Reviews

Some of these books have been submitted to us by their authors, others are ones that we have reviewed ourselves and others are considerations sent in by anyone wishing to have their review published here. (NB. Reviews by Maria Rita Marcotulli and Simon Basten unless stated otherwise).

More Reviews

Fred G. Leebron

Six Figures

Brilliant is perhaps a right word to define Six Figures by Fred Leebron. A mirror of American society where so often success is measured in terms of money and where too often wealth becomes a measuring element to determine whether a man or a woman is a success or a failure as a human being. This is what the main character Warner suffers from: the fact that he has not made his first million yet where so many people have. Everybody thinks he is a failure so when he gets accused of having hammered his wife's head, nobody comes forward to defend him. "It must have been him" not because there is any evidence, but because he is a loser. A splendid effort by Leebron, a painful pleasure to read.

Brian McNamee

Human

There are many reasons why Human by Brian McNamee is a must. Apart from being very enjoyable (even if disturbing), the story is well told, interesting and faced-paced. There is a rhythm in the narration that never loses a beat. The subject is unfortunately dramatically present-day: genetic engineering is the solution for modern illnesses … but where is the limit? Are there any limits? Human is also a brilliant legal thriller and a sort of modern “Bildungsroman”, a novel of formation and development of the main character, Doctor Sean Colin. Like many “Bildungsromans” it may seem slightly moralistic, but perhaps ethic is the right word for a subject like genetic engineering where ethics and moral rules are a necessity. One last note is that some of the medical and scientific procedures seem to be taken out of a science-fiction book, but the author tells us on the back cover that these “are factual and true and reflect the cutting edge of modern medical technology”. We have a lot to think about.

T. Jefferson Parker

Silent Joe

When Joe was young he suffered two deep wounds: the first time as an infant, when his father threw some acid on his face, the second, when he was abandoned and left in an orphanage. He is later adopted by Will Trona, a powerful politician of Orange County. Joe loves Will very much and, once an adult, he becomes his father's right-hand man. When Will is murdered in front of him, Joe seeks revenge and starts to investigate. Step by step he uncovers some aspects of his father's life which were completely unknown to him and, eventually, finds the solution. The story is well written and particularly interesting is the slow uncovering of Joe's origins and how those past events are linked with Will Trona's murder.

Ron Cutler

The Ides of March

The Ides of March is a novel on the threat of bio-terrorism. A biological weapon, more lethal even than the virus Ebola, is stolen by a group of terrorists. Only one survives, the most dangerous of the lot, but paradoxically he could be the key to formulate an antidote. Here begins the start of a desperate chase against time for McCord, the NSA officer in charge of the case, and Dr. Atwood, to stop the planned terrorist attack due during the St. Patrick parade in New York. Ron Cutler manages to keep the tension high and the reader is glued to the book. The interesting concept is the choice of the "monster" to fight. Biological weapons are the real threat of the 21st century. If one thinks that if an epidemic of smallpox (almost extinct in the West) hits a first world country, the available vaccine could satisfy less than a third of what would be necessary.

Nicci French

Beneath the Skin

In reading one of Nicci French's novels the reader expects the story to develop from the normal, reassuring way we perceive our lives into something completely different. Life is the same, the reality of things does not change, but suddenly a new element bursts in and shatters everything to pieces. Our familiar surroundings are threatened and the perspective of everything changes. Beneath the skin lives up to expectations. It is very well written and structured. The book is divided into three sections, each one revolving around one of the main characters, depicting them vividly and realistically. Three women, different in age, background, view of life, become victims of a sadistic killer. Life disintegrates; fear and loneliness are the only companions. No one can help, until one of them breaks the spell. The tension, throughout the novel, is always high, and I, as a female reader, also felt violated. Beneath the skin is an excellent book; disturbing, hard, painfully true.

Susan Rowland

From Agatha Christie to Ruth Rendell

From Agatha Christie to Ruth Rendell by Susan Rowland is not only an analysis of the work of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Ngaio Marsh, PD James and Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, but also one of those rare examples of detective fiction taken seriously - in other words, as literature. Splendidly structured, the book examines the work of the six writers with biographies, quotes, examples and analysis of some of books, taking into consideration subjects such as feminism, social aspects and, as put by the writer, Englishness. Also interesting is the fact that the author groups the four authors that are considered to be the Queens of the Golden Age of British detective fiction, and two contemporary writers. Two "conversations" with PD James and Ruth Rendell close the book. In conclusion, for whoever is not only a fan but also necessitates an in-depth study in the work of six of the most famous woman writers of all times, From Agatha Christie to Ruth Rendell by Susan Rowland is to be considered a must.

Chris Kuzneski

The Plantation

One after the other, a number of people disappear (even whole families), leaving no trace. There are no ties between the victims and each kidnapping seems to be random, but this is not the case. The mystery starts to unfold when Ariane Walker is abducted. Jonathon Payne, who loves her, and his best friend David Jones, both former members of the US special forces, start investigating and find out a terrible truth: all victims have ancestors connected with the slavery trade and have been taken to a plantation on a desert island. Despite the tragic subject the dialogues are funny at times thanks to the continuous arguing between the two sleuths. This helps to alleviate the tension even if sometimes it may appear to be too frivolous. In any case The Plantation is an exciting and interesting book, difficult to put down. We are certainly looking forward to the new Jonathon Payne novel.

Patricia Harrington

Death Stalks the Khmer

In Death Stalks the Khmer two very different cultures come into contact: the American and that of the Cambodian immigrants. There are two murders to solve and Bridget O'Hern is called to help Detective Jack Patrewski to understand the different approach to life and events taken by the Cambodian community. The plot is interesting but the main aspect, and possibly purpose, of this book is another: the study of the two completely different ways of life, the prejudices and ideas each community has about the other and the conflicts. A good book and an excellent sociological analysis.

Michael McClister

Double Deal

Exciting, intense, fast reader, realistic. These are the words that spring to mind after one has finished Double Deal, an excellent thriller that ends with an unexpected coup. The story features Elmo Finn and his friends, this time helping out a former Vietnam friend, who happens to be governor of Tennessee, whose wife has been kidnapped. Michael McClister is able to keep readers glued to the pages with a very good plot that increases in intensity as you read along. The analysis of issues such as religious fanatism and para-military groups is not only interesting but also food for thought. Moreover, the book leaves the reader with a feeling that the author has a strong writing potential. We will just have to wait and see.

Leslie Glass

Tracking Time

In this day and age with almost every author and personality on the planet attempting to write detective stories it is difficult to find something original. Consequently it is a real pleasure to find something different like in the case of Leslie Glass and Tracking Time. A man disappears while jogging through Central Park. This fact leads us to a number of characters that all have something to do with the crime, starting from psychiatrist Dr. Jason Frank, April Woo and Mike Sanchez. Despite the fact that this is number five of a series, these characters as well as the disappearance of the jogger are just a vehicle to tell the story of four families and the difficult (often absent) parent-children relationship. The children's problems, triggered and enhanced by the behavior of their parents, are behind both the crimes and the victims' fears. A book that worries, disturbs but also a very pleasant read.

Daniel Klein

Kill me tender

Possibly the most difficult thing for an author who decides to write a mystery featuring a sleuth like Elvis Presley is credibility. The question a publisher, critic or reader may pose is how can a book like this be taken seriously. Daniel Klein has demonstrated that it can be. Despite the difficulty, the characters, all of them, are credible, the plot realistic and apart from a few steps over the edge, the novel is overall interesting. The best parts are probably when Elvis acts like any other normal person but finds it incredibly hard to be considered as such (his first telephone conversation with the profiler/psychiatrist is hilarious). He wants to know the reasons behind a number of events but seems to be the only one. Fundamentally, with the exception of a few others, he will remain the sole person who cares. On the whole Kill Me Tender is an enjoyable, fast paced and realistic effort.

Giorgio Scerbanenco

Duca and the Milan Murders (orginal title: Traditori di Tutti)

Ladies and Gentlemen, may we present you the Italian noir!

Giorgio Scerbanenco must be considered one of the fathers of Italian detective fiction. He was one of the first authors who was able to write a detective story that was not just a poor copy of a US or UK novel. Duca and the Milan Murders was the second in the Duca Lamberti series but compared to the first one, Venere Privata, this is more brutal, more noir. In reading this book one can see an Italian way to mystery writing, a framework for the future. Scerbanenco immerges a hard boil mystery into a violent mid 1960s Milan where we find the investigations of Duca Lamberti, a former doctor who was stroked off the medical register for euthanasia, who likes police work even if he is not a cop. The book is fast paced with a finale that leaves many moral questions. Duca and the Milan Murders, a classic of Italian mystery fiction, won the prestigious Gran Prix de la Litterature Policiere in 1968.

Tony Hillerman & Otto Penzler Eds.

The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century

Almost a history book. The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century is a voyage in time though the literature of detective/mystery fiction telling us not only of the evolution of the US genre but also to some extent of the evolution of language, settings and styles, via the use of the short story. The mystery greats are all there: Post, Hammett, Chandler, Queen, MacDonald and Grafton among others. However part of the fascination of collections such as these are those petite gems that probably a lot of you have never heard of (in the case of authors) or never even knew these people wrote mysteries. The highlights may be considered the following: Redman, Steinbeck and King. Also worth a special mention are Woolrich, Glaspell, Highsmith, Millar, Jackson, Sleaser, O'Connor, Buck, Paretsky and Millar. This excellent collection will appeal not only to lovers of this genre but also for anybody else who wants to read good literature in the form of a detective short story. (Click here for a story by story analysis)

M. Louise Smith

An appointed time

Click here for an extract.

The most interesting feature of An Appointed Time by M. Louise Smith is the development of the main character, Madge Middleton Brown. At the beginning of the story she is a middle-aged housewife, who, approaching fifty, suddenly realizes that the life she has been living is not very satisfactory. Her two children are almost adults and do not need her anymore; her husband is completely absorbed by his job and Internet, takes her for granted and does not want anything that can change the current status quo. Madge has a low self-esteem that falls even lower when she is fired from her job (for which she was not paid) because her employers want someone better qualified. At that point, something in her changes: she picks up her courage and becomes a consultant for Star Way beauty products and, step by step, takes her life back into her hands. Madge starts to take care of her appearance, finds new faith in herself and her abilities. She meets Calvin Cleere, a fascinating private eye and becomes his assistant. Here her career as amateur sleuth begins, full of adventure and dangerous cases, but she does not tell her family. Madge, who in her new life calls herself Middi, is a beautiful example of a woman who has been able to re-invent a life not accepting the easy way even if it could upset her family. Her story is told as a diary and we have, together with the narration of the events, also her point of view and her comments. In sum, An Appointed Time is a very pleasant and entertaining book.

Ron Ellis

Framed

Fast, page turner, good plot and well written. These are the first impressions a reader certainly gets after having just finished Framed by Ron Ellis. One is immediately immersed into the plot with no possibility of getting out, immersed in the world of Johnny Ace - DJ, landlord and occasional PI - and particularly immersed into the streets and sites of Liverpool. The city is not only a background for the book, it is one of the main characters as Ace takes you to the best places in town giving also a mention of local recent history and how everything has, in one way or another, always something to do with The Beatles. The plot, characters and Ace himself are realistic and we may venture to say that there is a touch of noir here and there (especially the ending). In sum we thoroughly agree with the final two words of the Yorkshire Post review on the back cover of the paperback edition: "more, please".

Rochelle Krich

Dead Air

Dead Air is a very good book, with many fascinating and interesting things. First of all, the story is a real page-turner; as you read along you keep wanting to know more about the case, more about everything, because every single aspect of this novel is extremely interesting. The main character, Jessie Drake, far from being a super woman, is complex and credible. At work she is efficient and determined, but in her private life, she is confused, worried. A difficult relationship with her parents (an abusing mother and an absent father), an emotionally needy sister, a failed marriage which maybe can be saved. Her recent discovery of her Jewish roots and her need to know more about it; her very cautious steps towards Orthodox Judaism because of the fears about how her life could be changed by this.... All these aspects make Jessie marvelously human, a person we can relate to. A second point concerns the world of therapy via radio programs, which is completely alien to me. Maybe my ignorance of the phenomenon is what makes it fascinating. It was an "open window" to a completely different humanity and way of life. Another interesting aspect is that Rochelle Krich manages to weave into the main story some very serious social issues, for example, domestic violence, especially in policemen's families. Even minor characters make statements about some social or moral point that we guess is dear to her. This is one thing that I really enjoyed: her ability to promote things she regards as important without being a sort of school teacher telling us what is right and what is wrong. You can agree or not, this is not the point. The point is that she obviously writes from her heart.

Ridley Pearson

Parallel Lies

Parallel lies is another excellent effort by Ridley Pearson. A page turner, action packed, it starts slowly but gradually gathers speed, getting faster and faster. A story of redemption, vengeance and anger, set in the train world where Tyler, a policeman on probation, has to look into the murder of an unidentified person. This will set him on the trail of Umberto Alvarez, a man whose aim is to bring down a railroad company, guilty of having murdered his family. A chase across the US on parallel lines.

Alice Holman

The Last Days Murder List
Now available for purchase at Highbridge Press (where you can also read an extract).

The Last Days Murder List is a very entertaining book. The plot is interesting, the characters are well depicted, lively, real. Billimae, a cocktail waitress, becomes amateur sleuth to discover her neighbor's murderer and calls her former lover, Pharaoh Blue, for help. Some of the book's most enjoyable pages are those in which Billimae and Pharaoh are "on stage" together. Their conversation is witty and sometimes funny, even though there is much more in them, and it shows. The story, set in the African American community of Denver, is multi-sided and touches many items: murder (obviously), pornography, battered women, friendship and the desire to improve one's life. These aspects are well told and blend with the story. Another extremely interesting is the rhythm of the narration, fast and involving (though slowing down when Maris is "starring"), unfortunately leading to what appears as a rather abrupt ending. Anyway, the positive characteristics of The Last Days Murder List far outnumber the few shortcomings, and, what is more important, we are left with the desire of reading other Billimae and Pharaoh adventures.

More Reviews