The Lost Symbol is a novel by American suspense author, Dan Brown, the third volume written about Robert Langdon and freemasonry. The preceding books, Angels and Demons, and, of course, The Da Vinci Code, were bestsellers, the latter was a New York Times bestseller. The Lost Symbol became the fastest selling adult fiction of all time at its release in September, 2009, and it has been a number one New York Times best-selling book throughout half a year.
Robert Langdon, a Harvard University symbologist, gets an invitation from Peter Solomon, his mentor and friend, to give a lecture at the United States Capitol. He also needs to bring a small package that he got several years ago. As he arrives, it turns out that Solomon, a 33rd Degree Mason, was abducted, and actually the culprit lured Langdon there. The kidnapper, named Mal’akh, left Solomon’s severed hand on the scene, and blackmails Langdon to find the Mason Pyramid (supposedly somewhere underground Washington DC) – otherwise Solomon will die. When they learn who Mal’akh is, it makes things even worse…
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Ian Rankin - The Complaints
Complaints are policemen who investigate fellow policemen’s cases. Malcolm Fox is one of them. He is an elderly man with strange taste in clothing, he works in Edinburgh in the Complaints and Conduct department of the force (Complaints for short), he struggles with his own family problems, a fragile and ancient father in an old age home, and a sister who is abused by her aggressive partner. Fox is given a case of a young, confident, and handsome colleague, Jamie Breck, accused of being involved with child pornography. The two of them slowly form a friendship, and in the meanwhile Fox finds out more and more about odd things concerning Breck’s case. Now both of them are in grievous danger, and soon a sadistic and gory murder occurs, too close to Fox’s family…
The Complaints is a gripping crime/detective novel right from Britain. Its Scottish author, Ian Rankin (known for Knots and Crosses and Hide and Seek) is one of the most popular and best-selling contemporary suspense - crime fiction writers, and righteously so. He keeps the Scottish literacy traditions of the great old ones like Robert Louis Stevenson, combined with a clear and straightforward prose and a brilliant and modern plot. His world of detective and police is a tad male-oriented, true - but what could we expect after his infamous remark about female authors, lesbians in particular, who write the most violent and gory fiction. Well, we can take it as a compliment for ladies: violent novels are awesome novels. If we shy away from graphic scenes, we would get mostly boring books.
The Guardian writes about Rankin and The Complaints:
„Rankin is a master at what, for me, is one of the important aspects of a crime novel: the integration of setting, plot, characters and a theme which, for Rankin, is the moral dimension never far from his writing.
The Complaints is a gripping crime/detective novel right from Britain. Its Scottish author, Ian Rankin (known for Knots and Crosses and Hide and Seek) is one of the most popular and best-selling contemporary suspense - crime fiction writers, and righteously so. He keeps the Scottish literacy traditions of the great old ones like Robert Louis Stevenson, combined with a clear and straightforward prose and a brilliant and modern plot. His world of detective and police is a tad male-oriented, true - but what could we expect after his infamous remark about female authors, lesbians in particular, who write the most violent and gory fiction. Well, we can take it as a compliment for ladies: violent novels are awesome novels. If we shy away from graphic scenes, we would get mostly boring books.
The Guardian writes about Rankin and The Complaints:
„Rankin is a master at what, for me, is one of the important aspects of a crime novel: the integration of setting, plot, characters and a theme which, for Rankin, is the moral dimension never far from his writing.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Ghost Road Blues is the debut novel of the award-winning American author (and known martial artist) Jonathan Maberry. It is the first installment of the Pine Deep trilogy.
The novel’s setting is Pine Deep, a small country town in Pennsylvania. Thirty years ago an evil supernatural creature, the Reaper, had haunted the place: Ubel Griswold, a werewolf murdered many people. Back then, an itinerant worker (and blues musician), Oren Morse killed it; however, a local racist group believed he was the actual murderer and lynched him. After thirty years, the monster is rising again, and a human servant, Karl Ruger, helps him. Oren Morse, known as Bone Man, also returns from death – will he help much the townspeople? A handful of Pine Deep’s residents face Griswold and Ruger, some of them, like Malcolm Crow and his girlfriend Val Guthrie are survivors of the previous bloodbath…
Ghost Road Blues is a brilliant read for horror/suspense addicts. It almost became the Novel of the Year in 2006, however, in the end the actual winner became Stephen King (Lisey’s Story). Being a rival of Stephen King is admirable in itself.
The novel’s setting is Pine Deep, a small country town in Pennsylvania. Thirty years ago an evil supernatural creature, the Reaper, had haunted the place: Ubel Griswold, a werewolf murdered many people. Back then, an itinerant worker (and blues musician), Oren Morse killed it; however, a local racist group believed he was the actual murderer and lynched him. After thirty years, the monster is rising again, and a human servant, Karl Ruger, helps him. Oren Morse, known as Bone Man, also returns from death – will he help much the townspeople? A handful of Pine Deep’s residents face Griswold and Ruger, some of them, like Malcolm Crow and his girlfriend Val Guthrie are survivors of the previous bloodbath…
Ghost Road Blues is a brilliant read for horror/suspense addicts. It almost became the Novel of the Year in 2006, however, in the end the actual winner became Stephen King (Lisey’s Story). Being a rival of Stephen King is admirable in itself.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
A Game of Thrones, the first volume of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire is a big favourite read worldwide, a best-seller in numerous countries, and Time magazine has selected the author one of the 2011 Time 100 (the 100 most influential persons of the world according to the magazine).
A Clash of Kings is the second book of the series, a worthy sequel of A Game of Thrones. The intriguing, detailed medieval world that George R. R. Martin has created is under fire.
A civil war plagues the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros: three of the rulers are already in fight, and soon Balon Greyjoy and Stannis Baratheon also joins the war. In the meanwhile, clashes break out in the North and in the East. Daenerys Targaryen attacks east with some of her followers and three newborn dragons. Jon Snow, Eddard Stark’s son born out of wedlock, is a guard on The Wall. He and another warrior Qhorin Halfhand are sent to investigate the north – and find out that Mance Rayder has already united wildlings and has been striking on the Wall…
Queen Cersei’s brother Tyrion Lannister, whilst playing a faithful advisor of his nephew, the ruling king, Joffrey, secretly tries to undermine his (and Cersei’s) reign. Theon Greyjoy, Balon’s son, attacks Winterfell, the two young Stark heirs are said to be badly tortured and slain. The oldest princess Stark is held captive at King’s Landing, whilst her youngest sister Arya managed to escape, she has been missing since then and believed to be dead. Stannis Baratheon assaults King’s Landing, thus Robb Stark has his chance to lead more attacks against the Westerlands. Tyrion cunningly helps Joffrey at King’s Landing, however, Cersei is still suspicious…
Will at least some of the Stark heirs survive?
The fourth instalment of A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Clash of Kings, is full of twists and actions. The descriptions that we loved in the first book so much remained elaborative and realistic. Characters are finely drawn – however, I must tell you I wanted to hear more about Cersei who is my personal favourite, and I did miss her lover Jaime. However, the book is still amazing. A Clash of Kings is highly recommended to all readers who love Tolkien-like classic fantasy, the realistic manners of New York Times bestselling author Martin – and the previous novel, Game of Thrones.
A Clash of Kings is the second book of the series, a worthy sequel of A Game of Thrones. The intriguing, detailed medieval world that George R. R. Martin has created is under fire.
A civil war plagues the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros: three of the rulers are already in fight, and soon Balon Greyjoy and Stannis Baratheon also joins the war. In the meanwhile, clashes break out in the North and in the East. Daenerys Targaryen attacks east with some of her followers and three newborn dragons. Jon Snow, Eddard Stark’s son born out of wedlock, is a guard on The Wall. He and another warrior Qhorin Halfhand are sent to investigate the north – and find out that Mance Rayder has already united wildlings and has been striking on the Wall…
Queen Cersei’s brother Tyrion Lannister, whilst playing a faithful advisor of his nephew, the ruling king, Joffrey, secretly tries to undermine his (and Cersei’s) reign. Theon Greyjoy, Balon’s son, attacks Winterfell, the two young Stark heirs are said to be badly tortured and slain. The oldest princess Stark is held captive at King’s Landing, whilst her youngest sister Arya managed to escape, she has been missing since then and believed to be dead. Stannis Baratheon assaults King’s Landing, thus Robb Stark has his chance to lead more attacks against the Westerlands. Tyrion cunningly helps Joffrey at King’s Landing, however, Cersei is still suspicious…
Will at least some of the Stark heirs survive?
The fourth instalment of A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Clash of Kings, is full of twists and actions. The descriptions that we loved in the first book so much remained elaborative and realistic. Characters are finely drawn – however, I must tell you I wanted to hear more about Cersei who is my personal favourite, and I did miss her lover Jaime. However, the book is still amazing. A Clash of Kings is highly recommended to all readers who love Tolkien-like classic fantasy, the realistic manners of New York Times bestselling author Martin – and the previous novel, Game of Thrones.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first suspense novel written by Stieg Larsson, probably the most popular and most praised instalment of the Millennium series. In 2008 Stieg Larsson was the second best-selling author of the world, his books has been international best-sellers ever since.
The character of Lisbeth Salander alone is worth reading Millennium series. And there are a lot more that make it worth reading. Several, several twists, a brilliant plotting, tension, fine characterisation, detailed graphic violence (also on a female’s part, which is unusual in thriller genre) – one can find all in the page-turner The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and publisher of a political magazine Millennium in Stockholm, lost a libel case against a Swedish tycoon Hans-Erik Wennerström. He is sentenced to pay a fine and spend three months in jail. He also resigns from his position. On the other hand, he gets an unusual offer from another businessman, Henrik Vanger – who secretly hired a maverick private investigator, Lisbeth Salander, to find out more about Blomkvist’s past, concerning both his private life and his career. Salander is a fragile and aloof twenty-four years old girl, exceedingly intelligent and an expert in hacking and investigating, a lonely fighter who likes to play according to her own rules. She presumably has Asperger syndrome. When she gets a new legal guardian, a lawyer, Nils Bjurman, the man rapes her. After the second sexual attack, Salander fights back, assaults Bjurman and blackmails him by releasing a video about him raping her if he refuses giving her full control to her own bank accounts.
Vanger offers Blomkvist a considerable sum of money and evidence against Wennerström. In return, he asks him to write the history of the Vangers – however, actually he wants to know what happened to his niece Harriet who vanished thirty-six years ago. He suspects that one of the family members murdered her.
Blomkvist moves to the small island of Hedeby where the Vangers live, and gets to know the members of the extended family. Blomkvist finds out that someone hacks his computer and personal data. He considers Salander talented, thus the two work together, and they become friends with benefits. They find Harriet’s diary and a list of vanished women – and they learn something terrible about the Vangers…
The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo was adapted into a movie in 2009, Salander was played by Noomi Rapace. A Hollywood adaptation is in progress. Brad Pitt was asked to play Blomkvist, fortunately Daniel Craig was chosen in the end (which is lucky for the viewers: it would have been hard to let such a plot go down the wrong way, but Brad Pitt as Mikael Blomkvist could have done the trick).
The character of Lisbeth Salander alone is worth reading Millennium series. And there are a lot more that make it worth reading. Several, several twists, a brilliant plotting, tension, fine characterisation, detailed graphic violence (also on a female’s part, which is unusual in thriller genre) – one can find all in the page-turner The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and publisher of a political magazine Millennium in Stockholm, lost a libel case against a Swedish tycoon Hans-Erik Wennerström. He is sentenced to pay a fine and spend three months in jail. He also resigns from his position. On the other hand, he gets an unusual offer from another businessman, Henrik Vanger – who secretly hired a maverick private investigator, Lisbeth Salander, to find out more about Blomkvist’s past, concerning both his private life and his career. Salander is a fragile and aloof twenty-four years old girl, exceedingly intelligent and an expert in hacking and investigating, a lonely fighter who likes to play according to her own rules. She presumably has Asperger syndrome. When she gets a new legal guardian, a lawyer, Nils Bjurman, the man rapes her. After the second sexual attack, Salander fights back, assaults Bjurman and blackmails him by releasing a video about him raping her if he refuses giving her full control to her own bank accounts.
Vanger offers Blomkvist a considerable sum of money and evidence against Wennerström. In return, he asks him to write the history of the Vangers – however, actually he wants to know what happened to his niece Harriet who vanished thirty-six years ago. He suspects that one of the family members murdered her.
Blomkvist moves to the small island of Hedeby where the Vangers live, and gets to know the members of the extended family. Blomkvist finds out that someone hacks his computer and personal data. He considers Salander talented, thus the two work together, and they become friends with benefits. They find Harriet’s diary and a list of vanished women – and they learn something terrible about the Vangers…
The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo was adapted into a movie in 2009, Salander was played by Noomi Rapace. A Hollywood adaptation is in progress. Brad Pitt was asked to play Blomkvist, fortunately Daniel Craig was chosen in the end (which is lucky for the viewers: it would have been hard to let such a plot go down the wrong way, but Brad Pitt as Mikael Blomkvist could have done the trick).
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
Still Missing, a harrowing abduction and rape story, was one of the most popular crime/suspense novels of 2010 and it has been a New York Times best-seller ever since. It is the first book written by Chevy Stevens – and it is surprisingly good for a debut novel.
Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two years old real estate agent, once an independent and brave young woman, changes tragically after being abducted by a supposed client, a sadistic psychopath. The Freak, as Annie calls him, takes her to a remote mountain cabin where drawers are padlocked and doors are made of stainless steel. To escape him seeems impossible. The Freak wants Annie to be „a good wife” and controls every moment of her life. She is allowed to go to the bathroom in a scheduled time. He shaves her legs and watches her whilst she has a bath. He beats her, rapes her every day and, worst of all, impregnates her – naturally she feels repulsed by the baby which soon ends up dead.
After a year of suffering, Annie, troubled and mentally scarred, flees. She returns home to her drinking and selfish mother, her all-too-nice boyfriend, and best friend… but she only feels safe when her beloved dog is around. She cannot bear people touch her, and her career as a realtor is over. However, it seems that The Freak had someone who actually wanted him to abduct Annie. She has a terrible suspicion… I warn the future readers that Still Missing has a disturbing and unexpected twist at the ending.
The story is written in a first person narrative, as an angry, bitter, and insecure Annie shares her graphic tale with her psychologist.
The characters of Still Missing are brilliantly drawn, and the plot is full of twists and tension. Violence is not overtly graphic and gory but realistic and credible (sadly enough, we could see these things happen in real life, just think about the case of Natascha Kampusch). Chevy Stevens was criticised for using crude language. However, the nature of the book makes it not only understandable but also necessary. There are things in human mind that can be expressed only by the crudest words. Besides, colourful language was also used by the best of authors, from horror master Stephen King to Nobel Prize winning, bold, honest Elfriede Jelinek.
Chevy Stevens worked as a real estate agent. The idea of Still Missing is based on one of her worst fears that could concern a female realtor.
Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two years old real estate agent, once an independent and brave young woman, changes tragically after being abducted by a supposed client, a sadistic psychopath. The Freak, as Annie calls him, takes her to a remote mountain cabin where drawers are padlocked and doors are made of stainless steel. To escape him seeems impossible. The Freak wants Annie to be „a good wife” and controls every moment of her life. She is allowed to go to the bathroom in a scheduled time. He shaves her legs and watches her whilst she has a bath. He beats her, rapes her every day and, worst of all, impregnates her – naturally she feels repulsed by the baby which soon ends up dead.
After a year of suffering, Annie, troubled and mentally scarred, flees. She returns home to her drinking and selfish mother, her all-too-nice boyfriend, and best friend… but she only feels safe when her beloved dog is around. She cannot bear people touch her, and her career as a realtor is over. However, it seems that The Freak had someone who actually wanted him to abduct Annie. She has a terrible suspicion… I warn the future readers that Still Missing has a disturbing and unexpected twist at the ending.
The story is written in a first person narrative, as an angry, bitter, and insecure Annie shares her graphic tale with her psychologist.
The characters of Still Missing are brilliantly drawn, and the plot is full of twists and tension. Violence is not overtly graphic and gory but realistic and credible (sadly enough, we could see these things happen in real life, just think about the case of Natascha Kampusch). Chevy Stevens was criticised for using crude language. However, the nature of the book makes it not only understandable but also necessary. There are things in human mind that can be expressed only by the crudest words. Besides, colourful language was also used by the best of authors, from horror master Stephen King to Nobel Prize winning, bold, honest Elfriede Jelinek.
Chevy Stevens worked as a real estate agent. The idea of Still Missing is based on one of her worst fears that could concern a female realtor.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Buried Prey by John Sandford
John Sandford’s writing manners and dark, realistic, graphic atmosphere reminds me of Chet Williamson and Mo Hayder – which is a big, big praise. Sandford (his real name is John Roswell Camp) is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and a nr. 1 New York Times best-selling author, and for a good reason. He is mostly known from his Prey series, whose protagonist is Lucas Davenport. Buried Prey is the twenty-first instalment of the Prey novels.
On the bundaries of Minneapolis, whilst demolishing old buildings, workers find the dried-up corpses of two young girls buried in the earth under the concrete floor. The bodies were hidden there several years ago. Policemen suspect at once who the girls are: two sisters who went missing in 1985, it was an infamous case. Detective Lucas Davenport in particular remembers all too well the girls’ disappearance from the early days of his career. Back then, he was a young and reckless cop, a ladies’ man and a local hockey player, an undercover man in his first case as a detective. Despite of great efforts made by policemen, they never found the actual perpetrator and never knew what happened to the vanished girls, thus the case was closed. Davenport is afraid that the murderer, still at large, has committed several heinous crimes since then, and this time he has his chance to find the real killer…
Lucas Davenport is definitely my favourite cop character in any kind of thriller/crime/dark fiction series. He is confident, charismatic, unorthodox, lives his life in the fast lane, and has countless romances. However, Davenport should have never ended up married. It makes the character a bit less credible. A tough man is not one who will baby-sit a bunch of children or nurture a wifey. Hopefully John Sandford will have the common sense to get him divorced in the future.
On the bundaries of Minneapolis, whilst demolishing old buildings, workers find the dried-up corpses of two young girls buried in the earth under the concrete floor. The bodies were hidden there several years ago. Policemen suspect at once who the girls are: two sisters who went missing in 1985, it was an infamous case. Detective Lucas Davenport in particular remembers all too well the girls’ disappearance from the early days of his career. Back then, he was a young and reckless cop, a ladies’ man and a local hockey player, an undercover man in his first case as a detective. Despite of great efforts made by policemen, they never found the actual perpetrator and never knew what happened to the vanished girls, thus the case was closed. Davenport is afraid that the murderer, still at large, has committed several heinous crimes since then, and this time he has his chance to find the real killer…
Lucas Davenport is definitely my favourite cop character in any kind of thriller/crime/dark fiction series. He is confident, charismatic, unorthodox, lives his life in the fast lane, and has countless romances. However, Davenport should have never ended up married. It makes the character a bit less credible. A tough man is not one who will baby-sit a bunch of children or nurture a wifey. Hopefully John Sandford will have the common sense to get him divorced in the future.
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