Lee Allen's Blog, page 33

Michael Russell's The City in Darkness - Review

The City in Darkness by Michael Russell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Stefan Gillespie returns in the third in Michael Russell's series of historical crime thrillers.

Having read both 'The City of Shadows' and 'The City of Strangers' in 2012 and 2013 respectively, I have been eagerly awaiting 'The City in Darkness' for several years, and it was certainly worth the wait. The opening scenes of a murder in rural Ireland and an insight the Spanish Civil War set up the juxtaposition of personal and political crimes that run through the Gillespie series. When we are reacquainted with Stefan Gillespie, he is an Inspector working for Special Branch and not entirely happy with the situation in which he finds himself.

Soon having reason to suspect his superior officer is involved with the IRA, Stefan finds himself conveniently requested to assist in the case of a missing postman who disappeared in a place where Stefan has ghosts of his own. His investigation leads to a personal revelation which shifts his focus and leaves him in mortal danger, while a request to safeguard the Irish Ambassador on a trip to Franco's Spain may also present Stefan with the opportunity to find the vital clues he needs.

'The City in Darkness' is a slow-burning cocktail of murder, corruption, espionage and betrayal, leading to a gripping climax back where it all began in rural Ireland. A superb, gripping thriller - I'm very much looking forward to reading 'The City of Lies'.



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Dan Brown's Origin - Review

Origin by Dan Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Origin is another brilliant thriller featuring Dan Brown's Harvard professor, Robert Langdon.

The plot centres around the work of atheist and futurist Edmond Kirsch, a once student of Langdon's, who is hosting a presentation in which he promises to review the answers to two of humanity's most enduring questions: "Where do we come from?" and "Where are we going?" But, just as he is about to announce his discovery, Kirsch is murdered by an assassin who believes himself to be doing God's work. Devastated by his friend's death and fearful his discovery will be lost, Langdon vows to do all he can to reveal Kirsch's discovery, taking him, along with museum curator Ambra Vidal, on a perilous journey across Spain in search of the truth.

'Origin' includes a bounty of Dan Brown's trademark themes: religion; science; art; architecture; codes; symbology; and conspiracies - all based on copiously detailed research. These themes, explored in intricate detail, along with the relentlessly executed twists and turns of the plot, result in a gripping narrative that keeps you up into the night. The final revelation is a chilling conclusion to the subject matter. casting the nature of Kirsch's discoveries in an uneasy light.

Having enjoyed all of Dan Brown's previous novels, I found 'Origin' to be a strong addition to the Robert Langdon series, particularly when following the superb 'Inferno'. I am already greatly anticipating Book 6, even if that may be several years from release.



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David Lagercrantz's The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye - Review

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye by David Lagercrantz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"...It was the same fire that burns inside everyone who is being trampled on."

Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo, returns for the second in David Lagercrantz's sequels to Stieg Larsson's 'Millennium' trilogy. At the beginning of the novel, we find Salander in prison and, following a visit from her former guardian Holger Palmgrem, determined to delve deeper into her own past. She enlists the help of Mikael Blomkvist to investigate what she cannot while behind bars.

Lisbeth finds herself in further trouble while attempting to protect a young prisoner from a brutal gang leader, and strives to right the wrongs that have been committed against the young woman, while Blomkvist delves deeper into the story of a man who may have connections to the same past that touched Lisbeth and her sister, Camilla.

'The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye' is an intricately plotted and layered story, with Lisbeth's unorthodox methods and Blomkvist's investigative journalism unravelling the truth of the multiple injustices, all leading to a tense finale.

I enjoyed the previous book, 'The Girl in the Spider's Web', immensely (see below) - and 'The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye' more than lives up to expectations. Both have proved to be a superb continuation of Stieg Larsson's legacy. I have read that David Lagercrantz has signed to write a third novel, which I shall eagerly await.




The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


'The Girl in the Spider's Web' immerses you once more in the intense world of Lisbeth Salander, complete with criminal activity, dramatic action, and burning emotion at the heart of characters' motivation. David Lagercrantz has crafted an addictive addition to Stieg Larsson's legacy - you find yourself unwilling to stop reading in a race to the end, an ending which you do not wish to arrive in equal measure, and when it is over you are left wanting more. Let's hope this won't be the last we see of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.




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Elisabeth Herrmann's The Cleaner - Review

The Cleaner by Elisabeth Herrmann

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An entertaining, riveting thriller that shows you the shadowy face of Germany's dark Cold-War past.

'The Cleaner' centres around the story of crime-scene cleaner Judith Kepler, a specialist in removing traces of violent crime when the investigators and scientists have finished their work. Interestingly, I made some notes earlier this year to research the profession for a potential future novel of my own. I was unaware of any novels featuring a crime scene cleaner as a central character. By sheer coincidence, my girlfriend gifted me a copy of 'The Cleaner' last month.

The novel opens with an intriguing scene at a children's home in East Germany in 1985. One child is switched for another, and so begins the glimpses of a past that haunts all the characters of the book.

We first meet Judith as she introduces a new temporary staff member to the reality of a crime scene and their role. She is soon distracted when a new assignment leads her to discover a link to her own life. Determine to find out why, she embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover secrets that may answer questions to her own past.

'The Cleaner' is a superb espionage tale that weaves past and present, personal and political, to deliver a thrilling and satisfying climax.



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Lynda La Plante's Good Friday - Review

Good Friday by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A breath-taking thriller that grips you in a stranglehold from beginning to end as Jane finds herself caught in the middle of an investigation into an IRA cell.

Lynda La Plante's third novel in the 'Tennison' series sees Jane now a fully fledged detective constable, following completion of her CID course. Her desire to progress her career and investigate crime rather than being left the menial tasks leads to her temporary transfer to the Dip Squad, which she hopes will lead her to bigger and better things. She is unwittingly caught in an explosion at Covent Garden Underground station, the result of a bomb it is suspected was planted by the IRA.

Gripping and fast-faced, the novel follows the investigation in procedural and forensic detail. It's fascinating to follow as the detectives and scientists piece together the evidence, particularly as you can determine the differences and similarities between the 1970's and today. The tension builds to a dramatic climax with Jane at the centre of the developing danger. It was a perfect ending and throughout the book I was gripped - I wanted to keep going, just one more chapter.

Throughout each novel, Jane's character is developing toward the DCI Tennison we met in 'Prime Suspect' - making the highs and lows of Jane's personal life as fascinating as the criminal investigations. La Plante has always been superlative at portraying both real human characters and accurate, detailed investigations - 'Prime Suspect', 'Trial & Retribution', the Anna Travis novels - and the 'Tennison' series is proving to continue her trademark brilliance.

I can't wait to read the fourth in the series, 'Murder Mile', next year. It sounds like another gripping investigation.



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Lynda La Plante's Hidden Killers - Review

Hidden Killers by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A gripping sequel to 'Tennison' continuing the story of Jane's early cases as she joins CID and takes another step toward becoming the first female DCI we meet in 'Prime Suspect'.

This was a fantastic read from start to finish. Lynda La Plante has always been exceptional with her police procedurals, and this is up there with her best. We continue to see Jane's attempts to harden herself to the professional and personal dilemmas she faces, while the mix of colleagues, criminals, victims, and witnesses drive the compelling plot forward to its conclusion.

I loved this novel. I spent the last week back in work wanting to get home and get everything done which I needed to do so I could continue reading. Can't wait for Book 3 later this year!

('Good Friday' - book 3 in the series - is out now, which I'm currently reading, and it's brilliant!)



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Stephen King's The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger - Review

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The beginning of an epic fantasy adventure from a master storyteller.

In 'The Gunslinger', Stephen King introduces us to the titular character, Roland, as we meet him on his way through the desert, fairly close to the beginning of his quest to reach the Dark Tower, in pursuit of the Man in Black. We hear the tale of the Gunslinger's stay in a remote village amongst the paranoia and suspicion of its residents; and we see him meet a young boy, Jake, who has somehow ended up lost at a way station in the desert, his last memories of being in New York. Together, they continue across the desert, up and into the mountains, before the Gunslinger finally reaches his confrontation with the Man in Black.

I'm a huge fan of Stephen King, for his work on horror, thriller, and sci-fi, but this was the first time I ventured into his fantasy work. 'The Gunslinger' did not disappoint, providing tantalising glimpses of Roland's past, while encounters with an Oracle and the Man in Black lay the foundations for the rest of the series, leaving you eager to move on to the second novel, 'The Drawing of the Three' as you reach the final pages.

I hugely enjoyable and vididly descriptive novel, I am looking forward to what's to come in the continuing journey to the Dark Tower.



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Robert Galbraith's Career of Evil - Review

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved the first two Cormoran Strike novels and loved this third novel in equal measure. Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) beautifully captures a mix of a classic cosy detective novel and a modern gritty psychological thriller.

In this third high-profile case for Strike and Robin, a woman's severed leg is delivered to their office, beginning an investigation into dangerous criminals from Strike's past, dredging up and instigating revelations for both main character's lives which threaten them in more ways than ever before. The conclusion is both a gripping and satisfying end to a novel that begged to not be put down throughout.

I hope the wait for the fourth novel won't be too long and that the BBC TV series currently being produced will live up to the quality of all three novels. Strike is already a classic detective and long may this series continue.



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Ira Levin's Son of Rosemary - Review

Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An enjoyable conclusion to the horrors that began with the classic 'Rosemary's Baby'.

Ira Levin's sequel picks up over thirty years following the conclusion of the original, with Rosemary awakening from a coma which appears to have been the result of a curse cast by the coven of the original novel. She soon learns that her son, Andy, has grown up to become the new Messiah - either a bizarre twist of fate or truthfully a False Messiah of prophecy.

Taking advantage of her celebrity status as the woman who awoke unharmed after decades lying in a coma, she connects with Andy on the global stage and gets to know her son all over again as the man he has become since she last saw him as a child. Some may find what follows a little slow, but as the novel progresses you realise Levin is subtly laying the foundations for what is to come later.

The conclusion to Part Two is a clever revelation, with the paranoia of the first novel now fully returning, with Rosemary unsure who she can trust, finding Andy has more secrets than she wished to find. This is explored more fully in Part Three, as Rosemary investigates her son and his colleagues and their organisation.

*SPOILERS*The ending completely took me by surprise. It has proved controversial, but I found it quite ambiguous. The obvious interpretation is that the events of both novels are an elaborate nightmare Rosemary suffers. This would sit well with the dream-like and nightmarish sequences of both novels, and perhaps doesn't take anything away from the masterful storytelling. My first thought when Rosemary awoke with Guy was that this was her version of Hell, seeing as she had been heading there with Satan at the conclusion to the previous scene. To relive her suffering over and over, never quite sure if it's real or imagined, would be Hell indeed.

There is also the suggestion that the events of both novels are a premonition, a dream telling Rosemary of the potential dangers and horrors of the future. When Hutch mentions the puzzle to solve the anagram of 'Roast Mules' which recurred throughout the novel - something Rosemary had not heard prior to her dream - it delivers a final cold shiver that perhaps she has not escaped her fate after all, that the events of both novels are yet to come.

As Levin's seventh and final novel, 'Son of Rosemary' is a solid ending to a superb body of work and a suitably discomforting follow-up to 'Rosemary's Baby'.



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Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby - Review

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Ira Levin's classic horror thriller is a masterpiece in plotting and suspense.

Rosemary's Baby is one of those stories that has developed to become mythology, a story that is so well-known that people know it without having read it, as part of a culture as folklore. It's a wonder it took me so long to finally read it. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

Having seen the equally classic 1968 film (the novel was published in 1967), I knew the plot well and the twists in the tale. Rosemary and her husband Guy acquire a highly sought-after apartment and soon become friendly with eccentric, elderly couple, Minnie and Roman Castavet. Their situation appears idyllic - a young couple moving into their new home, spending time with their interesting, kindly neighbours, Guy seeking his big acting break, Rosemary hoping for a baby.

Levin expertly layers the tension as the novel progresses, hinting at the witchcraft and Satanism twisted throughout the building's history and an apparent suicide that begins the young couple's relationship with the Castavets, who develop from harmless to unsettling, to sinister, to menacing. Soon it appears all the world may be conspiring against Rosemary and she struggles to know who to trust as the novel hurtles towards its nightmarish conclusion.

With underlying themes of religion with witchcraft as its enemy, with specific references to Catholicism, it is perhaps ironic that this modern scheme for the downfall of humankind is triggered by a man's greed and ambition leading to his betrayal of a woman and allowing her to be defiled and used for her body, as opposed to the concept of Original Sin where a woman made an error in judgement when tempted into betrayal by the same forces of darkness. In this novel, we know she would never be so foolish.

After fifty years, Rosemary's Baby remains relevant, authentic, and most of all thrilling, in its telling of a story of good versus evil, and the lengths human beings may go to in pursuit of their beliefs and desires.

The story continues in Levin's final novel, 'Son of Rosemary'.



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