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Inspector Carlyle #2
Milcz nawet po śmierci
"Milcz nawet po śmierci" to druga książka Jamesa Craiga z serii opisującej perypetie inspektora Johna Carlyle’a.
Sądzisz, że elity władzy mogą więcej? Mylisz się. Mogą wszystko!
Jake Haggar został porwany przez własnego ojca, który grozi, że sprzeda dziecko gangowi pedofilów. Co prawda inspektor Carlyle oficjalnie nie prowadzi tej sprawy, stara się jednak pomóc zrozpaczonej matce chłopca. Równolegle, już w ramach swoich służbowych obowiązków, musi rozwiązać tylko pozornie prostą zagadkę śmierci wiekowej Agathy Mills. Staruszkę znaleziono zamordowaną w jej mieszkaniu obok British Museum; wszystkie poszlaki wskazują na jej męża, ale ten stanowczo twierdzi, że jest niewinny, przedstawiając tak dziwaczne dowody swojej niewinności, że Carlyle w końcu dochodzi do wniosku, iż warto ruszyć tropem wiodącym kilkadziesiąt lat wstecz. Niechcący trafia na trop mrocznej tajemnicy sięgającej korzeniami roku 1973 i wojskowego przewrotu w Chile; ludzie, którzy jej strzegą, uczynią wszystko, żeby tylko nigdy nie ujrzała światła dziennego. Pozornie nieskomplikowana sprawa kończy się międzynarodowym skandalem a inspektor Carlyle znowu naraża się swoim szefom i ich politycznym mocodawcom.
Sądzisz, że elity władzy mogą więcej? Mylisz się. Mogą wszystko!
Jake Haggar został porwany przez własnego ojca, który grozi, że sprzeda dziecko gangowi pedofilów. Co prawda inspektor Carlyle oficjalnie nie prowadzi tej sprawy, stara się jednak pomóc zrozpaczonej matce chłopca. Równolegle, już w ramach swoich służbowych obowiązków, musi rozwiązać tylko pozornie prostą zagadkę śmierci wiekowej Agathy Mills. Staruszkę znaleziono zamordowaną w jej mieszkaniu obok British Museum; wszystkie poszlaki wskazują na jej męża, ale ten stanowczo twierdzi, że jest niewinny, przedstawiając tak dziwaczne dowody swojej niewinności, że Carlyle w końcu dochodzi do wniosku, iż warto ruszyć tropem wiodącym kilkadziesiąt lat wstecz. Niechcący trafia na trop mrocznej tajemnicy sięgającej korzeniami roku 1973 i wojskowego przewrotu w Chile; ludzie, którzy jej strzegą, uczynią wszystko, żeby tylko nigdy nie ujrzała światła dziennego. Pozornie nieskomplikowana sprawa kończy się międzynarodowym skandalem a inspektor Carlyle znowu naraża się swoim szefom i ich politycznym mocodawcom.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
32 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
James Craig
128 books67 followersJames Craig has lived in London for more than thirty years, working as a journalist and consultant.
He lives in Bloomsbury with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 17, 2014
Inspector Carlyle investigates the murder of Agatha Mills, which took place in her apartment across the street from the British museum. Her husband is arrested for the murder as all evidence point to Henry Mills's guilt. But he refuses to admit it was him and commits suicide.
What started out as an open-and-shut-case becomes something totally different soon, although nobody, except Inspector Carlyle, is convinced. The ripple effect across London, diplomatic offices, and international companies, forces the laid-back detective to work longer hours than he hoped for. After all, life is pretty mediocre in his quarters and he doesn't appreciate his feathers being ruffled too much. He loves his walks around town, since he never learnt to drive, doesn't even possess a license to do so. He enjoys his elongated breaks away from the office, his slow breakfasts and lunches in quaint little restaurants, and a personal mobile phone which he seldom answers. Off and on he remembers to visit the gym. He needs to stay in shape, right? Yes, he is a slow mover, a relaxed person, a quiet operator. However, his mannerisms are making a lot of people nervous. Very nervous. Especially when he refuses to close the case and hand in the report.
REVIEW:
I don't want to go into the complicated plot, developing after the first murder, and spoil the surprise. The drama keeps the reader hooked way more hours than was planned as it is. Losing-sleep-hooked. Nothing spectacularly dramatic hammers away at the heart muscles, or causes severe headaches, but below the seemingly suave exterior an angry river is pulsing through the story. Manipulation, corruption, back-stabbing, greed and danger: it's all there and it's very real.
The protagonist is brought alive in all his splendor. Everything about the detective's life is painted in multiple colors. He becomes important to the reader. The dangers facing him becomes our concerns. His enemies shake up our core much more than the inspector's. He is not a nice man in every sense. The reader might not even like his attitude at all. And yet, we are rooting for him in getting his job done. A constant sense of foreboding is keeping the reader at it, come time or social objections to the opposite! The suspense is heightened by John Carlyle's 'casual' encounters with the antagonists. A joke and a laugh neutralize many volatile situations. But he is also a man who does not steer away from raising the stakes and getting people jittery and drinking away their concerns about his slow but steady approach into their lives and secrets. They know he is coming for them in his own way.
The story is multifaceted. In fact, it is rich in British textures and hues. I was pleasantly surprised with the content of the plot. There is a constant hanging knife suspended over the characters'lives. The suspense becomes intense, unbearable! The ending....mmmm....no comment. It might be a cliffhanger, for all I know, since this book forms part of a series. But it was good enough for now, anyway.
A wonderful, relaxing, yet intriguing read. I haven't read the author before, but will certainly consider his other books. I enjoy his writing style. You don't need any other relaxers with this kind of book in hand.
The book was provided by Witness Impulse through edelweissabovethetreeline.com for review. Thank you for this excellent opportunity.
What started out as an open-and-shut-case becomes something totally different soon, although nobody, except Inspector Carlyle, is convinced. The ripple effect across London, diplomatic offices, and international companies, forces the laid-back detective to work longer hours than he hoped for. After all, life is pretty mediocre in his quarters and he doesn't appreciate his feathers being ruffled too much. He loves his walks around town, since he never learnt to drive, doesn't even possess a license to do so. He enjoys his elongated breaks away from the office, his slow breakfasts and lunches in quaint little restaurants, and a personal mobile phone which he seldom answers. Off and on he remembers to visit the gym. He needs to stay in shape, right? Yes, he is a slow mover, a relaxed person, a quiet operator. However, his mannerisms are making a lot of people nervous. Very nervous. Especially when he refuses to close the case and hand in the report.
REVIEW:
I don't want to go into the complicated plot, developing after the first murder, and spoil the surprise. The drama keeps the reader hooked way more hours than was planned as it is. Losing-sleep-hooked. Nothing spectacularly dramatic hammers away at the heart muscles, or causes severe headaches, but below the seemingly suave exterior an angry river is pulsing through the story. Manipulation, corruption, back-stabbing, greed and danger: it's all there and it's very real.
The protagonist is brought alive in all his splendor. Everything about the detective's life is painted in multiple colors. He becomes important to the reader. The dangers facing him becomes our concerns. His enemies shake up our core much more than the inspector's. He is not a nice man in every sense. The reader might not even like his attitude at all. And yet, we are rooting for him in getting his job done. A constant sense of foreboding is keeping the reader at it, come time or social objections to the opposite! The suspense is heightened by John Carlyle's 'casual' encounters with the antagonists. A joke and a laugh neutralize many volatile situations. But he is also a man who does not steer away from raising the stakes and getting people jittery and drinking away their concerns about his slow but steady approach into their lives and secrets. They know he is coming for them in his own way.
The story is multifaceted. In fact, it is rich in British textures and hues. I was pleasantly surprised with the content of the plot. There is a constant hanging knife suspended over the characters'lives. The suspense becomes intense, unbearable! The ending....mmmm....no comment. It might be a cliffhanger, for all I know, since this book forms part of a series. But it was good enough for now, anyway.
A wonderful, relaxing, yet intriguing read. I haven't read the author before, but will certainly consider his other books. I enjoy his writing style. You don't need any other relaxers with this kind of book in hand.
The book was provided by Witness Impulse through edelweissabovethetreeline.com for review. Thank you for this excellent opportunity.
June 9, 2021
Good characters, but the plot was ridiculous and the ending wasn't satisfactory, in my opinion.
June 28, 2019
These books continue to be very heavy on the London details, almost to the point of painfulness ("After cutting down Henrietta Street, he led Joe at a brisk pace through Covent Garden piazza and up Endell Street in the direction of Bloomsbury. A little more than five minutes later they arrived at Ridgemount Mansions"). Almost, but not quite.
Inspector Carlyle continues to be painfully boorish, this time to the point of What makes it interesting is the way Carlyle skirts both sides of the law with zero a blip of conscience. It's an interesting contrast to say, the Logan McRae series, where Logan does a lot of hand-wringing about even being seen with a known criminal. Carlyle does not give a monkey's. He sees the necessity for consorting with criminals and bending laws to get results as entirely necessary and worthwhile.
It's certainly interesting.
Content note: contains scenes of explicit torture.
Inspector Carlyle continues to be painfully boorish, this time to the point of What makes it interesting is the way Carlyle skirts both sides of the law with zero a blip of conscience. It's an interesting contrast to say, the Logan McRae series, where Logan does a lot of hand-wringing about even being seen with a known criminal. Carlyle does not give a monkey's. He sees the necessity for consorting with criminals and bending laws to get results as entirely necessary and worthwhile.
It's certainly interesting.
Content note: contains scenes of explicit torture.
February 6, 2023
Flaki z olejem
June 4, 2012
Not a great sequel. I read the first in the series, London Calling, quite liked it and thought I’d read the second of the books featuring Inspector Carlyle. I was left disappointed on so many counts, lousy plot, weak sub plots, lazy writing, pages wasted on describing the streets of London and what the Inspector likes for breakfast, oh and a little about the history of Chile circa 1973. If the author had written it earlier Pinochet could have used it to torture people. Bad luck Augusto, good luck to anyone reading this book now!
January 2, 2020
Oafish, clumsy and lazy, Carlyle somehow functions well enough to navigate a series of mysteries solved by other people. Anything for an easy life. I find him quite likeable but he isn't going to be for everyone. This isn't a tidy police procedural but holds together if close to improbable at times. Craig clearly knows London well and for me the geographic precision of the writing is enjoyable.
So do I persist? Amazon reviews seem to improve as the series continues, but that could just be skewed by people dropping out. I'll try the next one and see.
So do I persist? Amazon reviews seem to improve as the series continues, but that could just be skewed by people dropping out. I'll try the next one and see.
May 18, 2021
1/10
300 stron o niczym, główny bohater nudny i moim zdaniem dość nie kompetentny w swojej pracy, którą chce po porostu odpykać, wstawki historyczne zdecydowanie zbyt rozwlekłe i nużące, wątki nie rozwinięte w żaden ciekawy sposób. Szczerze mówiąc to tak na prawdę pojęcia nie mam o czym była ta książka. Jak dla mnie treść opisu z tyłu książki jest bardziej treściwa niż ona sama.
300 stron o niczym, główny bohater nudny i moim zdaniem dość nie kompetentny w swojej pracy, którą chce po porostu odpykać, wstawki historyczne zdecydowanie zbyt rozwlekłe i nużące, wątki nie rozwinięte w żaden ciekawy sposób. Szczerze mówiąc to tak na prawdę pojęcia nie mam o czym była ta książka. Jak dla mnie treść opisu z tyłu książki jest bardziej treściwa niż ona sama.
March 26, 2018
This is well written but there are too many bits superfluous to the main plot. The ending to the main story is unsatisfying. No-one is caught and the truth is hidden. The detective,Carlyle, is also involved in dodgy business which spoils him as a central figure.
September 27, 2018
The second Inspector Carlyle murder mystery is a well-plotted police procedural enlivened by a subplot of international violence and corruption.
December 18, 2019
I've now read several in this series and find Carlyle is just not a likeable chap. I will only read more if I can't find anything more appealing.
September 8, 2021
Fatalna. Wynudziłam się, fabuła przewidywalna.
May 11, 2025
A Met Police mystery gets caught up Chilean history and current diplomacy, with a sub-plot about a kidnapped child
July 18, 2025
I found Inspector Carlyle completely unlikable. Lazy, doesn't care. Not just 'over the job' but seems like he has never engaged in the job.
March 4, 2026
I just didn’t like it. He sounds like a bumbling fool of a policeman. Nothing was ever really solved. It just was not enjoyable to listen to.
June 8, 2016
Spoilers:
You know, with as many coffee products and sweets as Carlyle imbibes in one day, it should be impossible for him to be as lazy as he is. This guy should be tearing through London, solving crimes on a mad sugar and caffeine fueled bender. Maybe that's the magic of the storytelling here? Take the least interested, least ambitious and frankly, borderline incompetent cop in the whole Met Police force and have him somehow solve a crime. Oh wait - he doesn't actually solve them. Sure he thinks about solving them. Maybe even does it in his head. But never really gets around to actually solving anything in the real world, since he really needs to take the rest of the day off from his strenuous schedule of sitting and walking around, which started with his coming in late from a lengthy breakfast. Maybe he'll get to it tomorrow. If he can figure out how his phone works. Or remember the emergency call he got a week ago, but ignored. But you know - whatever. In the end, a few innocents will die that Carlyle swore to protect or save and some third party minor character will take care of things by killing the bad guy in the last few pages. Be nice if they'd also write up the report to save Carlyle having to do ANY work.
Having read the first book and grudgingly moved on to this one, I've decided I'm off the train at this stop. It's bad form (I think) to read a book where you keep hoping the main character will be the next victim. What are the three stars for then? The effort of doing the actual writing. The prose style is decent and, while long in unnecessary descriptions of unimportant things, doesn't bog down too much to preclude getting to the end. But that's not enough to bring me back again. Sorry, James.
You know, with as many coffee products and sweets as Carlyle imbibes in one day, it should be impossible for him to be as lazy as he is. This guy should be tearing through London, solving crimes on a mad sugar and caffeine fueled bender. Maybe that's the magic of the storytelling here? Take the least interested, least ambitious and frankly, borderline incompetent cop in the whole Met Police force and have him somehow solve a crime. Oh wait - he doesn't actually solve them. Sure he thinks about solving them. Maybe even does it in his head. But never really gets around to actually solving anything in the real world, since he really needs to take the rest of the day off from his strenuous schedule of sitting and walking around, which started with his coming in late from a lengthy breakfast. Maybe he'll get to it tomorrow. If he can figure out how his phone works. Or remember the emergency call he got a week ago, but ignored. But you know - whatever. In the end, a few innocents will die that Carlyle swore to protect or save and some third party minor character will take care of things by killing the bad guy in the last few pages. Be nice if they'd also write up the report to save Carlyle having to do ANY work.
Having read the first book and grudgingly moved on to this one, I've decided I'm off the train at this stop. It's bad form (I think) to read a book where you keep hoping the main character will be the next victim. What are the three stars for then? The effort of doing the actual writing. The prose style is decent and, while long in unnecessary descriptions of unimportant things, doesn't bog down too much to preclude getting to the end. But that's not enough to bring me back again. Sorry, James.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2012
‘Never Apologise, Never Explain’ by James Craig
Published by Constable and Robinson, 2 February 2012. ISBN: 978-1-84901-584-4
The killing of Agatha Mills in her flat just across from the British Museum in London, looks to Inspector Carlyle an open and shut case - her husband Henry of thirty years did it. It would, mused Carlysle be good to wrap it up quickly.
This is not your normal crime fiction whodunit. Carlyle is not a larger than life hero, keen to put in the hours, dedicated to finding the perpetrator. Basically Carlyle wants to get a result and get home, so that his wife Helen doesn’t give him a hard time. He cares about his daughter Alice, and he loves Danish pastries - even the offer of one will get his attention.
Contacted by TV presenter Rosanna Snowden who thinks she is being stalked, a whore Carlyle has known from way back whose says her child is in danger from her father, Carlyle owes then both but will he help? well, if he can get to it, but life so often gets in the way, his boss Superintendent Carole Simpson certainly gets in his way. I wanted him to do more, but when I looked at it in reality I realised he was doing what he could, but as I have said he is not a super hero. But I warmed to him as the story unfolded, he did the best he could, but sometimes the truth maybe just isn’t worth the paperwork, sometimes, maybe you just take the result. I suspect that this is how it pans out in the real world.
I found this compelling reading for many reasons, but you need to read the book for yourself to see if the reality works for you. A real page turner, this book is highly recommended.
----
Lizzie Hayes
Published by Constable and Robinson, 2 February 2012. ISBN: 978-1-84901-584-4
The killing of Agatha Mills in her flat just across from the British Museum in London, looks to Inspector Carlyle an open and shut case - her husband Henry of thirty years did it. It would, mused Carlysle be good to wrap it up quickly.
This is not your normal crime fiction whodunit. Carlyle is not a larger than life hero, keen to put in the hours, dedicated to finding the perpetrator. Basically Carlyle wants to get a result and get home, so that his wife Helen doesn’t give him a hard time. He cares about his daughter Alice, and he loves Danish pastries - even the offer of one will get his attention.
Contacted by TV presenter Rosanna Snowden who thinks she is being stalked, a whore Carlyle has known from way back whose says her child is in danger from her father, Carlyle owes then both but will he help? well, if he can get to it, but life so often gets in the way, his boss Superintendent Carole Simpson certainly gets in his way. I wanted him to do more, but when I looked at it in reality I realised he was doing what he could, but as I have said he is not a super hero. But I warmed to him as the story unfolded, he did the best he could, but sometimes the truth maybe just isn’t worth the paperwork, sometimes, maybe you just take the result. I suspect that this is how it pans out in the real world.
I found this compelling reading for many reasons, but you need to read the book for yourself to see if the reality works for you. A real page turner, this book is highly recommended.
----
Lizzie Hayes
July 14, 2013
- audio book...
James Craig gets me under the skin, I loved the intelligently written plot, but as with the first in the series Inspector Carlyle's deeply flawed character really brassed me off so much so I wanted to climb into IPod and kick him in the butt!
His character totally made me want to cringe and yes he is very realistic, but surely you would not be that incompetent? would you.?
and again a very unsatisfactory ending, I can forgive once but twice? this looks like a pattern, it's as if JC dangles a juicy succulent fruit at you all the way through the book and then whips it away at the end, leaving you both hungry and dissatisfied.. the ending just did not do it for me.
Still saying all of this I will still read Inspector Carlyle, hopefully he will develop a brain and some police instinct in the next book..as I do enjoy his very caustic wit and inner monologue observations, because what you are privy to on the inside is definitely not the same person on the outside..
James Craig gets me under the skin, I loved the intelligently written plot, but as with the first in the series Inspector Carlyle's deeply flawed character really brassed me off so much so I wanted to climb into IPod and kick him in the butt!
His character totally made me want to cringe and yes he is very realistic, but surely you would not be that incompetent? would you.?
and again a very unsatisfactory ending, I can forgive once but twice? this looks like a pattern, it's as if JC dangles a juicy succulent fruit at you all the way through the book and then whips it away at the end, leaving you both hungry and dissatisfied.. the ending just did not do it for me.
Still saying all of this I will still read Inspector Carlyle, hopefully he will develop a brain and some police instinct in the next book..as I do enjoy his very caustic wit and inner monologue observations, because what you are privy to on the inside is definitely not the same person on the outside..
October 14, 2014
ARC for Review
Inspector Carlyle returns once again to solve another case.
When the body of Agatha Mills is found killed in her own home near the British Museum, the only suspect is that of her husband Henry. To everyone it seems as an open and shut case for Inspector Carlyle but is it really? Henry refuses to confess and is thrown in jail. But before he gets there he manages to kill himself.
Further investigation about Agatha reveals her Chilean past and her involvement in a religious sisterhood, Also her brother was a priest who was executed for supposedly involve in a religious sect. Could this really be the ones involved in her murder?
All is not what it seems as the mayor is seemingly involved as well with his ties to the Chilean government and his political plans for prime minister. What is his role in all of it?
We watch Inspector Carlyle as he manages to sort through what is thrown at him
Inspector Carlyle returns once again to solve another case.
When the body of Agatha Mills is found killed in her own home near the British Museum, the only suspect is that of her husband Henry. To everyone it seems as an open and shut case for Inspector Carlyle but is it really? Henry refuses to confess and is thrown in jail. But before he gets there he manages to kill himself.
Further investigation about Agatha reveals her Chilean past and her involvement in a religious sisterhood, Also her brother was a priest who was executed for supposedly involve in a religious sect. Could this really be the ones involved in her murder?
All is not what it seems as the mayor is seemingly involved as well with his ties to the Chilean government and his political plans for prime minister. What is his role in all of it?
We watch Inspector Carlyle as he manages to sort through what is thrown at him
December 18, 2016
Akcja powieści jest wielowątkowa, lecz mimo to na początku trochę się dłuży. Dopiero rozwinięcie poszczególnych wątków sprawia, że wydarzenia nabierają oczekiwanego tempa. Autor nie bawi się w opisywanie londyńskiego krajobrazu, dzięki czemu opowieść jest prosta i konkretna. Craig skupia się na faktach i na ludziach wokół inspektora. Polskim czytelnikom na pewno przypadnie do gustu polski akcent w postaci współpracownika Carlyle’a, Joe Szyszkowskiego, faceta o polskich korzeniach. Szyszkowski, jak i inni bohaterowie drugoplanowi, jest wyraźny, żywy. Część z nich, jak np. szefową Carlyle’a, poznajemy bliżej, co daje nam pełniejszy obraz całości, przy okazji urozmaicając przedstawioną historię. Dzięki temu powieść nie jest płaska, tylko nabiera wymiarów, a co za tym idzie, lepiej się ją czyta.
Całość na: http://wiedzma-czyta.blogspot.com/201...
Całość na: http://wiedzma-czyta.blogspot.com/201...
January 1, 2014
If you like the crime novels of Mark Billingham then the 'Inspector Carlyle' series of novels by James Craig are for you. I was impressed with the first in the series 'London Calling', this isn't as good but its entertaining enough for me to want to continue on this journey. Two of the plot lines are superfluous to be honest (although they may possibly be taken up in later books) and the main plot (the murder of an old lady with links with 70s Chile) sort of runs out of steam. Plenty of ideas but perhaps more planning needed.
April 7, 2014
There is so much to love about this character but ultimately I've decided that I won't be reading anymore in this series. The violence is not as bad as in the first book, but is again rather gratuitous. And while the main character has some compelling qualities, he's really little better than the criminals he's trying to capture. It seems that mostly he doesn't even really care.
October 23, 2015
Not bad, a bit more disjointed and rambling than the first one, London Calling, that I read recently. A lot of rambling about the past history of nearly every character you meet, more than necessary, i thought, especially when one or two of those characters were expendable anyway. I didn't find the ending all that satisfying, either. I did like it enough to read more in the Carlysle series.
Read
October 6, 2015After only given its predecessor 2 stars, I would not have followed it up, but I had already purchased this, # 2, and it is definitely an improvement and rates at the bottom end of the 3 star spectrum (see a later review). It is still a bit clunky but served its purpose on the plane to Malta.
September 25, 2016
This is a quirky, ends justifies the means, police story. It is highly entertaining with the main character Inspector Carlyle meandering through his day and some how manages to solve the crimes in his own way.
Look forward to reading more about the Inspector and his sergeant!
Highly recommended.
Look forward to reading more about the Inspector and his sergeant!
Highly recommended.
January 2, 2013
Fallible and flawed, London detective John Carlyle is investigating the death of a woman apparently beaten to death by her husband.....
April 22, 2012
Strong plot. Carlyle proved to be an interesting,flawed and unorthodox investigator.
January 14, 2014
A fast moving and enthralling tale featuring Inspector John Carlyle. The reader is exposed to the seamier parts of crime in the UK.
June 29, 2013
Another enjoyable book from Craig. Good story with excellent characters - I enjoyed it.
September 18, 2014
Started reading this for a second time. Shows how memorable it was that I wasn't sure ! Doh!
December 3, 2013
Carlyle is quite an entertaining character. Not a perfect cop, with rather too many grey contacts. Chilean human rights are interestingly introduced in this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews