The Age of Doubt by Andrea Camilleri will sweep you away to Sicily (with hopefully good weather!) These characters have the same resonance as Precious
Ramotswe in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. You want to know what is happening with them. (Yes I know they are not real, but...) Again, an example of this, with Hurricane Sandy in the North East recently, the opening of the novel was poingant from the opening paragraphs...
"He had just fallen asleepafter a night worse than almost any other in his life, when a thunderclap as loud as a cannon blast fired inches from his ear startled him awake. He sat up with a jolt, cursing the saints. Sleep seemed a distant membory, never to return. It was useless to remain in bed."
"He got up and went over to the window, and looked outside. It was a textbook storm: sky painted uniformly black, bone-chilling lightning bolts, billows ten feet high charging forward, shakng their great white manes. The surging sea had eaten up the beach, washing all the way up under the veranda. He glanced at his watch: not quite 6 am."
What I don't understand just yet, mid way into C5, is the opening dream sequence that Montalbano recalls in the first chapter. We shall see...
Again, another poisoning. I haven't read so many mysteries with poisinings in I don't know how long! From page 50-51, "Poison, my friend. With what? Common rat poison. Montalbano was so obviously bewildered that Pasquano noticed. Do you find that distrubing? Yes. Nowadays, poison is-- No longer in fashion?"
"Listen, I would strongly advise all aspiring murderers to use it. A gunshot makes such a racket that the neighbors are sure to hear it; stabbing spatters blood all over the place: on the floor, the walls, your clothes... Whereas poison... Don't you agree?"
This book was better than expected. I could not put it down at the end. I had to find out what happened. The dream sequence in C1 does have bearing at the end of the novel. The tie in comes with the character of Laura B. The opening dream sequence represents things in life that you have not acted upon that you wish you had. (Or that is my take based on how the author has the events unfold at the end of the novel.) I don't know if I agree with the way he ended the novel with Laura, especially if there is going to be another book in the series. The tensions with Livia are still very high, Laura would have been an interesting diversion? Also, I would like to have know more about Laura. Everything we find out about her comes from Montabano. She needed to have more of a voice in the story to make the experience complete. Cat was usual great comic relief and made me laugh! I would high recommend this book for anyone to read.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Salvation of a a Saint - Nice Read
Salvation of a Saint by Kiego Higashino (The Devotion of Suspect X) is a good read. All the characters are back, including a new detective Kaoru Utsumi. She adds a slight touch of wisdom and humor to physics professor Manabu Yukawa- Detective Gallileo.
Judging from my last post on Brenner and God, I was none to happy. This book pulled me out of the dumps and made me want to read more. The writing is excellent and the plot twists make you want to keep going. You think you know who did it and why, but it is always changing. The author makes you think and provides you with clues that make you push forward.
Kusanagi's flirtation with Ayane Mashiba, the wife of the victim, was very interesting and the fact the the victim was poisoned was an uncommon way to go. The victim himself was an interestingly cold and calculating figure compared to his wife. Also, the comparison noted between detectives Kusanagi and Utsumi. Lots of fun comparisons and things to keep you thinking!
I enjoyed both books, but liked The Devotion of Suspect X better. There was a lot of back and forth between the coffee and the water filter. It fit within the plot, but I found myself drinking more coffee (unfiltered water here!)
So go out and read this one =) Enjoy!
Judging from my last post on Brenner and God, I was none to happy. This book pulled me out of the dumps and made me want to read more. The writing is excellent and the plot twists make you want to keep going. You think you know who did it and why, but it is always changing. The author makes you think and provides you with clues that make you push forward.
Kusanagi's flirtation with Ayane Mashiba, the wife of the victim, was very interesting and the fact the the victim was poisoned was an uncommon way to go. The victim himself was an interestingly cold and calculating figure compared to his wife. Also, the comparison noted between detectives Kusanagi and Utsumi. Lots of fun comparisons and things to keep you thinking!
I enjoyed both books, but liked The Devotion of Suspect X better. There was a lot of back and forth between the coffee and the water filter. It fit within the plot, but I found myself drinking more coffee (unfiltered water here!)
So go out and read this one =) Enjoy!
Brenner and God - Sophmoric at Best
Brenner and God by Wolf Hass, translated from German, is one of the most contrived writing pieces I have read in a long time. The book is 215 pages and I had to put the book down on page 60 due to the constant repitition of thoughts running through the main characters head on the dissapearance of the young girl he was driving around.
The ida of the book is interesting, along the lines of Carl Hiaasen, who the publishing house paid to positively review the book??? First person, inside your head mystery. Sadly falls short. Brenner doesn't have a brain worth reading about. Hass's writing style is collegiate at best. The mystery is secondard to the bad writing.
There is an outline of a plot. Big money kidnaps a little girl. But that falls aside to the intrigue of who slept with who, that is not well connected to the plot. The constant use of the word cesspit, meaning cess pool is also beyond annoying.
Don't waste your time. At this rate, I could even get publish. (OK- maybe not, but you see my point!)
The ida of the book is interesting, along the lines of Carl Hiaasen, who the publishing house paid to positively review the book??? First person, inside your head mystery. Sadly falls short. Brenner doesn't have a brain worth reading about. Hass's writing style is collegiate at best. The mystery is secondard to the bad writing.
There is an outline of a plot. Big money kidnaps a little girl. But that falls aside to the intrigue of who slept with who, that is not well connected to the plot. The constant use of the word cesspit, meaning cess pool is also beyond annoying.
Don't waste your time. At this rate, I could even get publish. (OK- maybe not, but you see my point!)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Off the Grid by Nick Rosen
Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America by Nick Rosen: Kat Edmonson - Be The Change
John Mayer = Raymond Chandler???
How does John Mayer connect to mystery books. Does a song ever put you in mind of a book or a favorite character? Free Falling and In Your Atmosphere have this effect with Raymond Chandler's - Philip Marlowe books. (And the vampires move west down Ventura Blvd... Ok, that's Anne Rice ;-)
Farewell My Lovely
The Lady In the Lake
The Big Sleep (Good move too!)
The Long Goodbye
The High Window
The Little Sister
Trouble is My Business
The Simple Art of Murder
Playback
Poodle Springs (w/Robert Parker)
Farewell My Lovely
The Lady In the Lake
The Big Sleep (Good move too!)
The Long Goodbye
The High Window
The Little Sister
Trouble is My Business
The Simple Art of Murder
Playback
Poodle Springs (w/Robert Parker)
Monday, October 15, 2012
Mission to Paris by Alan Furst
This book starts out well, but then turns into a common work of fiction. The story line is Paris pre-WW2. There's a movie actor making a picture, Apres la Guerre, there are girls, and there is war. Predictable if nothing else; but the book is readable. You could set this book to a Kat Edmonson CD; only I liked the CD better. Sorry Mr. Furst.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Bernini - His Life and His Rome - Amazing!
Bernini - His Life and His Rome by Franco Mormando is an absolutely amazing read! I was set on this path by reading Four Seasons in Rome and viewing the transforming Apollo and Daphne in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy. The book goes into both Bernini's life and that of Baroque Rome of the 1600s. Not only was Bernini a sculpture, he was an artist and architect too. He lived to be very old and worked for many popes. The book brings alive the Rome of the day. Absolutely amazing!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Four Seasons in Rome - I Wanna Go Back!!!
Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by
Anthony Doerr was an outstanding travel diary of a family in Rome for 1 year in 1999. The book was descriptive and funny and about living in Rome. Highly recommended if you like Rome, Italy or travel diaries.
White Heat Not White Hot!
White Heat by MJ McGrath was not the book I thought it would be. Set in the artic, Ellesmere Island, the lead character, Edie Keglatuk has to solve a mystery of two explorers killed while she was guiding them on Craig Island. Then the mysterious suicide of her step-son. The deaths keep piling up as does the passage of time. The story was plausible, but the passage of time in the novel was not. (Partly to do with alcohol abuse by the lead character.)
I don't know, but somehow the book was just too long for the story the author wove. It was not my favorite, though the pace did pick up at the end. I wasn't crazy about this book.
I don't know, but somehow the book was just too long for the story the author wove. It was not my favorite, though the pace did pick up at the end. I wasn't crazy about this book.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Stonecutter by Camilla Lackberg - Interesting!
Camilla Lackberg out did herself in her first book Ice Princess. I didn't think she could write more books that were that interesting, but she has. I didn't want to like The Stonecutter after reading The Keeper of Lost Causes, but I do. Cannot put it down. Let me warn you, it is translated by an Englishman and you can tell. That's ok as it adds to the intelligent story line the author creates. Unlike The Keeper of Lost Causes, this is a mystery; a closed room mystery set in Fjallbacka, Sweden, like the rest of her translated novels.
Erica has just had baby Maja 2 months ago and is suffering from post-pardum depression. She's is not as big a character in this book as in the others. (Too bad...) So, the book centers around Patrik, Erica's husband, the police detective. Again, like The Boy In the Suitcase, this book centers around a child. That makes it alittle harder to read at first. That is why I didn't want to like it, but as usual, Ms. Lackberg puts another curve into the story to hook you in.
There is a tie in from book 1 and 2 with Erica's sister. In The Stonecutter, the interaction seems forced. So far, she has had 2 entries in the book and no real interaction with the plot. It is like Lackberg is wedging the information into the novel for the benefit of those who read the previous novels. It just doesn't fit right. Book 2 had the best character development, whereas the story/plot takes the higher priority in this novel.
There is a historical thread to the story, in Fjallbacka, in the early 1920s. At the beginning of every chapter, you are treated to alittle more information. I'm sure it ties into the story somehow. Also, the author picks a character, Morgan, who has Ausperger's syndrome to put in the novel. How the police detectives and his family deal with him is interesting. She also gives a good definition of what specifically the syndrome is. I have not encountered a character like this in many years, if every. Again, very intelligently done.
Well, the book is set in fall and the one of the police detectives, Goste, is lamentling not being able to play golf. He calls fall the worst season in Sweden as a result. He can remember the glory of the summer, but it's too rainy to be out on the course. It's not yet winter when he is dulled by the cold weather.
As the story progresses the past story line and the present story line begin to merge. The incidents with the ashes and the babies bridge the time gap and give the reader the continuity to make the connections. The last 100 pages of this novel are a roller coaster. The story has a surprise ending. You just have to figure out who done it!
The next book will be about Erica's sister, Anna. Hmm... I was right!
Main Characters - partial list
Present Day-
Kaj, Monica (wife) and Morgan live next to Lilian, Stig, Niclas Florin, Charlotte (wife), Albin and Sara (dec.)
Arne and Asta (wife) Antonsson Niclas's estranged parents also living in Fjallbacka
Patrik Hedstrom and Martin investigators; Ernst and Gosta investigators, Annika receptionist; Mellberg police chief
1924-
Agnes, Anders
Erica has just had baby Maja 2 months ago and is suffering from post-pardum depression. She's is not as big a character in this book as in the others. (Too bad...) So, the book centers around Patrik, Erica's husband, the police detective. Again, like The Boy In the Suitcase, this book centers around a child. That makes it alittle harder to read at first. That is why I didn't want to like it, but as usual, Ms. Lackberg puts another curve into the story to hook you in.
There is a tie in from book 1 and 2 with Erica's sister. In The Stonecutter, the interaction seems forced. So far, she has had 2 entries in the book and no real interaction with the plot. It is like Lackberg is wedging the information into the novel for the benefit of those who read the previous novels. It just doesn't fit right. Book 2 had the best character development, whereas the story/plot takes the higher priority in this novel.
There is a historical thread to the story, in Fjallbacka, in the early 1920s. At the beginning of every chapter, you are treated to alittle more information. I'm sure it ties into the story somehow. Also, the author picks a character, Morgan, who has Ausperger's syndrome to put in the novel. How the police detectives and his family deal with him is interesting. She also gives a good definition of what specifically the syndrome is. I have not encountered a character like this in many years, if every. Again, very intelligently done.
Well, the book is set in fall and the one of the police detectives, Goste, is lamentling not being able to play golf. He calls fall the worst season in Sweden as a result. He can remember the glory of the summer, but it's too rainy to be out on the course. It's not yet winter when he is dulled by the cold weather.
As the story progresses the past story line and the present story line begin to merge. The incidents with the ashes and the babies bridge the time gap and give the reader the continuity to make the connections. The last 100 pages of this novel are a roller coaster. The story has a surprise ending. You just have to figure out who done it!
The next book will be about Erica's sister, Anna. Hmm... I was right!
Main Characters - partial list
Present Day-
Kaj, Monica (wife) and Morgan live next to Lilian, Stig, Niclas Florin, Charlotte (wife), Albin and Sara (dec.)
Arne and Asta (wife) Antonsson Niclas's estranged parents also living in Fjallbacka
Patrik Hedstrom and Martin investigators; Ernst and Gosta investigators, Annika receptionist; Mellberg police chief
1924-
Agnes, Anders
READ: The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
A novel with a disfunctional detective and his quirky side kick Assad set in Denmark. There is not alot of detective fiction set in Denmark. This book is a mix of James Lee Burke and Stig Larrson. The book does jive until page 67. It took me 3 days to get that far. But believe me, it is well worth going the distance on those first 67 pages. The rest of the book is well written mystery and funny, in that dry sense of humor way.
I say the book reminds me of James Lee Burke's, Dave Robicheaux character, as he is dealing with some demons from a police incident. Those demons come back to haunt him in the novel: for good and bad. His partner, Hardy, is paralyzed in the incident and Carl Morck cannot get past it. Furthermore, he is separated from his wife, Vigga, and has trouble interacting women. (Robicheaux does not have the problem with women in my estimation!) Vigga seems to call at all the wrong times. Well, what are you going to do, she is the x-wife...
The dry sense of humor kicks in as Carl takes solace after the break up of his marriage in living in the suburbs. He says the comrodery saves him. He enjoys hanging out with his neighbors at bbqs. Not usual for police detectives I have come to know and love over the years. He also is very funny about his ex-wife's escapades with her various lovers. What will happen now??? Carl lives in a very a-typical household. He has a elderly border in the basement that acts as the house wife and loves opera and his step-son living with him. His step-sons one goal in life is to drink and party. This fact is not lost on Carl.
Then we come to Assad. He cracks me up. Assad, how do you know how to do all these things? How did you get to be a citizen so quickly? How did you get the job with the police? Is that a switch blade? Carl should let Assad keep the switch blade! Assad is very smart and intelligent comic relief when it comes to the more warped plot of the story. Loved Assad!
Stig Larrson's Dragon Tattoo series comes into play with the strong female lead. Like Lisbeth, Merete won't give up. She doesn't let anything stop her from believing in herself. Now, back to the plot of the story. It is not secondary to the novel. Is is right up front along with the excellent character development. I'd say this novel is more suspense then mystery, but you judge. It's kind of creepy, but the story line keeps you reading. What happens next to Merete? Well now, you just have to read the book. Enjoy Denmark and meeting Carl and Assad!
I say the book reminds me of James Lee Burke's, Dave Robicheaux character, as he is dealing with some demons from a police incident. Those demons come back to haunt him in the novel: for good and bad. His partner, Hardy, is paralyzed in the incident and Carl Morck cannot get past it. Furthermore, he is separated from his wife, Vigga, and has trouble interacting women. (Robicheaux does not have the problem with women in my estimation!) Vigga seems to call at all the wrong times. Well, what are you going to do, she is the x-wife...
The dry sense of humor kicks in as Carl takes solace after the break up of his marriage in living in the suburbs. He says the comrodery saves him. He enjoys hanging out with his neighbors at bbqs. Not usual for police detectives I have come to know and love over the years. He also is very funny about his ex-wife's escapades with her various lovers. What will happen now??? Carl lives in a very a-typical household. He has a elderly border in the basement that acts as the house wife and loves opera and his step-son living with him. His step-sons one goal in life is to drink and party. This fact is not lost on Carl.
Then we come to Assad. He cracks me up. Assad, how do you know how to do all these things? How did you get to be a citizen so quickly? How did you get the job with the police? Is that a switch blade? Carl should let Assad keep the switch blade! Assad is very smart and intelligent comic relief when it comes to the more warped plot of the story. Loved Assad!
Stig Larrson's Dragon Tattoo series comes into play with the strong female lead. Like Lisbeth, Merete won't give up. She doesn't let anything stop her from believing in herself. Now, back to the plot of the story. It is not secondary to the novel. Is is right up front along with the excellent character development. I'd say this novel is more suspense then mystery, but you judge. It's kind of creepy, but the story line keeps you reading. What happens next to Merete? Well now, you just have to read the book. Enjoy Denmark and meeting Carl and Assad!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Loved It!!!
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is Young Adult Fiction, but worth the read. Undoubtably one of my favorite authors, Carlos Ruiz Zafon works his magic in turn of the century India (Calcutta). Vivid descriptions take you back in time and beware: there are demons at work. Zafon highlights the evil in the world by the use of the characters and the meaning of family. Sheere and Ben separated at birth; their mother and father tragically killed; but their grandmother lives. Evil hunts them down...
Ben placed in an orphans home and Sheere (well, you got to read the book). While in the orphans home, Ben constructs a family out of other children there too. They call themselves the Chowbar Society and they meet in the Midnight Palace, an old run down mansion near the orphanage. What magic awaits them?
Seriously, grab this on your way to the beach. It's really good. You can even read/discuss with your kids if they are not too busy with school work. Enjoy!
Ben placed in an orphans home and Sheere (well, you got to read the book). While in the orphans home, Ben constructs a family out of other children there too. They call themselves the Chowbar Society and they meet in the Midnight Palace, an old run down mansion near the orphanage. What magic awaits them?
Seriously, grab this on your way to the beach. It's really good. You can even read/discuss with your kids if they are not too busy with school work. Enjoy!
The Boy in The Suit Case by Kaaberbol and Friis - Different, but Good
The Boy in the Suit Case by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis is an interesting book. Set in contemporary Denmark it is about child summgling, but is a mystery. It was on the list of NY Times noteworthy mysteries 2011. I have found very mystery/crime novels set in Denmark, so I had to read this one. The names are long and clumsy to someone not familiar with Danish, but you get use to it after few chapters. The first several chapters set up the plot and then the roller coaster ride begins.
Again, I won't ruin this one either, but the last 100 pages are a roller coaster and I could not put the book down. The book high lights subtle cultural differences in the Danes and the rest of the EU. Not good, not bad, just Danish. There are also some very strong female characters, very cool, in this novel.
I hope you will give this novel a chance, you will be happy you did. (It's not very long either...)
Again, I won't ruin this one either, but the last 100 pages are a roller coaster and I could not put the book down. The book high lights subtle cultural differences in the Danes and the rest of the EU. Not good, not bad, just Danish. There are also some very strong female characters, very cool, in this novel.
I hope you will give this novel a chance, you will be happy you did. (It's not very long either...)
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino - Like reading a chess game - Fascenating!
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino was an interesting mystery. Set in contemporary Japan, the author takes the reader on a journey similar to that of a chess game. Yasuko Hanaoka , a divorced mother, tries to turn her life around working in a sandwich shop. She cannot seem to get away from trouble. Her abusive ex-husband finds her and the trouble begins...
I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say, this is a great story. Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police and Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist nicknamed "Detective Galileo" shift into high gear to check and solve the mystery. The book is very analytical, but very readable at the same time. The reader also gets a glimpse of Japanese society in how the characters act.
I highly recommend this book - go out and read people!
I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say, this is a great story. Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police and Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist nicknamed "Detective Galileo" shift into high gear to check and solve the mystery. The book is very analytical, but very readable at the same time. The reader also gets a glimpse of Japanese society in how the characters act.
I highly recommend this book - go out and read people!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
All Yours by Claudia Pineiro - Short and Funny!
Claudia Pineiro is a best selling crime author from Argentina. I picked this book up because it is short. I have come to find out it is action packed and funny, while still containing all the elements of an excellent mystery. Give it a shot and it will make you laugh and you'll get a good mystery out of it too!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The Goat Woman of Largo Bay by Gillian Royes
This book was classified under mystery, but is more fiction than mystery in my estimation. It is a very thought provoking look at a woman's life, her choices and how she deals with them.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Susan Hill - An Author Worth Looking Into!
I have read two Susan Hill novels - they are well written, very engaging and have great mystery/side story tie ins. The Various Haunts of Men, followed by The Pure In Heart are excellent reads. They are in the Simon Serrailler series. (The Risk of Darkness, The Vows of Silence, and The Shadows in the Streets)
The Various Haunts of Men centers on Freya Graffam; whereas The Pure in Heart centers more on Simon Serrailler. (I've only read the first two.) I do suggest reading them in order. More information can be found at Susan Hill's website: http://www.susan-hill.com/
The Various Haunts of Men centers on Freya Graffam; whereas The Pure in Heart centers more on Simon Serrailler. (I've only read the first two.) I do suggest reading them in order. More information can be found at Susan Hill's website: http://www.susan-hill.com/
Monday, March 26, 2012
God's Jury by Cullen Murphy
God's Jury by Cullen Murphy is not a mystery, but it is a fascenating look at the inquistion over time. The subtitle, The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World, makes the reader think hard about the world we live in today versus that of a millenia ago. How different are we? Will man make it to the next level of enlightenment as a people? [It was pointed out to me today we have made advances in humanitarian areas. Sending aid in the form of money, medicines and food to areas of the globe where they are needed. Transportation is significantly better and faster these days!]
In General:
To start with there were three inquisitions. The first was in the 13th century; the second, the infamous Spanish Inquisition, in the 15th century; and finally, followed closely by the Roman Inquisition in the 16th centry. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely," from The Price by Miachiavelli. There were approximately 2,000 people burned at the stake. Furthermore, the Black Death decimated 1/3 of Spain's population during the second inquisition. Enough death already??? I guess not.
The First Inquisition - The Cathars - Church Mandated - 13th Century:
The two interrogation and/or torture manuals were written in the 13th century and used throughout all three inquisitions. Some forms of torture outlined therein are still used today. Examples are cited in the text. Gui wrote, Conduct of the Inquisition Into Heretical Depravity and Eymerich wrote, Directorium Inquisitorium, which was more widely used. The former was referenced in Umberto Eco's book, In The Name of the Rose. This fact also made me think that man has still remained unchanged over this time.
In the 13th century, the world was becoming more modernized. There were universities in Paris and Bologna. New ideas were being spread by academics and permeating throughout society. This just so happened in the case of the Cathars of Southern France. They did not believe in the same tenents as the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Pope Innocent III issued the Albegensian Crusade in 1208 to 1229 to put an end to the Cathars and their divergent beliefs.
The Second Inquisition - The Spanish Inquisition - Secular - 15th Century:
Lasted 350 years, but started Feb 6, 1481 in Sevilla as the city was beset by plague. Conversos, people who converted from Judaism to Christianity (sometimes under duress), were persecuted for reverting back to Jewish ways. (Moors, referred to as Moriscos, who converted to Christianity were also persecuted for the same reasons.) At that time in history, Conversos held influential positions in the community in finance, government service and as professors. There were many Jews in Spain, estimated at 2% of Iberia's population who were well educated and wealthy. (Many other European countries expelled the Jews from their borders much earlier on. England in 1290 and France in 1306.)
The same type of torture techniques were used from the first inquisition. They relied on the same codes of cannon law too; but had better record keeping as time progressed. The statue of El Cid today stands on ground were Jews, Muslims and later Protestants were burned at the stake.
There were systematic book burnings and/or censorship going on during the Spanish Inquisition. Unlike earlier inquisitions, the objection was not only religious beliefs, but purity of blood. The state was the sponsor of this inquisition, versus the church for the others. Ferdinand and Isabella took the authority away from the church in a series of power plays. Pope Sixtus need Spain's support against the Turks in 1478 and relinquished the control of the inquisition to El Rey y La Reina. It seems religion and political power are intricately bound together...
The Spanish Inquisition is not complete without mention of Tomas de Torquemada the Inquisitor General of all Spain. He controlled the burnings, the censorship and the information flow at the time. Many people worked for the inquisition during this time. It is estimated that 1 in every 42 people supported the inquisition. This gave them relief from taxation and the ability to bear arms.
The Third Inquisition - The Roman Inquisition - Church Mandated - 16th Century:
The Roman inquisition started in 1542 under Pope Paul III. This inquisition is run by the church, not by the government. It is centralized and bureaucratic. The inquisitors answer to a committee of Cardinals overseen by an Inquisitor General with permanent offices in the Vatican complex.
There is an index of forbidden books as the Gutenburg Printing Press is in full production and books are being mass produced. It's about the flow of information. If the Vatican controls that they control everything. They are not the only source of ideas flowing out there. An archive is started at the Vatican to store the information. There are records now. There is an Inquisitors Palace. There are archives in Bologna and Modena, Naples and Venice.
I only read up through Chapter 4 in this book, but would recommend it highly. It is clearly written and easy to read. The later chapters go into a comparison of the inquisition to modern day events and journalism. I found the concept of information is king, especially to the Roman Catholic Church and/or related monarchies quite interesting. The Jews, Moors and Protestants challenged the RC Church and since the church had the information and the power they were able to persecute the people. Also, with all the plagues running around europe at that time, you would think enough death? Evidently not. Very interesting read.
In General:
To start with there were three inquisitions. The first was in the 13th century; the second, the infamous Spanish Inquisition, in the 15th century; and finally, followed closely by the Roman Inquisition in the 16th centry. "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely," from The Price by Miachiavelli. There were approximately 2,000 people burned at the stake. Furthermore, the Black Death decimated 1/3 of Spain's population during the second inquisition. Enough death already??? I guess not.
The First Inquisition - The Cathars - Church Mandated - 13th Century:
The two interrogation and/or torture manuals were written in the 13th century and used throughout all three inquisitions. Some forms of torture outlined therein are still used today. Examples are cited in the text. Gui wrote, Conduct of the Inquisition Into Heretical Depravity and Eymerich wrote, Directorium Inquisitorium, which was more widely used. The former was referenced in Umberto Eco's book, In The Name of the Rose. This fact also made me think that man has still remained unchanged over this time.
In the 13th century, the world was becoming more modernized. There were universities in Paris and Bologna. New ideas were being spread by academics and permeating throughout society. This just so happened in the case of the Cathars of Southern France. They did not believe in the same tenents as the Roman Catholic Church at the time. Pope Innocent III issued the Albegensian Crusade in 1208 to 1229 to put an end to the Cathars and their divergent beliefs.
The Second Inquisition - The Spanish Inquisition - Secular - 15th Century:
Lasted 350 years, but started Feb 6, 1481 in Sevilla as the city was beset by plague. Conversos, people who converted from Judaism to Christianity (sometimes under duress), were persecuted for reverting back to Jewish ways. (Moors, referred to as Moriscos, who converted to Christianity were also persecuted for the same reasons.) At that time in history, Conversos held influential positions in the community in finance, government service and as professors. There were many Jews in Spain, estimated at 2% of Iberia's population who were well educated and wealthy. (Many other European countries expelled the Jews from their borders much earlier on. England in 1290 and France in 1306.)
The same type of torture techniques were used from the first inquisition. They relied on the same codes of cannon law too; but had better record keeping as time progressed. The statue of El Cid today stands on ground were Jews, Muslims and later Protestants were burned at the stake.
There were systematic book burnings and/or censorship going on during the Spanish Inquisition. Unlike earlier inquisitions, the objection was not only religious beliefs, but purity of blood. The state was the sponsor of this inquisition, versus the church for the others. Ferdinand and Isabella took the authority away from the church in a series of power plays. Pope Sixtus need Spain's support against the Turks in 1478 and relinquished the control of the inquisition to El Rey y La Reina. It seems religion and political power are intricately bound together...
The Spanish Inquisition is not complete without mention of Tomas de Torquemada the Inquisitor General of all Spain. He controlled the burnings, the censorship and the information flow at the time. Many people worked for the inquisition during this time. It is estimated that 1 in every 42 people supported the inquisition. This gave them relief from taxation and the ability to bear arms.
The Third Inquisition - The Roman Inquisition - Church Mandated - 16th Century:
The Roman inquisition started in 1542 under Pope Paul III. This inquisition is run by the church, not by the government. It is centralized and bureaucratic. The inquisitors answer to a committee of Cardinals overseen by an Inquisitor General with permanent offices in the Vatican complex.
There is an index of forbidden books as the Gutenburg Printing Press is in full production and books are being mass produced. It's about the flow of information. If the Vatican controls that they control everything. They are not the only source of ideas flowing out there. An archive is started at the Vatican to store the information. There are records now. There is an Inquisitors Palace. There are archives in Bologna and Modena, Naples and Venice.
I only read up through Chapter 4 in this book, but would recommend it highly. It is clearly written and easy to read. The later chapters go into a comparison of the inquisition to modern day events and journalism. I found the concept of information is king, especially to the Roman Catholic Church and/or related monarchies quite interesting. The Jews, Moors and Protestants challenged the RC Church and since the church had the information and the power they were able to persecute the people. Also, with all the plagues running around europe at that time, you would think enough death? Evidently not. Very interesting read.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Devil-Devil by Greame Kent
Mystery Mavens February 2012 selection... Set in the Solomon Islands as British control was waining in the 1960s, this book is fascenating and a good mystery rolled into one. Sargent Ben Kella is also an aofia, hereditary spiritual peacekeeper of the Lau people; and Sister Conchita, a young American nun team up to solve the mystery.
Yup, even in paradise there are murders. The story starts with death of Sendu Iabuli. Sargent Kella is sent into evaluate the situation. At the same time, the bones of Lofty Herman (tabu) are found near the the mission. Sister Conchita, also refered to as Praying Mary, attempts to bury the bones and Sargent Kella interviens. Then the adventure begins. They are chased around the island by someone with a gun. Shots are fired. Luckily our two intrepid characters survive another day.
We get some history about the Solomon Islands too. The Japanese invaded in 1942. That makes the date 1960. There are many remembrances of the war on the part of the characters throughout the book, as many of them fought against the Japanese during the war. [Parabosi, Deacon and Kella.] Parabosi also participated in the Marching Uprising after the war, when the locals in Malaita tried to over through the Brits. It was unsuccessful and Parabosi went into hiding in the bush with his people.
Peter Oro, Sendu Iabuli grandson, then runs away. He is in the local school and doing very well. Sargent Kella does not know what to make of this. Parabosi, the magic man, also places a curse on Sargent Kella. Parabosi is also the elderly chief of the bush people where Sendu Iabuli lived.
Sargent Kella then asks his friend John Deacon to transport Sister Conchita to Honoria for her safety. Since finding the bones of Herman, Sister Conchita's life is in danger. Deacon agrees but threatens Sister Conchita on the boat ride to Honoria. [In the early chapters of the book it is said that Sister Conchita turned Deacon in for smuggling local art work out of the islands. There is not a good relationship between these two characters.] Deacon works on a chopra plantation and has been in the islands since the war. Sister Conchita makes it to Honoria and works in the mission's motor pool while there.
While in the bush searching for clues to who was shooting at Sister Conchita, Sargent Kella stumbles accors Elizabeth. Interesting to see the character is human. The following morning, after his encounter with Elizabeth, Kella discovers Peter Oro's dead body at the foot of a water fall. His death looked carefully planned. And Elizabeth the school teacher, wasn't actually a school teacher. Funny how Inspector Lorrimer picks this time to show up with 6 uniformed and armed policeman. [He is looking for the missing Professor Mallory, last seen in the Kwaio district. Lorrimer is sent by Super Intendent Grice, as the theory is Parabosi kidnapped the Professor.]
Sargent Kella does some sluething and there is the incident with Mr. Cho, the local black market representative. And missed Gao, the store keeper who is sometimes in trouble with the law, going up river to buy/sell some goods. At this time Sargent Kella finds out that there is a dying man up river, Andu, the Ghost Caller. He must table his presuit of Gau to see Andu off into the next world in the straight path ceremony, as part of his duties as the aofia. Lastly, it is determined that Peter Oro discovered the tree house where the artifacts were being stored.
At this point Sargent Kella, Inspector Lorrimer and Super Interdent Grice tag back up again. They determine that Kella needs to look for Professor Mallory and that if he finds anything out about the death of Sendu Iabuli, it will be a bonus. When Kella goes back to Malaita he has limited time to do this all. He also has Hita and his warrior's who are challenging Parabosi as chief, sent by Parabosi, on his tail while he is tracking Professor Mallory.
Mallory is found with Elizabeth. Man, that girl gets around! Anyway, Mallory and Kella go up against the warrior's and win. Yeah! Kella determines that everyone was killed due to the smuggling of artifacts off of the islands. Sister Conchita helps Kella out at the Customs Office on the island, by finding the artifacts that were going to be shipped off-island. Lofty Herman's death is solved; Sendu Iabuli and Andu killed him back in 1942 since the Japanese would kill the natives if they were harbouring a white man.
Kella and Sister Conchita make a nice team. There is the right balence of mystery, local customs and history. I look foward to Kent's next book!
Other Themes to Talk About:
1.) Black White Man - Ben Kella
Went to schools with the whites and further educated in European University. Came back to the islands and works for the still British police force. But he is still the aofia and works with the local tribes as a peace keeper.
2a.) Sister Conchita turning in another white man for smuggling - goes agains the code of whites turning on whites. This is why Deacon, Austrilian, is anamistic toward Sister Conchita.
2b.) Sister Conchita - the blending of the Christian belief system with that of the Western Solomons. This is very hard for her to initially accept, but over time, with Sargent Kella's and Father Pierre help she is able to start the transition.
3.) Long Pig - the name given to human flesh in the bush
4.) WWII vs. today - things coming back around to haunt people
Yup, even in paradise there are murders. The story starts with death of Sendu Iabuli. Sargent Kella is sent into evaluate the situation. At the same time, the bones of Lofty Herman (tabu) are found near the the mission. Sister Conchita, also refered to as Praying Mary, attempts to bury the bones and Sargent Kella interviens. Then the adventure begins. They are chased around the island by someone with a gun. Shots are fired. Luckily our two intrepid characters survive another day.
We get some history about the Solomon Islands too. The Japanese invaded in 1942. That makes the date 1960. There are many remembrances of the war on the part of the characters throughout the book, as many of them fought against the Japanese during the war. [Parabosi, Deacon and Kella.] Parabosi also participated in the Marching Uprising after the war, when the locals in Malaita tried to over through the Brits. It was unsuccessful and Parabosi went into hiding in the bush with his people.
Peter Oro, Sendu Iabuli grandson, then runs away. He is in the local school and doing very well. Sargent Kella does not know what to make of this. Parabosi, the magic man, also places a curse on Sargent Kella. Parabosi is also the elderly chief of the bush people where Sendu Iabuli lived.
Sargent Kella then asks his friend John Deacon to transport Sister Conchita to Honoria for her safety. Since finding the bones of Herman, Sister Conchita's life is in danger. Deacon agrees but threatens Sister Conchita on the boat ride to Honoria. [In the early chapters of the book it is said that Sister Conchita turned Deacon in for smuggling local art work out of the islands. There is not a good relationship between these two characters.] Deacon works on a chopra plantation and has been in the islands since the war. Sister Conchita makes it to Honoria and works in the mission's motor pool while there.
While in the bush searching for clues to who was shooting at Sister Conchita, Sargent Kella stumbles accors Elizabeth. Interesting to see the character is human. The following morning, after his encounter with Elizabeth, Kella discovers Peter Oro's dead body at the foot of a water fall. His death looked carefully planned. And Elizabeth the school teacher, wasn't actually a school teacher. Funny how Inspector Lorrimer picks this time to show up with 6 uniformed and armed policeman. [He is looking for the missing Professor Mallory, last seen in the Kwaio district. Lorrimer is sent by Super Intendent Grice, as the theory is Parabosi kidnapped the Professor.]
Sargent Kella does some sluething and there is the incident with Mr. Cho, the local black market representative. And missed Gao, the store keeper who is sometimes in trouble with the law, going up river to buy/sell some goods. At this time Sargent Kella finds out that there is a dying man up river, Andu, the Ghost Caller. He must table his presuit of Gau to see Andu off into the next world in the straight path ceremony, as part of his duties as the aofia. Lastly, it is determined that Peter Oro discovered the tree house where the artifacts were being stored.
At this point Sargent Kella, Inspector Lorrimer and Super Interdent Grice tag back up again. They determine that Kella needs to look for Professor Mallory and that if he finds anything out about the death of Sendu Iabuli, it will be a bonus. When Kella goes back to Malaita he has limited time to do this all. He also has Hita and his warrior's who are challenging Parabosi as chief, sent by Parabosi, on his tail while he is tracking Professor Mallory.
Mallory is found with Elizabeth. Man, that girl gets around! Anyway, Mallory and Kella go up against the warrior's and win. Yeah! Kella determines that everyone was killed due to the smuggling of artifacts off of the islands. Sister Conchita helps Kella out at the Customs Office on the island, by finding the artifacts that were going to be shipped off-island. Lofty Herman's death is solved; Sendu Iabuli and Andu killed him back in 1942 since the Japanese would kill the natives if they were harbouring a white man.
Kella and Sister Conchita make a nice team. There is the right balence of mystery, local customs and history. I look foward to Kent's next book!
Other Themes to Talk About:
1.) Black White Man - Ben Kella
Went to schools with the whites and further educated in European University. Came back to the islands and works for the still British police force. But he is still the aofia and works with the local tribes as a peace keeper.
2a.) Sister Conchita turning in another white man for smuggling - goes agains the code of whites turning on whites. This is why Deacon, Austrilian, is anamistic toward Sister Conchita.
2b.) Sister Conchita - the blending of the Christian belief system with that of the Western Solomons. This is very hard for her to initially accept, but over time, with Sargent Kella's and Father Pierre help she is able to start the transition.
3.) Long Pig - the name given to human flesh in the bush
4.) WWII vs. today - things coming back around to haunt people
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Frozen Assets by Quentin Bates - Comes Up Cold
January 2012 - Mystery Mavens selection is Frozen Assets by Quentin Bates. This book is set in Hvalvik, Iceland, a small fishing village about an hours drive from Reykjavik. Officer Gunnhildur (Gunna) Gisaladottir.
This book is slow to start and not very procedural in nature. It's loose organizational structure makes it harder to read. It has sometimes put me to sleep! You really have to get into it to read it, reading at least 50 pages in a sitting. (No so easy on my schedule!)
The plot does pick up around page 80 and readers will be come interested. Frozen Assets, as the cover implies, starts with a dead body (Einar Eyjolfur) floating in the harbor. Officer Gunna is called out to investigate. The author spends a lot of time setting up the characters in the first 50 pages and not enough time on the plot. Hence, s-l-o-w moving plot.
Then there is a blogger who keeps making comments on the political situation in Iceland. (Can you guess what spurred my idea for a blog???) Yes, the two plots eventually meet up, but not until half way through the book. The blogger, Skandalblogger, constantly comments on the political situation in Iceland and the affairs there of. He centers on the Environmental Minister, Bjarni Jon Bjarnason and his wife, Sigurjona Huldudottir, the head of Spearpoint, a consulting firm.
The Green movement is also highlighted in this novel. As we stumble through the beginning of this book, the Green movement stages a rally in Hvalvik regarding the slated builing of a power plant near the harbour by InterAlu. [Harbour -1 dead body --> Connection?]
Tensions continue to circle until the Arngrimur Orn Arnarson, the slightly shady computer programmer gets his arm broken by Harde (the really bad guy) and has a fatal heart attack shortly after. [Skandalblogger also stops blogging at this point in the story. So, the reader is lead to believe Arngrimur is Skandalblogger.] Furthermore, Gunna and her team find out one of the original leaders of the Green movement was killed in a hit and run.
At this point in the novel, Gunna comes into her own as investigator. She gets a team assigned to her to investigate the deaths. She ropes in Fat Matti Kristjan, her cousin, who was Hardy's [taxi] driver for questioning and finds where Hardy had been staying. Her reporter friend, Skuli, cuts her the biggest break when he gives her the pictures of Hardy from the dinner that Sigurjona attended with her team from Spearpoint and her sister Erna. These factors together bring the conclusion together.
It should also be noted that Bara, an associate of Gunna's, is also a strong female character. She unearths much of the research going into making the hard evidence stick. She has a small, but strong presence in the novel. I hope the author brings her back in the next installment of the series.
Gunna show how independent she had become when the pressure from above in her command chain as The Minister of Justice, Bjarni's friend, started to make calls to quiet things down. Gunna starts to unearth the "motive" for the killings in this case - InterAlu's power plan slated to be built in Hvalvik. Through her investigation, Gunna finds out Spearpoint's two subsidiaries, ESC and Bay Metals, are heavily invested in the potential InterAlu power plant.
Things start to go south in a hurry. The Icelandic banking crisis is mentioned. Government corruption etc. Badda-Bing-Badda-Boom: Time to end the book and wrap it up around P 330.
Would I recommend the book - No. I did read it and it made me think. I was crazy about the way the author brought the plot together. It was boring. With that said, I did read the entire book and write a mini-book report on it - so it wasn't that bad. I would rate the book 2.5/5 stars.
Frozen Assets - Quentin Bates - Discussion Points for Book Groups
1. Gunna Viewing Herself as Old -
Another area in this book that is worth mentioning is how Gunna views herself as old - she is in her mid 30s. She is not old. She has a good career and is up for promotion. Just because her husband has past away, she is characterizing her self as past her prime. [These references seem to subside as she comes into her own with the investigation.] Character development?
2. Icelandic Naming Conventions - P223
This is confusing to me... They attempt to clear it up in the book, but I think the Non-Icelander needs a table or something. Kids don't have the same last names as parents.
In a nutshell:
- Daughters take the fathers first name and follow it with -dottir
- Sons take the fathers first name and follow it with -son
3. Iceland's Small Population (295,000) Effect on the Story -
Gunna is related to one of the people with information on Harde- Fat Matti. What is it like where you could be related to a suspect. Gunna tries to relate, but does her job anyway. She gets the information to continue on in the investigation.
4. How does the impending climate of the bank failures impact the book as it takes place around 2008? Immense party, party life style of Sigurjona and her husband Bjarni Jon.
Other Mysteries Set in Iceland (Scandinavian Crime Fiction)
1. Arnaldur Indridason - Jar City/Erlendur Series - Excellent
2. Yrsa Sigardardottir - Last Rituals - Excellent
This book is slow to start and not very procedural in nature. It's loose organizational structure makes it harder to read. It has sometimes put me to sleep! You really have to get into it to read it, reading at least 50 pages in a sitting. (No so easy on my schedule!)
The plot does pick up around page 80 and readers will be come interested. Frozen Assets, as the cover implies, starts with a dead body (Einar Eyjolfur) floating in the harbor. Officer Gunna is called out to investigate. The author spends a lot of time setting up the characters in the first 50 pages and not enough time on the plot. Hence, s-l-o-w moving plot.
Then there is a blogger who keeps making comments on the political situation in Iceland. (Can you guess what spurred my idea for a blog???) Yes, the two plots eventually meet up, but not until half way through the book. The blogger, Skandalblogger, constantly comments on the political situation in Iceland and the affairs there of. He centers on the Environmental Minister, Bjarni Jon Bjarnason and his wife, Sigurjona Huldudottir, the head of Spearpoint, a consulting firm.
The Green movement is also highlighted in this novel. As we stumble through the beginning of this book, the Green movement stages a rally in Hvalvik regarding the slated builing of a power plant near the harbour by InterAlu. [Harbour -1 dead body --> Connection?]
Tensions continue to circle until the Arngrimur Orn Arnarson, the slightly shady computer programmer gets his arm broken by Harde (the really bad guy) and has a fatal heart attack shortly after. [Skandalblogger also stops blogging at this point in the story. So, the reader is lead to believe Arngrimur is Skandalblogger.] Furthermore, Gunna and her team find out one of the original leaders of the Green movement was killed in a hit and run.
At this point in the novel, Gunna comes into her own as investigator. She gets a team assigned to her to investigate the deaths. She ropes in Fat Matti Kristjan, her cousin, who was Hardy's [taxi] driver for questioning and finds where Hardy had been staying. Her reporter friend, Skuli, cuts her the biggest break when he gives her the pictures of Hardy from the dinner that Sigurjona attended with her team from Spearpoint and her sister Erna. These factors together bring the conclusion together.
It should also be noted that Bara, an associate of Gunna's, is also a strong female character. She unearths much of the research going into making the hard evidence stick. She has a small, but strong presence in the novel. I hope the author brings her back in the next installment of the series.
Gunna show how independent she had become when the pressure from above in her command chain as The Minister of Justice, Bjarni's friend, started to make calls to quiet things down. Gunna starts to unearth the "motive" for the killings in this case - InterAlu's power plan slated to be built in Hvalvik. Through her investigation, Gunna finds out Spearpoint's two subsidiaries, ESC and Bay Metals, are heavily invested in the potential InterAlu power plant.
Things start to go south in a hurry. The Icelandic banking crisis is mentioned. Government corruption etc. Badda-Bing-Badda-Boom: Time to end the book and wrap it up around P 330.
Would I recommend the book - No. I did read it and it made me think. I was crazy about the way the author brought the plot together. It was boring. With that said, I did read the entire book and write a mini-book report on it - so it wasn't that bad. I would rate the book 2.5/5 stars.
Frozen Assets - Quentin Bates - Discussion Points for Book Groups
1. Gunna Viewing Herself as Old -
Another area in this book that is worth mentioning is how Gunna views herself as old - she is in her mid 30s. She is not old. She has a good career and is up for promotion. Just because her husband has past away, she is characterizing her self as past her prime. [These references seem to subside as she comes into her own with the investigation.] Character development?
2. Icelandic Naming Conventions - P223
This is confusing to me... They attempt to clear it up in the book, but I think the Non-Icelander needs a table or something. Kids don't have the same last names as parents.
In a nutshell:
- Daughters take the fathers first name and follow it with -dottir
- Sons take the fathers first name and follow it with -son
3. Iceland's Small Population (295,000) Effect on the Story -
Gunna is related to one of the people with information on Harde- Fat Matti. What is it like where you could be related to a suspect. Gunna tries to relate, but does her job anyway. She gets the information to continue on in the investigation.
4. How does the impending climate of the bank failures impact the book as it takes place around 2008? Immense party, party life style of Sigurjona and her husband Bjarni Jon.
Other Mysteries Set in Iceland (Scandinavian Crime Fiction)
1. Arnaldur Indridason - Jar City/Erlendur Series - Excellent
2. Yrsa Sigardardottir - Last Rituals - Excellent