I am a huge fan of Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries but had never read one of his Matthew Scudder books. I read Ian Rankin’s books and follow him on Twitter and he highly recommended this book – well I know why now. The book starts with a couple of old men in a pub in Hell’s Kitchen and they are reminiscing about the old days. They have basically lived their lives on either side of the law and they get to talking about someone the cop knew from his childhood days in the Bronx. This other man, Jack, went the way of the crook and even though he didn’t cross paths with Scudder as a criminal, he did later on whilst trying to make amends as part of his 12 step programme. Continue reading “A Drop of the Hard Stuff By Lawrence Block”
If The Dead Rise Not By Philip Kerr
I do so love a book that weaves history in with a fictional plot. Mr. Kerr is great at doing that. Bernie Gunther is the hero in these books. He was a police officer in Germany pre-World War II and was basically roped into becoming a Nazi soldier. That whole story is also weaved throughout the series and how they got to him – well obviously violence but you know what I mean. Bernie cannot go back to Germany in the mid-1950s due to the fact that he was officially a Nazi soldier. He has been hiding in Argentina – big surprise there – and has now made it to Cuba. Continue reading “If The Dead Rise Not By Philip Kerr”
The Complaints By Ian Rankin
In the United States this department is called I.A. or Internal Affairs. The Complaints Department deals with the force and any suspicions against them. No one in the Police Force particularly likes Complaints. They are seen as snitching and snooping on those who keep the peace. This is Ian Rankin’s first story after his enormously successful Detective Rebus’ retirement. He wrote those in chronological order and retired him when he would have been of age. So now we meet Malcolm Fox. His job is to investigate fellow officers. Continue reading “The Complaints By Ian Rankin”
Believing the Lie By Elizabeth George
Here finally is another Inspector Thomas Lynley novel. This one is over 600 pages though. Who knew there would be that much to say about a single case? Well it flows really well and goes exceedingly quickly. Lynley is summoned into the presence of Hillier at his London club away from Scotland Yard. He is asked to not mention where he is going or with whom he will be meeting. Immediately a little suspicious Thomas goes along as asked and finds himself meeting Lord Bernard Fairclough. Continue reading “Believing the Lie By Elizabeth George”
Death of a Kingfisher By M.C. Beaton
Ms. Beaton has hit another doozy on the head with this latest Hamish Macbeth mystery. Set again in sleepy Lochdubh in the Highlands in remote Scotland our fearless cop is faced with more unsavoury people. His police station has also been invaded by another policeman whom headquarters is trying to get rid of without having to fire. Said policeman is older and ready to retire but is more than happy to sit around and do nothing, well except eat, which he is wanting to do continually. Continue reading “Death of a Kingfisher By M.C. Beaton”