Hannibal Review

Released last month, and still at the number 1 spot for many weeks Thomas Harris' Hannibal is a must read.

Continuing from where Silence of the Lambs left off, this a well written mind-bending, stomach churning thriller!

The third in the series, after Manhunter and The Silence Of The Lambs, it begins with a failed shootout where Clarence Starling is discredited and becomes a pawn in a bigger game.

Meanwhile, in beautifully described Florence, Italy, Dr Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, parades as museum curator Dr Fell.

This time its Hannibal who's the hunted, as one of his previous victims, multi-millionaire Mason wants revenge. The pork baron wants Lecter's body to be devoured by his beloved pigs; symbolic of how his own body was torn apart by a dog thanks to Lecter.

Once again Harris manages to keep you gripped, unable to put it down and constantly saying "just one more chapter" into the early hours of the morning. Much of Silence of the Lambs is carried over into this book, fleshing out many of the characters as well as introducing new ones; some who last longer that others. The violence though sparse is very graphic and shocking. People are hung, gutted, have their brains removed, and not surprisingly eaten.

I'm not going to spoil the ending, but if, no when they make this into a major film, I can't see there being a sequel.

If you only read one book this summer, make sure its Hannibal. Millions of others can't be wrong!