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John Cardinal and Lise Delorme Mystery #5
Crime Machine
Are you ready for the next instalment in the award-winning, bestselling John Cardinal mystery series?
A year after the death of his beloved but troubled wife Catherine, John has moved into a new, but very humid, condo. He has fallen into an easy routine of work on cold case files and platonic movie nights with friend and colleague Lise Delorme. But the quiet of a snow-covered Algonquin Bay is shattered when the decapitated bodies of two people are found in a summer home on nearby Trout Lake. The victims are Russian; they were in Algonquin Bay, Canada to attend the annual fur auction. By no means is this a routine murder investigation as Cardinal soon discovers; the murders are a horrific piece of a very twisted puzzle.
Giles Blunt has, once again, given us a page-turning plot, a remarkable cast of characters, and the comfort of John Cardinal at the helm.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, pub dates, etc. have been done for the six novels in the author's John Cardinal series: 1. Forty Words for Sorrow (2000), 2. The Delicate Storm (2003), 3. Blackfly Season (2005), 4. The Fields of Grief (2006), 5. Crime Machine (2010), and 6. Until the Night (2012).
A year after the death of his beloved but troubled wife Catherine, John has moved into a new, but very humid, condo. He has fallen into an easy routine of work on cold case files and platonic movie nights with friend and colleague Lise Delorme. But the quiet of a snow-covered Algonquin Bay is shattered when the decapitated bodies of two people are found in a summer home on nearby Trout Lake. The victims are Russian; they were in Algonquin Bay, Canada to attend the annual fur auction. By no means is this a routine murder investigation as Cardinal soon discovers; the murders are a horrific piece of a very twisted puzzle.
Giles Blunt has, once again, given us a page-turning plot, a remarkable cast of characters, and the comfort of John Cardinal at the helm.
Librarian's note: the characters, settings, pub dates, etc. have been done for the six novels in the author's John Cardinal series: 1. Forty Words for Sorrow (2000), 2. The Delicate Storm (2003), 3. Blackfly Season (2005), 4. The Fields of Grief (2006), 5. Crime Machine (2010), and 6. Until the Night (2012).
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 9, 2010
14 people are currently reading
1056 people want to read
About the author
Giles Blunt
17 books410 followersGiles Blunt (born 1952 in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian novelist and screenwriter. His first novel, Cold Eye, was a psychological thriller set in the New York art world, which was made into the French movie Les Couleurs du diable (Allain Jessua, 1997).
He is also the author of the John Cardinal novels, set in the small town of Algonquin Bay, in Northern Ontario. Blunt grew up in North Bay, and Algonquin Bay is North Bay very thinly disguised — for example, Blunt retains the names of major streets and the two lakes (Trout Lake and Lake Nipissing) that the town sits between, the physical layout of the two places is the same, and he describes Algonquin Bay as being in the same geographical location as North Bay.
The first Cardinal story, Forty Words for Sorrow, won the British Crime Writers' Silver Dagger, and the second, The Delicate Storm, won the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for best novel.
More recently he has written No Such Creature, a "road novel" set in the American southwest, and Breaking Lorca, which is set in a clandestine jail in El Salvador in the 1980s. His novels have been compared to the work of Ian Rankin and Cormac McCarthy.
Series:
* John Cardinal and Lise Delorme Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2004): The Delicate Storm
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 2001: Forty Words for Sorrow
He is also the author of the John Cardinal novels, set in the small town of Algonquin Bay, in Northern Ontario. Blunt grew up in North Bay, and Algonquin Bay is North Bay very thinly disguised — for example, Blunt retains the names of major streets and the two lakes (Trout Lake and Lake Nipissing) that the town sits between, the physical layout of the two places is the same, and he describes Algonquin Bay as being in the same geographical location as North Bay.
The first Cardinal story, Forty Words for Sorrow, won the British Crime Writers' Silver Dagger, and the second, The Delicate Storm, won the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for best novel.
More recently he has written No Such Creature, a "road novel" set in the American southwest, and Breaking Lorca, which is set in a clandestine jail in El Salvador in the 1980s. His novels have been compared to the work of Ian Rankin and Cormac McCarthy.
Series:
* John Cardinal and Lise Delorme Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2004): The Delicate Storm
Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger
◊ 2001: Forty Words for Sorrow
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
October 2, 2025
4 Stars. Almost a five. What held me back were the similarities with #3, Blackfly Season. If you recall that one introduces readers to Red Bear, a mysterious shaman supposedly from a First Nation in northwestern Ontario. He recruits several young men to an abandoned lodge on the southside of Lake Nipissing near Algonquin Bay. In this one, a middle-aged man known as Papa and three unrelated teenagers take over a hunting cabin on Black Lake many kilometres out in the woods. Don't get me wrong, both are exciting and centre around the identity and motives of the lead antagonist. It's just that I read them back-to-back! Giles Blunt's police procedurals are gritty, with all the ups and downs of real-life efforts to close down a criminal enterprise. Detective sergeant John Cardinal has not yet recovered from the passing of his wife Catherine, but he did move into a condo. Not his best idea. He and Lise Delorme, his friend and partner, get called to the scene of a grisly double murder. A beheading. The victims turn out to be Russians living in the United States visiting A.B. for the annual fur auction. The figure of Papa is illusive but what an ending. (No2022/Se2025)
April 26, 2020
Chalk another one on the wall for "books that even lockdown brain can focus on" - Giles Blunt does an excellent job of not only capturing a reader's attention but retaining it.
These are complex novels in straightforward language. The plot never fails to come together in a surprising (but satisfying) way; the dialogue is almost deadpan but never flat. The characters, even the side players, are so well drawn and individual . Plus, the Canadian setting is almost another character in it's own right; it's always present and adds another layer of awesomeness that sets this series apart.
These are complex novels in straightforward language. The plot never fails to come together in a surprising (but satisfying) way; the dialogue is almost deadpan but never flat. The characters, even the side players, are so well drawn and individual . Plus, the Canadian setting is almost another character in it's own right; it's always present and adds another layer of awesomeness that sets this series apart.
June 26, 2023
Too similar to Blackfly Season,which is the weakest of the series.
November 1, 2021
Another very good book and a couple for intriguing and twisting plot lines. Who would have thought there could be so much diverse crime up in Algonquin Bay as described in the previous books?
It's always nice to have a few additional characters in the book such as the reporter (and criminal) Donna; and the FBI agent Mendelsohn adding a different and unique touch to the story.
Nice to see Cardinal and Delorme's platonic relationship moving forward.
It's always nice to have a few additional characters in the book such as the reporter (and criminal) Donna; and the FBI agent Mendelsohn adding a different and unique touch to the story.
Nice to see Cardinal and Delorme's platonic relationship moving forward.
May 17, 2016
Another well written mystery by Blunt. I appreciate his ability to describe the Canadian landscape in such detail that you feel you are there. All characters, good and bad, are fully fleshed out. I can admit I had no clue as to how the ending would turn out.
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November 13, 2025Stell dir vor, du bist eine junge indigene Frau, die sich mit ihrem Lover in einem idyllisch gelegenen Sommerhaus trifft, das längst für die Wintermonate eingemottet wurde. Du wirst Ohrenzeuge eines Doppelmordes, fliehst aus dem Haus, verlierst bei einsetzendem Schneefall dein Handy. Stell dir vor, du bist ein Makler im fiktiven Algonquin Bay, der den Schlüssel zu einem Häuschen am Trout Lake hat, in dem zwei ermordete Pelzhändler gefunden werden. Du brauchst eine wasserdichte Story, um dich aus dem Mordverdacht der Ermittler herauszuwinden, und wirst Ehefrau und Firma einbüßen. Als John Cardinal und seine Kollegin Lise Delorme im Doppelmord am Trout Lake ermitteln, konfrontiert das den recht frisch verwitweten Cardinal mit seinem alten Leben, in dem er mit Catherine an einem der Seen wohnte. Herausgerissen aus einem jahrzehntealten Cold Case in exakt dieser Gegend, erfährt der Constable Erstaunliches aus der Pelzhändlerbranche, das Motiv für Gewalttaten sein könnte. Im Haus und im Schnee davor finden sich Spuren über Spuren, die ohne Assistenz aus Toronto längst nicht alle zeitnah analysiert werden können. In weiteren Handlungsfäden verfolgen wir die junge Zeugin Sam Doucette auf der Flucht, die um ihr Leben fürchten muss, und einen Mann, der sich „Papa“ nennt, „weiter im Norden“ offenbar seinen eigenen Staat gründen will und dafür eine Kampftruppe aus jugendlichen Sozialwaisen trainiert. Dass Papas Trüppchen die Wege von Tätern und Ermittlern kreuzen könnte, erwies sich als einer der Gruselfaktoren bei der Lektüre.
Im einsetzenden Schneefall vor idyllischer Kulisse inszeniert Giles Blunt mit einer Vielzahl an differenziert gezeichneten Personen ein Szenario mit Todesfällen der unappetitlichen Sorte. Hier geht es u. a. darum, in einer Wildnis unterzutauchen, in der mit großen, gefährlichen Tieren zu rechnen ist und in der Frauen wie Sam vom Vater für diese Wildnis trainiert werden. Blunt punktet nicht nur mit seiner Empathie für den verwitweten Cardinal und dessen derzeit gespaltenes Verhältnis zu gleichaltrigen Frauen, er konnte mich mit durchweg überraschenden Wendungen verblüffen, aber auch mit dem Auftauchen jeder großen, kräftig wirkenden Männerfigur nachhaltig gruseln. Durch die gelungene Verknüpfung von Schauplatz, Plot und Figuren mein Krimi des Jahres.
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Originalausgabe 2010, deutsch: Eismord (2011)
Im einsetzenden Schneefall vor idyllischer Kulisse inszeniert Giles Blunt mit einer Vielzahl an differenziert gezeichneten Personen ein Szenario mit Todesfällen der unappetitlichen Sorte. Hier geht es u. a. darum, in einer Wildnis unterzutauchen, in der mit großen, gefährlichen Tieren zu rechnen ist und in der Frauen wie Sam vom Vater für diese Wildnis trainiert werden. Blunt punktet nicht nur mit seiner Empathie für den verwitweten Cardinal und dessen derzeit gespaltenes Verhältnis zu gleichaltrigen Frauen, er konnte mich mit durchweg überraschenden Wendungen verblüffen, aber auch mit dem Auftauchen jeder großen, kräftig wirkenden Männerfigur nachhaltig gruseln. Durch die gelungene Verknüpfung von Schauplatz, Plot und Figuren mein Krimi des Jahres.
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Originalausgabe 2010, deutsch: Eismord (2011)
March 12, 2017
I recorded the new and excellent Canadian TV series Cardinal, which I watched in a day. It was not until I started watching it that I realized it was based on the first book in Giles Blunt's mystery series. I had read the first four books quite some time ago and enjoyed them. I discovered I had missed this one so downloaded it immediately. Cardinal is still mourning the death of his wife, and has platonic popcorn and movie nights with detective Lise Delorme, a colleague.
A horrific crime has occurred and Cardinal is heavily involved in the investigation and working on a cold case, whereas Delorme is sidelined to mostly searching for a person committing ATM robberies. A Russian couple in town for a fur auction have been found beheaded in an empty summer home. A young Native girl hears the crime while hiding under a bed in the house. She had been in the house for a romantic tryst with an older married real estate agent who had left already. The Russian mafia may be involved with the goal of taking over the fur trade. The investigation leads to a villainous 'family' of survivalists. It seemed out of character for Cardinal to be so readily deceived by a 'reporter' and seduced into a relationship with her. This is a complicated case, set in the Algonquin region of Ontario.
Was happy to learn that the TV series has been renewed for 2 more seasons, and plan to re-read some of the past books in the series before they are aired.
I hope Mr. Blunt will write further books in the Cardinal series.
A horrific crime has occurred and Cardinal is heavily involved in the investigation and working on a cold case, whereas Delorme is sidelined to mostly searching for a person committing ATM robberies. A Russian couple in town for a fur auction have been found beheaded in an empty summer home. A young Native girl hears the crime while hiding under a bed in the house. She had been in the house for a romantic tryst with an older married real estate agent who had left already. The Russian mafia may be involved with the goal of taking over the fur trade. The investigation leads to a villainous 'family' of survivalists. It seemed out of character for Cardinal to be so readily deceived by a 'reporter' and seduced into a relationship with her. This is a complicated case, set in the Algonquin region of Ontario.
Was happy to learn that the TV series has been renewed for 2 more seasons, and plan to re-read some of the past books in the series before they are aired.
I hope Mr. Blunt will write further books in the Cardinal series.
July 23, 2016
I am so glad Giles Blunt returned to his John Cardinal series. Cardinal and Delorme are a great team and I love their relationship: friends, yet flirty. I hope it goes no further than that. John Cardinal is not quite as "nordic" as the police detectives in those wonderful Swedish mysteries, but he has his issues, not the least of which is his grief over his wife's recent death. This story has multiple plot lines going - two unsettling beheadings, an old cold case, a weirdly psychotic "family", an intrepid reporter who also acts as a love interest for John Cardinal, but Blunt manages to tie them together by the end. Although not his best book, this one kept my interest throughout, and I would definitely read more in the series.
April 25, 2011
A Northern Ontario procedural/crime thriller.
Great portrayal of Canada; including snow, First Nations, French, and of course Tim Hortons.
Being from Toronto, it almost reads like another country.
I really enjoyed the complex mystery and the in-depth look at the characters, including the bad guys.
Very well done and worth adding to your mystery shelf.
Great portrayal of Canada; including snow, First Nations, French, and of course Tim Hortons.
Being from Toronto, it almost reads like another country.
I really enjoyed the complex mystery and the in-depth look at the characters, including the bad guys.
Very well done and worth adding to your mystery shelf.
February 14, 2025
John Cardinal is still mourning for his missing wife, and trying to close cold cases, when there is a horrific murder at a summer home. It seems connected to Russians and a fur auction.
It gets very complicated very fast.
It gets very complicated very fast.
February 29, 2012
Book 5, in the John Cardinal crime series
After two standalone novels I was pleased to see Mr. Blunt returning to familiar territory and his true protagonists, Police Detective John Cardinal and his partner Constable Lise Delorme. In this recent installment John and Lise investigate the beheading of two Russian business people who came to Algonquin Bay to participate in the yearly fur auction.
Since his wife’s death in the previous novel ”By The Time You Read This” John has become ever more obsessed with working his case files even his down time is spent with his partner, they both enjoy watching movies together in his new apartment which is conveniently situated a stone’s throw from hers.
The mystery opens on a snowy night at a cottage on Trout Lake, where a married realtor and a young native woman have decided to meet for a romantic fling. He left early and during the night other people arrived. In a strange house and not wanting to be discovered, the young woman hid and witnessed one of the most gruesome moments of her life. After escaping she makes an anonymous tip to the police and when they come upon the scene, they discover two bodies, a man and a woman wearing expensive fur coats, decapitated and their heads missing. The investigation triggers many questions and scenarios for John and Lise. First: who is the tipster and what is her involvement, another thing to consider is can this be linked to a recent crime spree by a cult-like group or maybe the Russian mafia expanding into the fur trade and the list goes on. John and Lise soon discover this is not a slam dunk case; it is a complex puzzle, an endless supply of information that gradually leads them on a hunt for Papa, a ruthless survivalist gang leader.
The author has painted nature at a time when it tests a person’s will and ability to survive under hard conditions and created an outstanding atmospheric setting. The storyline is captivating, as I kept turning pages I was pulled into a mystery full of intrigue and terror and into a myriad of sub-plots peppered with red- herrings. The twisted evil “family” and the dynamics between its members are particularly well-drawn and are the driving force that overshadows the protagonists in many ways. Although John and Lise take a back seat at times and Lise comes across as the dominate one it does not affect their growing relationship, who knows what Mr. Blunt has in store for the future, we can only imagine that one day there will be some spicy moments….
I am a faithful fan of this author and I am always looking forward to see what Mr. Blunt will pull out of his key board next.
After two standalone novels I was pleased to see Mr. Blunt returning to familiar territory and his true protagonists, Police Detective John Cardinal and his partner Constable Lise Delorme. In this recent installment John and Lise investigate the beheading of two Russian business people who came to Algonquin Bay to participate in the yearly fur auction.
Since his wife’s death in the previous novel ”By The Time You Read This” John has become ever more obsessed with working his case files even his down time is spent with his partner, they both enjoy watching movies together in his new apartment which is conveniently situated a stone’s throw from hers.
The mystery opens on a snowy night at a cottage on Trout Lake, where a married realtor and a young native woman have decided to meet for a romantic fling. He left early and during the night other people arrived. In a strange house and not wanting to be discovered, the young woman hid and witnessed one of the most gruesome moments of her life. After escaping she makes an anonymous tip to the police and when they come upon the scene, they discover two bodies, a man and a woman wearing expensive fur coats, decapitated and their heads missing. The investigation triggers many questions and scenarios for John and Lise. First: who is the tipster and what is her involvement, another thing to consider is can this be linked to a recent crime spree by a cult-like group or maybe the Russian mafia expanding into the fur trade and the list goes on. John and Lise soon discover this is not a slam dunk case; it is a complex puzzle, an endless supply of information that gradually leads them on a hunt for Papa, a ruthless survivalist gang leader.
The author has painted nature at a time when it tests a person’s will and ability to survive under hard conditions and created an outstanding atmospheric setting. The storyline is captivating, as I kept turning pages I was pulled into a mystery full of intrigue and terror and into a myriad of sub-plots peppered with red- herrings. The twisted evil “family” and the dynamics between its members are particularly well-drawn and are the driving force that overshadows the protagonists in many ways. Although John and Lise take a back seat at times and Lise comes across as the dominate one it does not affect their growing relationship, who knows what Mr. Blunt has in store for the future, we can only imagine that one day there will be some spicy moments….
I am a faithful fan of this author and I am always looking forward to see what Mr. Blunt will pull out of his key board next.
April 2, 2013
Start with the basics. Great book. If you are a John Cardinal fan, pick it up. Immediately. If you've never heard of Giles Blunt, but like thrillers, pick it up. It's a good place to start.
I was happy to hear that Giles Blunt had finally returned to his John Cardinal series. Blunt's books are not that easy to find in the US, and the bookstores I went into on my infrequent trips to Canada didn't seem it have it in stock. This is the 6th John Cardinal book, set in North Bay (renamed to Algonquin Bay, undoubtedly at the request of the local chamber of commerce who want to downplay the number of murders that occur there), Ontario. A pychopathic killer returns to the north and starts by beheading a Russian couple up from New York for the annual fur auction. Cardinal and his partner Lise Delorme wade through the case, eliminating the Russian mob and animal activists until the pieces start to come together and the case concludes in a chase on foot, in a blizzard.
Excellent read.
I was happy to hear that Giles Blunt had finally returned to his John Cardinal series. Blunt's books are not that easy to find in the US, and the bookstores I went into on my infrequent trips to Canada didn't seem it have it in stock. This is the 6th John Cardinal book, set in North Bay (renamed to Algonquin Bay, undoubtedly at the request of the local chamber of commerce who want to downplay the number of murders that occur there), Ontario. A pychopathic killer returns to the north and starts by beheading a Russian couple up from New York for the annual fur auction. Cardinal and his partner Lise Delorme wade through the case, eliminating the Russian mob and animal activists until the pieces start to come together and the case concludes in a chase on foot, in a blizzard.
Excellent read.
June 4, 2016
With crime novels it's always a huge hit or a miss. This one was a direct hit. John Cardinal is a cop who lives in Algonquin Bay, working cases with his partner Lise Delorme. The usual small time crime - ATM muggings, fur protestors, etc - is suddenly put aside when two victims are found horrifically murdered. The escalation leaves the cops and the town wondering who is going to be next.
The writing was superb. I loved the descriptions of Algonquin, of Northern Ontario winters, and the land of a thousand lakes. Anyone who has been to northern Canada would recognize the beautiful setting that Giles Blunt describes. Not to mention the French, the Tim's, and references to other Canadian cultural touchstones. The characters are (for the most part) believable; they act like people and not like caricatures.
Even if you start to guess what will happen and pull together the pieces, the execution is done very well. I will definitely be looking into the other John Cardinal novels.
The writing was superb. I loved the descriptions of Algonquin, of Northern Ontario winters, and the land of a thousand lakes. Anyone who has been to northern Canada would recognize the beautiful setting that Giles Blunt describes. Not to mention the French, the Tim's, and references to other Canadian cultural touchstones. The characters are (for the most part) believable; they act like people and not like caricatures.
Even if you start to guess what will happen and pull together the pieces, the execution is done very well. I will definitely be looking into the other John Cardinal novels.
October 27, 2013
Giles Blunt maintains his high quality of writing in this mystery. He plays with point of view, letting the reader in on the killers' identity early on with the exception of a hold back, which I suspected early on. The relationship between Delorme and Cardinal is finely drawn as is the Canadian setting. I found the plotline gruesome and unsettling at times and unplausable at different points. For example, I'm not sure that Delorme would have functioned as well as she did toward the end, given her injury. Anyhow, I am a Blunt fan and hope this series continues.
March 1, 2021
I give this 4.5. I have totally enjoyed the Cardinal books. I like the characters, the plots are twisty and interesting, and a very readable style. The only negative for me was that I felt too much time was spent giving substance to the villain. The real sad news is that this is the next to last in the series so only one left. I will wait a while to savor the final episode.
March 2, 2018
It took me longer than usual to finish this one. I do enjoy the author’s style. Although I consider this as being a good book I thought it was a bit disjointed. I definitely did not like the twist at the end. Still, a good entertainment.
February 18, 2025
Crime Machine by Giles Blunt is the fifth book in the John Cardinal mystery series set in Algonquin Bay (in reality, North Bay) Ontario and because I never read them in exact order, my final read of this excellent series. It was also turned into an excellent TV series, Cardinal. Oddly enough this was the last episode that I watched in the series and I never saw the end so this closes both out nicely for me.
So.... it's been a year or so since the death of Cardinal's wife. He's moved out of his house on Trout Lake and into an apartment that looks out on Lake Nipissing and is just down the road from his partner, Lise Delorme. The Algonquin Bay crime squad has been tasked with cleaning up old cold cases and they are thrilled with it.
In a separate story, young native girl, Sam Doucette is meeting with her boyfriend, married realtor Randall Wishart, at one of his 'for sale' properties on Trout Lake. After their evening of love making, Randall leaves first and while Sam is getting dressed, she hears someone else in the house. It seems like 3 people and she hides under the bed hoping to leave once they have left. Suddenly she hears gun shots and panicking, she breaks the bedroom window, jumps out and run through the snow covered woods to her car while the killer chases her, trying to kill her.
Cardinal and Delorme are called to the house the next day to investigate the murder and find a disturbing scene, two headless bodies, seated at the dining room table.. and we're off and running.
The story now moves between the killers, a sort of family... in the vein of Charles Manson and the investigation, which will also involve an FBI agent, Mendelssohn and a nosey reporter from New York, Donna, with whom Cardinal will develop a bit of a relationship. And don't forget Sam Doucette who fears she is being stalked by the killer (she's very good with a cross bow, he says as an aside) and the fur trade and even Russians.
It's an excellent story with neat twists and turns. The villains, Pop and his gang of three, are creepy and dangerous. They hold an old man captive in his isolated house in the woods and continue their actions in Algonquin Bay. There are other murders, but who is committing them? Some excellent surprises there too. For all the impending threat that flows through the story, there is also a nice humour, between the cops, especially. Blunt knows how to spin a yarn. Cardinal is an excellent cop and has been well - fleshed out by this 5th story. Lise Delorme is a favorite of mine, as Cardinal says at one point, 'she doesn't realize how beautiful she is'.
The tension ramps up, the weather gets worse (a snowstorm hits Algonquin Bay) just as Cardinal and Delorme are heading into a crisis situation and the ending is exciting and ultimately satisfying. Great relationships, great characters and great mystery with twists and turns... (4.5 stars)
So.... it's been a year or so since the death of Cardinal's wife. He's moved out of his house on Trout Lake and into an apartment that looks out on Lake Nipissing and is just down the road from his partner, Lise Delorme. The Algonquin Bay crime squad has been tasked with cleaning up old cold cases and they are thrilled with it.
In a separate story, young native girl, Sam Doucette is meeting with her boyfriend, married realtor Randall Wishart, at one of his 'for sale' properties on Trout Lake. After their evening of love making, Randall leaves first and while Sam is getting dressed, she hears someone else in the house. It seems like 3 people and she hides under the bed hoping to leave once they have left. Suddenly she hears gun shots and panicking, she breaks the bedroom window, jumps out and run through the snow covered woods to her car while the killer chases her, trying to kill her.
Cardinal and Delorme are called to the house the next day to investigate the murder and find a disturbing scene, two headless bodies, seated at the dining room table.. and we're off and running.
The story now moves between the killers, a sort of family... in the vein of Charles Manson and the investigation, which will also involve an FBI agent, Mendelssohn and a nosey reporter from New York, Donna, with whom Cardinal will develop a bit of a relationship. And don't forget Sam Doucette who fears she is being stalked by the killer (she's very good with a cross bow, he says as an aside) and the fur trade and even Russians.
It's an excellent story with neat twists and turns. The villains, Pop and his gang of three, are creepy and dangerous. They hold an old man captive in his isolated house in the woods and continue their actions in Algonquin Bay. There are other murders, but who is committing them? Some excellent surprises there too. For all the impending threat that flows through the story, there is also a nice humour, between the cops, especially. Blunt knows how to spin a yarn. Cardinal is an excellent cop and has been well - fleshed out by this 5th story. Lise Delorme is a favorite of mine, as Cardinal says at one point, 'she doesn't realize how beautiful she is'.
The tension ramps up, the weather gets worse (a snowstorm hits Algonquin Bay) just as Cardinal and Delorme are heading into a crisis situation and the ending is exciting and ultimately satisfying. Great relationships, great characters and great mystery with twists and turns... (4.5 stars)
September 17, 2014
Another gripping novel in the John Cardinal series set in the fictional town of Algonquin Bay. I don't like to reveal the plot when I review a book because I want the reader to discover it the way I did. Read elsewhere if you want to know what happens before you read the book (though why you would want to do that beats me).
The three main ingredients in a Giles Blunt novel are (in my opinion): the writing, the characters, and the setting. This book is one of the better ones on all three counts. The action takes place during the winter, which to me is a mysterious and dangerous time to be among the numerous lakes and deep forests 340 kilometers north of Toronto.
There are a lot of characters in this book but they don't run together because they are all so distinctive. And believable--even the Manson-like bad guy at the core of the story, as extreme as he is, comes across as a real, albeit scary, person.
Although the perpetrators are revealed early on (at least it seems that way), there are still a lot of surprises that kept me turning the pages all night long. Reading this book reminded me that the really good books are what make reading worthwhile. I only wish that more of them were like this one.
The three main ingredients in a Giles Blunt novel are (in my opinion): the writing, the characters, and the setting. This book is one of the better ones on all three counts. The action takes place during the winter, which to me is a mysterious and dangerous time to be among the numerous lakes and deep forests 340 kilometers north of Toronto.
There are a lot of characters in this book but they don't run together because they are all so distinctive. And believable--even the Manson-like bad guy at the core of the story, as extreme as he is, comes across as a real, albeit scary, person.
Although the perpetrators are revealed early on (at least it seems that way), there are still a lot of surprises that kept me turning the pages all night long. Reading this book reminded me that the really good books are what make reading worthwhile. I only wish that more of them were like this one.
June 6, 2015
The fifth of the six John Cardinal/Lise Delorme Canadian police procedurals was worth the hunt (bought at Munro'e books in Victoria B. C.). Set in Algonquin Bay (Blunt's substitution for his hometown of Ontario Bay), a couple of hundred miles north of Toronto, the town of 60,000 or so is rocked by a particularly grisly crime: the murder and beheading of two wealthy Russian fur dealers in town for the annual fur fair. Cardinal is lead investigator, and is also assigned to clearing a cold case from almost forty years earlier involving the disappearance of a family. How the two investigations work out is consistently interesting, as is Cardinal and Delorme's friendship. As in the other books, supporting characters are carefully drawn, the investigations are well conducted, and there is a burst of action near the end. I'm going to reread the sixth book (bought in Winnepeg) while I hope for a seventh.
January 28, 2016
I am nearing the end of Blunt's John Cardinal series, and am so sorry to be doing so only because I don't want it to end. (Yes, I have already Googled "writes like Giles Blunt" and hoping to strike gold with my search.) "Crime Machine", like the previous novels, does a remarkable job of moving the reader into the characters and the setting. Vivid description and beautiful depth. Blunt also takes us into the hearts and minds of his villains, which at times can be positively chilling. - this author pens a story which is not only suspenseful but also realistic. His characters occasionally fall short, but you love them anyway; John Cardinal (almost!) falls in love again in this one, and while that is only a sub plot, if feels important because the reader feels as though they know him.
Moving on to the final novel in this series!
Moving on to the final novel in this series!
April 10, 2012
As with the precious Blunt-books, I liked this one. The story is tight and you never lose interest. The author does a very good job at making you imagine what it must be like to be in that cold little Canadian town called Algonquin Bay in the middle of the raging winter. You can almost feel the chill spreading through your bones.
This time a gruesome murder of two fur traders, found decapitated in a lake-side cottage, begins a story in which the killers definitely aren't your average guys and where people aren't always who they seem to be.
The cast of characters is interesting and the plot feels believable and I must admit to already looking forward to seeing what might become of John Cardinal in future books.
This time a gruesome murder of two fur traders, found decapitated in a lake-side cottage, begins a story in which the killers definitely aren't your average guys and where people aren't always who they seem to be.
The cast of characters is interesting and the plot feels believable and I must admit to already looking forward to seeing what might become of John Cardinal in future books.
April 1, 2016
I still really like the John Cardinal mysteries. This book was not as well plotted as the previous novels.
Initially, the murders appear related to the international fur trade; that connection never materializes.
The situation with the Scriver family and their violent son is not explained. The first two characters in the book disappear within a few chapters, which seems disjointed.
That John Cardinal is so easily duped by a "reporter" is implausible. The situation with Lise needs to stop or develop.
Initially, the murders appear related to the international fur trade; that connection never materializes.
The situation with the Scriver family and their violent son is not explained. The first two characters in the book disappear within a few chapters, which seems disjointed.
That John Cardinal is so easily duped by a "reporter" is implausible. The situation with Lise needs to stop or develop.
August 13, 2024
Pretty creepy, this one. Some disturbing graphic descriptions of the (psychotic) main perpetrator’s truly deranged relationship with his ‘family’ members and the crimes they commit… Still, an excellent, but horrific, story. Great atmospheric passages that draw one into the time and place.
P. S.: I think sociopathic is the more correct medical term these days, but this guy was a psychotic with a capital ‘S’!!
P. S.: I think sociopathic is the more correct medical term these days, but this guy was a psychotic with a capital ‘S’!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2015
I actually enjoyed this crime mystery in spite of all the violence. I thought it was superbly crafted and every page was a page turner. The characters are strong and well developed (even the bad guys) and the mystery is unravelled at a good pace so that it all falls into place with a surprising ending.
May 20, 2022
Absolute quality return of Cardinal and Delorme as gruesome deaths return to Algonquin Bay. Well written atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent Police procedural murder mystery, everything we have come to expect from this brilliant Author. Gripping riveting page turner from first to last page.
Completely and utterly recommended.
Completely and utterly recommended.
May 30, 2022
Watch the series on TV and enjoyed and thought I'd try the book. Book of course was even better. Great mystery, characters & lots of crime procedures. Read the books first, then watch the 4 seasons of Cardinal, each season (6 Episodes) relates to 1 book! Great actors and scenery of Canada. David N.
November 7, 2015
Good Cardinal/DeLorme story as they get involved with a very nasty "cult" family. Very nasty indeed. Cardinal/DeLorme relationship goes nowhere, however. This is the one weak point of the book. But Giles Blunt is a great writer and people should enjoy this. Recommended.
August 21, 2020
Covid has done one thing for me ... I am reading lots and many Canadian authors.
My God, I am never moving to Algonquin Bay! As usually G Blunt stirs up a tremendous story, with excitement and strong characters.
Can't wait to get my teeth into the next Cardinal
My God, I am never moving to Algonquin Bay! As usually G Blunt stirs up a tremendous story, with excitement and strong characters.
Can't wait to get my teeth into the next Cardinal
October 29, 2015
Learning the intricacy of the crime was the best part of this book. The main character. John Cardinal is an interesting guy, made more so by his history.
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September 23, 2020A little predictable at times but still an enjoyable read
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