Bruce Beckham's Blog - Posts Tagged "journey-into-fear"
Short and sweet
Last night I finished Journey Into Fear by Eric Ambler.
Right from the beginning I was pleased each time I came back to this slow-paced thriller.
It is written in a plain style with relatively little use of literary techniques; nonetheless the atmosphere conveyed is powerful, and the title very apt.
Set in the run-up to WW2, it provides a fascinating insight into European/Middle Eastern relationships, at both a state and individual level.
In a nutshell the story follows a British arms expert who is trying to travel home from Turkey. Enemy powers would prefer him dead. He finds himself trapped aboard a ship with an uncooperative crew and sinister passengers… and a highly tempting femme fatale.
If I have a criticism, it is that the book finished before I was ready. While the core mystery is resolved, the overall conclusion is rather abrupt. Reading on a Kindle I wasn't paying particular attention to my % progress, and felt like I had another 30% or so to go.
Perhaps a good incentive to read the next one!
Right from the beginning I was pleased each time I came back to this slow-paced thriller.
It is written in a plain style with relatively little use of literary techniques; nonetheless the atmosphere conveyed is powerful, and the title very apt.
Set in the run-up to WW2, it provides a fascinating insight into European/Middle Eastern relationships, at both a state and individual level.
In a nutshell the story follows a British arms expert who is trying to travel home from Turkey. Enemy powers would prefer him dead. He finds himself trapped aboard a ship with an uncooperative crew and sinister passengers… and a highly tempting femme fatale.
If I have a criticism, it is that the book finished before I was ready. While the core mystery is resolved, the overall conclusion is rather abrupt. Reading on a Kindle I wasn't paying particular attention to my % progress, and felt like I had another 30% or so to go.
Perhaps a good incentive to read the next one!
