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R.J. Ellory
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A Quiet Vendetta: A Thriller Kindle Edition

by R.J. Ellory (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 346 ratings
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In pre-Katrina New Orleans, a detective spars with a mafia hitman to find the governor’s daughter in “the best Mafia novel since The Godfather” (Booklist, starred review).

When Catherine Ducane disappears in New Orleans, the cops react fast—she is the Governor’s daughter, after all. But the case quickly grows very strange. Her bodyguard turns up horribly mutilated, and when the kidnapper calls, he doesn’t want money: he wants time alone with a minor government functionary. By the time the pieces fall into place, it’s already too late . . .

A Quiet Vendetta is both the epic story of one mobster’s life—following him from Cuba to Chicago—and a powerful thriller of rage, love, and loss.
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  1. Print length
    462 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    The Overlook Press
  5. Publication date
    March 26, 2013
  6. File size
    2483 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Pre-Katrina New Orleans, with all its passion and decadence intact, provides an ideal backdrop for the intimate revelations of Ernesto Perez, a career hit man. (This book was originally released in the UK in August 2005, literally days before Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.) In what may well be the best Mafia novel since The Godfather, Ellory explores the dark intimacies of people bound by a complex relationship with violence, ranging from the mean streets to the highest strata of society. The story is built around a dialogue between Perez and Special Investigator Ray Hartmann, with Hartmann attempting to get Perez to reveal the location of a kidnapping victim. And not just any kidnapping victim but the daughter of the Louisiana governor. The mutilated corpse of the girl’s bodyguard casts an ominous pall over the case, and the political pressure on alcoholic Hartmann and a small army of FBI agents is intense. This is the fourth of Ellory’s powerful, literate thrillers to be published in the U.S. (the last was A Simple Act of Violence, 2011). It’s one damn fine book and should be highly recommended to all but the coziest of crime-fiction fans. --Elliott Swanson

Review

"As in the very best of thrillers, A Quiet Vendetta has the ring of truth and real research behind it all. With exquisite pace and perfect timing, R.J. Ellory has given us a piercing assessment of the nature of love, loyalty and obsessive revenge, not to mention a deep understanding of la cosa nostra." (-The Guardian )

"R. J. Ellory proves himself a leader among the royalty of crime writers with this five-decade-long saga of Mafia history forming the framework for an exciting, well-constructed tale that ultimately becomes one of two men attempting to redeem themselves for their many individual sins against humanity." (���New York Journal of Books )

"An engrossing tale about organized crime from the perspective of a kidnapper whose agenda will keep you guessing until the end." (--Entertainment Weekly's MUST LIST

)

"An absorbing crime novel…a brilliantly conceived tale of greed, politics, family loyalties, and vengeance." (--Kirkus Reviews )

"A Quiet Vendetta is highly recommended for readers interested in the psychological makeup and motivation behind the actions of both the hunter and his prey. The faint of heart who would prefer a straightforward whodunit mystery are better advised to choose the works of a less creative writer." (--New York Journal of Books )

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07PM76TFP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Overlook Press (March 26, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 26, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2483 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 462 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 346 ratings

About the author

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R.J. Ellory

R.J. Ellory

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RJ Ellory is the author of eighteen novels, all published in the UK by Orion, and available in twenty-six additional languages. They are:

CANDLEMOTH (2003)

GHOSTHEART (2004)

A QUIET VENDETTA (2005)

CITY OF LIES (2006)

A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS (2007)

A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE (2008)

THE ANNIVERSARY MAN (2009)

SAINTS OF NEW YORK (2010)

BAD SIGNS (2011)

A DARK AND BROKEN HEART (2012)

THE DEVIL AND THE RIVER (2013)

CARNIVAL OF SHADOWS (2014)

MOCKINGBIRD SONGS (2016)

KINGS OF AMERICA (2017)

THREE BULLETS (2019)

PROOF OF LIFE (2021)

THE DARKEST SEASON (2022)

THE LAST HIGHWAY (2023)

Additionally, in 2020, he independently published 'THE MAN WHO ATE THE WORLD', with all proceeds being donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

'Candlemoth' was shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Steel Dagger, and went on to win the Grand Prix des Lecteurs and the Balai d'Or 2017. His fifth novel, 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' was a Richard & Judy Book Club selection in 2007, and won the Livre De Poche Award, The Strand Magazine Novel of The Year, The Mystery Booksellers of America Award, the USA National Indie Excellence Award for Best Mystery, the Inaugural Nouvel Observateur Prize and the Quebec Booksellers' Award. 'A Quiet Vendetta' won the Quebec Laureat, the Avignon Readers’ Prize and the St. Maur Prize. 'A Simple Act of Violence', Ellory’s sixth novel, won the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year 2010. He has been nominated for a further thirteen international awards including two Barrys, the Association 813 Trophy, and the Europeen Du Point. He has also written the screenplay of 'A Quiet Belief In Angels' for Oscar-winning director, Olivier Dahan, and has optioned 'A Dark and Broken Heart' for film. His novella 'Three Days in Chicagoland' was released as a French graphic novel at the end of 2014 (in collaboration with Fabrice Colin), as was 'Seul le Silence' in 2021. He has published short stories in numerous British and American magazines. Currently working on two TV series adaptations, he is also writing for the screen with two original feature films in production. Ellory - alongside Martin Smith (formerly of ELO) - is a founding member of The Whiskey Poets, a country-blues band, and they have released three albums, 'Low Country', 'Native Strangers' and 'The Garage Tapes'.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
346 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Linda M Rink
5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2013
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Excellent writing and wonderful intrigue. This is one of the best books I have read this year. Ellory really develops his character and plot and ideas in a suspenseful way. I think back to Oliver North and the contra affair and now would really like to read the congressional report and see if its indeed truth or fiction. I am glad Ellory got me interested in that subject. I love mysteries and this is one of the best written mysteries I have ever read.
4 people found this helpful
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Peter P
4.0 out of 5 stars or the life of a killer
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2011
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Although one is fiction and the other is not, I found great similarities between «A Quiet Vendetta« and «I heard you paint Houses». The leading protagonists of both books, Ernesto «the Cuban» Perez and Frank «the Irishman» Sheeran are non-italian hitmen working for the Cosa nostra. Both are ruthless killers, aging men who tell the story of their lives. Both books are fascinating, but «I heard you paint Houses» is the stronger book if you want to learn more about the inside story of the Mafia and especially about the events leading to the death of Jimmy Hoffa. I thought R.J. Ellory's epilogue was very apropos. In it, Perez remorselessly tells of a particular vicious and unfair murder he was a part of. While we may feel empathy at times for hitmen like this Mr. Perez, we must never forget that they are not nice guys.
2 people found this helpful
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worthyking
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite RJ Ellory book so far!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2017
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This is by far my favorite RJ Ellory book so far. His prose is gorgeous (as usual), but in this one he takes us along for a heart-pounding ride, with multiple twists and turns, through the mind of a stone cold killer. The plot is complex, the action intense, and there are dead bodies aplenty - and all of it is wrapped in Ellory's signature prose, which, by my reckoning, is some of the very best modern literature has to offer.
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Ken C.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Top Notch Author
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2011
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After reading A Quiet Belief in Angels, I discovered that the author's other novels were not available in the States. It seemed so surprising that he was not living right here as his stories take place in the U.s. and he seems utterly familiar with each locale that he writes about. So, I ordered all of the novels from London. Now I don't have A Quiet Vendetta to look forward to, but you do. It's very hard to rank my favorite Ellory novel, but AQBA is first, then A Simple Act of Violence, then City of Lies. So what if this one is fourth, I still give it five stars. I was able to keep reading from start to finish without stopping, enjoying the Louisiana background and keeping pace with Ellory's fascination with crime and criminals. He's an author worth reading.
One person found this helpful
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TL
4.0 out of 5 stars very well written - descriptive, suspenseful... ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2015
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very well written - descriptive, suspenseful... a bit too long...
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Jimmy Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hang in there, it is worth it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016
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This book forces you to be a partner. It makes you turn pages. It makes you wince, shiver, deny, scream, bite nails, it forces you into new territory, and leaves you in awe and disbelief. I still do not believe how I had no clue....
One person found this helpful
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eadieburke2
5.0 out of 5 stars R.J. Ellory is my Favorite Author
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2013
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I have read alll of his books and this one did not disappoint! It is a story of greed, politics, family loyalties, and vengeance with lots of twists and turns!
One person found this helpful
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Ray B
2.0 out of 5 stars The end justifies the means?
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
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I've only read one other novel by R.J Ellory, but by comparison this one lacks the page turning driving force of the "Saints of New York." It took tremendous patience to wade through the narrative of Ernesto Perez, and although the ending was somewhat clever, I couldn't justify the time I spent to see this novel to the end.

By weaving together semi-historical Mafia, New Orleans, and Cuban lore, the author overreaches and unnecessarily complicates a revenge story with the backstory of Ray Hartmann that just isn't that moving. I never felt for Ray's plight back home, nor quite understood the need to focus on John Verlaine either.

I'll give Ellory another shot, based on the strength of "Saints of New York" but sadly can't give "A Quiet Vendetta" more than two stars.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Marie c.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, the author enters the mind of a ...
Reviewed in Canada on August 27, 2016
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Amazing book , the author enters the mind of a psychopath and describes why he was engaged in the killings of many people and how he was hired by the mafia to help them get rid of many people who opposed them or compete with them and how in contrast to his cruel psychopath life where he shows no mercy no compassion to any human being he has shown his loyalty to his employers that he considered as a family and he has shown amazing respect and love for his family and wife and children , a contrast in his life that doesn't seem compatible with a murderer who has no value to human life , how an intelligent person who could have used his brain for positive things used it to kill and brutalize humans instead and got away with all his wrong doings and murders from the FBI and the police and all those after him , a remarkable author who Will be appreciated each time you read one of his books, a true genius author in the description of history of each place he writes about with every details and every notion that made this location great , the history of the mafia of New York , New Orleans , Chicago And ALL thé important events that marked these places !
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bourgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars trop court!! j'ai adoré!
Reviewed in France on March 20, 2013
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Ce livre est venu à moi je pensais acheter un autre écrivain, et la surprise a été complète.
Très facile à lire, ce dévore, la trame du récit est fantastique et les personnages vous captivent tous.
Vivement la traduction du reste des œuvres de MONSIEUR ELLORY.
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jeff cross
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Australia on December 15, 2014
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A very good, couldn't put it down.
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Book Scout
5.0 out of 5 stars Lock the door, put your feet up, you will read this in one sitting...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2009
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After a kidnapping and intriguing murder, a Mafia hitman begins to recount his life story and this novel suddenly becomes the most compelling of R.J.Ellory's I've read to date. As with his previous two books I've read, A Quiet Belief in Angels and A Simple Act of Violence, Ellory once more demonstrates his astonishing ability to capture time, place and people in a distinctive, poetic voice that makes reading a joy. I am amazed how each of his novels show such versatility, altering his tone and prosaic style to fit the subject matter and time frame of his work. He is one of the most talented and exciting voices to emerge from this genre in a long time.

I found myself unable to stop reading this masterly constructed story. Using some real events and real mobsters the plot feels like a real-life interview with someone from the inside of the Mafia. It is a plot that unravels gradually bringing together the central themes of Choices versus Circumstance and the ties of Family and how we define a Family. You will find yourself staying up late into the night just to finish this. Then he goes and leaves you with a terrific ending that will make you recommend it to everyone you know and force you to buy everything from the author's back catalogue.

This is more than your average crime/thriller. It is a haunting meditation on the capabilities of man to enact violence and revenge but also on man's capabilities to offer love and self-sacrifice.

The characters are made up of real-life characters from the Underworld and Ellory's own complicated protagonists who will wrench from you genuine empathy. Even the fictional bad guys are deeply complex and damaged and you're emotions towards them are not straightforward, thus we are made to question what makes a man evil - his own choices or his lack of them?. This is serious writing wrapped up in a fantastic story - as the best books always are.

Ellory's prose is tough, unflinching and always, always perfect. His genius for timing, pace and dialogue make this a novel that surprises you, moves you and challenges you. His descriptions of New Orleans and Havana, that attack the senses, are exquisitely drawn. His ability to elicit emotions and questions from the reader regarding psychopathic behaviour turns crime fiction into something philosophical, original and worth thinking about. A Quiet Vendetta is a disturbing, clever and wonderful tale that will stay with me for a long time.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars The author is very descriptive and at times a little much, nut well worth sticking with the story!
Reviewed in Canada on April 26, 2019
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The plot was amazing!
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