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balthazarlawson's reviews
1162 reviews
Field Gray by Philip Kerr
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
To get the most out of this series it's best to read in order. Only then does this make a lot of sense. The series has an overarching time line but the stories always drift back in time and this book does a lot of drifting. It starts in 1954 Cuba, the current time line and moves to Germany via the USA and then switches back and forth between Germany and France. All the time it goes back in time as Bernie recalls past events, Berlin 1931, Russia 1945 where he was a POW, France and Germany 1940, Russia 1941 and a lot of switching in between. It does get complicated at times.
However, the overarching story is Bernie's connection to a German communist, who he first met in 1931, by the name of Erich Mielke, a real person who went on to head up the Stasi in East Germany. Bernie is just a pawn in a concocted plot by the CIA to get their hands on Miekle.
But this book does reveal more about Bernie and his past that has only been hinted at in other books in the series. In particular how he ended up being a POW of the Soviets and the terrible experience it was. All Bernie ever wanted from life was to do the right thing and survive even if he has to be used by others which seems happen a lot.
I enjoyed this as it was very informative and I found myself constantly checking out if so-and-so was real or not. There a lot of real people from history in this book. I enjoy this series a lot and recommend to those interested in history.
However, the overarching story is Bernie's connection to a German communist, who he first met in 1931, by the name of Erich Mielke, a real person who went on to head up the Stasi in East Germany. Bernie is just a pawn in a concocted plot by the CIA to get their hands on Miekle.
But this book does reveal more about Bernie and his past that has only been hinted at in other books in the series. In particular how he ended up being a POW of the Soviets and the terrible experience it was. All Bernie ever wanted from life was to do the right thing and survive even if he has to be used by others which seems happen a lot.
I enjoyed this as it was very informative and I found myself constantly checking out if so-and-so was real or not. There a lot of real people from history in this book. I enjoy this series a lot and recommend to those interested in history.
Fly By Wire by Ward Larsen
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Jammer Davis is an ex-air force pilot currently working for the NTSB. He is assigned to assist with the investigation into the crash of a relatively new plane in France. Things don't go well from the beginning and he has little faith in the whole investigation, wondering why things are as they are.
Not only is this book about an air crash but also terrorism and the hunt for one in particular. There are a series of attacks on the oil infrastructural around world and fears of more to come.
Naturally, in a book like this, there is a link and this is the big let down in this story. There are many holes in this scenario and it really doesn't make sense. But apart from that, I enjoyed this read. I like the characters, even though a bit cliche in places, like being a single dad with a teenage daughter but never having the time to be there.
The whole premise was good but not executed so well.
Not only is this book about an air crash but also terrorism and the hunt for one in particular. There are a series of attacks on the oil infrastructural around world and fears of more to come.
Naturally, in a book like this, there is a link and this is the big let down in this story. There are many holes in this scenario and it really doesn't make sense. But apart from that, I enjoyed this read. I like the characters, even though a bit cliche in places, like being a single dad with a teenage daughter but never having the time to be there.
The whole premise was good but not executed so well.
A Lesson In Dying by Ann Cleeves
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the first book of the Inspector Ramsay series, but you wouldn't know that from his performance here. He doesn't make much of an appearance and all the investigative work seems to be done by the school caretaker and his daughter. He doesn't make much of an impression at all especially as a police detective. There are lots of similarity to Andrea Frazer's The Facloner File series I recently read, but this is far better writing and far more enjoyable.
The headmaster of the Heppleburn village school is not a like man and when he is murdered there is a long list of suspects. But the police focus on one, his wife, and this annoys the school caretaker, an old friend of the wife and sets out, with his daughter, to prove her innocence.
An enjoyable read but at times it lacked focus on the here and now with a lot being said in hindsight.
The headmaster of the Heppleburn village school is not a like man and when he is murdered there is a long list of suspects. But the police focus on one, his wife, and this annoys the school caretaker, an old friend of the wife and sets out, with his daughter, to prove her innocence.
An enjoyable read but at times it lacked focus on the here and now with a lot being said in hindsight.
The Resistance Man by Martin Walker
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
St Denis is the victim of a spate of burglaries that are targeting unoccupied homes of foreign owners. When one of the homes turns out to be that of a ex-British spy, Bruno is thrown into the middle of political intrigue, with his on again and off again girl friend, Isabelle and her boss the Brigadier at the centre of the action. Then it really gets complicated when there is a murder at a recently rented home that should have been empty. Bruno is sequestered to the squad investigating the burglaries, via the Brigadier, and he soon believes that the murder and the burglaries are connected.
All the time he has to deal with the funeral for an old man who was a resistance fighter during World War 2.
I enjoyed this though at times it did seem a bit over complicated. The setting of rural France is different to what I usually read and one of the things I really enjoy about the series. It's good to read about a different legal system, because the French system is very different to that in Australia. Well worth a read.
All the time he has to deal with the funeral for an old man who was a resistance fighter during World War 2.
I enjoyed this though at times it did seem a bit over complicated. The setting of rural France is different to what I usually read and one of the things I really enjoy about the series. It's good to read about a different legal system, because the French system is very different to that in Australia. Well worth a read.
Nuptial Sacrifice by Andrea Frazer
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
It's Falconer's wedding day and he spends half the book fussing about and nothing happens. Then there is a murder and it's just so badly written.
Who would serve a cake that had had a dead bloody body upon it?
Did not enjoy it at all. It's only saving grace was that it was short.
Who would serve a cake that had had a dead bloody body upon it?
Did not enjoy it at all. It's only saving grace was that it was short.
Shadows and Sins by Andrea Frazer
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is a distinctly differently structured book to all the others in the series. Where as the other books start with a round of introduction to the village and it's residents, this starts with the discovery of a body by Carmichael while walking his dogs. I thought it was going to be a more enjoyable crime read.
And then it goes down hill. Very quickly there are a rash of bodies being discovered across multiple locations, none of them very recent. There is are cameo appearances of most of the previously mentioned villages and villagers. But the fact all these bodies are suddenly found it beyond a good story.
The character of Falconer has been firmly cemented in as a mix of a frigid old woman, repressed priest, horny teenage boy and petulant toddler. He is weird and not likeable at all.
And then it goes down hill. Very quickly there are a rash of bodies being discovered across multiple locations, none of them very recent. There is are cameo appearances of most of the previously mentioned villages and villagers. But the fact all these bodies are suddenly found it beyond a good story.
The character of Falconer has been firmly cemented in as a mix of a frigid old woman, repressed priest, horny teenage boy and petulant toddler. He is weird and not likeable at all.
Final Verdict by Mark Dryden
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Brad Norton is a criminal barrister getting on with life. He has applied for silk in his profession but there are obstacles in his way, namely a judge that doesn't like his style but he doesn't let this stop him from getting on with his job. He represents the son of another judge in a case of GBH and the wife of a man who it turns out has been murdered.
He is dedicated to getting justice even when the wife is no longer able to pay. He believes in her innocence and pushes on with the case with the help of his partner.
A very enjoyable read that just gets on with it and nothing seems over the top. It's the realism of it all that I enjoy the most.
He is dedicated to getting justice even when the wife is no longer able to pay. He believes in her innocence and pushes on with the case with the help of his partner.
A very enjoyable read that just gets on with it and nothing seems over the top. It's the realism of it all that I enjoy the most.
Bells and Smells by Andrea Frazer
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The title refers to a reverend who everyone calls, out of total disrespect, Bells and Smells. But he doesn't really play that much of a role to warrant the title of the book. He's there but just in the background. He's not the killer, not the victim and just generally a dirty old man. So the title is irrelevant.
As for Falconer and Carmichael, they are the same, totally useless and behave like schoolyard kids. That is what has always bothered me by Inspector Falconer; he acts like a spoiled kid very willing to throw a pointless tantrum, behave petulantly and irrationally. How he would ever get to be an inspector is beyond me.
I disliked this.
As for Falconer and Carmichael, they are the same, totally useless and behave like schoolyard kids. That is what has always bothered me by Inspector Falconer; he acts like a spoiled kid very willing to throw a pointless tantrum, behave petulantly and irrationally. How he would ever get to be an inspector is beyond me.
I disliked this.
The Tudor Deception by Scott Mariani
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story is almost a prequel to the series being set before the first book. Ben is living in Ireland working as kidnap & rescue operative and leading a lonely dedicated live. He is asked for help by a historian but in a moment of impatience the transaction is completed and Ben returns to his isolated home. Unfortunately he drags trouble with him and when there is a botched attempt on his life Ben seeks revenge.
This is full of action and what one would expect from Ben Hope, ex-SAS, out for revenge. He is resourceful but, unlike later books in the series, makes some big mistakes that could put an end to everything. It leads to an ending that is a bit far fetched and slightly lets down the book. But it's still enjoyable.
The underlying historical theme running in the background is informative, although fictional in parts, as it attempts to answer a centuries old mystery.
This is full of action and what one would expect from Ben Hope, ex-SAS, out for revenge. He is resourceful but, unlike later books in the series, makes some big mistakes that could put an end to everything. It leads to an ending that is a bit far fetched and slightly lets down the book. But it's still enjoyable.
The underlying historical theme running in the background is informative, although fictional in parts, as it attempts to answer a centuries old mystery.
Glass House by Andrea Frazer
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
The thing I dislike about this, and the rest of the series, is the repetitive way in which Falconer and Carmichael conduct their investigations. Just talk to the people in the village, repeatedly. Nothing is ever really revealed until the very end of the book. However, the repeated jumping to conclusions is what fills these books. There are attempts at humour but it always revolves around the hospitalised DC Roberts, yet again, giant dogs and a clowder of cats.
This is very lightweight and shallow. I’ve three books left in the series to read and the sooner I’m done the better. I have the books therefore must read them.
This is very lightweight and shallow. I’ve three books left in the series to read and the sooner I’m done the better. I have the books therefore must read them.