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The Bone Ritual #1
The Bone Ritual
»Keine Liebe kann so erfüllend sein wie grenzenloser Hass ...«
Jakarta, Indonesien: Ruud Pujaumarta ist ein junger aufstrebender Polizeiinspektor, der schon Einiges gesehen hat. Doch die aktuelle Mordserie lässt auch ihn nicht kalt: Die Opfer sind Frauen, die der Mörder an Betten fesselt und erwürgt, zudem fehlt ihnen die linke Hand. In der Kehle der Ermordeten hinterlässt der Killer einen Mah-Jongg-Spielstein. Die Polizei steht vor einem Rätsel. Als bei einem der Opfer schließlich ein Fotoalbum entdeckt wird, das in Verbindung mit Ruuds Vergangenheit steht, wird er nach und nach in einen Strudel aus Schuld und Rache gezogen, der noch lange nicht vorbei zu sein scheint …
Jakarta, Indonesien: Ruud Pujaumarta ist ein junger aufstrebender Polizeiinspektor, der schon Einiges gesehen hat. Doch die aktuelle Mordserie lässt auch ihn nicht kalt: Die Opfer sind Frauen, die der Mörder an Betten fesselt und erwürgt, zudem fehlt ihnen die linke Hand. In der Kehle der Ermordeten hinterlässt der Killer einen Mah-Jongg-Spielstein. Die Polizei steht vor einem Rätsel. Als bei einem der Opfer schließlich ein Fotoalbum entdeckt wird, das in Verbindung mit Ruuds Vergangenheit steht, wird er nach und nach in einen Strudel aus Schuld und Rache gezogen, der noch lange nicht vorbei zu sein scheint …
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2016
About the author
Julian Lees
6 books320 followers Julian Lees was born and raised in Hong Kong.
He currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his wife and children.
The great-grandson of a high-ranking Cossack officer who served under the last Tsar of Russia, Julian is a writer who draws from his family's rich history.His novels are set in a world where East meets West, a cross-cultural world which he captures bewitchingly and dramatically in his fiction
THE BONE RITUAL, the first in a crime series set in contemporary Jakarta and introducing detective Ruud Pujasumarta, has been nominated for the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2017. It was published in October 2016 by Little, Brown Books on the Constable list. Publishing director Krystyna Green says: “We are delighted with this two-book acquisition as the exotic location and vast cast of local characters is original and colourful, and a far cry from the dark thrillers of Scandinavia or inner cities of the UK.”
Julian is also the author of the novels THE FAN TAN PLAYERS (entered for the 2010 MAN Asian Literary Prize) and THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES, published in February 2013 by Sandstone Press in the UK and by Blanvalet/Random House in Germany.
His novels have been translated into five languages.
Represented by Kate Hordern of the Kate Hordern Literary Agency he is also a contributor to writing blogs and magazines.
From Cambridge to Malaysia and a nunnery in the mountains of Tibet across the twentieth century, THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES is the story of two mothers and one daughter, of war and survival. Rosy Thornton, author of NINEPINS and THE TAPESTRY OF LOVE, calls it "a compelling novel about the power of female friendship, transcending war, time and separation".
Praise for THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES:
“No one can accuse Julian Lees of being a stick in the mud for story locations. His last book, THE FAN TAN PLAYERS was set in Macau and now he's gone for a quadruple siting, taking us to Malaysia, Cambridge, Tibet and India in the comfort of our own homes and some superlative writing.”
The Bookbag
“This is a book with a nice flowing style, well rounded major characters, all with a story to tell... It's the sort of book where you just keep wanting to read 'one more chapter'.”
The Little Reader Library
“THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES gave me the sense that I was onto a good read from the very first pages... The array of colourful distinctive characters is what makes the story so engaging and powerful...it's an excellent read.” Book Diva
He currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his wife and children.
The great-grandson of a high-ranking Cossack officer who served under the last Tsar of Russia, Julian is a writer who draws from his family's rich history.His novels are set in a world where East meets West, a cross-cultural world which he captures bewitchingly and dramatically in his fiction
THE BONE RITUAL, the first in a crime series set in contemporary Jakarta and introducing detective Ruud Pujasumarta, has been nominated for the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2017. It was published in October 2016 by Little, Brown Books on the Constable list. Publishing director Krystyna Green says: “We are delighted with this two-book acquisition as the exotic location and vast cast of local characters is original and colourful, and a far cry from the dark thrillers of Scandinavia or inner cities of the UK.”
Julian is also the author of the novels THE FAN TAN PLAYERS (entered for the 2010 MAN Asian Literary Prize) and THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES, published in February 2013 by Sandstone Press in the UK and by Blanvalet/Random House in Germany.
His novels have been translated into five languages.
Represented by Kate Hordern of the Kate Hordern Literary Agency he is also a contributor to writing blogs and magazines.
From Cambridge to Malaysia and a nunnery in the mountains of Tibet across the twentieth century, THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES is the story of two mothers and one daughter, of war and survival. Rosy Thornton, author of NINEPINS and THE TAPESTRY OF LOVE, calls it "a compelling novel about the power of female friendship, transcending war, time and separation".
Praise for THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES:
“No one can accuse Julian Lees of being a stick in the mud for story locations. His last book, THE FAN TAN PLAYERS was set in Macau and now he's gone for a quadruple siting, taking us to Malaysia, Cambridge, Tibet and India in the comfort of our own homes and some superlative writing.”
The Bookbag
“This is a book with a nice flowing style, well rounded major characters, all with a story to tell... It's the sort of book where you just keep wanting to read 'one more chapter'.”
The Little Reader Library
“THE HOUSE OF TREMBLING LEAVES gave me the sense that I was onto a good read from the very first pages... The array of colourful distinctive characters is what makes the story so engaging and powerful...it's an excellent read.” Book Diva
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 11, 2016
A great read. Taut, atmospheric, spine-chilling, yet with a light sprinkling of humor to alleviate the tension when necessary.
Set in contemporary Jakarta, I was hooked from the very start. I just hope there's going to be a sequel.
Set in contemporary Jakarta, I was hooked from the very start. I just hope there's going to be a sequel.
April 18, 2018
This is the first in the Inspector Ruud Pujasumarta series set in the thriving, bustling city of Jakarta in Indonesia. Imke Sneijder is returning to Jakarta, with her beloved dog, Kiki and with her up and coming artist Aunt Erica after her family left hurriedly to settle in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Aunt Eck has been commissioned to paint a portrait of President Susilo Bambang Yudhayono, amidst the coming presidential elections he is expected to lose. Imke has never stopped missed her childhood home and friend, Ruud, and both are desperately looking forward to seeing each other again after so very long. Ruud's wife left him for another man, a fact that he is constantly mocked for by his colleagues, and he is constantly reminded of it with visits from his irritating ex-mother-in-law, who attempts to atone for her daughter's unforgivable act by bring delicious food to the police station for him. He lives with his brother, Anjer, suffering from Asperger's, constantly doing strange things and requiring Ruud's protection. Imke has never received closure and seeks it with the family's departure from her beloved country.
Ruud finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation that scares him with its brutality and gruesomeness. A middle aged woman has strangulation choke marks around her neck, a mah jong tile stuffed down her throat and her left hand removed with a machete is the victim. Before long, Ruud is unsurprised to find another woman dumped amongst the garbage with exactly the same MO. They have a serial killer on their hands as the killing does not stop there. Imke finds a strange note left in the villa she and her chocolate addicted Aunt Eck are residing in. Ruud and Imke meet often and both are strongly attracted to each other. Ruud finds himself utilising Imke's professional skills and her Kiki, a specialist police human remains finder dog, in a case where leads are scarce. A photograph from a victim's home gives the first clues as to the motive with a group of women playing mah jong together from years ago. Ruud finds his unease growing further as he wonders if Imke's father is connected to the murder spree as his case takes him into dark, disturbing and dangerous territory.
Julian Lees writes a police procedural in the fascinating location of Jakarta, with all its colour, culture and history. It is worth reading this novel from this perspective alone! There is wit, eccentric characters and the desperately dark and unsettling personal history of the psychologically disturbed killer, for whom you cannot help but feel sorry for to some extent, given what he has undergone in his life. Imke, a bright woman with plenty of charm, finds herself confronted by family secrets that put her life in danger, and make her re-examine her unquestioning and loving devotion to Mathias, her father. At the end, she finds she is not yet ready to leave Jakarta or Ruud. This is a promising series, and I already have the next in the series lined up to read soon. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
Ruud finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation that scares him with its brutality and gruesomeness. A middle aged woman has strangulation choke marks around her neck, a mah jong tile stuffed down her throat and her left hand removed with a machete is the victim. Before long, Ruud is unsurprised to find another woman dumped amongst the garbage with exactly the same MO. They have a serial killer on their hands as the killing does not stop there. Imke finds a strange note left in the villa she and her chocolate addicted Aunt Eck are residing in. Ruud and Imke meet often and both are strongly attracted to each other. Ruud finds himself utilising Imke's professional skills and her Kiki, a specialist police human remains finder dog, in a case where leads are scarce. A photograph from a victim's home gives the first clues as to the motive with a group of women playing mah jong together from years ago. Ruud finds his unease growing further as he wonders if Imke's father is connected to the murder spree as his case takes him into dark, disturbing and dangerous territory.
Julian Lees writes a police procedural in the fascinating location of Jakarta, with all its colour, culture and history. It is worth reading this novel from this perspective alone! There is wit, eccentric characters and the desperately dark and unsettling personal history of the psychologically disturbed killer, for whom you cannot help but feel sorry for to some extent, given what he has undergone in his life. Imke, a bright woman with plenty of charm, finds herself confronted by family secrets that put her life in danger, and make her re-examine her unquestioning and loving devotion to Mathias, her father. At the end, she finds she is not yet ready to leave Jakarta or Ruud. This is a promising series, and I already have the next in the series lined up to read soon. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
April 20, 2018
The Bone Ritual is the first novel to feature First Inspektur Ruud Pujasumarta of the Jakarta police.
Ruud is looking forward to meeting up with his childhood friend, Imke Sneijder, who is returning to Indonesia for the first time in 15 years, accompanying her aunt Erika who is going to paint the president but first he has to investigate a murder. A woman has been found strangled on a mah-Jong tile stuffed down her throat and her left hand has been amputated. When more women are found the hunt is on to find the link between them and identify the killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Ritual which is a good puzzle with several twists, some more obvious than others. Mr Lees does a good job of creating a suspenseful atmosphere with several potential suspects, all of whom could be the killer. I had a vague inkling but nothing positive enough for it to mar my enjoyment or make me think I knew it all. The novel is well paced with a good mixture of action, tension and the inevitable politics of policing.
The narrative switches between Ruud, Imke and the unnamed killer who places all the blame on his brother. I thought this latter's narrative a bit obvious and rather serial killer 101 but I don't have much interest in reading about that side of things (there's not much new any author can bring to it), preferring the hunt aspect.
I like the descriptions of Indonesia, the geography, culture and customs. They seem to slip naturally into the narrative rather than being deliberate insertions. It makes for fascinating reading and arouses an interest to know more.
I also like the characters of Ruud and Imke. Their dialogue is often amusing and leavens what could be a dark read. Ruud has his troubles and Imke learns about a troubling family secret in the course of the novel but they are both relentlessly upbeat. They both, however, pale into insignificance in the face of Aunt Erika, a wonderful, larger than life creation with a love of chocolate and life experiences.
The Bone Ritual is a solid introduction to a projected series which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
Ruud is looking forward to meeting up with his childhood friend, Imke Sneijder, who is returning to Indonesia for the first time in 15 years, accompanying her aunt Erika who is going to paint the president but first he has to investigate a murder. A woman has been found strangled on a mah-Jong tile stuffed down her throat and her left hand has been amputated. When more women are found the hunt is on to find the link between them and identify the killer.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Bone Ritual which is a good puzzle with several twists, some more obvious than others. Mr Lees does a good job of creating a suspenseful atmosphere with several potential suspects, all of whom could be the killer. I had a vague inkling but nothing positive enough for it to mar my enjoyment or make me think I knew it all. The novel is well paced with a good mixture of action, tension and the inevitable politics of policing.
The narrative switches between Ruud, Imke and the unnamed killer who places all the blame on his brother. I thought this latter's narrative a bit obvious and rather serial killer 101 but I don't have much interest in reading about that side of things (there's not much new any author can bring to it), preferring the hunt aspect.
I like the descriptions of Indonesia, the geography, culture and customs. They seem to slip naturally into the narrative rather than being deliberate insertions. It makes for fascinating reading and arouses an interest to know more.
I also like the characters of Ruud and Imke. Their dialogue is often amusing and leavens what could be a dark read. Ruud has his troubles and Imke learns about a troubling family secret in the course of the novel but they are both relentlessly upbeat. They both, however, pale into insignificance in the face of Aunt Erika, a wonderful, larger than life creation with a love of chocolate and life experiences.
The Bone Ritual is a solid introduction to a projected series which I have no hesitation in recommending as a good read.
July 19, 2018
Even though I had figured out who the killer was and the twist roughly half way through the book it didn't detract anything away from it. It is fairly gruesome in places which was great :-)
And being set in Indonesia it makes for a nice change to the backdrop of the book as opposed to the more common countries this genre are typically set in.
Maybe not a massive standout novel in this category but never the less it still makes for compulsory reading if you are a fan of this genre.
I look forward to reading more of his work.
And being set in Indonesia it makes for a nice change to the backdrop of the book as opposed to the more common countries this genre are typically set in.
Maybe not a massive standout novel in this category but never the less it still makes for compulsory reading if you are a fan of this genre.
I look forward to reading more of his work.
July 11, 2018
Love the characters! Especially, Aunt Erika... she is a hoot! Intense story line for me, but loved the novel.
April 8, 2019
This is definitely one of the more unusual books that I’ve read for SEA Reading Challenge, but I think it was the kind of thing that I was originally looking for. It’s been easier to find ‘literary’ books from SEA, but a Mystery/Thriller is pretty unusual; I think the last mystery I read that was similar to this was Smaller and Smaller Circles (would highly recommend that to mystery fans).
The Bone Ritual starts with the discovery of a body – a woman has been choked, her hand chopped off while she was still alive, and a mahjong tile stuffed down her throat. To First Inspector Ruud Pujasumarta, this is a horrific murder, and it’s only made more horrific by the fact that more such bodies start showing up. It’s clear that there’s a serial killer on the loose, but what is the connection to his victims?
Around the discovery of the first murder, Imke Sneijder arrives from Amsterdam with her Aunt Erica. Erica is in Indonesia to paint a portrait of the president, and Imke is back in the country where she was born and lived till she as twelve. It’s a happy reunion for the two friends (as happy as it can be in the midst of a hunt for a serial killer), but Imke soon finds that she is somehow linked to the serial murders taking place.
The story takes place in Jakarta and I loved the setting. The characters pepper their speech with Bahasa Indonesia (and I can finally understand a little) and there’s a lot of descriptions of the food. Indonesia isn’t just an exotic setting here, it’s the backdrop to the case and I honestly can’t picture the story happening anywhere else.
As for characters, Ruud was an interesting protagonist. At the start of the book, he’s down in the dumps, having been dumped by his ex-wife and harangued by his ex-Mother-in-Law, but he never stops trying to find the truth. His rekindled friendship with Imke felt very natural too and it was interesting to see how their relationship developed. Ruud may have lived his whole life in Indonesia, but his mother’s Australian. Imke was born and grew up in Indonesia until they made her leave, but she’ll always be seen as foreign. The book doesn’t really dwell on this, but I thought it made for an interesting character choice.
I read up a little on the author and it seems like his background is similar to Ruud and Imke’s! His great-grandfather is from Russia, but he was born and grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Kuala Lumpur. No wonder he managed to write about Indonesia and his characters so well! And since my definition of a SEA author is a person who was born, raised, and is now living in SEA, he fits the bill perfectly.
All in all, this was a gripping story and I raced through it in order to find out who the murderer was. I really hope my library is going to get the second book in this series because I would like to read more about Ruud and Imke.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
The Bone Ritual starts with the discovery of a body – a woman has been choked, her hand chopped off while she was still alive, and a mahjong tile stuffed down her throat. To First Inspector Ruud Pujasumarta, this is a horrific murder, and it’s only made more horrific by the fact that more such bodies start showing up. It’s clear that there’s a serial killer on the loose, but what is the connection to his victims?
Around the discovery of the first murder, Imke Sneijder arrives from Amsterdam with her Aunt Erica. Erica is in Indonesia to paint a portrait of the president, and Imke is back in the country where she was born and lived till she as twelve. It’s a happy reunion for the two friends (as happy as it can be in the midst of a hunt for a serial killer), but Imke soon finds that she is somehow linked to the serial murders taking place.
The story takes place in Jakarta and I loved the setting. The characters pepper their speech with Bahasa Indonesia (and I can finally understand a little) and there’s a lot of descriptions of the food. Indonesia isn’t just an exotic setting here, it’s the backdrop to the case and I honestly can’t picture the story happening anywhere else.
As for characters, Ruud was an interesting protagonist. At the start of the book, he’s down in the dumps, having been dumped by his ex-wife and harangued by his ex-Mother-in-Law, but he never stops trying to find the truth. His rekindled friendship with Imke felt very natural too and it was interesting to see how their relationship developed. Ruud may have lived his whole life in Indonesia, but his mother’s Australian. Imke was born and grew up in Indonesia until they made her leave, but she’ll always be seen as foreign. The book doesn’t really dwell on this, but I thought it made for an interesting character choice.
I read up a little on the author and it seems like his background is similar to Ruud and Imke’s! His great-grandfather is from Russia, but he was born and grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Kuala Lumpur. No wonder he managed to write about Indonesia and his characters so well! And since my definition of a SEA author is a person who was born, raised, and is now living in SEA, he fits the bill perfectly.
All in all, this was a gripping story and I raced through it in order to find out who the murderer was. I really hope my library is going to get the second book in this series because I would like to read more about Ruud and Imke.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
September 22, 2020
I honestly don't know where to begin.
I guess with the good: this is the first book I can recall reading that is set in Indonesia and it was nice to learn tidbits about the culture and the city of Jakarta.
The bad is that this was a thriller with lots of unrealized potential. There were tons of editing issues (see my notes and highlights) and dead ends, suppositions that were never expounded upon, and "twists" that were simply irritating rather than shocking due to their poor execution.
Absolutely would not recommend. I won't be continuing the series or reading more from the author.
1 out of 5 stars.
I guess with the good: this is the first book I can recall reading that is set in Indonesia and it was nice to learn tidbits about the culture and the city of Jakarta.
The bad is that this was a thriller with lots of unrealized potential. There were tons of editing issues (see my notes and highlights) and dead ends, suppositions that were never expounded upon, and "twists" that were simply irritating rather than shocking due to their poor execution.
Absolutely would not recommend. I won't be continuing the series or reading more from the author.
1 out of 5 stars.
March 30, 2020
Trigger warnings: murder, gore, violence, cheating (in the past), genital mutilation, mental health.
3.5 stars.
To be perfectly honest, I picked this up solely because it's set in Indonesia and I'm trying to read books set in 50 different countries this year. But, like, the blurb sounded pretty phenomenal so I probably would have picked it up even if I *hadn't* been doing ridiculous challenges that I will inevitably regret in six months' time.
Anyway.
I had it in my head that this would be more at the thriller end of crime based on the blurb and instead it was firmly at the plodding procedural end. Sure, it had some graphic moments but for the most part, it sort of...meandered its way through the mystery.
So it wasn't BAD, not by a long shot. But it definitely wasn't the mile a minute story I had anticipated when I read the blurb.
3.5 stars.
To be perfectly honest, I picked this up solely because it's set in Indonesia and I'm trying to read books set in 50 different countries this year. But, like, the blurb sounded pretty phenomenal so I probably would have picked it up even if I *hadn't* been doing ridiculous challenges that I will inevitably regret in six months' time.
Anyway.
I had it in my head that this would be more at the thriller end of crime based on the blurb and instead it was firmly at the plodding procedural end. Sure, it had some graphic moments but for the most part, it sort of...meandered its way through the mystery.
So it wasn't BAD, not by a long shot. But it definitely wasn't the mile a minute story I had anticipated when I read the blurb.
June 6, 2020
A few pages in I wasn't sure , there was a lot of use of words that meant nothing to me as they were Indonesian words , thankfully this did not continue throughout the book and I was able to immerse myself in a tale of a serial killer with a motive to kill that kept you guessing as to who the perpetrator was. A good read.
June 8, 2020
Loved the book, kept me gripped from the start, the plot is interesting and well developed. can’t wait to read the next book.
April 8, 2022
The writing style and language of this book were so juvenile that I twice looked to see if this was a Young Adult book but discovered that it was not. The actual plot had the makings of a good story but just went it seem the story was going to become more frightening or dark, it backed off and there was more of Imke and her dog. As for the drip of a detective, there is not much good to recount, he is not even able to shoot straight. Imke's father has a secret but once again it fails to deliver and the story drifts to an end, thank goodness.
As you may deduce this is not a series for me. 2 stars.
As you may deduce this is not a series for me. 2 stars.
August 6, 2019
I didn’t read the blurb before I started it so was excited it was a setting im not used to. Glad I saw a recommendation, loved Imke and Ruud and the story kept me hooked. Will definitely read more by this writer x
August 13, 2018
Rezension von Melanie zu Das Knochenritual von Julian Lees
4,5 von 5 🌟 spannend, aber nichts was einem im Gedächtnis bleibt
Klappentext
"enzenloser Hass ...«
"Jakarta, Indonesien: Ruud Pujaumarta ist ein junger aufstrebender Polizeiinspektor, der schon Einiges gesehen hat. Doch die aktuelle Mordserie lässt auch ihn nicht kalt: Die Opfer sind Frauen, die der Mörder an Betten fesselt und erwürgt, zudem fehlt ihnen die linke Hand. In der Kehle der Ermordeten hinterlässt der Killer einen Mah-Jongg-Spielstein. Die Polizei steht vor einem Rätsel. Als bei einem der Opfer schließlich ein Fotoalbum entdeckt wird, das in Verbindung mit Ruuds Vergangenheit steht, wird er nach und nach in einen Strudel aus Schuld und Rache gezogen, der noch lange nicht vorbei zu sein scheint … "
Meinung:
Yeah, da ist es wieder nein Problem mit unaussprechlichen Namen, die mich immer wieder aus dem Lesefluß werfen😣. Schlimm ist nur das es erst der erste Teil einer Reihe werden soll und selbst bis zum Schluss habe ich es nicht über die Namen hinweg lesen zu können, obwohl es tierisch spannend ist.
Es geht um den Inspektor Ruud Pujasumarta der schon schlimme Verbrechen in seiner Karriere gesehen hat ist der Hauptprotagonist.
Aber er muss feststellen, das es immer noch etwas Schlimmeres zu sehen gibt, in der such der menschliche Abgrund immer eins drauf setzt und unter der bisherigenMeßlatte noch drunter Limbo tanzen kann. Eine Asiatin wird erstickt und verstümmelt ans Bett gefesselt gefunden;
Zudem wurd ein Mah- Jong- Stein in Ihrem Hals gesteckt gefunden. Es soll nicht die einzige grausam, verstümmelte Leiche bleiben. UnD allen Opfern gleich ist der Stein im Rachen.
Aber erst als an einem weiteren Tatort ein Fotoalbum auftaucht, kommen die Ermittlungen voran.
Das ganze Spielt in Jakarta.
Ruud hat es tagtäglich mit den unterschiedlichsten Verbrechen zu tun..
Schwer ist allerdings damit klar zu kommen die verschiedenen kultiurellen Begriffe gleich zu verstehen, da kommt man aber immer besser rein.
Die einzelnen Figuren sind sehr eigen aber hervorragend dargestellt. Auch die verschiedenen Religionen sind sehr genau beschrieben. Angefangen mit dem Inspektor der auch sehr menschlich aufgezeigt über Lees Imke Snijder, die in Indonesien aufgewachsen ist und in den Niederlanden lebt und ihre exzentrische Tante Erica ein, plus einer gewissen Portion Humor in der ansonsten recht düsteren sorgt.
Ruud und Imke verbindet bereits seit Kindertagen eine Verbindung , dies birgt eine klasse Dynamik . Dann erscheint noch der Bruder des Mörders zu Wort ein geschickter Schachzug des Autors, aber der Täter wird lange Zeit nicht genannt, das es noch lange die Spannung auf einem hohen Level hält und lässt den Leser lange im Unklaren.
Das Setting ist sehr exotisch angehaucht und gefällt mir auch sehr gut.
Ein Familiengeheimnis, tolles Setting, lange Zeit keine Ahnung wer der Täter ist und charismatische Figuren-> klare Leseempfehlung!
Fakten
448 Seiten
HC 9,99 €
Ebook 8,99 €
Erschienen im Blanvalet Verlag
Kaufen kann man das Buch direkt beim Verlag und bei jeder Plattform, welche Bücher und Ebooks anbietet.
Ich möchte mich bei RandomHouse für die Verfügung Stellung des Rezensionsexemplars bedanken.
Dies hat keinerlei Einfluss auf meine persönliche Meinung!
Ihr findet diese Rezension auch wie immer auf unserem Blog:
http://ourfavorbooks.blogspot.de/?m=1
4,5 von 5 🌟 spannend, aber nichts was einem im Gedächtnis bleibt
Klappentext
"enzenloser Hass ...«
"Jakarta, Indonesien: Ruud Pujaumarta ist ein junger aufstrebender Polizeiinspektor, der schon Einiges gesehen hat. Doch die aktuelle Mordserie lässt auch ihn nicht kalt: Die Opfer sind Frauen, die der Mörder an Betten fesselt und erwürgt, zudem fehlt ihnen die linke Hand. In der Kehle der Ermordeten hinterlässt der Killer einen Mah-Jongg-Spielstein. Die Polizei steht vor einem Rätsel. Als bei einem der Opfer schließlich ein Fotoalbum entdeckt wird, das in Verbindung mit Ruuds Vergangenheit steht, wird er nach und nach in einen Strudel aus Schuld und Rache gezogen, der noch lange nicht vorbei zu sein scheint … "
Meinung:
Yeah, da ist es wieder nein Problem mit unaussprechlichen Namen, die mich immer wieder aus dem Lesefluß werfen😣. Schlimm ist nur das es erst der erste Teil einer Reihe werden soll und selbst bis zum Schluss habe ich es nicht über die Namen hinweg lesen zu können, obwohl es tierisch spannend ist.
Es geht um den Inspektor Ruud Pujasumarta der schon schlimme Verbrechen in seiner Karriere gesehen hat ist der Hauptprotagonist.
Aber er muss feststellen, das es immer noch etwas Schlimmeres zu sehen gibt, in der such der menschliche Abgrund immer eins drauf setzt und unter der bisherigenMeßlatte noch drunter Limbo tanzen kann. Eine Asiatin wird erstickt und verstümmelt ans Bett gefesselt gefunden;
Zudem wurd ein Mah- Jong- Stein in Ihrem Hals gesteckt gefunden. Es soll nicht die einzige grausam, verstümmelte Leiche bleiben. UnD allen Opfern gleich ist der Stein im Rachen.
Aber erst als an einem weiteren Tatort ein Fotoalbum auftaucht, kommen die Ermittlungen voran.
Das ganze Spielt in Jakarta.
Ruud hat es tagtäglich mit den unterschiedlichsten Verbrechen zu tun..
Schwer ist allerdings damit klar zu kommen die verschiedenen kultiurellen Begriffe gleich zu verstehen, da kommt man aber immer besser rein.
Die einzelnen Figuren sind sehr eigen aber hervorragend dargestellt. Auch die verschiedenen Religionen sind sehr genau beschrieben. Angefangen mit dem Inspektor der auch sehr menschlich aufgezeigt über Lees Imke Snijder, die in Indonesien aufgewachsen ist und in den Niederlanden lebt und ihre exzentrische Tante Erica ein, plus einer gewissen Portion Humor in der ansonsten recht düsteren sorgt.
Ruud und Imke verbindet bereits seit Kindertagen eine Verbindung , dies birgt eine klasse Dynamik . Dann erscheint noch der Bruder des Mörders zu Wort ein geschickter Schachzug des Autors, aber der Täter wird lange Zeit nicht genannt, das es noch lange die Spannung auf einem hohen Level hält und lässt den Leser lange im Unklaren.
Das Setting ist sehr exotisch angehaucht und gefällt mir auch sehr gut.
Ein Familiengeheimnis, tolles Setting, lange Zeit keine Ahnung wer der Täter ist und charismatische Figuren-> klare Leseempfehlung!
Fakten
448 Seiten
HC 9,99 €
Ebook 8,99 €
Erschienen im Blanvalet Verlag
Kaufen kann man das Buch direkt beim Verlag und bei jeder Plattform, welche Bücher und Ebooks anbietet.
Ich möchte mich bei RandomHouse für die Verfügung Stellung des Rezensionsexemplars bedanken.
Dies hat keinerlei Einfluss auf meine persönliche Meinung!
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August 26, 2018
Wow, I read this book in a day , barely moving from my place on the sofa. Luckily I have a kind husband who kept me fed and watered.
Julian Lees is new to me but he now has a new fan. There were so many things to like about this book. Excellent writing: descriptions,dialogue humour were all well crafted and believable . Lees painted the sights sounds and feeling of Indonesia through his delicious descriptions of the local food, beautiful scenery, the weather extremes from sticky heat to torrential rain. It was atmospheric , that's the word , I felt as if I was there.
The plot was well paced, suspenseful and at times hard to read due to it's dark nature but with lighter moments of heartwarming camaraderie and fun. I get emotionally overwhelmed by books sometimes which explains why books can stay on my shelf for months. I reach a part that overwhelms me and have to put it down and read something else for a while [I know , I'm a weird one but that's ok] I think the reason why this didn't happen here was because the POV kept changing between characters and from past to present . When I was in danger of emotional overload it didn't last too long and I was able to regain my balance. Lees kept the plot exciting right to the end , with twists and turns, red herrings and sometimes frustrating stupidity of the characters . I have to say I guessed who the killer was fairly early on [over emotional, weird and clever ,that's me!]although I wasn't completely sure.
The characters were fabulously drawn . My favourite was aunt Erica who reminded me of my mum with her eccentricity and inability to understand what's appropriate to say. The detectives provided some light relief with their quirkiness too .
I understand Julian Lees other novels are nothing like this one. If anything that makes me more keen to read them . His writing is so good and his intimate knowledge of the culture and atmosphere of other countries is what draws me to them . Bring them on
Julian Lees is new to me but he now has a new fan. There were so many things to like about this book. Excellent writing: descriptions,dialogue humour were all well crafted and believable . Lees painted the sights sounds and feeling of Indonesia through his delicious descriptions of the local food, beautiful scenery, the weather extremes from sticky heat to torrential rain. It was atmospheric , that's the word , I felt as if I was there.
The plot was well paced, suspenseful and at times hard to read due to it's dark nature but with lighter moments of heartwarming camaraderie and fun. I get emotionally overwhelmed by books sometimes which explains why books can stay on my shelf for months. I reach a part that overwhelms me and have to put it down and read something else for a while [I know , I'm a weird one but that's ok] I think the reason why this didn't happen here was because the POV kept changing between characters and from past to present . When I was in danger of emotional overload it didn't last too long and I was able to regain my balance. Lees kept the plot exciting right to the end , with twists and turns, red herrings and sometimes frustrating stupidity of the characters . I have to say I guessed who the killer was fairly early on [over emotional, weird and clever ,that's me!]although I wasn't completely sure.
The characters were fabulously drawn . My favourite was aunt Erica who reminded me of my mum with her eccentricity and inability to understand what's appropriate to say. The detectives provided some light relief with their quirkiness too .
I understand Julian Lees other novels are nothing like this one. If anything that makes me more keen to read them . His writing is so good and his intimate knowledge of the culture and atmosphere of other countries is what draws me to them . Bring them on
July 11, 2021
Enjoyed this Indonesian based mystery, mainly for the cultural tidbits strewn throughout the story. If the reader is familiar with the Pandava family from the Mahabharata, some things will come as no real surprise. Clearly influenced by the Bangkok 8 series, though not quite as quirky, I will read the next in the series.
January 4, 2021
While I like the use of local language in books, I would have wished for more explanations of the terms used.
Therefore 3.5 stars, but could not bring myself to round up to 4*. Am still looking forward to #2 in this series, though.
Therefore 3.5 stars, but could not bring myself to round up to 4*. Am still looking forward to #2 in this series, though.
January 6, 2023
Fast pace, pulsating, thrill and suspense. The plot is on intrigue that encourage you to continue reading eager to know the end. Bravo to Julian.
October 7, 2018
Good Characters But A Weak Story
I chose this book because I like stories that take place in exotic (to me) places. I was disappointed to get no feel of Jakarta while reading the story. It's as though the story were written for an Indonesian audience who needed no background or local color. That's one reason for my 3 star rating.
Another reason for the rating is that the central storyline about a serial killer just didn't work for me. The main characters in the book are very well drawn and I enjoyed spending time with them. But it felt like the two ladies were drawn into the plot as an afterthought right up until the big reveal (that I won't spoil here.) From that poi t on it makes sense, but the I'd already formed an unfavorable impression of the story.
If there were a sequel to this book I might be inclined to give it a try because I did enjoy the characters very much. But I would hope for a story that involves them integrally right from the very beginning.
I weakly recommend this to readers who like procedurals set in foreign locations.
I chose this book because I like stories that take place in exotic (to me) places. I was disappointed to get no feel of Jakarta while reading the story. It's as though the story were written for an Indonesian audience who needed no background or local color. That's one reason for my 3 star rating.
Another reason for the rating is that the central storyline about a serial killer just didn't work for me. The main characters in the book are very well drawn and I enjoyed spending time with them. But it felt like the two ladies were drawn into the plot as an afterthought right up until the big reveal (that I won't spoil here.) From that poi t on it makes sense, but the I'd already formed an unfavorable impression of the story.
If there were a sequel to this book I might be inclined to give it a try because I did enjoy the characters very much. But I would hope for a story that involves them integrally right from the very beginning.
I weakly recommend this to readers who like procedurals set in foreign locations.
October 8, 2019
Oveall, it was an ok read. I wasnt really satisfied with the ending, others might be. It was difficult to read at times because of the amount of foreign words in the book. I understand the need for them, because it takes place in Indonesia, but it took me out of the book rather than making me feel like I was there.
June 26, 2020
What an amazing book this was! I thoroughly enjoyed it and very much liked the humour, but the ending dragged a bit so I felt 4 stars was a fair rating.
June 27, 2021
Amazing. I saw this in Waterstones before COVID-19 decided to change life, and thought it looked interesting. Then the lockdowns started, and I forgot about it until it was recommended to me. (Thanks Silvanna! 😁)
Now onto the review... Inspektur Ruud Pujasumarta gets thrown in at the deep end with a rather nasty murder case, and then has an old childhood friend arrive in Jakarta with her aunt, who is going to paint the president's portrait.
The storyline ticks along nicely - a little bit gruesome in places, but just when you think you know who the killer is, you're proven wrong.
Suffice to say that the end was tied up nicely, and I didn't expect the killer to be the one character.
Would I recommend it? In a heartbeat. Well written, and enjoyable - the sort of book that catches the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the end.
Now onto the review... Inspektur Ruud Pujasumarta gets thrown in at the deep end with a rather nasty murder case, and then has an old childhood friend arrive in Jakarta with her aunt, who is going to paint the president's portrait.
The storyline ticks along nicely - a little bit gruesome in places, but just when you think you know who the killer is, you're proven wrong.
Suffice to say that the end was tied up nicely, and I didn't expect the killer to be the one character.
Would I recommend it? In a heartbeat. Well written, and enjoyable - the sort of book that catches the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the end.
October 14, 2017
Crime mysteries are not my favorite genre, especially ones with gory sadistic detailed crime scenes. So there's that. Then there are the extraneous "red herring" characters that pop in and out of scenes for no purpose, leaving me wondering, What the hell was that about? And finally, I do enjoy books set in places I have not yet visited, but the constant references to street names, Indonesian street food, Bahasa slang words, and other Jakarta details that cluttered the story turned me off rather than intriguing me. So, no, I did not particularly enjoy this Book Club choice. However, listening to the author talk about his writing process, the hoops to jump through in the publishing business, and other all-things-author was pretty entertaining at our Book Club meeting.
March 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this book but the fact it was set somewhere i did not know was good and bad. It was interesting the use of language and the description of places but it was difficult to place different parts of it.
the twists and turns were great and kept me guessing up to the very last minute
Would recommend to anyone who likes crime thrillers
the twists and turns were great and kept me guessing up to the very last minute
Would recommend to anyone who likes crime thrillers
February 25, 2017
not a bad read but no different to most police procedure books and figured out the killer and suprise half way through but stuck with it till the end to discover I was right.
November 13, 2020
For me I found this book didn’t reach any outstanding heights so if people read it don’t be expecting to much
August 13, 2021
A great easy read and the best from Julian that I have read so far.
August 30, 2022
A serial killing, a killer at loose, a depressed/traumatic detective, and an old foe in danger....
Nggak pernah kebayang bahwa bakal ada cerita macam itu yang ngambil setting di kota Jakarta. Secara keseluruhan, berbagai konflik dan detail yang ditulis oleh Julian Lees dalam buku ini berhasil bikin pembaca hooked-up dan membuka tiap lembar bukunya dengan penuh rasa pensaran-- apa kira-kira yang bakal terjadi di setiap babnya, siapa korban selanjutnya, apa hubungan para korban, dan siapakah pelakunya?
Kemahiran Lees dalam menyusun narasi yang membuat pembaca jadi mencurigai hampir setiap tokoh dalam buku ini patut diacungi jempol. Kita dibuat tebak-tebakan soal si pelaku pada setiap bab. Di bab anu, kita dibuat curiga kepada tokoh A. Di bab selanjutnya, kecurigaan itu berpindah ke tokoh B. Begitu terus sepanjang cerita sampai akhirnya kita dipertemukan dengan twist yang tidak terduga di beberapa bab terakhir.
Penggambaran karakter setiap tokoh juga dilakukan dengan cukup oke. Kita bisa memahami latar belakang mereka dan bagaimana kepribadian mereka dengan penjelasan yang tidak terlalu bertele-tele. Karakter Ruud Pujasumarta sebagai tokoh utama juga digambarkan dengan baik, membuat aku pribadi jadi teringat karakter Ben Hope ciptaan Scott Mariani--dua-duanya sama-sama berprofesi sebagai investigator dengan latar belakang masa lalu yang traumatis.
However, salah satu hal yang menurutku ganggu banget di novel ini adalah penggunaan bahasa Indonesia yang google translate abis. Penulisnya memang bukan orang Indo, makanya hampir semua dialog ditulis dengan bahasa Inggris juga. Namun, beberapa dialog berbahasa Indonesia yang ceritanya diucapkan oleh para tokoh terkesan maksa dan nggak nyambung.
Apa ya istilahnya? Grammarnya nggak pas, gitu deh.
Kelihatan banget kalau dia mengandalkan translator google dan secara harfiah menerjemahkannya dari bahasa Inggris ke Indonesia, makanya maknanya jadi ngaco. Mungkin di buku selanjutnya kualitas dialog google translate ini bakal lebih baik lagi? Nggak tahu juga.
On the other hand, buku ini seharusnya bisa lebih panjang lagi dalam menjelaskan motif utama si pelaku pembunuhan berantai; bagaimana trauma masa kecilnya itu bikin dia melakukan pembunuhan berantai itu, bakal lebih bagus lagi kalau penulis juga menjelaskan struggle si antagonis untuk mencapai tujuannya. Soalnya jalan yang ditempuh si pembunuh buat menjalankan rencananya ini kelihatan too good to be true, tanpa hambatan sama sekali, just for him to failed in the end. Ayolah, masa cuma si protagonis doang yang diceritain struggling, sih?
Anyway, buat bacaan yang cukup bikin mikir dan memicu adrenalin, The Bone Ritual boleh dibilang jadi salah satu novel yang bagus dan worth-it.
Nggak pernah kebayang bahwa bakal ada cerita macam itu yang ngambil setting di kota Jakarta. Secara keseluruhan, berbagai konflik dan detail yang ditulis oleh Julian Lees dalam buku ini berhasil bikin pembaca hooked-up dan membuka tiap lembar bukunya dengan penuh rasa pensaran-- apa kira-kira yang bakal terjadi di setiap babnya, siapa korban selanjutnya, apa hubungan para korban, dan siapakah pelakunya?
Kemahiran Lees dalam menyusun narasi yang membuat pembaca jadi mencurigai hampir setiap tokoh dalam buku ini patut diacungi jempol. Kita dibuat tebak-tebakan soal si pelaku pada setiap bab. Di bab anu, kita dibuat curiga kepada tokoh A. Di bab selanjutnya, kecurigaan itu berpindah ke tokoh B. Begitu terus sepanjang cerita sampai akhirnya kita dipertemukan dengan twist yang tidak terduga di beberapa bab terakhir.
Penggambaran karakter setiap tokoh juga dilakukan dengan cukup oke. Kita bisa memahami latar belakang mereka dan bagaimana kepribadian mereka dengan penjelasan yang tidak terlalu bertele-tele. Karakter Ruud Pujasumarta sebagai tokoh utama juga digambarkan dengan baik, membuat aku pribadi jadi teringat karakter Ben Hope ciptaan Scott Mariani--dua-duanya sama-sama berprofesi sebagai investigator dengan latar belakang masa lalu yang traumatis.
However, salah satu hal yang menurutku ganggu banget di novel ini adalah penggunaan bahasa Indonesia yang google translate abis. Penulisnya memang bukan orang Indo, makanya hampir semua dialog ditulis dengan bahasa Inggris juga. Namun, beberapa dialog berbahasa Indonesia yang ceritanya diucapkan oleh para tokoh terkesan maksa dan nggak nyambung.
Apa ya istilahnya? Grammarnya nggak pas, gitu deh.
Kelihatan banget kalau dia mengandalkan translator google dan secara harfiah menerjemahkannya dari bahasa Inggris ke Indonesia, makanya maknanya jadi ngaco. Mungkin di buku selanjutnya kualitas dialog google translate ini bakal lebih baik lagi? Nggak tahu juga.
On the other hand, buku ini seharusnya bisa lebih panjang lagi dalam menjelaskan motif utama si pelaku pembunuhan berantai; bagaimana trauma masa kecilnya itu bikin dia melakukan pembunuhan berantai itu, bakal lebih bagus lagi kalau penulis juga menjelaskan struggle si antagonis untuk mencapai tujuannya. Soalnya jalan yang ditempuh si pembunuh buat menjalankan rencananya ini kelihatan too good to be true, tanpa hambatan sama sekali, just for him to failed in the end. Ayolah, masa cuma si protagonis doang yang diceritain struggling, sih?
Anyway, buat bacaan yang cukup bikin mikir dan memicu adrenalin, The Bone Ritual boleh dibilang jadi salah satu novel yang bagus dan worth-it.
July 15, 2018
In A Place Filled With Fears They were looking For The One That had none...John Katzenbach
In the slums of Jakarta, Indonesia a woman's body is found...Inspektur Judd Pujasumarta who has seen many murder vctims in his career is determined to find the killer..a killer who has already picked the next one...Juud ,who is so looking forward to seeing Imke Sneidjder his childhood friend arriving from Holland feels as though they have nothing to go on...When Imke ,along with her aunt,a chocoholic artist who is here to paint the president..along with her beloved dog Kiki arrive there is a message left for her..Then there is another killing..It will take the darkest of secrets to be unlocked before Rudd will find the answers he seeks.For beautiful Imke who sees beauty in everything in her life there will come something so dark ...that it will shake her beliefs...and walls will come tumbling down...For Ruud this will be his most complex case in his career as he tries to get into the mind of a killer..This story brings Jakarta alive...Your senses are awakened to the sights, people ,colours,food and life...All your emotions will be heightened ...If a story can make you rage, smile , laugh and cry....it's a story that will stay with you...Stunning
In the slums of Jakarta, Indonesia a woman's body is found...Inspektur Judd Pujasumarta who has seen many murder vctims in his career is determined to find the killer..a killer who has already picked the next one...Juud ,who is so looking forward to seeing Imke Sneidjder his childhood friend arriving from Holland feels as though they have nothing to go on...When Imke ,along with her aunt,a chocoholic artist who is here to paint the president..along with her beloved dog Kiki arrive there is a message left for her..Then there is another killing..It will take the darkest of secrets to be unlocked before Rudd will find the answers he seeks.For beautiful Imke who sees beauty in everything in her life there will come something so dark ...that it will shake her beliefs...and walls will come tumbling down...For Ruud this will be his most complex case in his career as he tries to get into the mind of a killer..This story brings Jakarta alive...Your senses are awakened to the sights, people ,colours,food and life...All your emotions will be heightened ...If a story can make you rage, smile , laugh and cry....it's a story that will stay with you...Stunning
July 25, 2020
Inspector Ruud Pujasumatra of The Jakarta Police Service is baffled. He is up to his ears in hacked off hands, once attached to women who have been brutally murdered and had a mah jong tile rammed down their throats for good measure. His childhood friend Imke Sneijder is due to return to Indonesia after an absence of 15 years with free-spirited artist Aunt Erika. The two plot lines become surprisingly intertwined at a rapid pace.
Some great writing about the Indonesian setting; the culture, food, natural world, climate; and use of local dialect. And characterisation is well handled. Aunt Erika is great; with her insatiable appetite for chocolate, Ruud is an old romantic and Imke is feisty and intelligent. The murderer is presented in his own voice, both surprising and unsettlingly interrupting the narrative.
But for me, the ending, after all the tension and power is lame and a touch cosy.
Some great writing about the Indonesian setting; the culture, food, natural world, climate; and use of local dialect. And characterisation is well handled. Aunt Erika is great; with her insatiable appetite for chocolate, Ruud is an old romantic and Imke is feisty and intelligent. The murderer is presented in his own voice, both surprising and unsettlingly interrupting the narrative.
But for me, the ending, after all the tension and power is lame and a touch cosy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2020
Hmm, it's an interesting book. It's certainly is a first mystery set in Indonesia I have ever read. I liked the atmosphere, the numerous descriptions of the feel of Jakarta and the way of life in a country I had never visited. Of the two main characters, Imke is a more believable character, a woman who despite her heritage thinks of Indonesia as home, Her delight in rediscovering the Jakarta of her youth is palpable. Ruud on the other hand strikes this reader as somewhat an incompetent. His interactions with his fellow officers lacklustre. Even the villain, was far more believable than him.
Overall, the book has potential, but the story is weak and directionless in many places. The police force is often presented as completely farcical which clashes with the overall tone of the book. Honestly, I think it needs a fair amount of editing, but the seeds for a good thriller were certainly there.
Overall, the book has potential, but the story is weak and directionless in many places. The police force is often presented as completely farcical which clashes with the overall tone of the book. Honestly, I think it needs a fair amount of editing, but the seeds for a good thriller were certainly there.
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