There’s nothing more gripping than a good who-done-it; and you are in store for a first rate one. Gino Brogdon, a practicing Atlanta attorney and former Superior Court judge, has created a story alive with gritty characters, entertaining dialogue, fast paced action, and an intriguing plot. Demons in the Crawlspace is a story of Detective Frank Salvato, who has his own demons from a complicated and tragic past, as he navigates the interrelated crimes of missing children, murder, and child molestation. In order to figure out what has happened—and possibly to save the lives of two little girls, Frank has to overcome obstacles presented by negligent parents, mentally handicapped felons, Borderline mental health professionals, ambitious but incompetent prosecutors, showboating defense attorneys, and compromised judges.
At the center of this book is one of the most horrific crimes—one that, rationally, is hard to believe even exists—the sexual murder of children. As a practicing clinical forensic psychologist , I can testify that unfortunately, these do exist. It is hard to accept that the innocence and promise of a child can be destroyed by the pathology of adults. But those of us who work in this area, know that it happens and happens at an alarming frequency. If anything is evil, this is; and Gino Brogdon captures this evil in his excellent first novel. Gino brings to life this sick underside of life—he gives us look at things we wish we could ignore. Psychologists, police officers, attorneys, correctional officers , judges unfortunately learn to live knowing this dark underside of life—and Demons in the Crawlspace will give you a fascinating glimpse of it too.
There are no vanilla characters in this novel. In all likelihood, deeply understood, there are actually few bland people in life—the seemingly bland may just be good at hiding their idiosyncrasies. Gino Brogdon makes both the street folks come alive as well as the upper crust. His characters are multi-dimensional, with fascinating strengths and flaws, and part of the mystery is attempting to figure out the interrelationships among these folks.
I enjoy a good detective novel, if it is written well. As someone who works in forensic mental health, I think I have come to have high standards. John Grisham, who is also a practicing attorney, certainly knows how to pull this off. His legal details are fascinating because they are accurate and hence informative—the police work and trial are not seen from the distance of a Hollywood script writer but from the nearness of those who really know how the legal system works as well as how it doesn’t work. Gino Brogdon’s novel is in this tradition. He has tried cases involving sexual abuse both as an attorney and as a judge. His depiction of the behavior of the characters involved in this—of the police, of prosecuting attorneys, of witnesses and experts, of defense attorneys and of the judges is spot on, part of the drama is the realism he brings to bear in this story.
But it is clear that Gino Brogdon also knows something that Grisham doesn’t—Gino knows the street. Grisham is at his best writing about Ivy Leaguers as they navigate a corrupt large firm, i.e., a story of the elite. In contrast Brogdon brings alive the flotsam and jetsam of society-- the homeless, the developmentally disabled, the prostitute, the pervert; and the substance abuser. Their dialogue rings true, their blemishes are clearly drawn, and their pathos and tragedy of their stories are compelling. He does this with a humor and with empathy. Someone once said to those who think life is a comedy, and to those who feel, a tragedy. This novel brings alive both of these dimensions.
I'm not much of a betting man, so it won't surprise me when Gino Brogdon becomes the latest breakout author. "Demons In The Crawlspace" is one of the best first novels that I have read in many years. Countless novice writers have attempted to write fiction using "tried and true" formulas that promise instant success, but failed miserably . That is because no expert in publishing can calculate that unknown part of the equation and that is the reading public and simple "word of mouth".
I'm an average "joe" who happens to read 2-3 books a week. I may not be an expert, but I can recognize talent when I read it. This novel had all of the elements that I require in great fiction such as a multidimensional main hero with a history, including a flawed past and demons of his own and a great story that left me wanting more. I enjoyed the realistic settings and tone of the story and felt that it carried just the right balance of titillation and grittiness to truth and honor. The occasional chapters that delved into the main character's past were enlightening and horrifying at the same time and managed to add an even more intersting layer to the character. Probably the best compliment that I can give is that I look forward to getting to know Det. Frank Salvato even more in future books.
When all is said and done; after all of the promotion and advertising dollars have been spent, it is primarily the public that decides the next breakout author and novel and I plan on doing my part and recommending "Demons In The Crawlspace" to anyone looking for a great read.
What makes a great novel? Its one part storytelling and two parts living the experience of the emotional territory of the book. Both ingredients are contained in "Demons in the Crawlspace". Gino Brogdon started his career as an accomplished trial lawyer, then esteemed trial judge, then back to the trial bar but now he has reached his true passion, writing a powerful gripping story.
Gino’s main character Frank Salvato, a gruff bulletproof detective whose will of steel overcomes all adversities both his criminal counterparts and his emotional turmoil’s. Frank’s baby son disappears under his watch and his wife leaves him. There’s more to Frank’s personal story.
The book storyline is Frank’s efforts to solve the rape, murder, torture of two little girls, Jennifer and Miriam. There are more twists and turns in this novel than a mighty tornado. Do not attempt to predict the next chapter, you will fail.
The book and its descriptive characters come to life under Gino’s pen and will prohibit the reader from putting it down until conclusion. Fall asleep if you may, but you’ll wake up reading where you left off until you have experienced the final surprise.
It’s rare that a book has such vivid detail that the reader can actually smell smells, that’s just how good it is.
You will no doubt be sad when you end the book but you need to know that the power of the story will continue on in a series of future books starring of course the main character Frank Salvato.
As a fellow trial lawyer I am somewhat saddened to see Gino move on to his next career. However storytelling and powerful writing is not merely his career, but instead his clear life’s passion. Enjoy this book and many more to come.
Gino Brogdon demonstrates his exquisite penchant for natural storytelling as he takes the reader for a disturbing walk through the eyes of a seasoned murder cop, Detective Frank Salvato. After years of looking into the places where normal people dare not peer, Detective Salvato finds himself confronted with frightening evidence of pure evil meted out on two little girls. Salvato ponders the larger life issues as he struggles to survive in the depths of wickedness that still prowls like a cat in the night. Twisting and turning throughout the journeys Salvato takes on a daily basis, the reader gets to see the world through eyes that have seen too much. "Demons in the Crawlspace" is the detective’s search for answers to questions that find us wanting for more. Surely somewhere out there is the answer to Salvato’s albatross, the eternal question, "why." This is Gino’s incredible debut into the wonderfully dark world of crime thrillers. Move over Connelly, Patterson and Grisham.
Demons in the Crawlspace is a true fiction thriller of first order. Demons is an easy, fast-paced read filled with all the complexities of life as lived through the life of the main character, homicide cop Frank Salvato. Demons took me through many emotions from chapter to chapter. This book ponders and tortures life issues of love, heartbreak, pain, fear, darkness, and the search for the unknown truth. Through it all, one thing became abundantly clear. “Demons” is a great novel.
Destined to become and Oprah favorite, Demons is a page turner that attaches to the reader’s soul and teases the imagination. This novel clearly has a place next to Patterson, Connelly, Grisham and Walter Mosley. Bravo! Gino Brogdon Bravo!
Gino pulled me right in and moved me along at a fast clip. He introduced me to a somber and gruesome world far removed from the antiseptic one I live in, but made it so compelling that I wanted to read more about it. Sort of like Silence of the Lambs, where some characters are so grotesquely disfigured in spirit that they repel and fascinate us at the same time.
And I love Frank…a middle-aged cynic who's still a believer. He doesn't miss a nuance in anybody's physical, behavioral or psychological quirks and has a knowing eye for their internal struggles. It was scary and sometimes fun to be inside Frank's laser sharp mind and eyes. Frank also has a discerning heart for society's wounded, and I think his understanding of Lester is particularly touching. I like the way Gino now places the story of the domestic violence of Frank's parents later in the book and breaks it into two installments so that the pain and horror of Big Tony and Francine isn't so overwhelming.
I think Gino also created other memorable characters in Violet, Gerry, Spike and Jay, who provide some much needed comic relief.
Mr. Brogdon,
I will have to find out when your next book signing is, I like the character, he shows a lot of compassion for people, which is a dichotomy to many. I wonder where Butter Village really is and what the actual veracity of your book is based on, intriguing.
I passed the chapter onto my wife to get the approval of it in our library of books, we are frequent travelers and I feel it would make an excellent one for our companionship on those journeys!
You write a very descriptive book my friend, to allow the reader to know the subtleness of every aspect of the story, I actually enjoy the way you write.
Good job and I can tell you are a very empathetic being, rare in a sense, for the position you were in. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us all, allowing us to get even a succinct glimpse of such a covert world.
I was able to read the first 15 Chapters last night and WOW. Demons is not only an easy read, but a GOOD easy read. I almost wish I would have waited to the weekend to start reading so I wouldn't have had to put it down. We will talk more once I finish, but wanted you to know as an avid reader this is an excellent book. Can't wait to see it on the New York TImes Bestseller List. Not only does it keep you interested, but the Chapters are short (huge plus for me as I never put a book down in the middle of a Chapter LOL)
You truly have a gift and I am glad you were able to share that with us. I wish you much success and KEEP WRITING! - what a wonderful series of books this will be.
I finished the book and I LOVED IT. You did an excellent job keeping the reader interested and the details were great. I cannot wait until the next one. When is the next one going to be published? No pressure, of course!
Just finished reading the novel. A modern masterpiece in the making! Very reminiscent of the Ross Macdonald gumshoe genre of the 40's & 50's , yet unmistakably and uniquely Gino. The writing style puts you into the scenes and evokes all the relative gestalt emotions congruent with each chapter and character. Gino's writing style is on par with the best of them! The gritty authenticity and haunting reality cannot be viscerally dismissed and it leaves you wanting and wandering for more. Thank you for the emotional journey from the past into the now.
In a book filled with interesting characters, Det. Frank Salvato is unique. He is aware of himself and his effect on others. He will hassle a rookie cop at a crime scene just because he can, or uncross his legs to flirt with a matron to get records he wants. We feel that he is capable of many things, good and bad, and the questions of what he will do and how far he will go are always there. I can't wait for the next book.
Demons in the Crawlspace is a very gritty look into the life of a cop, his cases and even his soul. Middle aged Frank Salvato is a detective with an unwanted connection to some of his cases. It's not that he's involved in any way, but his own past throws him into the darkest parts of his investigations. When two young girls disappear, Frank discovers an evil beyond even his jaded imagination. What he finds leads him into the depths of his memories and puts him on the edge of a chasm between what he should do and what he wants to do. Mr. Brogdon writes in such a way that you can almost smell the stench of death combined with Frank's cigars as you, the reader, follow him throughout the case.
This is a definate must read for any mystery or crime fiction fan and I hope this is the beginning of a very long series.
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