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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Old Friends and New Enemies (Charlie Cameron #2) in Books

Nov 21, 2019  
Old Friends and New Enemies (Charlie Cameron #2)
Old Friends and New Enemies (Charlie Cameron #2)
Owen Mullen | 2016 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Glasgow private detective Charlie Cameron finds himself out of his depth when he finds out that an old friend has been killed. Getting on the wrong side of an organised crime family would be bad enough but just when he needs hits wits about him the personal nature of the case clouds his judgement. And things aren't made easier by a police detective with a grudge who thinks he is guilty.

This is a terrifically gritty crime novel. Glasgow is a good setting for this kind of work and Mullen does a great job of describing the city and the surroundings. Cameron is a very likeable character and seems very believable. The rest of the cast are just as well defined, from Cameron's slightly dodgy friend to the Rafferty family who are nasty but with a solid basis on why they are.

As the plot unfolds the reader knows more than Cameron which makes some of his mis-steps in dealing with the case agonising to read when he puts himself in more danger when he is trying to extricate himself. The ending ties everything up neatly but don't expect a fairy tale ending.

Overall this is a terrific crime novel and if the other Cameron books are anything like this then it will be a series to get hold of.
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Our Man in Havana: An Introduction by Christopher Hitchens in Books

Sep 8, 2017  
Our Man in Havana: An Introduction by Christopher Hitchens
Our Man in Havana: An Introduction by Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens, Graham Greene | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A classic noir from Graham Greene but not his best
While I wouldn't say this was the best of Graham Greene, who is renowned for his noir style crime tales, it was an enjoyable read.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this spy novel about a simple vacuum merchant turned spy for the British government in Cuba. His friend, a German doctor is suspected of being more than he is. There are plenty of assassination plots in this novel on top of escaping dangerous situations involving corrupt cops.

My only gripe is the fact how quickly the salesman was able to grasp being a detective without any training, so it seems a little implausible. Fun, but no Brighton Rock.
  
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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Adversary: A True Story of Monstrous Deception in Books

Mar 15, 2018  
TA
The Adversary: A True Story of Monstrous Deception
Emmanuel Carrere | 2002
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’m obsessed with true crime novels. There, I said it. I just find them so fascinating, especially when you find a book about a crime / criminal you’ve never heard of before… Introducing Jean-Claude Romand. A narcissistic liar and cheater who swindled his family out of all their money, lied to them about who he really was for 18 years and then murdered them. This sounds like something out of a fictional novel, but ladies & gents, this is all 100% real.

Maybe my 5 star rating is a little bias because I love true crime so much, but this book ticked all the boxes for me. Firstly, it was about such a bizarre and extraordinary crime, I was enthralled by every part of it, and secondly Carrère writes in such a simple and beautiful way that you forget you’re reading fact.

What astounds me so much about this novel is its subject. Jean-Claude Romand lived 18 years of his life (that’s only 2 years younger than I am right now) living a lie. How does a person get away with lying about everything for 18 years without getting caught? I can’t go into much detail in this review, otherwise I’m just going to spoil the whole thing, and once I get talking about it, I’ll never stop. But I mean really, how his friends & family trusted this man so much as to believe everything he said… amazes me. However, it’s also made me very aware that you don’t question the people you trust, I’m sure people could get away with so much before anyone noticed!

This book is incredible, shocking and mind-boggling. It reads like poetry but it packs a very real punch. I loved it! If you’re a true crime fan, like myself, pick this one up quick!

<i>Thank you to Penguin Random House UK & Vintage for sending me an arc copy for review.</i>