December  Reviews

                                         CITY OF FIRE
                                       by Robert Ellis
                                  ISBN 9780230016422
                                            357 pages
                                          Macmillan
                                     December 1 2007
                                              $32.95
                               reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                       October 23 2007

This tale begins more than a little unsettlingly. Nikki Brant is happy. She has a secret, divulged to her by her doctor. She has to decide when to tell her husband. She can hear him moving around their bedroom and wishes to welcome him appropriately. But then she realises she never heard his car in the driveway.

Lena Gamble is newly promoted into the Homicide Special section of the LAPD. Her partner, Hank Novak,  calls her  early one morning to go to the location of the homicide of Nikki Brant. In the true tradition of fictional homicides, the prime suspect is the husband, James Brant: a nasty, self confident fellow who takes delight in ridiculing the police who seem to wish to nail him. A dangerous game for a suspect.

The reader is warned early that Lena, herself, is the grieving survivor of a tragedy. Her brother had been a murder victim and, five years later, she is still not over the brutal crime, nor has her brother's murder been solved. Nonetheless, as the rookie part of a veteran/rookie duo, she is prepared to do her part in resolving other murders.

The reader is introduced to a killer before the action plays too far. He is supremely confident, to the extent of not bothering that he has left his DNA in evidence at the crime scene. After all, the police do not hold anything against which to compare it. He is a strange fellow, too, even stranger than the reader is first made aware.

Despite the reader being given an insight into various characters' points of view, this is far from a straightforward novel. Beware of twists and turn just when you think you understand what is going on.

The tale is well written and well plotted. Lena is a welcome addition to the list of sleuths currently plying their trade throughout the crime fiction shelves. If  Ellis can maintain the standard he has achieved in this novel, it will be interesting to discover what lies ahead in Lena Gamble's career.
                                                         THE SILVER SWAN
                                                         by Benjamin Black
                                                       ISBN 9780230701342
                                                                  345 pages
                                                                   PICADOR
                                                        December  3 2007
                                                                    $32.95
                                                    reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                                            November 25 2007

There is a certain literary, evocative note to the prose found in THE SILVER SWAN. John Banville, Black's name in the world of letters, has won more than one award, so no doubt that accounts for the standard of THE SILVER SWAN. It's a shame, though, that he didn't concentrate on lightening the tone of this vey depressing work, for all it is so beautifully written.

It is the mid-fifties and Quirke, the pathologist, is approached by a former school contemporary not long before he is to perform a post mortem on a woman whose body , presumed a suicide,  was pulled from the water in Dublin Bay. Billy Hunt, husband of the drowned woman, Deirdre, can't bear the thought of her body being "cut up". Quirke, being an obliging sort, says he will abide by Billy's request but goes ahead and performs the autopsy. Interestingly, Deirdre did not drown -- but Quirke finds a puncture wound on one of her arms.

The narrative flashes back to Deirdre's girlhood and her time working for the local pharmacist, Mr Plunkett. There she encountered another of the major players in the tale, the thin, dark man who described himself as an Austrian and called himself Dr Kreutz. It appears that middleaged ladies comprise the totality of Dr Kreutz's practice.

Leslie White, whose name does not reflect the quality of his character, is a friend of Dr Kreutz. He is also the business partner of Deirdre Hunt. They run a beauty parlour called the Silver Swan and, professionally, Deirdre has taken the name Laura Swan. Leslie has run several failing business ventures which his wife, Kathryn, realises are scams. She also has no illusons about the quality of his fidelity to her -- he is an entrepreneur in matters of bedding women.

Quirke is possessed of a voracious curiosity and determines to follow up the Hunt case and try to find out exactly what happened to the victim and who had killed her.

As I said previously, this is a very dark and depressing work. No one is happy. Phoebe, Quirke's daughter, who has only recently learned of her parentage, is a brittle, mistrustful woman. Quirke, much as he would like to have his daughter know of his love, seems condemned to be hated by her -- on the surface, at any rate. Leslie (and this in pre-Viagra days) seems intent on adding the metaphorical scalps of every woman he comes across to his already overcrowded belt, but even he is suffering.

The characters of this unhappy book are all too credible -- and miserable. Quirke, caught between the dislike of his daughter, the unhappiness of his antecedents and his current attempt to give up alcohol, is understandably disconsolate. The other characters, amidst the gloom of the fifties and their dour surroundings, are, equally understandably, pessimistic.

While  the mystery of just who is responsible for the demise of Deirdre Hunt is eventually resolved, to my mind at least, the real puzzle is: will the characters be able to resist the lure of suicide in order to survive to a possible third outing?
                                                          THE CLEANER
                                                         by Brett Battles
                                                      ISBN 9781848090064
                                                                353 pages
                                                                  Preface
                                                        December 3 2007
                                                                    $32.95
                                                 reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                                       November 23 2007

Debutant Brett Battles seems poised to clean up with his high tech blood and plots espionage yarn. Here he introduces super cleaner John Quinn, the man that goes into crime scenes messes caused by  spies from his employers, to keep uncomfortable solutions from legal authorities not in the know.

The reader understands (if he hasn't already read the publicity hoo ha) in Chapter One that Jonathan Quinn is mixed up in something suss. When he gets off the plane in Denver, instead of getting outside as quickly as possible, catching a cab and going to the most comfortable possible place where he can relax, Quinn sits on the wrong side of the barriers and finishes the book he was reading on the plane. Eventually, he rings his boss, Peter, to get instructions on how to find the car which he will use. That car contains two men and an envelope in which are Quinn's orders -- but he mustn't open it until the two men leave his presence. All very cagey stuff.

Quinn must investigate a fire to see if it is arson -- a fire in which the body of a man known as Taggert iss killed. He contacts the police chief, only to discover he is not the sole investigator pursuing enquiries.

At the site of the fire, Quinn  encounters his apprentice, Nate. That over enthusiastic young man has, as he subsequently does too frequently throughout the tale, disobeyed his orders by being there. Quinn is not pleased.

The narrative scoots around the globe. Quinn and Nate go to Vietnam, where they are joined by beautiful Oriental woman Orlando but also spend  a large chunk of time in Germany. It's very pleasant to walk (or run) through the streets of a reunited Berlin even though the author doesn't spend much time describing the surroundings.

I have my usual quibbles with the wounds inflicted upon the heroes. It never fails to inspire me with tremendous awe that they can receive an injury that would lay me up in hospital for months, yet sprint away with barely a limp.

The characterisation is interesting. Certainly, Nate is Quinn's apprentice but I can't help but wonder how much patience a real person amidst the adventures visited upon the Office men, would display. Nate's puppy-like eagerness and enthusiasm, not to mention his downright disobedience, would try the most stoical master. At times, however, Nate does display a competence that verges on excellence.

As to the narrative itself, I can see why such a tidying up of threads would be necessary but couldn't help wondering at it.

If there is a sequel, I do so hope Nate will have matured somewhat.
                                    A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR OF STYLE
                                                       by Gilbert Adair
                                                  ISBN 9780571234257
                                                             292 pages
                                                         faber and faber
                                                       December 1 2007
                                                               $29.95
                                                reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                                        December 4 2007

Pastiches are far from being my favourite form of the crime fiction genre. Iíve always thought the humour tends to be a bit forced and this example of the ilk hasnít done much to alter my surface impression, although the mystery itself is quite good.

Chief Inspector Trubshawe, late of Scotland Yard, but now retired, is the character into whose mind the reader gains most insight. The book opens with that gentleman being hailed, somewhat inelegantly, at the Ritz, a watering hole of whose delights Trubshawe would not usually partake. The person who hails him is the well known lady novelist Evadne Mount, she who thinks of Trubshawe, perhaps with some justification, as Inspector Plodder. They had, some decade previously, been thrown together in an investigation but, since then, had not seen each other.

Trubshawe, now he is retired, finds himself at a loose end, since he is a widower. He is taken by surprise when Evadne tracks him down at home The retired Chief Inspector chums up with Evadne and her pal Cora Rutherford, an actress of  fading note. The latter has been engaged by a famous director for a new film. Unfortunately, said director, together with a young actress, are incinerated in a mysterious blaze, but the directorís hat falls upon his natural successor and the show goes on.

Evadne and Trubshawe (whose horrid secret is revealed in all its sibilant glory, as having the given -- or should it be Christian?-- name of ìEustaceî) are invited to the location of the new movie. To the horror of (almost) all present, one of the actors drains a pretend glass of champagne -- and drops dead.

A former protegé of Trubshaweís leads the investigation. Calvert, the officer, is quite happy to accept Evadneís insights into the case and, indeed, the proffered help of both Evie and Trubshawe.

The murder doesnít occur until almost halfway through the book so the author has plenty of time to display his talent with prose (I dare not say ìprosaic talentî) in setting the scene. The writing is quite entertaining even though, at times, I winced slightly. Yes, it might be necessary to make the main detector, namely Evadne Mount, eccentric and dramatic, but really, a tricorne hat?

There is, of course, exaggeration which, since this is intended as a sendup of the genre, may be seen as excusable. One may, too, be forgiven for not examining the characterisations with any degree of censoriousness.

The late director, Alastair Farjeon, is clearly based on Alfred Hitchcock, although one wonders if that famous manís wife is extrapolated into Farjeonís widow. The prose is, of course, lighthearted in its intent  and is consistent throughout. The only criticism that could be made of the book is that it is of its kind -- a type of work which does not usually gain my approval.

The novel is certainly not badly written and, as mentioned before, has a reasonable mystery at its core. I think I could stand to read other works by this author.
                                                    T IS FOR TRESPASS
                                                       by Sue Grafton
                                                  ISBN 9780230014800
                                                            MACMILLAN
                                                     December 3 2008
                                                                 $32.95
                                                   reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                                        December 11 2007
 

Sue Grafton is coming uncomfortably close to the end of the alphabet, as Kinsey Millhone makes her perilous way through the trials and tribulations attendant upon the crimes and misdemeanours  springing prolifically from the inventive mind of the popular author.

The reader is introduced to the woman known, for a large part of the book, as Solana Rojas, in Chapter One of T IS FOR TRESPASS. Although existing through a deprived childhood, Solana early masters the art of manipulation, discovering she can enjoy the fruits of others' labours while managing to maintain her own self respect as well as something passing as respect from others.

When Kinsey's neighbour Gus suffers a fall which dislocates his shoulder and leaves him unable to care for himself, Kinsey is hired to investigate the woman who applies for the job of carer under the name "Solana Rojas." Kinsey, unsuspecting, investigates the real Solana, leaving the rogue impersonating that lady free to ply her dishonest trade and contemplate the time and method of Gus' demise. In the meantime, the false Solana imports her mentally retarded son into Gus' household in the guise of an orderly.

Gus is a crotchety old man who has managed to alienate people so not much effort has to be expended by his carer to keep people at bay.

The novel is set in the late eighties, a time predating the sophisticated technology of the early twenty-first century. Kinsey does not have the resources that are available to  the investigators of today but, for all that, she does a pretty efficient job.

Grafton manages to inspire a sense of menace into her readers. The imposter goes about her business in a matter of fact way that would probably, in real life, inspire no curiosity. Her casual cruelty is all the more horrific because she seems not to recognise her own wrongdoing -- although she takes great pains to isolate her charge from his peers and makes sure she intimidates all who might come close to him.

For all the time frame of the novel is approximately twenty years in the past, the topics the book raises for the reader's consideration are very much a matter of modern concern. The ease with which Solana steals her contemporary's identity,  for example,  is something that could be easily reproduced in the real world. After all, how difficult is it to obtain a copy of one's birth certificate, and how many degrees come with proof positive of the owner's identity?

Now Sue Grafton 's titles are so fast approaching to the end of the alphabet, should readers fear that Kinsey Millhone's days are numbered?
                                    WHEN SHE WAS BAD
                                     by Jonathan Nasaw
                                   ISBN 9781847370358
                                                292 pages
                                    SIMON & SCHUSTER
                                        December 1 2007
                                                $29.95
                                  reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                          January 2 2008

The prologue opens with three portraits of Lily, the first being of the loving granddaughter, shocked at the news of her grandparents' death in a car accident. Then comes Lilah, Lily's sexually voracious alter. Finally, Lilith achieves consciousness during a biker gang bang, but she leaves her current rapist with a permanent reminder of her.

Lyssy, the acceptable face of Ulysses Maxwell, is confined in a psychiatric institution. He is the patient of Dr. Alan Corder, a formerly British psychiatrist. Corder is convinced that he has destroyed Ulysses' previous personase violent Max and murderous Kinch. Not for Corder the aim of integrating all the personalities of a patient: he prefers destruction of the obnoxious leaving only the sweet (nauseatingly so, in fact) Lyssy. As the surviving personality, though, Lyssy is the one who will have to face court and will also have to endure the punishment for multiple rapes and murders committed by his less amiable selves.

It is, of course, inevitable that Lyssy and Lily wind up in the same institute. It is also inevitable that their alters should take possession of their bodies. This happens prior to a party being, inadvisedly, held for Lyssy at Dr Corder's house. Corder's family comprises himself, his wife and their attractive teenaged daughter. Naturally, Max is in his element in such an environment and he --or, possibly, Kinch-- wastes no time in plying his trade and leaving no witnesses.

Lilith, meanwhile, is lumbered with Lyssy as she makes her escape. Whoever she and Maxwell might be at the time, they take refuge with a biker moll of her acquaintance.

Dr Irene Cogan, a psychiatrist, and former FBI agent Pender are, inadvertently, teamed up together. Not that they are able to stay together for too long as they seek to tackle the fragmented personalities that control the bodies of Lily de Vries and Ulysses Maxwell.

The story is quite an engaging one. Just how valid the basic premise, on which the tale is balanced, is another matter. It's not for me to pass judgment on that, so let the experts handle it should they so wish. Any faults in the characterisation are, by the very nature of the characters, forgiven. Suffice it that Lily and Lyssy are not the most attractive people in the world and I doubt I'd enjoy going down to the local for a pint or two in their company.

Regardless of the fairly obvious faults of this novel, it is quite adequate in providing reasonable entertainment for an afternoon.

                                              THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER
                                                            by  Molly Jackson
                                                         ISBN  9781846050725
                                                                      442 pages
                                                          Century . London
                                                           December 3 2007
                                                                       $32.95
                                              reviewed by Denise Pickles
                                                             January 3 2008

Here's some nice, unchallenging reading for the holiday season. THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER is a love story stretching through a couple of generations and two countries (not counting the places Hamish visits during his seafaring days.)

The narrative begins, distressingly enough, with divers opening a container that is brim full of human remains. In this day and age, it's not difficult for a reader to  conclude, correctly, the nature of the cargo, but the book must spell out the circumstances of the callous slaughter.

Chapter One establishes that Robbie Fraser is a divorcé who lives by himself but is currently attempting to clear his mother's old flat subsequent to her death. His mother's solicitor had surprised him by saying that there was no mortgage on her home but there are many more shocks in store for him, the first one of which being  the unsigned letter urging him to go to a remote Scottish village because his father has disappeared. Robbie had no idea that his father was even alive, let alone living in Scotland.

Robbie travels to  Kinlochvegan and takes up residence in his father's house. There he meets Heather McBain, who tells him something of the history between their fathers, and the bad blood existing between their respective families.

The narrative jumps backward in time to when Hamish Fraser, as a young man, leaves his native village and goes to sea. He also relinquishes his sweetheart, which gives his rival, the dour and villainous McBain, the opportunity to woo Fraser's love for himself.

The villainy depicted in the prologue does not comprise a hefty part of the tale. Rather, Hamish's jaunting around the world and his initiation into both the ways of the sea and of the flesh occupy a largish portion. He does, eventually, manage to mature, but by then it is too late.

While it may not be deep, soul stirring stuff, it's an enjoyable read, especially for anyone with a hankering for a love story with a (relatively) noble hero and a dastardly villain.

The characterisation is adequate, although, at times, I felt the villains might be just that bit too hissable (but so, too, at times is the hero!) and the women -- except for Heather, who is nicely acerbic -- just too sweet.

The author certainly has the ability to write so I trust she decides to try something a bit more ambitious for her next effort. It would be good were she to put a bit more effort into the crime aspect of her next novel, as well.