It is the time of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. Bobby Sands has
died as a result of his hunger strike. Detective Sergeant Sean Duffy is
a Catholic policeman amongst many Protestant police, and the narrator
of the story. The police are all armed, and ready for a riot at any
time.
It is shortly after Duffy has gone home that he is called
out to investigate a murder. The victim has been shot in the chest
first and then the back of the head. To symbolise that he was a Judas,
his right hand had been cut off afterwards, but Duffy couldn't find the
30 coins that were normally left with such a murder victim.
The
postmortem reveals that the severed hand didn't belong to the victim.
It also appears that the victim had been raped. Duffy has a strange
case on his hands. It becomes even stranger when a second victim is
found, with the first victim's hand. The following morning, Duffy
receives a post card from the killer, telling him that he is acting in
the place of God to rid the earth of queers.
A puzzling case of
an apparent suicide also lands on Duffy's desk. The facts leading up to
her suicide don't make sense to Duffy. Pathologist Dr. Cathcart points
to a bruise on her neck, which might be a thumb, and not her own.
Further
investigation into the first victim points to him being a man of some
rank in the IRA and having some connection to the UVF. Later Duffy is
taken off the case when a bomb explodes at a gay bar. However, this
doesn't prevent Duffy from continuing the investigation. Author Adrian
McKinty offers quite the twist in the conclusion to the first of a
trilogy about Detective Superintendent Duffy. An excellent read.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Dead Like You
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace returns in Peter James'
latest mystery, "Dead Like You". He is now in charge of cold cases. A
woman has been raped on New Year's Eve in a Brighton hotel. The case
is disturbingly similar to the case of the Shoe Man back in 1997.
Author Peter James offers the reader parallel stories, which flip back and forth between 1997 and now. Grace was in a loving relationship with his wife, who has been missing for nine and a half years. Now his girlfriend is expecting their first child. Then, a young woman had gone missing; possibly a victim of the Shoe Man, who assaulted women and took their panties and one shoe. Now, the assailant takes all of their clothing.
A potential culprit is presented early on in the story, but later on a second potential culprit is also presented, leaving the reader second guessing themselves.
Grace is given a group of ex-coppers to work the cold cases. As he starts with them he informs them that he had been reviewing the Shoe Man case, and when he returned to it the following day he discovered that several pages were now missing. Another mystery is offered up to the reader, and it is just after this that the reader is presented with a third potential culprit.
Grace also has a good team to help him with the current rape cases, but can they solve the crime before another rape occurs, because the current rapist seems to be following the pattern of the Shoe Man. The team is slowly gathering evidence when Grace reveals information to the press, which he hopes will cause the perpetrator to make a mistake. Unfortunately at this same time, Grace is presented with another possible perp.
As the investigating team eliminates suspects, another young woman is kidnapped. Grace and his team are now in a race to save her. Time stretches out for her and Grace's team as author Peter James ups the tension while drawing the reader along to a surprising conclusion. A great read!
Author Peter James offers the reader parallel stories, which flip back and forth between 1997 and now. Grace was in a loving relationship with his wife, who has been missing for nine and a half years. Now his girlfriend is expecting their first child. Then, a young woman had gone missing; possibly a victim of the Shoe Man, who assaulted women and took their panties and one shoe. Now, the assailant takes all of their clothing.
A potential culprit is presented early on in the story, but later on a second potential culprit is also presented, leaving the reader second guessing themselves.
Grace is given a group of ex-coppers to work the cold cases. As he starts with them he informs them that he had been reviewing the Shoe Man case, and when he returned to it the following day he discovered that several pages were now missing. Another mystery is offered up to the reader, and it is just after this that the reader is presented with a third potential culprit.
Grace also has a good team to help him with the current rape cases, but can they solve the crime before another rape occurs, because the current rapist seems to be following the pattern of the Shoe Man. The team is slowly gathering evidence when Grace reveals information to the press, which he hopes will cause the perpetrator to make a mistake. Unfortunately at this same time, Grace is presented with another possible perp.
As the investigating team eliminates suspects, another young woman is kidnapped. Grace and his team are now in a race to save her. Time stretches out for her and Grace's team as author Peter James ups the tension while drawing the reader along to a surprising conclusion. A great read!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
The Nightmare
Lars Keplar's latest thriller starts with a young couple at sea running
for their lives. They have been having sex on a remote island. When
they return to their boat they find the woman's sister dead on board.
They flee to another island and the boat drifts free.
Detective Joona Linna has been called to what appears to be a murder by hanging, but his knowledge and experience in the National Criminal Investigation Department tells him it is actually a suicide.
While discussing the suicide's autopsy, Linna is shown the remains of the young woman. She has drowned, but her clothes were dry. Linna has another mystery on his hands. The pathologist agrees with Linna that it is mysterious death. During his examination of the boat Linna's attention is continually drawn to a bucket of sea water swinging each time the boat moves. He realises that she was drowned in it and that is why her clothes are dry. Linna also fears for the life of the murdered woman's sister.
When Linna goes to the sister's apartment he is attacked and barely manages to escape with his life. Linna realises that this was a hit, well planned and organised, but why?
Further investigation of an Internet cafe computer ties the boyfriend to the suicide. As the investigation progresses, Saga Bauer, team leader of an anti-terrorism agency helps Linna. Evidence points to gun running.
The young woman, whose sister was murdered, and her lover are on the run from someone, but they don't know who. Will they be able to survive in the wild on their own, or be able to get to safety before they are caught and killed too? As the story progresses, author Lars Keplar lets the reader in on more of the background to the deaths, filling in details bit by bit.
Keplar keeps the reader guessing and tense as this thriller take you to its gripping conclusion. An excellent read, hard to put down.
Detective Joona Linna has been called to what appears to be a murder by hanging, but his knowledge and experience in the National Criminal Investigation Department tells him it is actually a suicide.
While discussing the suicide's autopsy, Linna is shown the remains of the young woman. She has drowned, but her clothes were dry. Linna has another mystery on his hands. The pathologist agrees with Linna that it is mysterious death. During his examination of the boat Linna's attention is continually drawn to a bucket of sea water swinging each time the boat moves. He realises that she was drowned in it and that is why her clothes are dry. Linna also fears for the life of the murdered woman's sister.
When Linna goes to the sister's apartment he is attacked and barely manages to escape with his life. Linna realises that this was a hit, well planned and organised, but why?
Further investigation of an Internet cafe computer ties the boyfriend to the suicide. As the investigation progresses, Saga Bauer, team leader of an anti-terrorism agency helps Linna. Evidence points to gun running.
The young woman, whose sister was murdered, and her lover are on the run from someone, but they don't know who. Will they be able to survive in the wild on their own, or be able to get to safety before they are caught and killed too? As the story progresses, author Lars Keplar lets the reader in on more of the background to the deaths, filling in details bit by bit.
Keplar keeps the reader guessing and tense as this thriller take you to its gripping conclusion. An excellent read, hard to put down.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Bethlehem Road
A Member of Parliament has been murdered and his body left hanging on a
lamp post on Tower Bridge. Inspector William Pitt has been tasked with
investigating it. Was it a targeted murder, a random act, or an act of
anarchists?
Meantime, Pitt's wife Charlotte has been to a meeting of women suffragettes, who are demanding the right to vote. Unfortunately an argument broke out amongst some of the women and a melee ensued.
When a second MP is killed in the same place in the same manner, Pitt is left wondering if it is the actions of a lunatic, a copycat murder or was the first victim a case of mistaken identity? It is later during his investigation that fingers start to point to a possibility that a suffragette could be the culpable one.
Pitt's investigation leads to a woman who had a conflict with one of the MPs. This in turn brings his wife, Charlotte, into the case because the suspect is the niece of a friend of her great-aunt, Vespasia. They set out to create their own investigation.
When a third MP is murdered in similar circumstances and location the police are left scratching their collective heads. Pitt has his suspicions, but no evidence. Charlotte and her fellow investigators are at a loss, too.
When one of the MPs offers to act as a decoy in a sting operation, the police take him up. Unfortunately the MP shoots the assassin moments after the attempt is made on his life. Pitt is left with niggling questions. Will his visit to Bedlam help him find the answers?
Author Anne Perry once again presents a well written Victorian murder mystery.
Meantime, Pitt's wife Charlotte has been to a meeting of women suffragettes, who are demanding the right to vote. Unfortunately an argument broke out amongst some of the women and a melee ensued.
When a second MP is killed in the same place in the same manner, Pitt is left wondering if it is the actions of a lunatic, a copycat murder or was the first victim a case of mistaken identity? It is later during his investigation that fingers start to point to a possibility that a suffragette could be the culpable one.
Pitt's investigation leads to a woman who had a conflict with one of the MPs. This in turn brings his wife, Charlotte, into the case because the suspect is the niece of a friend of her great-aunt, Vespasia. They set out to create their own investigation.
When a third MP is murdered in similar circumstances and location the police are left scratching their collective heads. Pitt has his suspicions, but no evidence. Charlotte and her fellow investigators are at a loss, too.
When one of the MPs offers to act as a decoy in a sting operation, the police take him up. Unfortunately the MP shoots the assassin moments after the attempt is made on his life. Pitt is left with niggling questions. Will his visit to Bedlam help him find the answers?
Author Anne Perry once again presents a well written Victorian murder mystery.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Death on the Rive Nord
It is now October, 1963, and Inspector Lucas Rocco is well settled in as a citizen of Poissions-les-Marais.
His latest case involves human smuggling. Africans from Algeria are secretly being smuggled into France and their destination of choice seems to be Amiens, near Rocco's home of Poissions-les-Marais. Unexpectedly he comes face-to-face with one, only he is a floater; found dead under a barge.
Shortly into his investigation, and while clearing his head at a nearby grotto, Rocco briefly meets a young, attractive woman who piques his interest. His interest is also piqued by a new assembly factory in Amiens where he feels that the men in charge are lying through their teeth when he shows them a photo of the dead man.
Later, the young woman approaches him and informs him that she has entered the country illegally and her husband is a criminal set in killing her. When he checks with his former senior officer in Paris, the details she provided turn out to be true.
A police sting is set up in Amiens to catch illegal immigrants, however, the factory that Rocco thinks has the most potential is put off limits by the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile the criminal set upon killing his wife for his loss of face has landed in France and is set to take over the Algerian gangs in France. Violence and murder ensue as the net closes in on the young woman, and she has come to Rocco in search of safety.
Author Adrian Magson does a great job of building up the tension in this sory for the reader before bringing it to the grand conclusion.
His latest case involves human smuggling. Africans from Algeria are secretly being smuggled into France and their destination of choice seems to be Amiens, near Rocco's home of Poissions-les-Marais. Unexpectedly he comes face-to-face with one, only he is a floater; found dead under a barge.
Shortly into his investigation, and while clearing his head at a nearby grotto, Rocco briefly meets a young, attractive woman who piques his interest. His interest is also piqued by a new assembly factory in Amiens where he feels that the men in charge are lying through their teeth when he shows them a photo of the dead man.
Later, the young woman approaches him and informs him that she has entered the country illegally and her husband is a criminal set in killing her. When he checks with his former senior officer in Paris, the details she provided turn out to be true.
A police sting is set up in Amiens to catch illegal immigrants, however, the factory that Rocco thinks has the most potential is put off limits by the Ministry of Defence. Meanwhile the criminal set upon killing his wife for his loss of face has landed in France and is set to take over the Algerian gangs in France. Violence and murder ensue as the net closes in on the young woman, and she has come to Rocco in search of safety.
Author Adrian Magson does a great job of building up the tension in this sory for the reader before bringing it to the grand conclusion.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Death on the Marais
It is 1963; France and Inspector Lucas Rocco has been sent, from Paris, to
Poissions-les-Marais, in rural France by his superiors for reasons as yet
unknown to the reader, however hints are given at the beginning of each
chapter. It appears to be a part of a nation-wide shuffle of officers
at all levels. He finds himself back in time when it comes to services
like running water and a telephone.
Just as he is settling in on his first day, while visiting the local cop, Claude LaMotte, a body is reported of a woman in the local British cemetery, and she is dressed in a Gestapo uniform. Unfortunately Rocco will find that the transfers include a new commissarie, whom he knows from his wartime experience in Indochina. Will this new commisarie help or hinder his investigations? Things take a strange twist when the body is released by the pathologist almost immediately after he had received it.
The following day the pathologist provides the name of the deceased. She is the daughter of a wealthy person in Paris. Rocco decides to go to Paris, which is outside his jurisdiction, to investigate. Roadblocks quickly appear, and a twist appears in the story when the local scrap dealer has his hand blown off by a grenade that may have been booby trapped with plastique. Is the scrap dealer a target because of his history with the Resistance? Is there a connection between him and the dead woman? Rocco's investigation leads him down a path of treachery, across time and through differing social levels.
The sub-climax is very exciting, leading the reader on to a very interesting conclusion to this thriller. Well written and a great read. Kudos to the author, Adrian Magson. I look forward to the sequel.
Just as he is settling in on his first day, while visiting the local cop, Claude LaMotte, a body is reported of a woman in the local British cemetery, and she is dressed in a Gestapo uniform. Unfortunately Rocco will find that the transfers include a new commissarie, whom he knows from his wartime experience in Indochina. Will this new commisarie help or hinder his investigations? Things take a strange twist when the body is released by the pathologist almost immediately after he had received it.
The following day the pathologist provides the name of the deceased. She is the daughter of a wealthy person in Paris. Rocco decides to go to Paris, which is outside his jurisdiction, to investigate. Roadblocks quickly appear, and a twist appears in the story when the local scrap dealer has his hand blown off by a grenade that may have been booby trapped with plastique. Is the scrap dealer a target because of his history with the Resistance? Is there a connection between him and the dead woman? Rocco's investigation leads him down a path of treachery, across time and through differing social levels.
The sub-climax is very exciting, leading the reader on to a very interesting conclusion to this thriller. Well written and a great read. Kudos to the author, Adrian Magson. I look forward to the sequel.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Odin's Wolves
This is the third of the Raven trilogy. Raven and his Norse friends
narrowly escaped in their longboats from the Franks at the end of the
last book, and in doing so saved two groups of Danes and their boats.
Now the four boats have headed south in search of more treasure.
They run into a group unknown to them that are fierce fighters, but have strange wrappings around their heads. They also don't worship the Christian god, but bow down twice a day in prayer to the sound of some strange chanting.
Further south they pass the Pillars of Hercules. As they head east for Constantinople, their ultimate goal, they run into sea raiders with whom they do battle. Later as winter settles in they find an island to create a winter camp on. After the winter the group move on to Rome, where they are left in awe of the huge structures.
In Rome, Raven and two of his friends end up fighting in a battle to the death as part of a bet by his jarl. Unfortunately his friend, Bram, is killed, but they win the bet and plenty of silver. This victory will set them onto their next adventure and on to Constantinople.
Author Giles Kristian tells of a great battle the Norsemen fight in Constantinople as he draws the reader to the conclusion of this saga. An intensely good read.
They run into a group unknown to them that are fierce fighters, but have strange wrappings around their heads. They also don't worship the Christian god, but bow down twice a day in prayer to the sound of some strange chanting.
Further south they pass the Pillars of Hercules. As they head east for Constantinople, their ultimate goal, they run into sea raiders with whom they do battle. Later as winter settles in they find an island to create a winter camp on. After the winter the group move on to Rome, where they are left in awe of the huge structures.
In Rome, Raven and two of his friends end up fighting in a battle to the death as part of a bet by his jarl. Unfortunately his friend, Bram, is killed, but they win the bet and plenty of silver. This victory will set them onto their next adventure and on to Constantinople.
Author Giles Kristian tells of a great battle the Norsemen fight in Constantinople as he draws the reader to the conclusion of this saga. An intensely good read.
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