Reviews

Jeffrey Deaver – The Twelfth Card

“There are some truly sublime parts of this book that literally take your breath away. The truth is laid before you, if you could only see it…”

Synopsis:
Geneva Settle is in the library looking up old newspaper archives to find out more information about her ancestor, Charles Singleton. In the late 1800’s he was one of the few black men who owned a farm in America. Despite having to pretend he just looked after the farm, rather than tell people the farm was actually his, life was going very well. Then he was arrested for robbery. As Geneva sits reading about her ancestor’s reported misdemeanours, a man enters the library and attacks her. Geneva escapes from her attacker but this is not a random attack. It is just the start of a series of events that puts her life in great jeopardy

Review:
Jeffrey Deaver gives Rhyme and Sachs another outing that is worthy of their intelligence and mettle. From the very beginning, Deaver kick starts the action and doesn’t let up. He gladly leads us down some very dark, blind alleys and gets us all confused by making us think one thing, when meaning the exact opposite. There are some truly sublime parts of this book that literally take your breath away. The truth is laid before you, if you could only see it… Mr. Deaver is, to coin an old phrase, very good at the old ‘smoke and mirrors’.

This novel also gives an interesting nod to the liberation of black slaves in the 1800’s and the constitution of America. He writes about the African-American Vernacular English, demonstrating that Mr. Deaver did his homework. These points, although historically interesting, can get a bit laboured and a tad confusing. Besides that, Deaver has given us another novel that consolidates the popularity of Lincoln Rhyme and his team. Truly, Jeffrey Deaver goes from strength to strength!

Reviewed by: C.S.

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Boris Akunin - The Death of Achilles

“…an exciting and gripping story which holds surprises right up to the last few pages…the comparison that has been made with James Bond, is valid.”

Synopsis:
Erast Fadorin, still only twenty six, returns to Moscow after six years away. He is there to take up a job as deputy for foreign assignments. He has been employed in the embassy in Japan and whilst there has acquired an extensive knowledge of martial arts, as well as a loyal Japanese companion to aid and assist him. When he returns to Moscow he immediately becomes embroiled in the death of his old friend, General Sobolev, “ the Russian Achilles”. The subsequent plots and counter plots; the emergence of a beautiful and seductive woman and an anti-hero with powers to rival Fadorin’s own, all make for an exciting and gripping story which holds surprises right up to the last few pages.

Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot develops pace as it goes along, and Fadorin escapes from each set of apparently impossible situations. In this, the comparison that has been made with James Bond is valid. Erast Petrovitch has access to a range of equipment which gives him an advantage over his opponents, as well as an intellect which keeps him, mostly, ahead of the game! The style of writing is slightly old fashioned, as fits the nineteenth century setting, and the detailed descriptions of Moscow at that time are very impressive. I did find the Russian system of names a little confusing and had to keep referring back to check who was who, but this problem resolved itself after a while. I particularly liked the development of the character of Achimas Welde who became a worthy opponent for Fadorin.

Reviewed by: S.D.

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Simon Kernick - A Good Day to Die

‘…(Dennis Milne) sees himself as judge, jury and executioner…’

Synopsis:
Dennis Milne, a former police detective now living under an assumed identity in the Philippines, becomes involved in the killing of a London criminal on the run. He discovers that his old friend Asif Malik has been murdered in a London restaurant and he resolves to return to London to track down the killer. He finds himself in the midst of intrigue and involved with vicious killers who seem to know more about him than is entirely comfortable. He is, however, more than able to look after himself in ways that are definitely outside the law. After a bloody denouement, Milne has finally dealt with all but the most significant villain. He then takes care of him by using the due processes of law…

Review:
I couldn’t help but like the character of Dennis Milne, as well as have a sneaking admiration for someone who can handle himself so well in a physical way. However, there’s no escaping the fact that he sees himself as judge, jury and executioner; and he is certainly not infallible. He seems to know that he has left his younger, less cynical, self behind and he does not entirely like what he has become. This is, in fact, his saving grace. The plot is really gripping and moves along at a cracking pace! The underside of London is clearly portrayed. As are the ruthless characters inhabiting it. Definitely, a really good read.

Reviewed by: S.D.

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Adrian Mathews - The Apothecary’s House

‘This book has an intricate and fast moving plot..’

Synopsis:
This tells the story of an oil painting of the eighteenth century, which is at best second rate but still has been selected for Hitler’s Fuhrermuseum in Linz. Ruth Brahms works in Amsterdam at the Rijksmuseum’s research library tracing the provenance of artworks looted by the Nazis. She becomes involved with this painting by the intervention of an elderly and slightly scatty old woman who claims the picture as hers, particularly as her ancestor is the painter. There is also another claimant for the painting. The discovery of why the painting is important, and the complicated lives of those involved with it make up the plot of the book. It involves alchemy, ambition, bitter love and scant regard for human life.

Review:
This book has an intricate and fast moving plot and kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed the measured revelation of how the picture was painted as well as the references to the search for the philosopher’s stone. I did not totally relate to Ruth as the central character, but could observe her from the outside. Some of her actions did seem a little inconsistent and her major act towards the end of the book seemed a little unbelievable and also provoked no consequences.

Reviewed by: S.D.

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Elizabeth George - With No One as Witness

‘…easily her best book yet!’

Synopsis:
The Metropolitan Police finally realise that recent killings of young black and mixed race boys are the work of a serial killer. Acting Superintendent Thomas Lynley must work to keep his team, the media and his superiors happy with the progress of his investigations, while trying to second-guess the next move of the killer.

Review:
At over 500 pages this is a vast and complex thriller, which narrates the tensions and politics behind the search for a serial killer. Elizabeth George is particularly good at describing the private lives of the central characters on the investigation team and exploring how their backgrounds influence the course of the investigation. Those familiar with her previous novels will find the personal tragedy that dominates the last third of the book particularly moving.

However, for new readers there is much to enjoy as the various communities where the killings take place, from the street stalls at Camden Market to the shops and warehouses around Gabriel’s wharf and the back streets of Elephant and Castle, are vividly brought to life. Her portrait of the serial killer is also convincingly drawn, as is the initial reluctance of the local police to take the deaths seriously. In my opinion, this is easily her best book yet.

Reviewed by S.W.

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Reginald Hill - Stranger House

“I loved this book. It has everything I like in a good detective story.”

Synopsis:
Sam Flood, a young Australian mathematician, is trying to find out about her grandmother who left Illthwaite in Cumbria in the 60s. Miguel Madero has left his training for the priesthood and is pursuing an academic quest concerning Catholic families in Tudor times. He is also drawn to Illthwaite. There they both discover secrets and a reluctance to disclose the past both recent and historic. They are very different characters, one spiritual and the other very down to earth. However they do find common ground in tracking down the answers to their quests.

Review:
I loved this book. It has everything I like in a good detective story. The plots were meaty and detailed, intertwining on different levels and finally coming together in a very satisfying way. The characters were intriguing and believable. Even the slightly fey character of Miguel was counteracted by Sam who was rooted firmly on the ground. The rhythm and pace of the language was smooth and moved along quickly. I enjoyed the esoteric quotes and marvelled at the mathematical facts. I do hope that Sam and Mig will reappear in another story. I heartily recommend this.

Reviewed by: S.D.

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Caleb Carr - Italian Secretary

‘…the writing has echoes of Conan Doyle.’

Synopsis:
One evening Dr. Watson arrives at 221b Baker Street to find Holmes in an agitated manner. Holmes has managed to upset Mrs. Hudson and he has also received a telegram from his brother, Mycroft. After deciphering the message, Watson finds himself on a Royal train heading along with Holmes towards Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. It is not long before they are caught up in a shattering series of life threatening events.

They venture to Holyroodhouse to clear up a mystery that has connotations of a murder that happened during the stay of Mary, Queen of Scots. Does this have something to do with a centuries old murder? Is it supernatural, or simply the hand of a very clever murderer? Only Holmes will be able to clear up the mystery and save the name of HRH Queen Victoria.

Review:
I have to admit that I was looking forward to reading this book and, thankfully, I was not disappointed. I have read several ‘Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ by many different writers and the majority have been very badly written, with extremely flimsy plots. Thankfully, Mr. Carr’s contribution feels like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle could have written it. He seems to have got the tempo just right and the writing has echoes of Conan Doyle. As with many of the Holmes books, the action starts at the beginning and is relentless and doesn’t stop until the very full on ending.

I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Carr seemed to have got the measure of Holmes just right and it was wonderful to see Mycroft in action again. The plot contains a wide range of characters from terrorists to deceitful charmers of women. I hope this will not be the one and only outing Holmes gets under the influential pen of Caleb Carr.

Reviewed by: C.S.

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Susan Hill - The Pure In Heart

‘…the novel is not so much a traditional whodunit but a study of the impact of crime on a small community.’

Synopsis:
The second novel from Susan Hill featuring Detective Chief Inspector Simon Serrailler focuses on the disappearance of a young boy from outside his house as he waits for his lift to school. The detective, in the absence of any tangible clues, struggles to solve the mystery while trying to come to terms with personal tragedy affecting both himself and his family.

Review:
Having loved “The Various Haunts of Men”, I was looking forward to Susan Hill’s latest novel and was not disappointed. The character of Simon Serrailler is given greater depth in this novel and his relationship with the people around him is particularly well drawn out. While the disappearance of the young boy is the central theme of the book, the impact of the tragedy on the wider community and, in particular, Simon’s family is vividly and movingly explored.

Susan Hill appears to be enjoying her new crime series, and a number of new characters are introduced into the novel, some of which were touched on in her previous book. At times these new additions, plus the lack of resolution of some key plot lines, mean that the novel is not so much a traditional whodunit but a study of the impact of crime on a small community. I was hooked, however, and can’t wait until the next instalment.

Reviewed by: S.W.

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Michael Finkel - True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa

“The connection between the two men is intriguing…”

Synopsis:
This is a true story of two men, apparently very different, whose lives become intertwined and who possess, to different degrees, certain personality traits. Michael Finkel, the writer, was fired from “the greatest job I could ever imagine” as journalist for The New York Times Magazine because he did not tell the truth in a story about exploitation in the Ivory Coast. Christian Longo was a man accused of murdering his wife and three children. Whilst hiding in Mexico he used Michael Finkel’s name as an alias, partly because he saw himself as a journalist. A phone call from a reporter on the Oregonian newspaper started Finkel on a correspondence with Longo where a developing trust between the two men reveals a great deal about the their characters, not least the way in which Longo manipulates the truth.

Review:
This is very different from the normal crime story I read, mainly because it is in fact true, and also because there seems very little doubt as to Longo’s guilt despite his reluctance actually to admit to it. I admit that I approached it a little reluctantly but found it well worth reading. The honesty of the writer in admitting both his motives and the lies, which caused his sacking from The New York Times, is refreshing, as is his willingness to see parallels in Longo’s behaviour. The connection between the two men is intriguing. How much does Finkel stay with Longo because of a genuine liking for the man and how much because the story will provide a way back to serious writing? There is no doubt that Finkel did like Longo, despite the emerging history of deceit. The slow build up of these lies makes it inevitable that a crisis would be reached in Longo’s marriage when the truth came out.

Reviewed by: S.D.

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Minette Walters - The Tinder Box

“…has all the feel of a Walters full-length novel”

Synopsis:
Siobhan Laverham hails from an Irish family and lives with her family in Sowerbridge. The O’Riordan’s, who are also Irish, live just down the road from Siobhan’s house. The old snobs of the village perceive the O’Riordan family as a nuisance because they have battered old cars littered over their front garden. Now the O’Riordan’s son is up for the murder of two old women who lived in the Old Manor house. Even in this sweet, idyllic little village, things soon turn very nasty indeed…

Review:
This is a short novella of 115 pages that Minette Walters wrote some time ago. It has all the feel of a Walters full-length novel as it still has the “newspaper articles” within its pages that have become synonymous with Minette Walters’ works. It is a crime novel with a strong theme of prejudice against the Irish. This point can get a bit laboured during the story, but there is a nice little twist at the end which makes you look at all the events from a totally different perspective. This is a nice little titbit for any one who needs a little shot of Minette Walters before the arrival of The Devil’s Feather in September!

Reviewed by C.S.

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