Review of The Savage Garden by Mark Mills

I just finished reading "The Savage Garden" by Mark Mills. I have to say that I am sad to have seen the book end, always a sign of a great book for me. When I selected this book at the library I did what I always do before deciding to try an author I haven't previously read. I check out the blurbs on the back of the book jacket and read the synopsis on the inside of the book flap. What instantly sold me was 1. the story line. 2. the fact that The Los Angeles Times said Mark Mills had "an incredible voice." As a writer and avid reader voice means a lot to me. If you aren't aware of what voice actually means, it's the personality that comes through the writing, the way the author turns a phrase to create a mood or a scene, to present a character. Each author has a unique voice, and let me tell you, The Los Angeles Times was right, Mark Mills' is incredible.

The book begins with a prologue of Adam reflecting back, wondering if he'd known then what he knows now would have done anything differently. That is, if he'd known there would be murder involved. Chapter one finds Adam-a young, idealistic, highly intelligent college student-being sent to Italy for a week by his professor. Adam's task is to gather information for his thesis, which is to be written about a massive garden with a rich history. This garden is located at the home of the Docci family, Villa Docci.