Magnificent - Rated 
I know this review won't be helpful to many of you fervent critics out there, because I like to keep them short and sweet. (I don't see the point in repeating the synopsis.) All I can say is read ALL the other reviews and take note! Seriously! This author is going places and should be a TOP household name at the very least. As the blurb inside the cover says: "It confirms RJE's place at the forefront of new thriller writing". Whilst it would be tempting to finish his books in a day, I actually take my time to relish the style and detail, deliberately stopping myself so I can look forward to another hour (or two) the following day. The best author out there currently. I've read all of RJE's books and they are all of the highest order. I think I've said it in each review on his books, but his dialogue is second to none, not to mention all the other qualities of the book. Again, take note. If you're not reading him, you're missing out.
Masterpiece - Rated
Simply one of,if not,the best book ive read,Ellory is a genius,so many twists and turns,if you enjoyed The Godfather,you will enjoy this even more
Really excellent stuff! - Rated
The New Orleans of this novel is not destroyed and inundated, but the morality of its criminal underworld is as drowned and polluted as anything hit by hurricane Katrina. Catherine Ducane, daughter of the Governor of Louisiana, has been kidnapped - and the man responsible, Ernesto Perez, walks into a police station determined to give them the story of his life as a Mafia hit-man. They have to listen to his appalling memories, or else he will not tell them where Catherine is before her air and water runs out. What emerges from Perez is an epic history of the Italian Mafia in America which, as in the very best of thrillers, has the ring of truth and real research behind it all. But what is it that Perez is actually hoping to achieve, and why does he insist on speaking only to Ray Hartmann, a junior member of a Washington-based crime task force? With exquisite pace and perfect timing, Roger Jon Ellory has given us a piercing assessment of the nature of love, loyalty and obsessive revenge, not to mention a deep understanding of la casa nostra - "this thing of ours". Criminally excellent stuff.
gripping, well written but... - Rated 
Having loved the original and best mafia book, The Godfather, I couldn't wait to delve in to A Quiet Vendetta after reading someone else comparing it to Puzo's great novel. I can't say I was disappointed, it is expertly crafted and made me want to find out just what was going on, but on reaching the end I couldn't help but feel it was bit of a damp squib; i'm afraid the twist could be spotted a mile off - not wanting to spoil things but why didn't Ellory at least make the girl's name near the book's climax completly different, instead of it being so similar... When all is said and done, Ernesto Perez is a great character and the sub plot about Hartmann's family was equally intriguing (Verlaine was also a nicely drawn character). I look forward to trying Ghostheart very soon.
Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful - Rated
I have quite literally just finished "Quiet Vendetta" and as emotionally drained as I may be, I felt compelled to post my review/comments regarding this book immediately. In brief summary, a Governor's daughter goes missing following the gruesome murder of her bodyguard. An old Cuban by the name of Ernesto Perez turns up claiming responsibility and knowledge of the girl's whereabouts. Perez requests that his story be heard before relinquishing details of the whereabouts of the Governor's daughter.
And so, we fall headlong into Ellory's detailed and rich story, retracing the steps of one man's journey as a hitman for the mob stretching over four decades. Of course the "organised crime" genre has been covered by many, but not quite like this, not as superbly as this. Ellory's prose is so rich in detail, so original in composition and so creative in plotting, not to mention fantastically well researched.
I believe that Ellory has set a new standard with his writing, and it is certainly a tough act to follow for others who wish to write creatively in this genre. In Perez we have one of my favourite characters of any book, movie or play that I have encountered. This is not due to his criminal activity, and homicidal tendencies, certainly not, but due to the depth and richness Ellory has created in Perez, rarely has a character been so real to me.
I have no doubt that this book would make a great movie, and if directed and produced well, Ernesto Perez would become a character as memorable as Michael Corleone, Henry Hill and Tony Montana. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Ellory is a household name, as he is a bona fide talent, and this is another brilliant book. I highly recommend it
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