Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Die Last in Books
Nov 19, 2017
The story itself surrounds the murky, brutal world of human trafficking, an enterprise that is ever expanding. Parsons humanises the victims, ranging from trafficked sex slaves to servitude.
They are a bit far fetched however - as is all crime fiction, nevertheless, I've enjoyed all of these as they race along and keep you engaged.
Tigs85 (21 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Jun 5, 2017
Valis
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It began with a blinding light, a divine revelation from a mysterious intelligence that called...
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Paris Mysteries in Books
Dec 27, 2019
This phrase was clearly coined after Poe's demise, as he doesn't seem to have ever heard it.
Yes, he is undoubtedly the first and most important writer of detective/crime fiction. This by no means suggests it is any good.
The three stories are really just a setting out of a mysterious crime with some facts/suspicions, with a lengthy monologue where C August Dupin solves the mystery. That's it. No suspense. No character development. No real scene setting. Just a slightly puzzling crime followed by a smartarse giving the solution.
The main thing to take away from these three Poe stories is that the police and detectives used to be rubbish and looked for the wrong evidence, or were sidetracked by what they wanted to see. There are many crimes and stories with apparently impossible solutions which can't seem to be unravelled. This idea absolutely was the genesis of the rich and varied crime genre we have today. The idea that a strange set of circumstances can arise where an apparently normal crime can be committed but with the evidence so obscure and tangled that unravelling it would take a genius.
Sadly, Poe didn't put the story around the bare bones of these crimes. So all we have is three exam questions with a know-it-all giving the answer, with no charm, no suspense, no thrilling conclusion. One of them barely even concludes the murderer, just spends an age picking holes in the logic applied by various newspapers in trying to document the crime.
I might be interested in reading a retelling of these stories (except the one where a letter has simply gone missing and is found my looking somewhere obvious), where someone actually weaves a narrative around the bare bones.
I appreciate Poe's efforts because of what followed, but not for what they themselves are.
The Devil You Know: Stories of Human Cruelty and Compassion
9.5
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A perspective-shattering work into the minds of violent criminals that reveals profound consequences...
Non-Fiction True Crime Psychology Mental Health Crime
The Truants
7.0
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'Where do I find Crime?’ ‘Crime doesn’t have its own section,’ said the librarian without...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Cold As The Grave in Books
Sep 1, 2019
DCI Tony McLean finds himself, quite unexpectedly, in the midst of a strange and disturbing investigation following his discovery of the mummified remains of a young girl. Being a DCI, Tony is not supposed to get into the day to day investigation of crime however, Tony being Tony just can't help himself and he quickly becomes in the thick of it.
This is a dark and sinister case to investigate and includes themes on refugees, asylum seekers, illegal immigrants, trafficking, modern slavery, the murder of children and violence towards women as well as introducing a less than "normal" slant on the perpetrator of the crime and the method used for committing murder.
With fantastic characters throughout and written in a sympathetic rather than sensationalist way with the back drop of a winter in Edinburgh, this is a great read.
I admit to not having read all the previous books in this series and although I have probably missed out massively on back story, character development, etc., it did not detract from my enjoyment of this book.
On to the next .... when it comes out!
My thanks must go to the Publisher and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
The Sliver Shadow (True Colors #11)
8.0
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Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History True, riveting stories of American criminal activity...
Adult Fiction Crime True Crime History
A Book of Scars
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PEACE IS OUT. REVENGE IS ON. 'An emotional intensity found only in the very best crime fiction'...
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Most Dangerous Animal of All in TV
Mar 14, 2020
It's a nice, tight, four episode series about a guy who tracked down his birth mother, and subsequently his father, who he believes is the Zodiac Killer. It was completely engaging, and the evidence was compelling.
To avoid spoilers, I have to stop there. It's well worth the watch and I highly recommend it.