The first book by Michael Connolly, “Black Echo� demonstrates how good crime writing and detective fiction can be. Within the first 70 or so pages, thThe first book by Michael Connolly, “Black Echo� demonstrates how good crime writing and detective fiction can be. Within the first 70 or so pages, the feature detective, Harry Bosch, is established as a credible and rounded character with a strong back story, believable partners, and a clear place in the politics and machinations of LA Police Department.
Re-reading this book against the backdrop of having read several other books in the series enables you to see how many of the characters and issues that are simply background details in this story will emerge and develop in future volumes.
But the book also stands alone as an excellent and gripping story in its own right, linking detailed and thorough police procedural with accurate historical details of American soldiers who specialised in fighting in the tunnels in the Viet Nam war, brought to life through Bosch’s personal history and the investigation into the death of Meadows, a veteran Bosch served with 20 years previously.
The connection back to Vietnam � both in personal history and experience, and in how crimes and events from there shape the events in the book � makes a compelling theme and opens up through a series of unexpected twists as the real motives gradually emerge.
The detailed police procedural work in identifying the real story behind the crime is strong and convincing, whilst mixed with a pace and level of action that makes for a strong and enjoyable read. Most of the story works well for me, although the final twist I think is presented a bit too suddenly and neatly to be entirely convincing. ...more
At a time of understandable cynicism about some of what passes for journalism, it's important to be reminded that reporters continue to risk their livAt a time of understandable cynicism about some of what passes for journalism, it's important to be reminded that reporters continue to risk their lives to try to shine a light on the world's dark places. (A message given impact by our knowledge of the murder of the author some dozen or so years later).
In 1999, the first Putin Government in Russia rekindled the war in Chechnya. Anna Politkovskaya spent the next two years visiting Chechnya, Daghestan and Ingushetia, talking to soldiers and residents alike, spending time in refugee camps, with army recruits, and back in Moscow, often at real risk of physical harm which she never dramatises.
Whilst her coverage is scathing and outspoken over the record and behaviour of Putin's government, neither does she spare the Chechen authorities and terrorists, nor the Western aid agencies when they denounce one side but fail to condemn the abuses committed by the other.
Whether it is the gross and deliberate abuses she hears about, invetigates and tries to abuse, or the less obviously cruel but equally destructive results of bureaucratic incompetence and inertia, her reports are frank and devastating. It's hard not to weep at the articles telling of the attempts to rescue the abandoned residents of an older people's home in Groszny, for example - and the stupidity and lies that then leads to the same older people being returned and abandoned again because it suited a PR story.
Most of all, this book is important not just as a record of brutality, but for the attempts to tell the stories of the civilians whose lives are devastated by events they cannot control, leaving them, as the text on the book jacket says, with "nowhere to live and nothing and no one to believe in."...more
**spoiler alert** Not a polished book, but a hugely enjoyable read. There are not many surprises if you've followed politics over the year, but some u**spoiler alert** Not a polished book, but a hugely enjoyable read. There are not many surprises if you've followed politics over the year, but some useful perspectives and reminders.
One or two key points for me.
Firstly Dennis Skinner never seems to waver in his view that the Labour Party is the only place for working people who want to change things. His hostility to the defectors who formed the SDP is unsurprising, but it's clear he has little more sympathy for those who seek to dilute the radical voice in other directions.
Secondly, this leads to him being more supportive of the Blair and Brown government than some would expect. Not that he ever toned down his criticisms of the things he disagreed with, but always in the context of that enormous sense of solidarity and a believe that ultimately politics comes down to a choice of sides where he could only ever be in one place.
"I have an unyielding loyalty to a Labour Party that is on the side of working people. It is the only party capable of improving the lives of the working class.
"My absolute belief is that a Labour government is better than a Tory regime every time and the Labournyears, with Blair then Gordon Brown in no. 10, achieved much that we are justly proud of. "
It's probably that same sense of solidarity which lies behind his obvious sense of betrayal over two massive disputes - one, and better known, the Miner's Strike and what he believes to have been the unacceptable failure of the Labour party under Neil Kinnock to back the NUM; and secondly, and less remembered I suspect, the failure to lift the sanctions imposed on the Clay Cross councillors in the early 1970s.
Dennis Skinners working life started in the mines, which led him into the trade unions, the Labour Party and the local council before he became the MP. After his election as MP, Clay Cross continued with a programme started under his leadership of slum clearance, house building - and heavily subsidised rents and other services. This fell foul of legislation brought in by the Heath Government, and ultimately led to the bankrupting and barring from office of a number of Labour councillors including two of his brothers.
Actually, there was at least one surprise, which was the discovery that he was asked about a ministerial appointment by Tony Blair in 1997. He turned it down because he felt that it would restrict his ability to say and vote for what he believed in without compromise.
It's clear that at 82 he has lost little of the fire and passion that has dominated his life. His anger about what the coalition government is doing, founded not just on abstract dislike of their policies but of seeing week in, week out, the impact on ordinary people's lives, is palpable and an inspiration.
Bit surprised that so many people have rated this as a 4 or 5. It's a decent enough story, with a good late twist to it, but the characterisation is oBit surprised that so many people have rated this as a 4 or 5. It's a decent enough story, with a good late twist to it, but the characterisation is on the thin side and at a number of points the unexpected twists aren't sufficiently grounded in believable characters. I'm also not convinced that a lawyer or a police officer who bend the rules as much as happens in this story would be allowed to continue, however successful the final outcome might be....more
This is a solid and thoughtful biography from a man whose given his life over to climbing and to mountain photography - the latter initially as a way This is a solid and thoughtful biography from a man whose given his life over to climbing and to mountain photography - the latter initially as a way to make it possible for him to climb. Starting with his early life, and the use of climbing and the outdoors as an escape from a violent and unpredictable father, there's many detailed descriptions of how he developed his skills as a climber before moving to his fascination, almost obsession, with Everest, focussing in particular on this descriptions of the tragedies of 1996.
Reading other reviews there are mixed feelings about this book and particularly about his treatment of '96. I've not many of the other books on the same theme so don't feel too qualified to judge.
Elsewhere, the author is brutally honest in his depiction of how his marriage drifted and fell apart because of his obsession with climbing. And he is equally honest in talking about, and describing, the awful price that some people pay because of the lure of the high and wild places of the world....more
This is a decent book but not brilliant. Although it's the second in the series, as with The Bat, #1, you are more likely to enjoy this if you have alThis is a decent book but not brilliant. Although it's the second in the series, as with The Bat, #1, you are more likely to enjoy this if you have already read some if the later ones and want to read the "back catalogue".
Having developed a taste for translated Nordic detective stories, stumbling across this in a bargain book shop introduced me to a new writer and a newHaving developed a taste for translated Nordic detective stories, stumbling across this in a bargain book shop introduced me to a new writer and a new detective, Van Veeteren - although this story, which I think is number five in the series, also marks his retirement from the police and move into antique books. I believe however that he continues to feature in further stories.
It's a good story, the bones of which are outlined on the jacket and in other reviews. The main enjoyment though comes from the different characters, not just the main protagonist but also a number of other strongly developed police characters.
The way Van Veeteren reflects on his future is thoughtful; as is his decision making on the case, where stepping back leads him to realise that the obvious suspects are distracting him from the real nature of the case, and hence the identity of the murderer.
That's the strengths. On the negative side, the characterisation of the killer and his motives was weak, and left some unanswered questions, although none of this detracted from the enjoyment of the book overall. Certainly strong enough to make me look out for and catch up on others in the series. ...more
This is a pretty run of the mill holiday thriller, which you can get through in a few hours without concentrating too much. If I'd paid it a bit more This is a pretty run of the mill holiday thriller, which you can get through in a few hours without concentrating too much. If I'd paid it a bit more attention, I would probably be more critical of it. One or two good twists, but basically it's the formula of how do you place someone in an impossible situation and then let them come out ahead. For me, two plots intertwined which would have been good if one were followed through but becomes a bit unbelievable when the outcome depends on them both dropping right together. The villain for me covers too many complexes - I'm not convinced someone so pathological could also be so detailed and meticulous. Enjoyable. But basically unbelievable. ...more
This is the second Thorne novel, following on from Sleepyhead, but it takes a quite different approach.
Starting with a vicious murder, it quickly becoThis is the second Thorne novel, following on from Sleepyhead, but it takes a quite different approach.
Starting with a vicious murder, it quickly becomes clear that not only is there a serial killer operating, but that in fact there is a pair of killers operating together.
The use of flashbacks means that we know from quite early on who the killers are, and the plot is all about understanding how the events of the past have shaped their relationship as the police gradually come to terms with understanding the nature of them - particularly after one is captured and the second remains free.
It's another very solid story - I think I actually preferred his first novel, but the developing character of Thorne makes it well worth continuing with the series....more
A good, solid police procedure thriller, and an excellent first novel / first story in a series.
DI Tom Thorne is a fairly typically conflicted crime A good, solid police procedure thriller, and an excellent first novel / first story in a series.
DI Tom Thorne is a fairly typically conflicted crime novel police man - good at the job, but a maverick whose not really trusted by his bosses. And when a suspected serial killer leaves a young woman, Alison, alive, it looks like he's made his first mistake - except she is completely paralysed and in a coma.
Then the horrible truth becomes clear - Alison is not a mistake. This is what the criminal was striving to achieve. It's the previous deaths that are the mistake. So who is the criminal who seems to be targeting Thorne specifically? And what is it that is driving him, not to murder, but to try to trap his victims with their minds alive but their bodies useless?
A great story, written from various perspectives including that of Alison herself. Some lively twists and complexities along the way. A good story and strong encouragement to read more.
(just after watching this, I saw an episode of CSI New York with a very similar story line. This book came first, and apparently there's no connection between the two stories. Perhaps there really are only so many different possible plots. )...more
A good read, with a basic plot that grips you and keeps the story moving well. Jeff Talley is a former Los Angels SWAT hostage negotiator who is burneA good read, with a basic plot that grips you and keeps the story moving well. Jeff Talley is a former Los Angels SWAT hostage negotiator who is burned out by his experiences of a negotiation that wen wrong. Depression leads him to walk away from his pub and his marriage and take on a role as a police chief in a small town.
When a local petty hold up goes wrong and leads to a murder, the desperate criminals panic and end up holding a man and his two children hostage in their homes. What looks like a simple holding operation where Talley uses his knowledge to contain the situation until the state forces arise though quickly spirals out of control as increasing complexities become apparent.
For the house chosen at random by the criminals is the home of a white collar criminal, the accountant for a major organised crime family, and contains incriminating evidence of their activities. The ruthless actions of his associated in trying to recover their evidence means the stakes become higher than Talley could imagine.
It's a very good read, but there are a few too many coincidences (slight spoiler alert, but I'm not saying all of them) to be quite believable to me. I enjoy a "heroic" thriller, but prefer a story that's realistic overall. Good holiday read I'd suggest. ...more
As a first novel in particular, this really is an excellent and atmospheric crime story.
Built around the disappearance and murder of a 15 year old girAs a first novel in particular, this really is an excellent and atmospheric crime story.
Built around the disappearance and murder of a 15 year old girl, the strengths of the book are firstly, the thoughtful and informed description of the Peak district communities and landscape, and secondly the interplay between the two main police characters and the local community.
Ben Cooper is the local man, a young District Constable whose father was a well-loved sergeant killed in a pointless mugging attack. DC Diane Fry is the incomer, transferred from elsewhere, seen as a high flyer but with her own fragility and uncertainty rooted in her experiences in the West Midlands before her transfer.
The story develops around the dour ex-miner who discovers the body and seems unwilling to tell all he knows, his close-knit family and friends, all contrasting with the unusual life style of the in-comer parents and family of the deceased, Laura Vernon....more
Given a liking for Scandinavian police fiction, it's interesting to read this first book jn the Martin Beck series and discover many of the same styleGiven a liking for Scandinavian police fiction, it's interesting to read this first book jn the Martin Beck series and discover many of the same style and features present from so long back.
As the introduction to the edition I read notes, it's quite a culture shock to go back to a world where everyone smokes in offices and restaurants, and particularly a world that predates mobiles, where police observation operations depend in the vagaries of public phone boxes.
This is a carefully detailed police procedural, which moves slowly and then gathers pace as eventually the evidence starts to come together. The discovery of a dead girls body in a lake starts the murder hunt, but with little progress as no one reports her missing. Her eventual identity as a single American tourist, and the tracking of her to a boat trip, leads to careful and thoughtful detection, emphasising that real police work is about solid and lengthy effort rather than flashes of inspiration and the pursuit of hunches - although these have a role to play in deciding which lines to follow and which to ignore.
Martin Beck, the main detective, is no dramatic hero, but rather an ordinary man who is driven by his obsession to get results. The results are an engaging and wholly realistic novel which is readable and rewarding. ...more
Looking for a new writer to try out, this was a promising first start. It fits into what I'd call the "casual weekend" read - you can get through a loLooking for a new writer to try out, this was a promising first start. It fits into what I'd call the "casual weekend" read - you can get through a lot of it quickly without skimming; and it's complex enough to be enjoyable without being so deep that you can't cope with regular interuptions from the 2-year old granddaughter.
The writer's background as a journalist shows through and is used effectively, with the press playing an important and unexpected role in the story.
'Random' reflects the nature of the crime. A serial killer who picks victims by various random acts, but deliberately leaves a clue to demonstrate his responsibility.
A story told from the viewpoint of the serial killer, who gradually becomes for human and understandable - if pathological - as the real motivation behind the crime occurs.
I said in reviewing "Little Face" that it almost put me off reading any more by the same author. This book I have to say is much, much better.
Agin itI said in reviewing "Little Face" that it almost put me off reading any more by the same author. This book I have to say is much, much better.
Agin it starts with a disappearance - Naomi Jenkins reports her married lover, Robert Haworth, is missing. Initially the police don't take it seriously but gradually it becomes clear that something is very, very wrong.
Like the previous book, it's written from several different standpoints - third person descriptions largely of the police involved, combined with personal dialogue from Naomi. It emerges that Naomi suffered from a terrible crime, which she's never reported and shared.
The way different apparently separate lines are brought together is far more convincing than Little Face, and the outcomes both more horrifying and yet believable. The apparent coincidences are well resolved, and the police characters - who are the same as Little Face - develop more convincingly. Not brilliant, but readable enough to keep you engaged....more
I thought this book was really disappointing, and I'm surprised so many people have rated it higher. It was fortunate that I had another book by the sI thought this book was really disappointing, and I'm surprised so many people have rated it higher. It was fortunate that I had another book by the same author which I read, and preferred, as otherwise I don't think this would have encouraged me to try again.
There are some interesting characters, and elements of the plot were gripping, but - firstly, I'd suspected who the actual killer was from very early on, and there was nothing to get me thinking one way or another, and secondly, the late twists in the story to me made the main character frankly unbelievable.
As I say, disappointing. If you want to try Sophie Hannah, don't start with this one! ...more
Reading through a number of different detective and thriller authors at the moment, I've been starting to contrast different approaches. Some of them Reading through a number of different detective and thriller authors at the moment, I've been starting to contrast different approaches. Some of them - like Ian Rankin with Rebus, or Peter Robinson with Banks, build a strong series around one core character. Others, such as Grisham, focus on particular settings.
Robert Goddard, it seems to me, is one who rather has a blueprint or a framework that they keep applying to different settings. There is a particular type of hero, a complex and continuously unravelling story, usually a deeply conflicted and potentially treacherous romantic interest.....
Perhaps I'm being unfair and its just my perception, but that's certainly how some of his recent books have read to me and to be honest, I've got a bit jaded by them. When its done well, it can be very good - "Past Caring", his first novel, ranks as a personal favourite, and one I can envisage reading again. " In Pale Battalions" , "Set in Stone", and "Caught in the Light" are also solid and detailed books, well researched, challenging, intricate but still about believable.
"Blood Count" is frustrating. Better than some recent ones, with a stronger who realises sooner than most that initial poor choices have left him trapped, I'm afraid I still found myself skim reading in the middle section - engaged enough to want to find out what happens, but not to want to take in and appreciate the detail of the story.
There are some nice twists right at the end, but the problem with choosing a hero who is loss of a drifter than previous ones is that it's also hard to believe he could be taken in quite as many times as he is in the course of the plot - I hoe that's not too much of a spoiler, but if you've read Robert Goddard before you'll know what to expect!...more
This is the fourth book in the Charlie Parker series and I suspect slightly easier to follow if you've read the one before.
Part of the plot of this boThis is the fourth book in the Charlie Parker series and I suspect slightly easier to follow if you've read the one before.
Part of the plot of this book concerns the Revd Faulkner, an adversary from the previous book, and his potential release on bail. He's critical in terms of both his perceived threat to Charlie and to his girlfriend. Rachel, and also the effects of the previous issues in Angel in particular.
Whilst the headline story is about the request from an old friend to assist a young black boy who is threatened with the death penalty for the rape and murder of Marianne Lauranne, the daughter of a rich and influential local family, the roots of crime and evil run much deeper. America to Connolly is a place where the land is literally drenched in the blood of a violent past, which continues to surface and shape the lives and crimes of today.
The sense of threat is almost oppressive at times; the implied supernatural elements believable and never fully resolved; and the bringing together of apparently separate strands clever and convincing. I'd recommend reading the predecessor book first, but this is still an excellent read in its own right....more
Reading through the Rebus books again in order, this is the one where the Rebus character starts to become more recognisable. Partly it's his insistenReading through the Rebus books again in order, this is the one where the Rebus character starts to become more recognisable. Partly it's his insistence on carrying on a completely unauthorised investigation into a five year old Unsolved crime, prompted by an unprovoked and unexplained assault on his colleague Brian Holmes. It's also the first book where Siobhain Clarke becomes a significant part of the team.
This isn't going to be a spoiler review, which makes it hard to say too much about the story. The characterisation of people and places seems more strongly developed, and the police procedure detailed and presumably more accurate. Rebus' relationship with Patience Aitken struggles to survive his commitment to work, and his brother's release from prison helps to develop the family backstory.
This is the first in the Charlie Parker series, and is much more of a straightforward detective story than the book becomes later.
It's a complex storyThis is the first in the Charlie Parker series, and is much more of a straightforward detective story than the book becomes later.
It's a complex story that starts around the murder of his wife and young daughter, that lead to Parker leaving his job. Asked to track down a missing girl, he becomes involved in a complex story of organised crime and serial killers, leading ultimately back to the man who murdered his wife and child.
Whilst there are elements of the supernatural on the fringes of this book, they don't become the strong theme they do in his later works (I read the lateset book in the series at the same time, and they seem very different). Perhaps because of that it's easier to appreciate Connolly's strengths as a writer; these are fulfilling stories with real characters that take some reading, but justify the effort....more
Loading...