Scandinavian crime fiction has a reputation for being 'dark' (perhaps based on an over-exposure to Wallander; I'm not sure as a genre it's consistentlScandinavian crime fiction has a reputation for being 'dark' (perhaps based on an over-exposure to Wallander; I'm not sure as a genre it's consistently 'darker' than UK ones) but this Icelandic novel fully deserve that label. It's the first book I've read by this author and I'd strongly recommend it.
For much of the book, there seems to be three separate stories going on. Four people on an isolated lifehouse; Nina, a disillusioned police woman struggling to cope with a the anguish of a brain-dead husband on life support following an inexplicable suicide attempt; and Noi and Vala, returning from a holiday to find inexplicable problems linked to the apparent disappearance of the American couple who they house-swapped with.
Each strand is disturbing and gripping in it's own right, and although you know there must be a connection it's only well through the book that the real and disturbing truth starts to emerge. As Nina comes to terms with her situation, and tries to find out the truth behind her husband's fate, the links gradually emerge - then in the final pages there is a dramatic and unexpected twist which manages to be both unpredictable and believable, not something that novels always achieve.
Peter Scott is perhaps part of the final generation of largely self-taught naturalists who had a significant impact on both scientific knowledge and tPeter Scott is perhaps part of the final generation of largely self-taught naturalists who had a significant impact on both scientific knowledge and the popularity of conservation. Son of the explorer Robert Scott, Scott of the Antarctic. he faced the challenge of being the 'son of a legend' as the first chapter describes him, although despite his father's posthumous fame his widow Katherine and son lived in what was effectively that peculiarly Edwardian mix of genteel middle-class poverty.
His connections though probably helped him through a fairly well funded education, securing a place at Cambridge. It was here that he first encountered the wild fowl of the Fens, initially as a passionate wild fowler (It's worth remembering that, hard though we might now find it to understand, many of the late 19th century and realy 20th century naturalists came from hunting and shooting backgrounds; and although Scott ultimately gave up shooting, there's no doubting his respect for the traditional wild fowlers and hunters, of the Fens and elsewhere, who had deep and practical knowledge of the birds they hunted because their livelihoods depended on it).
Peter Scott's interests and activities were wide - ice skating; an Olympic yachtsman; and a glider pilot. During the war he was a decorated - if it woudl seem occasionally reckless - naval officer.
Post war, his interests in wildlife came to become his life, funded initially by his increasingly popular wildlife paintings. From a pre-war and wartime home on the Fens, he sought a new base for studying and keeping wildlife, establishing what became the first of several Wildfowl Trust bases at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. This became a popular source of entertainment and information for people on wildfowl, but at the same time Scott developed a much broader interest in conservation, leading to him with others founding the World Wildlife Fund - now renamed the Worldwide Fund for Nature.
His work lives on in the Trust he founded, in the work of WWF, and of course in his paintings of wildlife, which may not always please scholars of art, but are noticeable for their ability to present wild ducks and geese in particular in a way that is both scientifically accurate but also captures the movement and strange attraction of these complex birds. Today we see the popularity of nature conservation through documentaries such as those made by David Attenborough, but Peter Scott's work was critical to raising public awareness and in many ways laid the ground both for the modern conservation movement and for such works.
There's much to admire in his life, but also in the writing of this detailed but engaging biography. The author, Elspeth Huxley, was herself married a cousin of writer Aldous Huxley, famous as a novelist in his own right, but also one of the sons of Thomas Henry Huxley, the 19th century biologist best known for his strong defence of Darwin's theories of evolution). His brother Sir Julian Huxley was the first secretary-general of UNESCO and a co-founder with Scott of the World Wildlife Fund....more
Private investigator Maarten Verlangen is employed by woman to follow her husband. He's an ex cop with a drink problem. Three days later, when BarbaraPrivate investigator Maarten Verlangen is employed by woman to follow her husband. He's an ex cop with a drink problem. Three days later, when Barbara Hennen is found dead in her empty swimming pool, Verlangen himself is part of her husbands alibi, drinking with Jaan G Hensen in a hotel bar while the murder happen.Â
When Van Veeteren becomes involved, he is quickly convinced that G - who I knew as a bully from his school days - killed his wife. That conviction is strengthened when they find that firstly, G had recently insured Barabra's life for over a million guilder, and secondly, that his first wife had disappeared in similar circumstances in the US.
But the evidence is enough, and G walks free.
Fifteen years later - Verlangen's daughter comes to see him over her father's disappearance - and the case reopens. But with unexpected and dangerous twists.Â
Hakan Nesser's detective novels are classic Swedish crime thrillers, with a mass of detail and string if often enigmatic characters. The reintroduction of the chess-playing former chief inspector and avenging killer Bausen is a nice touch, along with the time lapse that combines Van Veeteren the active police man with his later life after retirement but with a continuing sense of entitlement to become involved in continuing police work with his former colleagues. A very satisfying read. ...more
**spoiler alert** If I'd not been spending a weekend recovering from a heavy cold, I'm not sure I would have made it through this book. Eventually I w**spoiler alert** If I'd not been spending a weekend recovering from a heavy cold, I'm not sure I would have made it through this book. Eventually I was reasonable glad that I did, but the first part is frankly heavy going at times.
It's also a difficult book to review sensibly without spoilers, then, because it is the twist in the second half that makes it worth reading.
Final quick review point, although this may present as a crime novel, it's really as much about human dynamics and twisted relationships. Ultimately it's a bit unsettling.
I've recently started reading Dana Stabenow crime novels, and she managed to tell strong stories in around 200 pages. I have a feeling this novel could have been stronger if it had been edited down. ...more
Very good. Not part of the Harry Hole series, and no overlap in terms of characters.
A complex tale of a young man in prison who listens to the confessVery good. Not part of the Harry Hole series, and no overlap in terms of characters.
A complex tale of a young man in prison who listens to the confessions of other prisoners, and has accepted guilt for offences he knows he has not committed, and what he hears that leads to him breaking out - and the policeman who investigates. Some good twists, a combination of a solid read in a nicely-paced book....more
I started reading Jo Nesbo soon after the Wallander series appeared on BBC and have generally found them a more satisfying read. Initially however I'vI started reading Jo Nesbo soon after the Wallander series appeared on BBC and have generally found them a more satisfying read. Initially however I've not managed to read them in any sort of order.
Perhaps because it was thought to be less polished than the later books, this first in the series was not initially translated into English. It is not as well written as the later books, but is still a good story and does give some context for the later books.
Harry Hole is sent to Australia in response to the death of a Norwegian tourist. His recognition that the killing is not a one off but part of a series; his quick friendship with the charismatic but enigmatic Aboriginal police man Andrew; his difficult relationship with senior officers; his affair with a Swedish tourist who is herself a witness; his underlying alcoholism - all combined with a rich mix of witnesses and suspects - together makes a thought provoking story that underpins later books.
There are plenty of twists and false leafs that I'm not going to give away as spoilers. One or two elements at the end didn't ring quite true for me which is why I've not rated it slightly higher but font prevent it from being a good starting point for understanding the character and the series. ...more
This is a fascinating read, although at times it's easy to get a bit lost in it. Although it's a book about fields, in some senses it isn't "about" anThis is a fascinating read, although at times it's easy to get a bit lost in it. Although it's a book about fields, in some senses it isn't "about" anything - rather a series of reflections mainly on nature in and around fields.
At the heart of the book the author keeps returning to his "hime" field in the Fens - and for me the depth of what he writes about the Fens, as they are now, as they change, and about their history, is the most enthralling parts of the book - particularly perhaps the parts about the relationship between man and nature, and his reflections that it's very hard to identify what the "natural" state of the fens is, because man's role is so entrenched in shaping them.
But the elements of African field, the field at heart of the Battle of Little Big Hirn, and the land around Chernibyl, are all filled with reflections and comments on nature, life and our impact upon them.
Worth a read, and probably reading again, but not an easy or comfortable book. ...more
Mortal Causes starts with the discovery of the body of a young man in the abandanoded rooms of Mary Kings Close, hidden below the streets of EdingburgMortal Causes starts with the discovery of the body of a young man in the abandanoded rooms of Mary Kings Close, hidden below the streets of Edingburgh. Tortured then shot,the reported disappearance of a tenant two days later helps them identify the body as Billy Cunningham. A room full of Protestant sectarian trivia suggests a possible terrorist link, but the discovery that the bit was the illegitimate son of improsiened gangster Gerry Cafferty offers a very different and more personal connection for Rebus.
There are some interesting short pieces in here but as a non-US citizen who doesn't know enough of the Civil Rights movement history, it's hard to conThere are some interesting short pieces in here but as a non-US citizen who doesn't know enough of the Civil Rights movement history, it's hard to connect the parts - it would be better to read an overall history of the movement first....more
Whilst not all of Michael Connolly's books feature Harry Bosch, there are often overlapping characters who may play major or minor roles in others. ThWhilst not all of Michael Connolly's books feature Harry Bosch, there are often overlapping characters who may play major or minor roles in others. The Poet is the first book to feature reporter Jack McEvoy, and in my opinion is one of Connolly's best.
Starting with the apparent suicide of his detective brother Sean, Jack's determination to find out what happened leads him to research the causes behind police suicides and in turn opens up an investigation that reveals the possibility of a vicious serial killer who is specifically targeting police officers.
In persuading the police and the FBI to take his ideas seriously, Jack has a robust encounter with FBI agent Rachel Walling but is able to use his knowledge and influence as a reporter to gain an inside track to the investigations.
There is a parallel and linked story tracking a child paedophile, where it is obvious from early in that he has a role to play but the exact nature of his involvement only becomes clear late in the novel. There is a side line exploring the early days of internet based abuse (this novel was written in the mid 1990s).
The plot develops through a series of twists and complexities, some more predictable than others, and events place Jack at considerable personal risk before the identity of the killer is finally confirmed.
The book is a good combination of well paced plot with convincing detail, and the various misdirections are well crafted and believable. An excellent read, either as part of the wider series or as a one off....more
Six days of war is a detailed history and account of the Arab - Israeli war of 1967. It is serious history, drawing on an extensive range of sources fSix days of war is a detailed history and account of the Arab - Israeli war of 1967. It is serious history, drawing on an extensive range of sources from all the participants, so far as that is possible. That does not mean, of course, that it's approach and conclusions are uncontested when dealing with such an emotive and complex field.Â
Oren places the source of the war in its complex context; Syrian aggression; Nasser's need for political success after his influence had waned in the Arab world, leading to his misjudging the consequences of evicting UN forces from Sinai and blockading Eilat; Israeli insecurity after the forced compromises of 1956 and 1957 post Suez; the provocative effects of repeated guerrilla actions against Israel; and the sheer uncertainties of a tension where countries have no common trust and no meaningful basis to understand and judge each other's reactions.Â
Simply as a piece of military history, the Six day war remains one of the most astonishing conflicts imaginable. It is still hard to appreciate how in just six days, Israel was effectively able to defeat three different countries, each on paper at least their equals, occupying in the process vast areas of territory. It was a period that reshaped the Middle East and continues to shape both regional and world politics.Â
But the book is not just a military history. It gives a detailed insight into the political processes in Israel and to a lesser extent in the Arab combatants; tries to understand the diplomatic moves at the United Nations, in the United States and between the two super powers; and explores the beliefs, motivations and actions of many of the main players - as well as drawing in eye witness testimony and memories from soldiers on both sides.Â
One feature of the war that shine through was the extent to which Israeli armed forces were trusted and expected to act in their own initiative. Faced with the rapid collapse of the Egyptian army in the Sinai, it was clear that many times units simply pushed ahead, well beyond what the politicians at the centre might have expected. The same was true in the Jordanian and Syrian fronts.Â
The send was the extent to which ultimately the Egoytians and their allies were victims of their own closed societies and propaganda. Once the war started, Israel was desperate for fighting to continue long enough for them to achieve their key objectives. Misleading propaganda from Egypt about the extent of their success was deeply damagin to the ultimate outcome for the Arabs - both by delaying early calls for a ceasefire which would have prevented Israel from gaining control of the Sinai, and by encouraging the Jordanians to take military action which provided the justification for Israel's invasion and capture of the West Bank.Â
I'm not going to attempt to summarise or comment further on the book, simply to say that if you want to explore this critical period of modern history, this is one of the sources of information you should access.
(The Kindle edition I read also includes as an appendix a conversation between the author and Fouad Ajami which is well worth a read, both for its exploration of the author's personal views and perspective, and also for his reflections on the parallels between 1967 and the situation in the early part of the 21st Century).Â
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