In “The Ethical Assassin” by William Ferraiolo, readers are taken on a gripping journey into the mind of a mysterious individual who portrays themselves as an “ethical assassin.” The book delves deep into the moral complexities of vigilantism, prompting readers to question the boundaries of justice and morality. The narrative unfolds with an uncertain authenticity, adding an intriguing layer of mystery to the story. The protagonist, grappling with personal tragedy after losing their family, undergoes a profound transformation. Inheriting wealth and retiring early, they embark on a mission to eradicate what they perceive as evil in society. Ferraiolo skillfully portrays the protagonist as a complex character, driven by a deep sense of purpose and justice. Despite lacking formal training, their unassuming demeanor aids in evading suspicion as they carry out their vigilant mission. The author masterfully navigates the moral ambiguity of the protagonist’s actions, questioning the justification of killing without divine guidance. One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the protagonist’s reflection on religious texts, which adds depth to their internal struggle. As they grapple with their own motivations and the uncertainty of the afterlife, readers are drawn into a thought-provoking exploration of morality and ethics. The book’s pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the protagonist navigates a dangerous world of crime and punishment. Ferraiolo’s prose is both eloquent and evocative, immersing readers in the protagonist’s inner turmoil and moral dilemmas. Overall, “The Ethical Assassin” is a captivating and thought-provoking read that challenges readers to confront their own beliefs about justice and morality. Ferraiolo’s deft handling of complex themes and riveting storytelling make this book a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and moral philosophy alike. ~ avidreader_critic, Beer & Books, Instagram

Do some people need killing? This assassin certainly thinks so. The 'memoir' definitely feels like someone just sat down one day and vented about their life in a journal entry. And all of the italics felt like someone was speaking to you. The repetition made me feel like he was trying to convince himself of the things he was saying as much as the reader, especially because of the contradictions. Is leaving the journal the end of his hobby? Time will tell. I do wish there were less details about the locations and more details about the people/killings. I would think the locations would give more away. All in all, I enjoyed this! ~ wittyorshitty_bookreview, Instagram

For this review I get into a personal first which is an ARC copy of a new book. The Ethical Assassin by William Ferraiolo is a thrilling and thought provoking book that grapples with relevant social topics all spun through the view of an unnamed protagonist. When William reached out offering a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, just looking at the title I had to say yes. I really enjoy books that make you think and with the question already at play of can there ever really be an ethical assassin, I thought this book would be really interesting. I really enjoyed The Ethical Assassin giving it an 8/10 rating. The book follows an unnamed protagonist as we read his self written memoir. The memoir is his way of explaining how and why he went from being a husband and father, to a killer. Through moral and social topics the man goes through how he created his ethicality that allowed him to pick people who he feels deserves to die. Through topics of mental health, religion, and justice, we the reader are left to contemplate our own ethical beliefs. Overall a really interesting read, and I thought the way it was written, in an anonymous almost diary tone, was unique. There has yet to be a release day for the book but it seems like it should be sometime this year so be sure to check out the authors page to be kept up to date for when the book drops. Full Review: https://baddiebookreviews.com/2024/04/27/the-ethical-assassin-by-william-ferraiolo/ ~ BaddieBookReviews, Instagram

Have you ever imagined killing someone? If you say no, what if they have done truly horrible things that, in your eyes, make them deserving of death? The man in the book ”The Ethical Assassin” by Bill Ferraiolo has done just that. While he repeatedly states that he does not want to go to prison for his illegal activities, he takes a big risk by writing down his experiences and leaving the manuscript in a diner. The mysterious author of this manuscript details his involvement in the deaths of four individuals. The murders seem to have been precipitated by the sudden and violent, unexplained deaths of his entire family. As we read, though, we discover that this man was prone to his own fits of violence even before the unfortunate accident that took the lives of his wife and children. These episodes began in early childhood but seem to have been kept in check by marriage and fatherhood. The man, whose name is never mentioned for obvious reasons, blames his wife for the accident and the actions that followed, while at the same time applauding her for tempering his violent nature beforehand. In his defense, all of the people that he killed committed crimes involving children. A child molester, a child trafficker, a physical child abuser, and a man whose exact crimes were never mentioned but entailed those against kids were his victims. This book was devoid of any errors that I could find. As a result, I am very impressed by the editing of the work. I did find many parts to be repetitive, however. At the end of every chapter, and sometimes in between, the phrase “Time will tell” was written. In addition, the author of the memoir expressed his desire not to go to prison and his dislike of being “inconvenient” many times in those exact words. There were also many words in italics. While I understand the need for emphasis, there is surely something else that could have been done. I am not sure to whom this novel would be best suited. It is certainly a book about crime, but I wouldn’t categorize it as a thriller. It lacked any of the suspense that would make it one. The reader is never in doubt as to who committed the crimes. In fact, the deaths are not even in news reports for the most part, so no one is even looking for the killer. It does read like a memoir, however, so fans of those and crime stories are probably the ones who would enjoy it most. ~ Amy Luman, OnlineBookClub.org, LinkedIn

In this, his first novel, Dr. William Ferraiolo brings us a damaged hero stumbling through the ruins of his once perfect life, who has chosen murder as his path instead of making sense of the causes of his destruction, a path that takes us through the deepest, darkest woods of the mind. ~ Tim McGarvey, author of Only the Days We Danced