Although this story is set in Bangkok, some 650 km from Vientianne in Laos, there are distinct similarities between this book and the author's excelleAlthough this story is set in Bangkok, some 650 km from Vientianne in Laos, there are distinct similarities between this book and the author's excellent series about Dr Siri Paiboun Laos' retired national coroner.
This story is about Supot Yongjaiyut a young employee of the Royal Thai Mail Service - a postman albeit a very conscientious one. He spends all of his spare time with his only friend Ali in Ali's video shop where the two friends enjoy becoming engrossed in many of the cinema's classic films. Their young lives are changed when they find one particular film in a sackful they purchase from a local beggar.
The tale switches back and forth between the two friends and the film as it unfolds scene by scene until the two start to merge with unexpected developments.
As with the Dr Siri series there are references to the serious social problems in the country but there is humour here too. For example Supot refers to a particular car as " A futuristic car , the type popular with 13 year old boys who get their thrills from TV puppet shows" [ I may have been only 13 but nevertheless I remember Lady Penelope's pink FAB1 with chauffeur Parker!]. Also, I wonder if Supot and Ali's mini water-cannon way of dealing with the woman who dared to take a call on her mobile phone during a film, would work as well in the "Silent Area" of a rail carriage?
The author still shows the warm caring style that was evident in the Dr Siri stories. If you enjoyed those - you will enjoy this (although there is no dead transvestite spirit medium in this !) Most enjoyable and in referring to the author in Fastastic Fiction, I have learnt of another series that I had missed....more
I came to this one straight after reading 'A Winter Grave.' What an accomplished storyteller Peter May is. Several times you feel that the story is takI came to this one straight after reading 'A Winter Grave.' What an accomplished storyteller Peter May is. Several times you feel that the story is taking you where you would rather not go- but you know that you are going to carry on anyway.
Detective John Mackensie works for the National Crime Agency . He is well known for speaking his mind which has often got him into trouble. He lives in a small unsatisfactory flat after he and his wife separated. He has the problem of trying to do the best for his children - still in the family home with their mother, but as a committed Police Officer there is often a conflict between job and children, as when he is sent to Spain to bring back a most wanted dangerous criminal instead of attending his daughters school concert.
The characters are all really well described and you cant help having empathy with some of them and great sympathy for one in particular.
Set in the heat of southern Spain with twists to keep the reader on alert, the story has excitement throughout with a high tension finale.
I've read each of the author's three series but somehow missed many of his stand alone novels until my wife spotted and downloaded this, his latest.
ThI've read each of the author's three series but somehow missed many of his stand alone novels until my wife spotted and downloaded this, his latest.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I didnt know, at the beginning, that it was set in the near future but realisation gradually dawned even before I saw the date on some of the chapter headings. Its a clever mix of suspicious death, murders, natural and man made disasters and cover up together with the personal problems of the lead character. Although the latter is usually a definite 'put off' for me, here it added another dimension to an already packed story.
I wonder if I was the only one to imagine that I knew who the Scottish leader could have been based on?
I can see that I will be looking for the author's other novels now....more
After reading the author's previous books, one after the other, and giving both 5*, this one was a 'must' and it jumped the others on my shelf to go tAfter reading the author's previous books, one after the other, and giving both 5*, this one was a 'must' and it jumped the others on my shelf to go to the top of my reading list.
Like the first chapter of Amanda Bailey's book in the story, I had to rewrite this review a couple of times to ensure it correctly reflected my thoughts on it.
This was a well engineered story with an ingenious plot. I was totally taken in by it all and only suspected a very small part of the overall picture. There was misdirection aplenty and all very skillfully done.
I was aware of the author's style of storytelling by means of emails and message and transcribed audio tapes and in her first book " The Appeal" it struck me as new, unique and exciting. I am afraid here that I found it unhelpful. I felt that by a failure to introduce characters in the usual way, they became shallower and more difficult to keep up with. The sudden switches between conversations that this form of writing allowed also added to this overall confusion. it wasnt until the last quarter when I felt able to follow the action as much as I would have liked. This was a strong story and, personally, I feel it would have been better if told in a more orthodox manner. Others will disagree but I will be interested to see the Goodreads average after a couple of months
Even with my misgivings, I strongly believe that Ms Hallett has another brilliant story here and I will be looking forward to her next and , I dare say that once again, it will jump to the top of my reading list....more
It was almost 4 years ago that all the hype on one of my book sites was about this book . I grabbed a copy which has gradually slipped down my readingIt was almost 4 years ago that all the hype on one of my book sites was about this book . I grabbed a copy which has gradually slipped down my reading list as more books have been added. Why I chose to read it now, I have no idea. So glad I did. I haven't been as caught up in a book for a long time.
I'm sure that many other reviews will give you a precis of this complex story. I wont. It isn't a quick read but something about the writing style had me hooked very early on. From there the narrative , split into three time periods, combined a forbidden love story, a murder mystery and a story about a story about a story. At the centre of all this is Nola a 15 year old daughter of the local vicar. It is a complex tale of lies and deceptions by several people for several reasons over a thirty year period.
The book looked at the story behind a 30 year old crime. It cleverly plants subtle hints which give you the idea that you have guessed the story, or part of it, then only to find your theory explained away and a new one is planted to replace it - only for that to receive the same fate shortly afterwards. Very cleverly done.
I doubt anyone could have predicted the final outcome and as an armchair detective that should have bothered me. It didn't because somehow it wasn't necessary here. All parts of the mystery were carefully explained.
I recently gave as my reasons for ditching a book, that I didn't care enough about any of the characters. That certainly wasn't the case here. The players in this drama are all so carefully described that you feel as if you know them all so well that you get drawn in too.
This is a translation from the original french story and the author cleverly includes in the narrative how to pronounce the title character's name correctly.
This is the first book for a long time that had me thinking about the story long after I had put the book down. I cant wait to see if the author's other books are as good .
As this is essentially the story of an older writer passing on his knowledge, I feel that it is perhaps appropriate to quote from the Epilogue :-
" A good book is judged not by its last words but by the cumulative effect of all the words that have preceded them. About half a second after finishing the book, after reading the very last word, the reader should be overwhelmed by a particular feeling . For a moment he should think only of what he has just read and smile a little sadly because he is already missing all the characters. A good book is a book you are sorry that you finished"
I couldnt agree more and it sums this up perfectly. ...more
A further episode in the life of Jack Brennan, ex NYPD homicide detective and web designer and single mum Sarah Edwards in the quintessential English A further episode in the life of Jack Brennan, ex NYPD homicide detective and web designer and single mum Sarah Edwards in the quintessential English village of Cherringham. For such a small riverside village Cherringham certainly seems well equipped. This episode concerns goings on at the very exclusive girls school on the outskirts. If you liked the other stories, you'll like this one. If you havent read others, go back to the beginning. You wont be disappointed....more
I read the first in thexseries a year or so ago. Somehow missed out the second and this is the third. My notes showed that I had enjoyed the first andI read the first in thexseries a year or so ago. Somehow missed out the second and this is the third. My notes showed that I had enjoyed the first and I was looking forward to repeating the experience. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. This time the story seemed to drag and the main points appeared rather predictable. I found several of the characters hard to get fixed in my mind which resulted in having to flick back several times or, as happened latterly, just skim over. Sorry,not for me this time....more
This was a free short story from the CRS which I have had for some time. I took an interest because I have enjoyed he two series by the author, those oThis was a free short story from the CRS which I have had for some time. I took an interest because I have enjoyed he two series by the author, those of the Prague policeman Slonski and the old Dutchman Master Mercurious. I felt that Crimes at Midnight lacked something. It is a ghost story much along the lines of M.R. James and although written as a memory in the first person, it felt, third person and somehow removed. If you like M.R. James you will probably enjoy this.For me, its back to Master Mercurious....more
The authors comments in the acknowledgement at the end of the book about the difficulties in writing a second novel of a series are interesting. It muThe authors comments in the acknowledgement at the end of the book about the difficulties in writing a second novel of a series are interesting. It must indeed be a problem to achieve the same level of excitement without copying scenes from the first. However, he manages to achieve it here. He also manages to extend our knowledge of his team as Boyd himself gets to know them more. There is still humour in Boyd's comments but not as much or as funny as in the first, may be that will return.
As the title suggests the story line starts with the discovery of bones that have lain near a lay-by for 20 odd years and may have been one of a serial killers victims, and comes up to date with a fresh body with several similarities to the other- but isn't the original killer dead?
I often wonder what makes a good murder mystery for me. After just ditching a book because I didn't feel as if I cared enough about any of the characters, I believe the answer is empathy. With Old Bones,New Bones I feel that I know several of the characters enough to know how they feel in particular parts of the story. I'm not sure what it says of me that the character I feel most empathy with is the grumpy overweight Boyd.!
A nice note at the end in the acknowledgement to Spaniels Aid UK for Ozzie the authors own dog and supporting cast member in the story....more
It was a year ago that I read the first of the Marlow series. From rereading my review I obviously thought it was exceptional as I gave it 5 *. As sooIt was a year ago that I read the first of the Marlow series. From rereading my review I obviously thought it was exceptional as I gave it 5 *. As soon as I saw this sequel , it was a 'must read' and went to the head of the queue. Perhaps I expected too much or perhaps I have changed in the last 12 months but this didn't live up to expectations.
The three women from Marlow are still much the same. Judith the septuagenarian with her love of nude swimming in the Thames, crosswords and whisky. Suzie with her dogwalking business and Becks the vicars wife.
Although I must have accepted something similar last time, and I know this is just light fiction , but the way the women got involved in the investigation during a police inquiry was a bit difficult to accept. I also thought that the performance around the murder of Sir Peter Bailey was incredibly far fetched.
However on the plus side, for everyone who thinks that cryptic crosswords are a foreign language , there is a short explanation by Judith which provides a light aside and another little mystery to solve.
Finally , when all is explained, and I defy anyone to say they worked it all out, there were a good number of things for the Armchair Detective to pick up, which may have given him/her some ideas.
I am sorry but I feel that I am rounding this one up to 3* but if you are prepared to suspend your belief, you should enjoy it....more
When a friend whose opinion you respect is enthusiastic about book after book of a series, - you take note. Such was my introduction to an author I haWhen a friend whose opinion you respect is enthusiastic about book after book of a series, - you take note. Such was my introduction to an author I had never heard of before. So it was that I came to the first book in the DI Boyd series. I soon knew that I was going to enjoy the style of writing, the humour and the sometime irreverent topicality of comments and the hints of drama just around the corner. All of the characters are clearly painted and are easily remembered. The storyline was interesting and the level of excitement increased gradually to the level of a real page turner as it reached its climax. I am looking forward to getting to know the team better through the next books and perhaps find out how accurate was Boyd's suspicions of corruption. It was a great start to the series. ...more
Another excellent book in this excellent series. Although it is sold as a 'stand alone', which in essence I suppose it is, without following the seriesAnother excellent book in this excellent series. Although it is sold as a 'stand alone', which in essence I suppose it is, without following the series to this point, you will miss some of the subtle comments (ie re DI Smart or the Taj Mahal).
With most books I sense a ramping up of excitement approaching the denouement, here the build up seems to start much earlier. As usual, I won't comment on the actual story line except to say that it being set firmly on home ground is a bonus.
Another bonus is the learning of new words - 'Pleonasm', for example, had me pressing the dictionary button.
One question remains or rather changes, from 'Will they-wont they?' to 'Did they-didnt they?'
And a wager is set as to whether Ruth Robinson's treacle scones or Aust Sandra's ginger drops gets their recipe in the author's newsletter first.
This book ticked all the boxes for me. Roll on June for the next....more
Another pleasant book in the series but I have this one down to 3.
Its an enjoyable easy read from the Yorkshire Mystery series with DI Jim Oldroyd as Another pleasant book in the series but I have this one down to 3.
Its an enjoyable easy read from the Yorkshire Mystery series with DI Jim Oldroyd as a typical old style Yorkshire Investigating officer, with well drawn characters, as always, and plenty of atmospheric locations. However, I felt that we werent really given much to go on until a vital connection was uncovered very late on. That a new junior member of the team found this makes me wonder if we are about to lose one of the existing group.
I felt a bit of deja vu with this book as I had not long ago read another where there was also an usual (if not unique) murder weapon involved.
I may be wrong but I dont remember previous books having chapters headed with paragraphs from elsewhere- in this case M.R James Ghost stories which didnt seem relevant enough here for inclusion. Or may be its just me. Whatever, it wont keep me from the next of the series. ...more
Peter Lovesey was listed as one of my favourite authors when I wrote my first profile for Goodreads, over 600 books ago. I have read and enjoyed almosPeter Lovesey was listed as one of my favourite authors when I wrote my first profile for Goodreads, over 600 books ago. I have read and enjoyed almost everything that he has written particularly the Peter Diamond series. I dont know whether it is to do with his descriptive writing about locations that has me wanting to take the two hour drive to see them - or the team that Diamond leads that I feel that I know, but whatever it is, I was delighted when my wife told me she had a copy of his latest. Other books waiting patiently on my 'To read' shelf but were pushed aside as Showstopper took precedence.
For the Armchair Detective I didnt see too many clues given, but the pleasure for me in this was in the narrative. From memory, I didnt go overboard for the last book and maybe even questioned whether a cowriter or ghost had been used. Here we are definitely back to normal. Also after the last book I wondered if our hero was about to be retired and this thought was echoed at the beginning of this one too. You will have to read it to find out if it happens.
In this story Diamond and the team are involved with a production company which seems to be cursed by accidents to the personnel. One scene , being filmed on the famous Pulteney Bridge, features an amusing exchange concerning a death scene from Les Mis that was also filmed there.
I have read all of the Detective Galileo and now Kaga that have been translated into English. These books are different but I struggle to put my fingerI have read all of the Detective Galileo and now Kaga that have been translated into English. These books are different but I struggle to put my finger on just how. Maybe it helps that I love Tokyo and have been lucky enough to visit several times. Perhaps it is because the stories are so much dependant on the characters so that at the end you know just how they feel. There isnt much 'action' as such in this one and the author doesnt let office/department rivalries distract from the main storyline. This story starts with the stabbing of the manager of a Tokyo business and then follows the investigation. i'm sure that the armchair detective wont get anywhere near this one. Unusually for me , it didnt really matter.
This series has totally changed my opinion of short stories. Before I began I thought they were a waste of time - stories with little foundation or boThis series has totally changed my opinion of short stories. Before I began I thought they were a waste of time - stories with little foundation or body and very two dimensional characters. There are others that have fallen into this category but in producing these Cherringham mysteries, the authors have created something different. By now, the two main main characters are well established and each story is more like an episode in the larger overall story of this riverside village. This one is based on the village's annual regatta and the murky goings on when a luxury craft is found unmanned and aground. Most agreeable ....more
This author came to my attention when I read the review of her latest. As her novels are all stand alone, I went back to her first, The Hunting Party.This author came to my attention when I read the review of her latest. As her novels are all stand alone, I went back to her first, The Hunting Party. I suppose that we are all now used to books that switch between two time periods although not all are successful. I suppose that we are also used to a narrative being split between a couple of people. Again not always successfully. Somehow the author managers to combine both methods here and to great effect. In particular although we are aware very early on that a body has been found, the identity of both the victim and the murderer are both kept secret until almost the end.
The tale follows the latest get together of a group of friends from university days and a couple of partners, most now doing very well in their own fields, but with skeletons in their cupboards. The setting is a very atmospheric Scottish hunting lodge and chalets just as the snow begins.
A most enjoyable debut with this author and I look forward to reading others....more
I chose this one because it looked different. I can only think of one other book where a young rabbi took the main role !
I liked the tone in which thiI chose this one because it looked different. I can only think of one other book where a young rabbi took the main role !
I liked the tone in which this story was told. The Chief of Police in Barnard's Crossing, investigating the murder of a girl whose body was found behind the wall of the local Temple, doesnt behave like the usual fictional Detective Inspectors. He is very laid back and drops by to have a cup of tea and chat with the rabbi and his wife rather than an aggressive interview that we might expect from others. The rabbi is a suspect which causes problems both within his Jewish community and also the town at large where antisemitism raises its head.
Although I had a problem early on with the introduction of so many people and because of it may have missed the significance of part of the story, overall, I enjoyed it. Its tone and pace made for an easy read. As a bonus , I also now understand more about the workings of a Jewish community.
For once I was ahead of the Police (and Rabbi) in identifying the guilty party. Unlike them, however, my idea was more intuition learnt from other crime stories....more
My third of this series and the high standard continues.
Sometimes a book drags and you are almost reading for the sake of it. Not so here. Good characMy third of this series and the high standard continues.
Sometimes a book drags and you are almost reading for the sake of it. Not so here. Good characterizations with an easily imagined storyline, it even had me thinking of possible villians between my reading sessions.
After the previous book where D I Hart was outranked ( although not out performed ) by her ex husband, now Drug Squad, this time she is replaced as senior officer as she was a guest at the Gaudy (old school reunion) where the murder took place. If she had obeyed the orders of D I Baxter , not to get involved/stay out - then there wouldnt have been much of a story.
Her 'family' situation kept to a minimum as was the potential goriness and with the continued growth of the character of Jake and Ffion, this was a most enjoyable read.
Did I work it all out? Almost. I was in the right place but took a wrong turning.
This is so close to a 5* for me. As long as the two romances dont get in the way of the mystery, it could well be there with the next. ...more
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