Monthly Archives: May 2010

My Soul to Take, by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Posted on May 30, 2010 by

  My Soul to Take   Translated by Bernard Scudder and Anna Yates. MY SOUL TO TAKE, the second in the Thora Gudmunsdottir series, is a superbly plotted, Agatha Christie-style novel set mainly in a health-spa hotel on the Snaefellsnes … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Eurocrime, Europe, Iceland, Legal, Mystery, Private investigator, Translated | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Pull of the Moon, by Diane Janes

Posted on May 30, 2010 by

  The Pull of The Moon   Several books have been published fairly recently that address Barbara Vine-like themes of young people living in an isolated house over a summer, culminating in tragedy. Examples include HALF-BROKEN THINGS by Morag Joss, THE LIKENESS by Tana … Continue reading →

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Poisonville, by Massimo Carlotto and Marco Videtta

Posted on May 28, 2010 by

Poisonville (World Noir) Translation: Antony Shugaar. In the north-eastern part of Italy, near Venice, lies a small town which is home to some of the oldest and noblest families in the country. Francesco Vitelin, scion of one of these privileged … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Europe, Italy, Noir, Psychology, Social comment, Translated | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Water-blue Eyes, by Domingo Villar

Posted on May 27, 2010 by

Water-Blue Eyes (Eurocrime) Translated from the Spanish by Martin Schifino. First published in translation in the UK, 2008. First published, asOjos de Agua, in 2006.  Water-blue Eyes is simply a perfect short crime novel, 176 pages long. It is a debut … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Debut, Europe, Police procedural, Spain, Translated | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Janus Stone, by Elly Griffiths

Posted on May 27, 2010 by

The Janus Stone: Bones are Buried Beneath it and Secrets Hidden The Janus Stone is every bit as good as its predecessor, The Crossing Places, and in most ways even better. The protagonist, Dr Ruth Galloway, head of the forensic archaeology … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Books, Crime fiction, England, Europe, Police procedural, Romance, Series | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Twisted Wing, by Ruth Newman

Posted on May 27, 2010 by

Twisted Wing Have you ever read the first 100 pages of a book and given up? That is what I nearly did with this one. But I persevered, and I am glad I did. The remaining 250 pages more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Books, Crime fiction, Debut, England, Europe, Police procedural, Psychology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The First Rule, by Robert Crais

Posted on May 21, 2010 by

The First Rule Billed as a “Joe Pike” novel, The First Rule is a ripping yarn that I wasn’t very sure about at first but once the introductory phase was over and the main plot kicked in, I enjoyed so … Continue reading →

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The Shadow of Your Smile, by Mary Higgins Clark

Posted on May 21, 2010 by

I love the Mary Higgins Clark (MHC)  formula. Chief protagonist: independent, decent American young woman who works for one of the professions for a living. Thriller element. Lots of suspects and dodgy situations waiting to be unearthed. Romantic male interest. … Continue reading →

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The Woman From Bratislava, by Leif Davidsen

Posted on May 17, 2010 by

  The Woman from Bratislava (Eurocrime)   Translated by Barbara J Haviland. THE WOMAN FROM BRATISLAVA is a long but rewarding book, both exciting and serious. Written and set in 2000, but only published in English ten years later, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Denmark, Eurocrime, Europe, Historical, Political, Thriller, Translated | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Che Committed Suicide, by Petros Markaris

Posted on May 17, 2010 by

  Che Committed Suicide   Translated by David Connolly. CHE COMMITTED SUICIDE is a long book which has many fascinating details and touches, with great characterisations and sense of place (Athens and environs). At the same time, it has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Crime fiction, Eurocrime, Europe, Greece, Police procedural, Series, Translated | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment