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Makana #4
The Burning Gates
In Cairo, private investigator Makana is called into the office of his new client, a powerful art dealer known as Kasabian. Kasabian wants him to track down a famous painting that went missing from Baghdad during the US invasion. All the dealer can tell Makana is that the piece was smuggled into Egypt by an Iraqi war criminal who doesn't want to be found.
The world of art is a far cry from the shady streets and alleyways of the Cairo that Makana knows, but he soon finds out that this side of the city has its own dark underbelly. As he sets out to find the lost work of art -- and those involved in the case begin to die in horrific ways -- Makana finds himself entangled in a mystery that many have attempted to keep hidden.
The trail will lead him back into the dark days of the war and threaten to send the new life he has built for himself up in flames.
The world of art is a far cry from the shady streets and alleyways of the Cairo that Makana knows, but he soon finds out that this side of the city has its own dark underbelly. As he sets out to find the lost work of art -- and those involved in the case begin to die in horrific ways -- Makana finds himself entangled in a mystery that many have attempted to keep hidden.
The trail will lead him back into the dark days of the war and threaten to send the new life he has built for himself up in flames.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2015
20 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Parker Bilal
19 books105 followersParker Bilal is the pseudonym of Jamal Mahjoub. Mahjoub has published seven critically acclaimed literary novels, which have been widely translated. Born in London, he has lived at various times in the UK, Sudan, Cairo and Denmark. He currently lives in Barcelona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 22, 2021
Private investigator Makana is commissioned to track down a famous and extremely valuable painting that went missing from Baghdad, during the US invasion. The painting was reportedly smuggled into Egypt by an Iraqi war criminal. Naturally, this war criminal doesn't want to be found, but with a huge price on his head that is going to be extremely difficult to achieve. The trail takes us from the high class art world and its patrons, to the shady streets and alleyways of Cairo.
Corruption abounds at all levels, and this is a dangerous place, where it's difficult to determine who to trust, who to believe. The author weaves his tale, capturing a real sense of time and place, with some great characters. It was extremely well written, and I would be happy to read further works by Parker Bilal.
Corruption abounds at all levels, and this is a dangerous place, where it's difficult to determine who to trust, who to believe. The author weaves his tale, capturing a real sense of time and place, with some great characters. It was extremely well written, and I would be happy to read further works by Parker Bilal.
December 20, 2015
This is the first Parker Bilal book that I have read from the series. It is a dark, intelligent, gritty and edgy story from an accomplished writer. Makana, the PI, is an ex-police officer from Somalia, with a haunting and traumatic backstory of family loss and exile. He is a strong, engaging, and astute character who lives and walks the mean streets of Cairo. He is aided by a network of colourful people such as Marwan, who works for the military, Sami and Rania at the makeshift media agency, the Zafrani gangster brothers and others.
Makana is hired by Kasabian, a well known art dealer, to find Samari, an Iraqi Colonel, who has a dubiously acquired painting which an American buyer is keen on. It turns out nothing and no-one is as they seem. Kasabian ends up being murdered in a manner that implicates Samari. Samari is wanted by the US who are offering a huge reward for his capture. Makana continues on the trail and comes across Frank Cassidy who is searching for the killer of his son in the Iraq war. The world of private contractors (mercenaries) is uncovered plus links to the Gulf War and the US invasion of Iraq. The everyday casual brutality meted out by state intelligence agents, the military, politicians and gangsters is laid bare. The corruption, deceit, hypocrisy and betrayal of politicians is exposed as the norm, as is their disregard of the people. There is political interference and obstacles placed in Makana’s path. There is a shoot out on Cairo’s streets and the finale is a twisted and bloody affair.
Makana emerges as a man who is adept in handling the unsettling and capricious political, military and criminal factions. He understands that accepting money and patronage will place him in an untenable moral position. He is, as far as is possible, his own man. Bilal has written a fast paced narrative with the inherent tensions of life in Cairo. It is a well plotted novel with believable characters. What lifts the book above the crime genre is the discerning insights and descriptions it offers of Egypt, recent Middle Eastern history and the effects of the US led invasions. It brings to the mainstream audience the lives of diverse, ordinary characters battling to survive the harsh social, political and economic times in Egypt and an unstable Middle East. I loved the book and plan to read the rest of the series. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for a copy of the book via netgalley.
Makana is hired by Kasabian, a well known art dealer, to find Samari, an Iraqi Colonel, who has a dubiously acquired painting which an American buyer is keen on. It turns out nothing and no-one is as they seem. Kasabian ends up being murdered in a manner that implicates Samari. Samari is wanted by the US who are offering a huge reward for his capture. Makana continues on the trail and comes across Frank Cassidy who is searching for the killer of his son in the Iraq war. The world of private contractors (mercenaries) is uncovered plus links to the Gulf War and the US invasion of Iraq. The everyday casual brutality meted out by state intelligence agents, the military, politicians and gangsters is laid bare. The corruption, deceit, hypocrisy and betrayal of politicians is exposed as the norm, as is their disregard of the people. There is political interference and obstacles placed in Makana’s path. There is a shoot out on Cairo’s streets and the finale is a twisted and bloody affair.
Makana emerges as a man who is adept in handling the unsettling and capricious political, military and criminal factions. He understands that accepting money and patronage will place him in an untenable moral position. He is, as far as is possible, his own man. Bilal has written a fast paced narrative with the inherent tensions of life in Cairo. It is a well plotted novel with believable characters. What lifts the book above the crime genre is the discerning insights and descriptions it offers of Egypt, recent Middle Eastern history and the effects of the US led invasions. It brings to the mainstream audience the lives of diverse, ordinary characters battling to survive the harsh social, political and economic times in Egypt and an unstable Middle East. I loved the book and plan to read the rest of the series. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for a copy of the book via netgalley.
January 4, 2016
Parker Bilal’s fourth Makana novel does not disappoint. The exiled Sudanese sleuth is employed by a millionaire art dealer to locate a dangerous Iraqi exile who may have possession of art treasures looted from Kuwait. When his employer ends up brutally murdered, bearing all the trademarks of the Iraqi torturer in question, Makana continues the investigation at great personal risk.
It is a violent and dangerous Cairo that Makana inhabits. Renegade American mercenaries, the aforementioned Iraqi colonel and his henchmen, Egyptian gangsters and Jihadis, as well as the wildcard of a retired American cop on a quest for revenge, are all woven into a complex and fast moving narrative.
Not so much a crime novel as an intelligent political thriller, Makana’s Cairo excites, entertains and educates the reader throughout. You just know it is going to end in blood… and it does.
It is a violent and dangerous Cairo that Makana inhabits. Renegade American mercenaries, the aforementioned Iraqi colonel and his henchmen, Egyptian gangsters and Jihadis, as well as the wildcard of a retired American cop on a quest for revenge, are all woven into a complex and fast moving narrative.
Not so much a crime novel as an intelligent political thriller, Makana’s Cairo excites, entertains and educates the reader throughout. You just know it is going to end in blood… and it does.
April 23, 2015
Parker Bilal’s The Ghost Runner was in my top five reads of 2014. It was an evocative tale of despair and revenge set in the Egyptian desert. For The Burning Gates, Bilal brings his investigator, Makana, back to Cairo to track down a painting that was stolen from Baghdad during the US invasion. But soon his employer is dead and Makana finds himself the subject of competing attentions from various businessmen whose interests extend beyond the art world.
Bilal’s greatest strength is the quality of his writing. All the Makana books have been very well written and The Burning Gates is no exception. You get a feel of the writer’s craft that has gone into both plotting the book and executing the narrative. Bilal doesn’t shy away from violence and there’s always strong sense of menace in his books. This is particularly so in The Burning Gates where towards the end, it becomes quite a bloodbath.
Parker is excellent at depicting a Sudanese exile mourning his former country and the sense of loss permeates the novel. A recurring thread in the Makana books is the loss of his wife and daughter. It’s revisited again here and it would be nice to see it resolved at some point.
Bilal’s writing is something different to a lot of the crime fiction out there. Once again I recommend reading his novels. He’s proof that crime fiction can be written to the highest standard.
Bilal’s greatest strength is the quality of his writing. All the Makana books have been very well written and The Burning Gates is no exception. You get a feel of the writer’s craft that has gone into both plotting the book and executing the narrative. Bilal doesn’t shy away from violence and there’s always strong sense of menace in his books. This is particularly so in The Burning Gates where towards the end, it becomes quite a bloodbath.
Parker is excellent at depicting a Sudanese exile mourning his former country and the sense of loss permeates the novel. A recurring thread in the Makana books is the loss of his wife and daughter. It’s revisited again here and it would be nice to see it resolved at some point.
Bilal’s writing is something different to a lot of the crime fiction out there. Once again I recommend reading his novels. He’s proof that crime fiction can be written to the highest standard.
March 13, 2015
number 4 in makana mystery series by jamal mahjoub, not as noirish, more thriller than #3, but revolves around egypt in its desent into disintegration, 2004 and muslim world is realizing the shits going down, just nobody knows how to suck the maximum profits from the debacle, and how to maintain power. so egypt fat cats befriend a most-wanted iraqi bad guy (he is very very rich too, see?) and makana is hot on all their trails. mayhem is rampant, as there are: 1. egyptian cops/secret police 2. usa mercenaries 3. usa secret army 4. usa rouge cops 5. cairo mafia 6. makana (the andy griffith of the mean streets)
fun.
fun.
July 6, 2017
The burning gates by Parker Bilal.
Private Investigator Makana has a new client: the powerful art dealer Aram Kasabian. Kasabian wants him to track down a priceless painting that went missing from Baghdad during the US invasion. All the dealer can tell Makana is that the piece was smuggled into Egypt by an Iraqi war criminal who doesn’t want to be found.
The art world is a far cry from the shady streets and dirty alleyways of the Cairo that Makana knows, but he discovers that this side of the city has its own dark underbelly. Before long, he finds himself caught between dangerous enemies on a trail that leads him into the darkness of war and which threatens to send the new life he has built for himself up in flames.
A very good read with good characters. 4*. Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing uk.
Private Investigator Makana has a new client: the powerful art dealer Aram Kasabian. Kasabian wants him to track down a priceless painting that went missing from Baghdad during the US invasion. All the dealer can tell Makana is that the piece was smuggled into Egypt by an Iraqi war criminal who doesn’t want to be found.
The art world is a far cry from the shady streets and dirty alleyways of the Cairo that Makana knows, but he discovers that this side of the city has its own dark underbelly. Before long, he finds himself caught between dangerous enemies on a trail that leads him into the darkness of war and which threatens to send the new life he has built for himself up in flames.
A very good read with good characters. 4*. Netgalley and Bloomsbury publishing uk.
March 27, 2015
This novel is a fast-paced, powerful thriller. It is much more than just a 'crime' novel as there are so many exciting elements that feed into the main narrative. The plot and central issues are very current which makes it a little disconcerting (which I enjoyed!) and certainly left an impact on me. I enjoyed the setting of the 'shady', 'gritty' and corruption side of Cairo, and this made the novel a bit different to the usual crime/thrillers.
It is clear from the strong writing style and the fast-paced narrative that the author did not rush this book - it is carefully planned to provide maximum impact for the reader - I was drawn in quickly and the novel stands out as a well-crafted, successful piece of writing, a cut above the usual of the genre. I would certainly recommend this novel for any thriller or crime fiction fans.
I received this book as part of Goodreads Firstreads and I am grateful to the author, the publisher and to Goodreads for sending it to me. I had never heard of this author before, but I will definitely be seeking out more of his novels now.
It is clear from the strong writing style and the fast-paced narrative that the author did not rush this book - it is carefully planned to provide maximum impact for the reader - I was drawn in quickly and the novel stands out as a well-crafted, successful piece of writing, a cut above the usual of the genre. I would certainly recommend this novel for any thriller or crime fiction fans.
I received this book as part of Goodreads Firstreads and I am grateful to the author, the publisher and to Goodreads for sending it to me. I had never heard of this author before, but I will definitely be seeking out more of his novels now.
January 3, 2021
The Burning Gates is book four in the Makana series by Parker Bilal. Private investigator Makana caught a new client the art dealer known as Kasabian. A painting went missing in Baghdad during US invasion, and Kasabian wants Makana to find the picture. However, during the investigation, it leads back to the war and changes Makana life forever. The readers of The Burning Gates will continue to follow Makana to find out what happens.
The Burning Gates is the first book I have read of Parker Bilal. The Burning Gates is an enjoyable book to read. I love Parker Bilal's portrayal of the characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. The Burning Gates is well written and researched by Parker Bilal. I like the way Parker Bilal describes The Burning Gates settings that compliment the plot of this book.
The readers of the Burning Gates will learn about living in Cairo. Also, the Burning Gates readers will learn about the shady side of the Art world in Egypt.
I recommend this book.
The Burning Gates is the first book I have read of Parker Bilal. The Burning Gates is an enjoyable book to read. I love Parker Bilal's portrayal of the characters and how they interact with each other throughout this book. The Burning Gates is well written and researched by Parker Bilal. I like the way Parker Bilal describes The Burning Gates settings that compliment the plot of this book.
The readers of the Burning Gates will learn about living in Cairo. Also, the Burning Gates readers will learn about the shady side of the Art world in Egypt.
I recommend this book.
June 28, 2020
A great series set in Cairo with an interesting protagonist- Makana. Twisting plot and very atmospheric.
August 6, 2017
The Burning Gates is the fourth instalment of the Makana private investigator series set in Cairo. In this outing, Makana starts out exploring rumours that a famous painting looted in the first Gulf War is in the city, along with the Iraqi war criminal who plunderer it and other treasures. However, he’s soon in the crossfire of six competing interests, including a pair of local gangsters, a team of US mercenaries, an American cop, a corrupt former cop, the local police, and the elusive Iraqi colonel. Bilal nicely interweaves the strands to create a compelling thriller that manages to remain mostly grounded in possibilities rather than straying into fantastical plot devices as many thrillers do, with Makana tracing the various threads and reveals to a nice denouement. As with the other stories in the series, the real strengths of the tale are the reflective and stoic lead character, his coterie of helpers – his driver, newspaper connection, local cop – the strong sense of place, and the contextualisation with respect to contemporary Egyptian culture and politics. The result is an engaging and entertaining read that nicely blends a classic PI trope with political thriller.
June 17, 2024
Ok holiday read, fast paced, uncomplicated.
June 1, 2015
London-born, Spain-based Parker Bilal is on my short list of great thriller writers writing today. His Makana Mystery series features a private investigator originally from the Sudan and now working in Cairo. Bilal gives us all kinds of atmosphere, politically-relevant motive, morally-complex characters, and a beating heart. His writing is blessedly free from idiom and extraneous storylines—the exotic setting and complexity of his main character’s life is enough to keep us off balance and searching for familiar ground.
In this installment, U.S. government contractors have gone off the reservation in Iraq to pursue a former high-ranking military official from the old Iraq regime who appears to be profiting from his theft of Kuwaiti ‘war spoils’ which was the impetus for U.S. involvement in the First Gulf War. It is now 2004, and the Egyptian political scene is chaotic while private investigator Makana wends his way between bribe-takers, informants, and status-seekers, seeking justice.
We get a street view of Cairo’s neighborhoods as Makana does his rounds, and have the opportunity to see how Cairenes operate day-to-day. Best of all are characterizations of some of the less wealthy inhabitants of the city: we see where they live, how they live, what they think, and how they eat. Cairo has always been a cosmopolitan place. Its location in the heart of the Middle East give it a unique perspective, and the central character in this series, Makana, allows us to look at the region with an even further remove.
Parker Bilal is the pen name of Jamal Mahjoub, who publishes award-winning literary novels under his own name.
In this installment, U.S. government contractors have gone off the reservation in Iraq to pursue a former high-ranking military official from the old Iraq regime who appears to be profiting from his theft of Kuwaiti ‘war spoils’ which was the impetus for U.S. involvement in the First Gulf War. It is now 2004, and the Egyptian political scene is chaotic while private investigator Makana wends his way between bribe-takers, informants, and status-seekers, seeking justice.
We get a street view of Cairo’s neighborhoods as Makana does his rounds, and have the opportunity to see how Cairenes operate day-to-day. Best of all are characterizations of some of the less wealthy inhabitants of the city: we see where they live, how they live, what they think, and how they eat. Cairo has always been a cosmopolitan place. Its location in the heart of the Middle East give it a unique perspective, and the central character in this series, Makana, allows us to look at the region with an even further remove.
Parker Bilal is the pen name of Jamal Mahjoub, who publishes award-winning literary novels under his own name.
August 25, 2015
Love this series set in Egypt with a displaced Sudanese former cop eking out a living as a private investigator. Some glaring errors dealing with Americana though. Makana gets a loaner car and it's a Pontiac Thunderbird. Should be Firebird. Bilal further mentions American Marines winning a battle in Europe during WWII. Don't think so. This episode is set in Cairo circa 2004 and involves an art dealer and a Baathist thug from Saddam's inner circle hiding in Egypt. Lots of different plot lines going on with American contractors gone wild, personal vengeance, and the organized crime bosses. Lots of humanity amidst the violence. Makana is such a humble and smart guy. He never loses his composure and he manages to keep his focus and character amidst so much corruption, temptation, and evil.
June 29, 2015
First, let me confess that I'm not a fan of stories set in foreign countries where poverty predominates. I can get that from my on-line newspapers etc. I also found that this story was a tad slow (boring) for my taste. That is until the final pages when everyone still alive assembled--not necessary peacefully. The word that popped into my mind was "contrived". That's how the plot felt to me. I know Bilal has his fans and he is a good writer. Although I love his politics, I don't think I'll be returning to him soon.
March 29, 2015
I enjoy mystery novels set in foreign locales, and this series is one of the best I've found recently. This was the first of the series that I found at the library, and I've been encouraged to seek out the rest.
I've now also read the #1 in the series. There doesn't seem to be any real need to read them in order, although there is more detail in Makana's background in the first novel.
I've now also read the #1 in the series. There doesn't seem to be any real need to read them in order, although there is more detail in Makana's background in the first novel.
January 17, 2018
An excellent crime thriller. Very well written that evokes a great sense of time and place .
Makana, the main protagonist is a compassionate and sympathetic character : an honest and honourable man in a murky world.
Highly recommended, particularly for fans of Robert Wilson.
Makana, the main protagonist is a compassionate and sympathetic character : an honest and honourable man in a murky world.
Highly recommended, particularly for fans of Robert Wilson.
May 19, 2022
The fourth installment of Makana, the exiled Sudanese policeman who struggles to make a living in Cairo as a private investigator, does not disappoint. This novel is set in the period immediately following the end of Desert Storm. The plot may be borrowed from another time (a hunt for a treasure trove of lost paintings, jewels, and ancient artifacts looted by invaders), updated to a new generation of thieves and villains, but the deft use of setting and characterization breathes energy and drama into the story.
August 30, 2023
Makana, a Sudanese ex cop now exiled in Cairo, is offered a very lucrative deal by a wealthy art collector: find a renegade Iraqi official/war criminal who may have stolen paintings and other treasures from Kuwait.
From the start the deal seems fishy, and it rapidly goes downhill. People are killed and the crooked government wants closure, not solutions. And Makana meets a young woman who reminds him of his lost daughter. There’s a lot of action, a lot of local color, and a plethora of bad guys.
From the start the deal seems fishy, and it rapidly goes downhill. People are killed and the crooked government wants closure, not solutions. And Makana meets a young woman who reminds him of his lost daughter. There’s a lot of action, a lot of local color, and a plethora of bad guys.
July 3, 2018
A nice easy read but an author I would visit again.
August 29, 2020
Parker Bilal’s series with Makana are great. They capture the issues in the Middle East. The story draws you into the lives of the people and captures the atmosphere of Egypt.
August 15, 2023
Yet another excellent, gripping Makana investigation. Great characters, great plots. I'm a Parker Bilal fan.
May 25, 2019
The book is well written and has an interesting plot but has too much violence.
June 24, 2015
After being forced to flee Cairo and struggling to make ends meet, former Sudanese police inspector, Makana, continues his story in Parker Bilal’s “The Burning Gates”, the fourth book in the Makana Investigation series.
Set in September 2004, “The Burning Gates” picks up with Makana working in the Middle East. A wealthy client, Aram Kasabian, asks Makana to track down a famous painting that went missing during the US invasion of Baghdad, Iraq. There are rumors that the painting has reappeared and thought to be in possession of an Iraqi colonel; however, the price on the Iraqi war criminal’s head makes the search a little difficult for Makana since the colonel is currently on the run from the Americans.
Nothing is as it seems. People are dying and Makana is too caught up in the storm to leave the case behind. Much like sand slipping from his fingers, Makana is losing his grasp on time and he must act quickly to solve the case before it’s too late.
Parker Bilal sets up a wonderfully written novel that will capture the heart of any thrill-seeker. Bilal, also, gives his reader a peek into the corrupted side of Cairo’s art scene, which holds a huge impact on the plot.
After reading this fast-paced and constantly-changing crime thriller, it will have you wondering, “Who do you believe?”
Reviewer: Ashlyn Duke is a traveler, not a tourist. She likes to read, draw, and look beyond what’s right in front of her.
Killer Nashville's Review of The Burning Gates (Makana #4)
Killer Nashville's Past Book Reviews
Set in September 2004, “The Burning Gates” picks up with Makana working in the Middle East. A wealthy client, Aram Kasabian, asks Makana to track down a famous painting that went missing during the US invasion of Baghdad, Iraq. There are rumors that the painting has reappeared and thought to be in possession of an Iraqi colonel; however, the price on the Iraqi war criminal’s head makes the search a little difficult for Makana since the colonel is currently on the run from the Americans.
Nothing is as it seems. People are dying and Makana is too caught up in the storm to leave the case behind. Much like sand slipping from his fingers, Makana is losing his grasp on time and he must act quickly to solve the case before it’s too late.
Parker Bilal sets up a wonderfully written novel that will capture the heart of any thrill-seeker. Bilal, also, gives his reader a peek into the corrupted side of Cairo’s art scene, which holds a huge impact on the plot.
After reading this fast-paced and constantly-changing crime thriller, it will have you wondering, “Who do you believe?”
Reviewer: Ashlyn Duke is a traveler, not a tourist. She likes to read, draw, and look beyond what’s right in front of her.
Killer Nashville's Review of The Burning Gates (Makana #4)
Killer Nashville's Past Book Reviews
December 19, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It's the first Makana I've read, and I'll be trying others as a result.
Makana is a private investigator in modern Cairo. The Burning Gates is set in 2004; Mubarak is in power and the invasion of Iraq is a major factor in the region. The story is convoluted and involves looted art treasures and a vicious, high-ranking Iraqi officer wanted by both the Americans and a group of mercenaries, set against a background of a corrupt government and police force, vested interests and organised crime.
I thought the story was pretty well done. Parker Bilal writes well and creates good characters who speak in believable dialogue. It is decently plotted, although I thought that the first half of the book was a little slow, the twists in plot could be a bit hard to follow, and some aspects of the denouement were pretty silly. Nonetheless, it kept me reading.
Where this book really shines is in its depiction of modern Egypt and in the character of Makana himself. I really did get a feel for the world of 21st Century Cairo; the atmosphere and physical sense of the place were excellently done, I think. I also found Makana an engaging, believable character. For once, comparisons between Makana and Chandler's Philip Marlowe, aren't just a lazy Private-Eye-Equals-Marlowe cliché. Of course the setting, period and style are very different, but there is a similar sense of a fundamentally decent, moral man trying to do the right thing in a dirty world. In The High Window, Marlowe describes himself as a "shop-soiled Sir Galahad," which I think would be a decent description of Makana.
This isn't a perfect book, but I think it's a good one. It's thoughtful, evocative and a good read. Recommended.
Makana is a private investigator in modern Cairo. The Burning Gates is set in 2004; Mubarak is in power and the invasion of Iraq is a major factor in the region. The story is convoluted and involves looted art treasures and a vicious, high-ranking Iraqi officer wanted by both the Americans and a group of mercenaries, set against a background of a corrupt government and police force, vested interests and organised crime.
I thought the story was pretty well done. Parker Bilal writes well and creates good characters who speak in believable dialogue. It is decently plotted, although I thought that the first half of the book was a little slow, the twists in plot could be a bit hard to follow, and some aspects of the denouement were pretty silly. Nonetheless, it kept me reading.
Where this book really shines is in its depiction of modern Egypt and in the character of Makana himself. I really did get a feel for the world of 21st Century Cairo; the atmosphere and physical sense of the place were excellently done, I think. I also found Makana an engaging, believable character. For once, comparisons between Makana and Chandler's Philip Marlowe, aren't just a lazy Private-Eye-Equals-Marlowe cliché. Of course the setting, period and style are very different, but there is a similar sense of a fundamentally decent, moral man trying to do the right thing in a dirty world. In The High Window, Marlowe describes himself as a "shop-soiled Sir Galahad," which I think would be a decent description of Makana.
This isn't a perfect book, but I think it's a good one. It's thoughtful, evocative and a good read. Recommended.
March 3, 2016
This is the first book of this series I have read and I found it most enjoyable. Set in modern day Cairo, Makana is an ex- police investigator employed to find a missing masterpiece that was looted from Germany following WW2. Various antiquities, gold and other valuables were smuggled across borders when the USA invaded Kuwait and certain art collectors who don't ask questions would be very interested in acquiring this painting. Makana is employed by an art dealer named Kasabian to find this painting for an American collector, but when Kasabian is found dead after being tortured, it would seem that the American has his own agenda for being in Cairo. He appears to be after a terrorist with the intention being extradition to America to pay for events in the Desert Storm campaign, and Makana realises that no one is safe.
A well written murder mystery that is fairly topical in that the events are within living memory and is from the perspective of a conquered nation who were betrayed for political expediency. Makana is an honest broker between devious partners and bends rules in order to have a peaceful conclusion to this situation. The story flows very well and conveys the danger involved with unscrupulous characters bent on revenge. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
A well written murder mystery that is fairly topical in that the events are within living memory and is from the perspective of a conquered nation who were betrayed for political expediency. Makana is an honest broker between devious partners and bends rules in order to have a peaceful conclusion to this situation. The story flows very well and conveys the danger involved with unscrupulous characters bent on revenge. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
December 17, 2014
This is the forpurth in a series of books about a private investigator, Makana, who works in Cairo. In this story, Makana, is hired by Kasabian, a wealthy and politically connected art dealer, to help find some important art pieces that have not been seen for many years. These art works are believed to have been stolen from the homes of wealthy people after the Iraqi War. The person who is rumored to be selling the art work is an Iqaqi war criminal, Colonel Al-Samari. Then Kasabian turns up dead at his opulent home and has been tortured. Makana remains on the case to help the local police find Samari who he believes killed Kasabian.
This setting of the story is Cairo and will,be familiar to anyone who has visited the coty as the author captures the flavor of the city and mentiones many landmarks.
This setting of the story is Cairo and will,be familiar to anyone who has visited the coty as the author captures the flavor of the city and mentiones many landmarks.
December 28, 2015
Not the normal setting for a PI story, this uniqueness adds a lot of atmosphere and character to what is a straight forward plot. Set in Cairo, Egypt, Makana is hired to track down an Iraqi who is believed to have stolen art treasures for sale. As you can imagine with all the wars and infighting that goes on in the Middle East it is easy to get dragged into a much more dangerous investigation, but this guarranteed when Americans get involved. Although it is the fourth book in the series it is standalone and the author cleverly avoids any long history lessons by concentrating on the current storyline. The book is written in a very easy to read style with good pace and action throughout. My favourite character is Sinbad Makana's driver, very few words but the picture of the large friendly Egyptian is very clear. Excellent book that I would recommend to most.
February 11, 2015
This crime thriller is the fourth in a series of books about a private investigator named Makana. Set in Cairo Makana is hired by art dealer Kasabian to find a valuable painting which is in the possession of an Iraqi Colonel Al-Samari. Having not heard of author Parker Bilal this was therefore the first of his novels I have read. I had no preconception regarding what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed this gritty story. It was fast paced and well written and I shall be seeking out other books by this author.
- Received my copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads and publisher Bloomsbury
- Received my copy of this book from Goodreads First Reads and publisher Bloomsbury
March 27, 2015
I really enjoy Bilal's signature style - fast paced thrillers that still include strong description and narrative. This novel is no exception - the intriguing title sets the tone for the whole story. The originality comes from the setting, and an unexpected dark tone comes through. Very poignant for the current climate. At times the novel isn't the easiest to follow, but it is worth it for the strong plot.
I would recommend this novel to any thriller fans.
I received this novel as part of Goodreads Firstreads and I am grateful to Goodreads, the author and the publisher for sending it to me.
I would recommend this novel to any thriller fans.
I received this novel as part of Goodreads Firstreads and I am grateful to Goodreads, the author and the publisher for sending it to me.
March 24, 2015
Makana is hired by a wealthy art dealer who wants him to locate a German Expressionist paining looted by Nazis, which has resurfaced in the chaos of the Iraq war. But there is more - looted antiquities, an Iraqi colonel wanted for war crimes, an American mercenary who is after the colonel and the art and a Los Angeles cop who is seeking the truth about what happened to his soldier son in Iraq.
As ever with these books, the Cairo setting and the local characters make as much of an impact as does the plot. Makana is a bit less of a displaced person now, more on top of his game and sure footed among the web of local connections and rivalries. The series is holding up very well.
As ever with these books, the Cairo setting and the local characters make as much of an impact as does the plot. Makana is a bit less of a displaced person now, more on top of his game and sure footed among the web of local connections and rivalries. The series is holding up very well.
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