Rating: 
Summary: Finally, a Ferrigno novel as good as his first
Review: It's a shame that Robert Ferrigno's first novel, "The Horse Latitudes," is out of print. That work showed a terrific sense of style and mood, and marked Ferrigno as a great writer to watch. Unfortunately, his next few works fell short of the promise he displayed in "THL." It wasn't that his books were dull; they just were missing the ingredients that made "THL" so readable: noirish atmosphere, sharp characterization and dialogue, and brief but explosive bits of violence and action.In "Heartbreaker," Ferrigno rediscovers his touch. In plot, "Heartbreaker" is basically a revenge and chase novel: the main character is an undercover cop (sort of), whose partner gets murdered and his cover gets blown. So he runs from the bad guy, and along the way, falls in with a beautiful biologist with a quirky family. Brother is a loser sociopath who is hooked up with an even more sociopathic knockout redhead with murderous thoughts. The main character gets drawn into the looney family, at the same time, taunting yet trying to evade the bad guy who killed his partner. But it isn't the plot that makes this so readable. Ferrigno captures a certain almost romantic sense of adventure, akin to Raymond Chandler's novels, but with a modern feel. The ending is a little maudlin, but generally works.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Fast-paced and involving.
Review: My first Ferrigno. I can't wait to read the rest of his books. Lots of action and humor. I hope that Valentine will be back many times!
Rating: 
Summary: 3 1/2* Another Credibility Gap
Review: Robert Ferrigno just keeps getting better. Unfortunately, this means that while "Heartbreaker" is far better than his 1990 debut novel, it is far worse than 2001's 'Flinch.' Ferrigno once again depicts the low-lifes of Orange County, California, and features the usual noirish cast: a protagonist with his own "moral code," a femme fatale, a rich stepmother, a spoiled 'pretty boy' playboy, and a hired thug. 'Heartbreaker' is a more deeply layered story than previous efforts, and he cleverly melds two main subplots centered in drug-obsessed Florida and in glitzy/seamy Orange County. For the most part, the writing is brisk and humorous, and Ferrigno does breezy dialogue and tense situations very well. (There's also the usual graphic violence that may turn some readers off.) However, the story's implausible twists and betrayals made this a disappointing read. Why would someone trying to 'lay low' appear on a drug-dealing killer's favorite TV show and taunt him, thus making it easy to track him? There's an unappealing victim who is portrayed as an admirable person, and an appealing person who abruptly changes towards the very end of the story. While these catch you by surprise, they seem contrived, especially in the latter example. 'Flinch' is a much better book, although populated with similar characters and action, you don't feel so manipulated.
Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2* Another Credibility Gap
Review: Robert Ferrigno just keeps getting better. Unfortunately, this means that while "Heartbreaker" is far better than his 1990 debut novel, it is far worse than 2001's �Flinch.� Ferrigno once again depicts the low-lifes of Orange County, California, and features the usual noirish cast: a protagonist with his own "moral code," a femme fatale, a rich stepmother, a spoiled �pretty boy� playboy, and a hired thug. �Heartbreaker� is a more deeply layered story than previous efforts, and he cleverly melds two main subplots centered in drug-obsessed Florida and in glitzy/seamy Orange County. For the most part, the writing is brisk and humorous, and Ferrigno does breezy dialogue and tense situations very well. (There�s also the usual graphic violence that may turn some readers off.) However, the story�s implausible twists and betrayals made this a disappointing read. Why would someone trying to �lay low� appear on a drug-dealing killer�s favorite TV show and taunt him, thus making it easy to track him? There�s an unappealing victim who is portrayed as an admirable person, and an appealing person who abruptly changes towards the very end of the story. While these catch you by surprise, they seem contrived, especially in the latter example. �Flinch� is a much better book, although populated with similar characters and action, you don�t feel so manipulated.
Rating:
Summary: Not Fooled Here
Review: Robert Ferrigno's latest novel "Heartbreaker" is a true test. After starting out so strong with the "The Horse Latitudes" and slowly getting worse with the awful "Dead Silent" it was time to see if Ferrigno could recover. I found that Ferrigno got half way there. He does go back to his earlier style of great dialogue and solid character development. However the last 40 pages of this novel are so poorly done that it undermines the first 230 pages. "Heartbreaker" is the story of Val Duran. Who after working undercover fighting the Florida drug runners, moves to California to take up a new career. Val knows that sooner or later the Florida Drug dealers will come looking for him, so he keeps a low profile and hopes for the best. Then enters Kyle Abbott a good looking free spirit. Val falls for Kyle and ends up encountering Kyle's well too do family, which includes a plotting step brother Kilo. Kilo has been duped into killing for the family money, by another mystery women named Jackie. Val tries to sort out the details of who is ripping who off when the drug dealers show up tuning Val's life upside down. The major problem is with predictability of the book. You could tell early on what was going to happen. Ferrigno cops out and write exactly what is suspected. This is unlike Ferrigno's other novels where he kept the reader guessing at every page. "Heartbreaker" ends like a bad "Murder She Wrote" television show and in end costs the novel general rating.
Rating:
Summary: much better than Elmore Leonard
Review: This book is compared to those of Leonard and Hiaasen, but Ferrigno's are better, at least this novel and The Horse Latitudes. While the plot has many twists, this is a character-driven book. There are a few noticeable contrivances, but for the most part you're willing to believe what Ferrigno wrties. One exception---- no matter what your children were involved in, would you EVER address one by his nickname of "Kilo"? Nonetheless, this book is fast-paced, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Way Overrated and a lousy book
Review: This book is poorly written in so many ways: 1. Characters are paper thin - Kyle's beautiful and a Marine Biologist to boot but she is deep because in one page we learn she had some bad relationships. 2. A Good ol' boy from Florida (every stereotype of that type of character is in this book)is after the strong, silent but slightly vulnerable good guy (again every stereotype) who happens to live in the same bldg as the Marine Biologist. All the rest of the characters are equally undeveloped and uninteresting but that perfectly matches the quality of the story and the writing. Avoid this book.
Rating:
Summary: great read
Review: This is my second Ferrigno book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pace is fast with memorable characters. I like the way the action keeps moving. The style reminds me somewhat of Elmore Leonard or Ross Thomas. Mr. Ferrigno has a very barebones way of telling a story without introducing excess editorial that is superflous to the storyline. The ending was a surprise, totally unexpected.
Rating:
Summary: great read
Review: This is my second Ferrigno book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pace is fast with memorable characters. I like the way the action keeps moving. The style reminds me somewhat of Elmore Leonard or Ross Thomas. Mr. Ferrigno has a very barebones way of telling a story without introducing excess editorial that is superflous to the storyline. The ending was a surprise, totally unexpected.
Rating:
Summary: Took Awhile, But Really Grabbed You
Review: This is the first book I have read by Mr. Ferrigno. I really did not know if I cared for it at first. But it really took off and the ending was a BIG surprise. I think his character developement could use some work. I am anxious to read his other works just to see if they are written the same way. I do however recommend this book.
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