SG's Musings

Not often I pick up a crime novel to find it has been nominated for a top literary prize, but this was the case for this book - longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2008.

The book is about investigation of serial murders.  But what sets it apart is that it is set in Stalinist 1950s Russia so we get a fascinating look into history - the harsh life under totalitarian Stalinist regime.  As far as the authorities are concerned, such crime does not exist. Central character is Ministry Security officer Leo Demidov.  Golden boy to start.  But after his superiors sense his doubt over the treatment of an innocent man and his refusal to denounce his wife, they are exiled to a small town and his investigations of the murders begin in earnest.

Very readable but intelligent novel.  Even more impressive, this is Tom Rob Smith’s debut novel.   Likened to Gorky Park by a lot of commentators.

A chilling, thought provoking futuristic thriller.   Like any good thriller horrific crimes going on but unlike most they are off stage.  Central  character is psychologist Thomas Bible.  His best friend Neil is suspected by the FBI of being responsible for gruesome crimes involving rewiring of peoples’ brains.  Thomas is enlisted by the FBI to help find Neil.

There is a deep philosophical side to this book.  The basis for the plot is the ongoing “Argument” between Thomas and Neil about whether people do things by choice/free will and a lot of the novel centres around this and Thomas’ character development and flaws.

The ending is definitely not your typical happy one.   Twists a plenty.    There had been another little sideline of crime going on thoughout the novel which for the most part seemed unrelated to the main plot.   A perpetrator we know as the “chiropractor” removing peoples’ vertebrae.   There is a connection, and it is revealed in clever fashion.

Very interesting book, which will stay in my mind.

A series I discovered recently and have avidly read all currently available and awaiting the next which looks to have just come out.  Set in cold, grim Aberdeen (all the books seem to be set in winter with bitter cold and rain a constant - I think Mr. MacBride has promised the Aberdeen tourist bureau the next one will be in summer :)  ). Central character is Logan McRae a sergeant in the police force there.  But he is actually quite dare I say it “boring” by which I really mean just a very normal guy.   Colour of the books come from the surrounding characters who have all sorts of quirks.  There’s the very large detective inspector, remiscent of the Fatman Dalziel in the Reginald Hill series, who is forever munching on various sweets.   A police constable who engages in a bit of B+D.  “Ice maiden” pathologist who’s Logan’s ex.   My personal favourite of course is DI Steel - 40 something y.o. butch lesbian, looks 20years older, smokes nonstop.  Considers herself sexy as hell although not quite so in reality.  In a relationship but frightened to death of commitment.   Has bought a sports car in a typical midlife crisis scenario.  And so on.

The books are full of great little quips and one-liners and made me laugh quite frequently.    Definitely some of the most entertaining crime novels I’ve read for a while.