these crimes!
September 3, 2025
disappointing
I read quickly, and I had to slog through this book. I really wanted to like it, but didn’t like any of the characters, and the writing style is fair, but not up to my expectations.
I read quickly, and I had to slog through this book. I really wanted to like it, but didn’t like any of the characters, and the writing style is fair, but not up to my expectations.
May 23, 2018
Twisted plot lines
Enjoy d reading and recommend for a police procedural, perpetrator pretty obvious but reeling him in was the story Good Book to settle down with and relax
Enjoy d reading and recommend for a police procedural, perpetrator pretty obvious but reeling him in was the story Good Book to settle down with and relax
September 14, 2018
Great read and mystery. .
Thanks for the great mystery. It kept me in suspense all tHE way through the story line. I am looking forward to reading more
Thanks for the great mystery. It kept me in suspense all tHE way through the story line. I am looking forward to reading more
November 7, 2018
Good read, two evenings, just right.
I thought this book flowed smoothly and was an easy read. The length was just right, not filled with a bunch of words to fill space.
I thought this book flowed smoothly and was an easy read. The length was just right, not filled with a bunch of words to fill space.
November 19, 2018
Ok, mystery. Too drawn out.
March 15, 2019
Very enjoyable read
I’ve had cancer and can relate. The partners have something special going on. The turn of phase comparing things that are real to impossible happenings.
I’ve had cancer and can relate. The partners have something special going on. The turn of phase comparing things that are real to impossible happenings.
September 17, 2019
Not bad but a bit slow at times
A bit disappointing. The end was predictable as was the entire story. I appreciated that the chapters were labeled, but expected more integration.
A bit disappointing. The end was predictable as was the entire story. I appreciated that the chapters were labeled, but expected more integration.
December 11, 2019
Good mystery
interesting and kept you wondering who the killer was. Never would have guessed the main character Stewart was so devious. The ending left you a little flat though.
interesting and kept you wondering who the killer was. Never would have guessed the main character Stewart was so devious. The ending left you a little flat though.
January 2, 2021
Head Case
Somewhat disjointed story that unravels toward the end. Action and thrills are somewhat subdued. Not really interested in more of characters.
Somewhat disjointed story that unravels toward the end. Action and thrills are somewhat subdued. Not really interested in more of characters.
January 6, 2021
Great read
My only criticism was not knowing Robin's reaction in the end. Otherwise it was a very good read over all
My only criticism was not knowing Robin's reaction in the end. Otherwise it was a very good read over all
March 11, 2021
Enjoyable
Although I really enjoyed this book, my 4th by this author, I named the killer in just a few chapters. It didn't take away anything from the story.
Although I really enjoyed this book, my 4th by this author, I named the killer in just a few chapters. It didn't take away anything from the story.
July 31, 2024
Slow
This book was a little slow and a lot predictable. I don't know why I kept reading it. The way Stewart plotted to use women was insulting.
This book was a little slow and a lot predictable. I don't know why I kept reading it. The way Stewart plotted to use women was insulting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews