simplyreaders

Twisted - Steve Cavanagh, 2019

2019-05-30T11:02:00.002+01:00

Sometimes we choose a book for its cover, that happened to me when I saw ‘Twisted’. If I’m completely honest I never had heard about any of Steve Cavanagh books before, so this was my first ever book from the author.

The idea of the book is intriguing, a mysterious and very successful writer, with a shady past living in a quiet, wealthy area where nobody knows about him, actually he is so mysterious that nobody knows his real name, his face and never gave an interview. All mystery. His wife is having an affair with a waiter and they discovered a bank statement with $20 million hidden from her and here is where hell unleashed.

The name of the book ‘Twisted’ honours the number of twist this novel has, one after another. Steve Cavanagh’s novel made us be hooked with the storyline but I have to admit that took me around 140 pages to get me in. Before that point I was a little bit disappointed with the slow page and the unrealistic storyline, but after that point the first part made sense, and after all it was an enjoyable read.

In general lines it’s a good read but it is not one that i would particularly recommend, There are many other novels that you can spend the evening reading instead of this one, but that’s just my opinion.

The main character, Paul Cooper is not believable in his role of writer/killer/blackmailing/hero. Actually I wouldn’t be sure if he fits in any of those categories, he looks like a scared guy trying to hide with little personality who is afraid of his shadow, and that, again in my opinion, is a let down.

If I have to rate this book, I would struggle to give it more than 3.5/5 stars.

If you have read it and have a different opinion, do not hesitate to leave us a comment. Nothing is more welcome than a literary debate!

Twisted by Steve Cavanagh
Orion Books
ISBN - 9781409170709

Saints and Sinners - John Broughton, 2018

2019-05-19T09:15:00.000+01:00

Surely, a great number of those who love historic novels were as well faithful students of the history subjects at school. I wonder, however, how many got the chance to enjoy lectures by those teachers who not only loved history but also teaching?

I consider myself very fortunate in that matter. I had the honour to learn about World History from a marvellous, tough and passionate teacher: Mrs. Izaguirre, who not only did walk me through the centuries across the continents and presented me with excitement the faces, the empires, the wars and the treaties but also seeded the hunger for the knowledge of our past.

Today, I’m posting a brief review of a historic fiction thriller: ‘Saints and Sinners’ that left me with the same taste after those fifteen minutes sessions of history at high-school. John Broughton grabbed my hand and put me in the end of the seventh century with my feet on the grass of Mercian land, the English Midlands.

With the turn of every page, I managed to know King Aethelbald, later Bretwaldas on his early years when he was prosecuted due to a false accusation for murder. I stood next to him on the fights, arguments and negotiations to appreciate his personality as an impulsive and sometimes aggressive man and how his friends and foes built the character of whom will become a Ruler of Britain and bring a period of prosperity for the Mercian domination.

For those who are not savvy on geography – that’s my case – keep an eye on the map presented after the index.

I became his follower after reading “The Purple Thread” (Endevour Media, 2017) and I am certain that “Saints and Sinners” will attract more readers to him. I truly enjoyed this novel which is a master lecture of history, politics, war and – I am sure Mr. Broughton did it purposely – linguistics.

You have not read proper Historical Fiction if you have not read John Broughton’s work.

Very recommendable.

ISBN: 9781791708924

Endeavourmedia.co.uk

No Rest for the Dead - Andrew Gulli, 2011

2019-05-03T16:37:00.001+01:00

Have you ever had a situation or memory that left a deep mark in your life? Do you carry any experience with you that has turned into a burden?

If you would ask me, likely I would answer affirmatively. Probably the point is, how each of us manage such episodes of our past: to learn and overcome, to grieve, to grow…

Former detective Jon Nunn will live a life full of remorse after the Rosemary Thomas’ case. A woman condemned to the death penalty for the murder of her husband Christopher. With all the evidence pointing at her, little doubt left that the humiliated wife of the successful curator and cheeky womanizer has taken revenge for the years of mistreat and embarrassment and was guilty. But, was she?

With nothing to lose after a career in freefall that left him with empty pockets and living by the day, Nunn will look to uncover the truth in this cold case. He will find that not everybody manages the guilt in the same way and, whilst some may hide, some others will simply move on and enjoy themselves and their wealth.

When I saw this book whilst browsing on the net, I felt compelled to get it provided the list of amazing authors those that participated in this project. Many of them already in my bookcase, such as: Katy Reichs, Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen (one of my star authors), Diana Gabaldon, Jeff Abbott, Mathew Pearl and David Baldacci.

It is hard to give a short description of the plot – at least for me – without giving away too many details of the story. But what I can definitely say is that there is no possible way to find out the truth behind the finding of the rotten human remains in the iron maiden at the German Historial Museum.

All the rest is for the reader to discover in this remarkable literary work coordinated by Andrew Gulli.

In a different note, I would like to mention that all profits from this book are sent to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Very recommendable.

ISBN: 9781471103957

www.simonandschuster.co.uk

Greeks Bearing Gifts - Philip Kerr, 2018

2019-05-03T15:52:00.002+01:00

… in my experience you can’t be too careful when it comes to a past you are trying to shake off like a bad cold.

It is 1957 and the world is still trying to cure the hangover of the WWII. The Germans, either responsible or not, still carry on their shoulders with the guilt of the Holocaust. Detective Bernie Gunther amongst them. As much as he managed to stay out of the party during the whole Nazi era and with no innocent blood on his hands, he knows that he cannot be exactly proud of his past.

He has decided to leave his past behind, to lay low and let the time do his job. His new identity as Christof Ganz may work for some but he was a remarkable cop in Munich and there are individuals with a good memory for faces and names. An old acquaintance will offer him a new job which he won’t have other alternative but to accept and where his outstanding skills as a homicide detective can be of use.

“Claims adjuster” is just a polite way of describing someone who’s paid to find out if people are lying.

As expected, his good eye and sharp mind will be praised by his boss who will give him a new assignment in Athens which will result in a new risky adventure.

‘The Doris’ would be just another unfortunate boat shrunk with a juicy insurance to claim, but not when Bernie is in charge of assessing the facts and before he realises, he will be in the middle of a twisted and intricate plot and facing his past once again.

For all those who have followed closely this amazing character created by Philip Kerr, this story results likely one of his most sophisticated narrations. No doubt that this book was a great closure for Bernie Gunther’s tales.

With a heavy gut is that I write this brief review which is also to present my respects for one of my favourite authors. May rest in Peace, Philip Kerr (1956-2018).

On the top of my list

ISBN: 9781784296551

www.quercusbooks.co.uk

www.philipkerr.org

The Rooster Bar - John Grisham, 2017

2019-04-14T14:21:00.002+01:00

When I was growing up, I had two passions: basketball and girls. I had no time for reading, I thought it was enough with old the classic books I had to read at school. I normally linked boredom to books. That was the reality, I’m sure it was because I was reading the wrong books at that time. One Sunday morning, my dad gave me money to go to buy bread and the newspaper and he handled an equivalent of 20 GBP note so reluctantly I went for it. I used to buy the paper in a small shop just 100 yards away from my home, that store was owned by one of my neighbours. When I asked for the paper, the girl at the till asked me “Do you want the book it comes with the paper?” I looked to the book and saw the name “The Rainmaker” by John Grisham. The name sounds familiar and the story sounded great so against all odds I said - “yeah, I’m taking it too”.

That same evening I started reading that novel, I was hooked. Since that day, I love reading. No way back. John Grisham made me love reading. After that I have read many of his books. I loved them all. The last one I read was “An Innocent Man” and I stopped. I wanted to read other writers and suddenly I forgot about him. Couple of weeks ago, I saw one of his books “The Rooster Bar” and I decided to read him again.

Before I started reading I went to my Goodreads account and checked the reviews. Some said “Classic Grisham”, “Loved it!”, others however said “Slow paced”, “Predictable and boring”. Who was right? In my opinion, the first ones!

If you’re looking for a modern classic, a book with eternal twists, a novel with 300 characters and deaths all around the board, you simply don’t know who John Grisham is. The American writer will get you into a big social issue alongside 2 or 3 young, starving lawyers who will fight against a big rival in an uneven battle but their brains will beat their dollars and at the end they will run with the money.

‘The Rooster Bar’ dives you into the University for profit world, where students are lured into a University thinking about a bright future and only to know they are heavily in debt, the university scammed them with a poor education and they won’t be able to pass the bar, therefore they can’t work as a lawyer but they have to payback the university fees that could be as high as $250K. To recap, no bar, no future, no money, no life. These three student fight back the system posing as lawyers even before they graduated, a felony.

In the other hand, Grisham points out the American Inmigration problem, especially how illegal immigrants are treated when caught. The drama of the deportation, and how affect them and their American family members. This is a touchy subject on today’s world.

Throughout the three main characters you experienced first person all these problems on vintage Grisham style.

I have enjoyed reading it, re discovering why I loved his books so much and now i’m more than eager to buy or get the other novels I had missed all these years.

Do I recommend ‘The Rooster Bar’? Hell, yeah.

The Rooster Bar

Hodder & Stoughton Ltd

ISBN A: 9781473616981

ISBN B: 9781473616998

Inhuman Resources - Pierre Lemaitre, 2017

2019-04-07T17:34:00.002+01:00

We all have one person who recommend us a book, a writer or a genre. ‘Have you heard about x,y or z writer? You should read his/her book. It’s amazing.’ With that simple sentence our brain starts working. The consequence? We will try that author, book or genre. That person in my life is my sister-in-law. For the last eight years, she has been recommending books and I have to admit, 95% of the times she has been spot on.

It must be around four years ago, when we were talking abut thrillers and she was so enthusiastic about a French writer called Pierre Lemaitre. Honestly, before that day I never had heard of him. But she spoke so highly about one novel (Alex) that I bought it stratight away. I loved it! Simply phenomenal! Then I read another three of his books, same result, fantastic!

Last January, I went to visit them back home in Spain. As usual, she recommended me another book, Inhuman Resources.

I have mixed feelings for this one, I liked it but I didn’t loved it. It’s well written, characters very well crafted but some parts of the storyline bored me. Some parts are just not credible and some turns are just ‘too Hollywood’, but again, I have enjoyed it and I would recommend it.

I enjoy talking about politics, I have my views on things which I don’t pretend to be right, just have them and I respect any contrary opinion. Fine with that, but on this particularly novel his turns against capitalism are ludicrous and populist. Obviously, companies want to maximaze profits and shareholders get more money in bonus than workers but capitalism is not the devil. Is it improvable? Yes! Is it perfect? No. Pierre Lemaitre hits the fan against it too often and in situations that were avoidable but in a sense it’s understandable. The main character, Alain Delambre, is an outcast. He was an executive in a big corporation, his company merged with a foreign one and he was made redundant. As he’s over 50 he can’t get back to the job line and has to work in underpaid jobs. That hit him up to the point of depression, humiliation and his self stem is down to the floor. When a situation gets worse, he had an interview that could change his and his family life. Sadly, he discovered that he has been played out and he had zero chances to get it. At this point he starts creating a net of lies, deceit, wrongdoing that will make him fall.

This is a tale of frustration against a society, corporativism and modern economy where profit beat humanity, and Lemaitre made it easy to understand and follow.

No doubt I would recommend ‘Inhuman Resources’ but don’t expect to its reading will change your life. From 1 to 10, I would give this a 7.

Have you read it and you disagree with me? Fantastic, let’s chat about it leaving a message below.

ISBN - 9788466343244
Penguin Random House Group.

The Maze Runner - James Dashner, 2010

2019-04-03T16:01:00.002+01:00

And once again, I decided to read a book that eventually became a movie. I know that loads of people say that no film will be as good as the literary source and I agree but there is no other way of finding out this than reading the book and watching the motion picture - however the order - right?

The first book is quite hooking at the beginning, when Thomas get into the maze, the unexpected arrival of Teresa the very next day and all the events that will follow. What I do appreciate of the book is the way James Dashner narrates the world inside the maze that is nothing but the basic organization of social group: the providers, the workers, the authorities, even the medics. Whilst the providers are limited to agricultural and livestock, the hunters will be substituted by the runners who are in charge of a critical task: to map the ever changing labyrinth. Therefore, the survival common goal of any social group which is mitigated by the external supplies given by ‘The Creators’ is replaced by another implicitly agreed purpose: to get out of the maze.

Another great merit of Dashner's work is the detailed exploration of Thomas’ mind during his adaptation process to the community: the fears triggered by the partial loss of memory, the bullying and the unknown, as well as his imminently raising as the leader of the group with its small victories and downfalls. And, another nice touch of the plot for me was to be able to remember one of the most popular phrases of a great teacher in my master of business: the only constant is ‘The Change’.

The second third of the book gets a slower rhythm and sometimes I felt like nothing is happening but you will later discover that all those little details that may seem irrelevant will be key on the last part. And, yes, I must confess that the last dozen of chapters kept me turning the pages non-stop until my delicious chai latte got cold.

An advise for all our followers and, in particular those looking for adventure books: The Maze Runner will be one of those fascinating readings that will make you want to buy get the next three parts. I would also recommend to shake off any memories you may have of the movies – if you saw them – and get into the story with fresh eyes and mind.

If you want to revive those first days in school, when you joined the Boy Scouts, your first fight, the day that you discovered those skills that made you decide and build your future, etc. The Maze Runner will be, without doubt, the right book for you.

Thanks to Małgo for the nice present!

Very recommendable.

ISBN - 9781909489400
www.chickenhousebooks.com
www.jamesdashner.com

Lethal White - Robert Galbraith, 2018

2019-04-01T18:38:00.000+01:00

I have never read any Harry Potter book and I have no intention to doing it anytime soon. Fantasy is not my cup of tea so don’t even think about that I have chosen this book because I was a JK Rowling fanboy. But, let me tell you something, I have read all Robert Galbraith books and I love them!

If you haven’t been in this lovely planet for the last 20 odd years, let me tell you that Robert Galbraith is JK Rowling alter ego to write thrillers and this writer not only delivers but going beyond my wildest expectations.

Lethal White is the fourth take on the adventures of Cormoran Strike, a PI, and his sidekick, PA, Secretary and his secret love interest Robin Ellacot.

This is not the typical series of books where from the beginning you know who is the killer and everything is sugarcoated and everybody is happy with the world. Not! This is a dark series where the goodies are not that good, actually they are quite shady and moody and the baddies somehow you can empathised with them around the series (well, not always).

What I really like in this book is that give you insider view of different sides of society that you wouldnt have access to, for instance, publishing world, politics or fashion. And the writer does it in a fashion that you believe everything he (or she) says and its more, at one point, you want to be a PI too and help him solving the mystery.

Nowadays, many writers use a formula that comprise this:action, sex, some wrong historical facts, more sex, some inaccurate locations, even more gratuite sex, some pervertion, a very shady killer, a very white main character that is as good as a saint and the end is with facts and elements that never happened during the story. This is different, in Lethal White you will find a very well told story with sub stories that helped you to contextually understand what’s going on.

The book has around 568 pages and it’s a total page turning. If you like thrillers, read it you won’t regret it!

Recommendation: Buy it, read it and share it.

ISBN: 0751572853

ISBN13: 9780751572858

Sphere.

Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz, 2016

2019-03-22T15:41:00.000+00:00

I had a fantastic workout routine today with one of my very best friends, however, I must admit that his fitness condition is way superior than mine and, somehow, he has become one of my role models. That made me think about all situations in life when on occasions we find ourselves in a context where our knowledge or skills are better than the ones around us, some other times, our position may not be as favourable. And surely, we have had come across a number of scenarios where we find our match, either for a cooperative or competitive situation.

After leaving the secret program where he was trained to be a survival and a killing machine, Evan decided to keep his life in seclusion, surrounded by the most sophisticated security possible and taking care of leaving no trace of his presence anywhere. A man that does not exist. But it is not like he became a monk or the hermit on the hill. He became a paladin to help those in desperate need, those defenceless in critical and unfair situations.

Subject to a strict set of rules, Evan can be contacted by anyone in a such unwanted situations through a phone number that will be given by another person already helped.

One case at a time and with all possible precautions. Yeah, it all sounds good: Evan, you’ve got the job of your dreams and the purpose of your life, haven’t you?

On very single case, he has faced, so far, dirty guys that were no match for his skills and they wished, if alive, not having crossed his way ever. But one good day somebody will be good enough, with the correct background, with the adequate resources and the strong will to balance – or overturn – the equation.

Evan, the Orphan X, will see each of his operational rules broken and deal with the consequences of that. A desperate Latin woman, her neighbour, the daughter of an addicted gambler, an illegal immigrant. Who’s with him and who’s against? That’s for the reader to find out in a page turner novel that I strongly suggest to start right before your days off work.

Martial arts, psychologic games, weaponry and much more is given with no reserves on this book and, if you were looking for that story that will make you feel miserable after finish it and will make you ask for more, ‘Orphan X’ is the right choice.

Very recommendable.

ISBN: 9781405910705

www.penguin.co.uk

www.gregghurwitz.net

The Chalk Man - C. J. Tudor, 2018

2019-03-21T20:24:00.004+00:00

Every novel has a story behind. Why did we choose that particular book amongst all the rest of novel when we visit our local bookstore? Sometimes could be because we have read a review in Internet or the newspaper (yeah, still there are adults to do that), or maybe because a friend told us about it, perhaps somebody at our local bookstore recommend it, and sometimes is because we spot the book and the novel starts calling our name.

Now let me tell you what happened to me and C. J. Tudor’s ‘The Chalk Man’. Not a long time ago, two of my mates and me decided to go on a three days breakaway to Edinburgh, a train trip, a little bit more than 2 hours. I didn’t have anything to read in the trip so I rushed to my local Waterstones to see what could I take to the Highlands. When I arrived I started snooping around but nothing caught my eye until I see a black book with a chalk man drawing. I thought ‘uhmmm, this is interesting’, then after checking the storyline I was totally on board. This big boy was coming to Scotland with us.

When you start reading this novel, the main genre is the typical killing in the middle of nowhere in England, which is appealing for itself. To be honest, I’m a little bit tired that all the time, all the books are based in the same area on LA or Arkansas. I want novels that I can relate and this is one. Then the story flash backed you to the past and some bullying. Then adds some supernatural or shady elements, wow, I’m hooked then add so many twists that my neck is almost broken. The finish product? The Chalk Man.

In that trip, which was amazing by the way, I only could read on the train and at night. I finished it before I get back home. The action is thrilling, you won’t leave the book alone until you finished it.

When the likes of Lee Child, Stephen King or John Boyne recommend this book is for a good reason.

We can only follow suit and recommend the reading of ‘The Chalk Man’, you won’t regret it and as well, you will think twice to walk alone in the park again...

ISBN - 9781405930956

Penguin books

The Fox - Frederick Forsyth, 2018

2019-03-21T19:17:00.001+00:00

Many battles have been won by outnumbering the opponents, by using new weaponry, using geographic advantages – even weather ones – but many will agree with me that likely the most valuable element for a victory is: the surprise.

Recently, whilst working on my own writing, I’ve been researching widely on the Nazi invasion of Crete, during the WWII. To the day, many historians, war specialist and aficionados debate about the merits from the German army and the right or wrongdoings of the Allies in the island. However, nobody will ever argue that one decisive factor for the victory was, precisely, the surprising element of the airborne invasion. The first in the history of warfare.

But those were other times with other technology and resources. Today, war is a completely different concept where, whilst the human resources remain as the main source, high-end technology, informatics, ultra-advanced espionage and telecommunications have become the critical support for operations at any scale.

Having said this, let’s imagine a scenario where your most powerful weapon would not be a nuclear warhead, a biochemical agent or a state-of-the-art air fighter; what if the most effective ever resource would be the brilliant mind of an individual who, by the way, would never want to harm anyone?

Frederick Forsyth returns to tell us a story where he won’t skimp on details about the black ops, the espionage networks, the political decisions taken behind doors, the diplomatic relations and the individual stories of all the characters involved. Could a government be able to sabotage operations and premises around the world without even put a foot on those targeted territories? How to cover any trace? What would it take to protect your secret weapon?

If you are a follower, big fan or just discovered Frederick Forsyth, probably by reading The Afghan, Cobra or The Odessa File –just to mention some of Forsyth’s master pieces -; don’t dare to miss ‘The Fox’. A novel with a plot developed in current times and with lots of accurate descriptions of international conflicts and events that – frame my words – will make you see the world with different eyes on every turn of page.

I am unable to describe further about the plot without giving up details that are reserved for the avid reader. But I won’t stop myself from telling everyone that ‘The Fox’ has reached a place among the top five of my books where Forsyth already holds the first place as well.

For all those readers who enjoy with military operations, international politics, even for those Conspiracy Theorists, this book will not disappoint you and, if by fluke this novel is your first encounter with Frederick Forsyth, well… I promise there’s not point of return.

A must-read

ISBN: 9780593080580
www.penguin.co.uk

The Spy and the Traitor - Ben Macintyre, 2018

2019-03-19T15:54:00.000+00:00

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a good friend from my country of birth, Mexico, in regards the terrible situation this wonderful nation is going through: after a long period of right, center-right and hypocrite leadership on the power, the country elected a candidate who, although comes from the same old corrupted school – with Honours-, presented himself as the messianic alternative and, just after 100 days as president, has managed to divide the country - lot more than it was -, create his own army based police, a new long lasting debt, downgrade the qualifications of trust for foreign investment and, by the way, break at least half dozen of his campaign promises - the last happened before he actually took over the presidency. Yet, millions believe, only God and they know why, that he will be the actual change-for-better trigger.

With all these wonderful news, I wondered: How far can we go against the stream and survive before we give up and follow the lead of the masses? How strong our principles can be, to stand before those changes and live our lives no matter the consequences?

Well, for all those Mexicans or from anywhere else in the planet, there is a book that talks about a man who may be a good inspiration: "The Spy and the Traitor".

Ben Macintyre brought in this book, as he always does, a very well documented and detailed story: the life of Oleg Gordievsky. Created and indoctrinated by the KGB, the Soviet spy covered a post in Denmark, when he had the opportunity to get in touch with the Western world. Don't get me wrong, we all know that the way we currently live is unsustainable in several aspects and it is taking generations to change it, but certainly the access to the all cultural disciplines were definitely limited - in the best of cases - during the Soviet regime and the exposure to the music and literature during his post abroad where enough to seduce him to defect.

But we are talking about the Cold War. Thatcher and Gorvachev were not there yet when he got into the espionage business. Later he would be the undisputable responsible to make the relation between the UK and the USSR to run smoothly when the aforementioned leaders met in a time that the market for government secrets, double-agents and propaganda was in bonanza. Risking his life and the lives of his family, Gordievsky did all what he could to spy for those that he considered the good guys in the movie and with that, becoming a traitor of his fatherland.

I won't get into the discussion about ethics here. That is maybe the topic for another post in another blog. Some will consider him a hero, others a villain. As many individuals we are, opinions will be there. My suggestion is: for all those that are passionate for espionage stories, the appealing world of gadgets and conspiracies; for those that love history books and excellent journalism, The Spy and the Traitor will be an unforgettable reading.

A read-before-you-die

ISBN: 9780241186657
Viking/Penguin
penguinrandomhouse.com

penguinrandomhouse.com

The Crucifix Killer - Chris Carter, 2009

2019-03-19T15:46:00.002+00:00

Everytime I have to choose a new book I asked myself, what makes me enjoy a good thriller?

A good, believable storyline.

A good group of characters.

Unconventional twists.

Fast pace, not long and boring chapters going nowhere.

Chris Carter presents Robert Hunter in his first novel of this series. Robert Hunter is a complex individual, tough childhood, genius at school, bright mind, loneliness... ok, you have heard all of this before, but the serial killer he is fighting against got a brilliant twisted mind, who will put you at the edge of the bed every night wanting to finish the book. You want the baddie to be nailed ASAP.

The different characters mixed well with the other small stories around the main storyline, making this thriller very enjoyable to read, and the action relates to a good box set of your favourite series more than a typical serial killer novel.

I don’t particularly like the novels where the main character is so good, all generosity and white soul and the villain is so bad and mean. I prefer grey characters, people, good or bad, with a dark past, wit demons, insecurities. In other words, a character from the real world. This book delivers in that matter.

When I bought this book, I have to say that I didn’t have much expectations, in fact I purchased it as a combo 3x2 (this was the third wheel) and I have to say, that ‘The Crucifix Killer’ was the best of the three and since that day I have read another three more books wit the adventures of Robert Hunter and Co and I’m delighted to have discovered it.

Which is your favourite author in this genre? Please leave us a comment or visit our Instagram account (@simplyreadersuk)

ISBN: 978-1-47112-821-9

Simon and Schuster.

La novia gitana (The Gypsy Bride) - Carmen Mola, 2018

2019-03-09T09:25:00.004+00:00

‘La novia gitana’ (The Gypsy Bride) is the first novel published by Carmen Mola. There is a lot of mistery around this unknown Spanish novelist. To start with Carmen Mola is not her real name, nobody, apart from the person who writes the cheques, knows her identity! That fact adds more even mistery to the novel and has an impact on you when reading her work page after page. And believe me, you won’t put her work down very easily.

The plot is very simple, one gypsy bride to be is kidnapped on her way home from her hen party. She was tortured to death and dumped after few days. When the police started investigating realised the MO is similar another killing: her own sister, ans as well, before her wedding.

So, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to guess that her killer could be linked or be the same as her sister’s, well, think twice because her sister’s killer is in jail. And from here is where the plot starts twisting with stories and substories that made this novel so entretaining and you wont be able top ut it down until it’s finished.

It’s true that La novia gitana has all the cliches in the genre, a tormented police that abuse alcohol (tick), a young police who wants to conquer the world (tick), a badass police who doesn’t go with the rules (tick) and a hacker (tick) and, of course, a twisted psycho (tick tick). But, the problem is not how many cliches you add, the master of Carmen Mola is how she take and mixed them all making her book so enjoyable. One major attractive of this plot is the gypsy culture that Mola describes in the book, so obscure in some sense but at the same time, so intriguing and attractive.

The conflicted egos around the four main characters is another interesting part of the book and how she keeps the ball moving around it, fascinating.

Hopefully, ‘La novia gitana’ gets translated soon into English so the UK public can enjoy it and remember that not only Scandinavians can write thrillers.

ISBN – 978-84-204-3318-9 (Spain)

I Am a Cat - Natsume Soseki, 1905

2016-10-14T16:42:00.002+01:00

Fully aware that this novel got nothing to do with espionage or thrillers, I would like to share with the visitors of simplyreaders how much I enjoyed it.

A nameless cat who can only be identified either by the ones of its kind as well as human beings as the teacher's cat, narrates its unusual entrance to the world and to the life of its master, Kushami and with this, the feline will give us its particular point of view in regards to the Japanese middle class in the early years of the twentieth century.

Along with its chosen fitness and walks to the house of the Kaneda's, which happen to be the rich people in the neighborhood; the other cats in the area, the friends of his master and the annoying students of the school next to the house; this cat with no name reports every detail of these strange specimens called 'human beings' which, from its point of view, live their lives in the absurd of such occupations and activities obsessed to fit in a new society hungry of Westernization.

Are we condemned to bury our needs for art and beauty? Is the concept of 'marriage' valid for the current social groups or would it be better to carry on with our lives as singles for the sake of individualist existences and prevent getting in conflicts with others?

Written over a hundred years ago, Soseki´s novel presents valid reflections for any point in time bringing to the table the never-ending debate of the progress with its benefits and its consequences.

Very recommendable.
ISBN: 9780804832656 (published in English)
Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 9788493760151 (published in Spanish)
www.impedimenta.es

Micro - Michael Crichton, 2011

2016-10-02T19:30:00.000+01:00

or.... 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' but in a far better version.

Peter Jansen and his Cambridge's science colleagues are invited to Hawaii by 'Nanigen' a company with state-of-the-art equipment that offers jobs to any graduate with innovative undergoing works .

Hawaii, good wage and the job of your life... it cannot be better! sun, sand, sea and science, here we go!

Of course, something is wrong, otherwise, it wouldn't be a good novel. Eric Jansen, the brother of Peter, works as the vice-president of Nanigen and died in very strange circumstances. With a bit of good instinct Peter will find out that it was not an accident and he will make his move to try to corner the bad guy: Drake, the owner of Nanigen.

But he never thought that Mr. Drake would be such a unscrupulous guy. His dramatic and manipulating skills will put Peter and his colleagues in lethal trap. They will be shrink to a half inch size and from there, the survival tour will start. No sun, no sand, no sea... just the science.

Little-Peter and his little-friends now will need to escape from Drake, come back to the lab, recover their size and that's not all, they need to find the way to put him in jail. Let's see if all of them are able to come back safe, sound and... sized.

And the plot will get better when the insects, the micro-guys, the big bad guy, the police with initiative, some other micro people and an unexpected person (that appears in the last part of the story) come all together. Each part with their own objectives.

This fascinating novel can be taken as fabulous adventure to the micro-world, as the funniest biology/chemistry/physics lesson or all together. Action, a lot of well based science, drama and just a little touch of romance, all will be blended to give us a fantastic plot.

Keep an eye on: of course all the descriptions about physics, entomology, natural poisons, botany and further more that Mr. Crichton leaves in this book. The plot is not complex, however, keeps the reader passing the pages without a break.

I used to say that if history were taught just as Ben Macintyre and Keith Jeffery do in their books, lots of students would chose this path. Now I would add that, if biology were taught just as Michael Crichton does, we would have 10 times more scientists working for a better world.

Very recommendable.
ISBN: 9780007350025
www.harpercollins.co.uk

Thanks once more to Czerwinski for this fantastic recommendation.

A Foreign Country - Charles Cumming, 2012

2013-04-22T18:20:00.000+01:00

'Vanished. Five days ago. Nobody has any workable idea where the hell she's gone or what's happened to her.'.

Have you ever been in the embarrassing situation of a wedding where the bride never comes or a party where the birthday guy decided go somewhere else but the place the party is waiting? If so, think now on a thousand times worse situation where the just appointed head of the MI6 evaporates from the map few weeks before she takes her new role. The wedding and the party look a lot smaller now, right?

Amelia Levene requested some days off prior starting her new functions and suddenly dissappears, nobody have a single clue and it is necessary to take hand of an old sea wolf that knows her well and who may have a second chance in life accepting the mission, field office Thomas Kell.

'I am an officer with the British Secret Intelligence Service. Yes. To all intents and purposes, I am a spy.'

Tunisia is the main scenario where the veteran spy will look for Amelia, his tricks and instinct are intact and his mind is resourceful. Kell will not have problems to find her but the problems will begin when he will find the reason why she was missed and that the MI6 is the last to know about this.

Keep an eye on: Just like in the classic spy movies, the typical stages like hotels, bars and exotic landscapes will provide one of those stories full of vintage style.

I've got this book because Charles Cumming is a very recurrent writer mentioned by friends and some followers of Simplyreaders. Now I clearly understand the reason and it is because Cumming has a special narrative gift to give us a fantastic portrait with tasteful colors in a few pages and later invites us to keep watching the image for a long time enjoying every single stroke.

Rule One of SIS was never to moan, never to show weakness.

Very recommendable
ISBN: 9780007337866
www.harpercollins.co.uk

Moonraker - Ian Fleming, 1955

2013-04-17T12:50:00.000+01:00

'Your Majesty, men and women of England [...] In a few minutes' time the lives of all of you will be altered...

Post-war era, as we all know, were rarefied times. Alliances, polarization, distrust and loads of diplomacy were palpable in the air. The nuclear race and espionage were the national sports for the world greatest powers. Ian Fleming took those subjects to the table brilliantly in 'Moonraker' where, the 007 will discover a great conspiracy behind the mask of a perfect citizen.

Bond is appointed for an apparent simple mission, to use his gambling skills to discover the tricks that Sir Hugo Drax, a very respectable citizen, uses to win huge sums on the tables. After a fantastic performance as an actor and playe,r and getting M close to a nerve breakdown, Bond leaves Sir Drax without a penny in his pocket and with a big humiliation as he cannot complain unless wishes to put himself on an embarrassing situation.

'Could I have a dry Martini?' he said, 'Made with Vodka. Large slice of lemon peel.'

From here, Bond will take over a different task, to take personal care of the Moonraker, the most important step on the nuclear race for the Empire and with Sir Hugo Drax as the head of the project. Very soon, Commander Bond will find out why people says: 'once a cheater, forever a cheater'. Bond will need to risk his life to uncover a secret operation that, if successful, would lead to the armageddon.

... if we've got enough evidence that someone's trying to sabotage the Moonraker we'll have the the whole place turned inside out [...] to hell with politics.'

Keep an eye: on the carefully built character of Sir Hugo Drax, feelings, ideals, rancor, fanatism, etc. Of course, you must enjoy reading about Bond's gourmet facet and his cold blood. Worth to mention how enjoyable is the card game and an amused of Bond pretending to be a drunk messy gambler and the stress of M who, despite all, trust blindly his faithful secret agent.

By far, Moonraker is the novel that gives the deepest print of Bond's character and where Fleming made use of many stereotypes typical of the era. Also, this novel let us see a little of the lonely man beneath the tuxedo.

'They want us dead,' said Bond calmly. 'So we have to stay alive'.

Very recommendable.

ISBN: 9780099576020

www.vintage-books.co.uk

Casino Royale - Ian Fleming, 1953

2013-04-16T13:20:00.001+01:00

He was a secret agent, and still alive thanks to his exact attention to the detail of his profession.

Simplyreaders will publish during this year a review of the whole 13 James Bond's novels written by Ian Fleming respecting the order of publication. Then, 'Casino Royale' is the first in the list.

Le Chiffre is a dangerous man with expensive taste and hobbies and leads the SMERSH cel in Paris. His own excesses will put him in a very compromised situation and he will find on gambling the alternative to his problems. MI6 and CIA are aware of it and will try to thwart his plan. After all, this is a double hit to the Russian counterespionage and to the mafioso's business.

We therefore recommend that the finest gambler available to the Service should be given the necessary funds and endeavour to out-gamble this man.

007 is appointed for the mission, unlucky for him, not alone. Backup will be provided and it is a very seductive one. Along with Vesper, Bond will have the support of Felix Leiter, the CIA counterpart who also will appear in subsequent books.

The cards are on the table, the chips jump in by the thousands and the jackpot reaches a massive number. Martinis, smokes, sweat, tension and bluffs will keep the reader trapped until the last page with the heart pounding.

Bond's car was his only personal hobby. One of the last of the 41/2-litre Bentleys...

Ian Fleming not only delighted us with a fantastic plot full of tasty elements that will be taken as a heritage for thousands of fiction thriller writers afterwards, but gave us the foundations of the psychology of the most famous secret agent ever known.

...he wanted to sleep with her but only when the job had been done.

Keep an eye on: the details that contribute to create the personality of James Bond. His taste for food, drinks, clothes, weaponry, cars, hobbies, mood, language and of course... women.

Casino Royale is a classic and the sacred stone of the espionage thriller, therefore, a-must-read t all the fans of this genre as well as Bond's followers.

There could be no more miracles. This time he had to win...

A must-read.
ISBN: 9780099575979
www.vintage-books.co.uk

H H h H - Laurent Binet, 2009

2013-04-16T13:20:00.000+01:00

I just hope that, however bright and blinding the veneer of fiction that covers this fabulous story, you will still be able to see through it to be historical reality that lies behind.

From the many books read and reviewed at Simplyreaders, HHhH has a special place, and the reason is that among all of them, the style of Laurent Binet is simply the most audacious, no more, no less.

Laurent Binet tells us three stories in one, each one in a different moment in the timeline but nonetheless linked in the core: his own venture to write a book based the facts tha ocurred during the Nazi occupation of the former Protectorate of Moravia and Bohemia; the preparation of a very ambitious operation to kill the most dangerous, cruel and feared person in the Third Reich, Reinhard Heydrich and the story of this despicable man.

It's the Hangman of Prague - the Butcher, the Blond Beast - who must pay.

Heydrich has been appointed the head of the Protectorate of Moravia and Bohemia and it is in his hands to dismiss any sign of insurgency. The opinion is divided between the ones who accept the current circumstances for survival and the ones that prefer death rather than submission to the Reich. The author gives a fully detailed portrait of the atmosphere that rules these dark times not only in the former Czechoslovakia but the neighbor countries like Poland or Ukraine.

Keep an eye on: all the emotions that Binet passed through during the preparation of the book, the short anecdotes (my favourite is about Dinamo Kiev FC) and the confessed attempts of the author to add his own season to the story. All these elements together result in a very honest and stand-alone piece of writing and journalism.

How can you tell the main character of a story? By the number of pages devoted to him?

Binet fights between his efforts to give the deserved praise and importance to the heroes and describe the psychology of Heydrich who is an unavoidable a magnetic character in the story. The author tells us about his internal conflict between the description of the real facts and the unstoppable intervention of his imagination that triggers more than once a shot of fiction ink.

It's incredible. Almost anywhere you look in the politics of the Third Reich, and particularly among its most terrifying aspects, Heydrich is there - at the centre of everything.

When I got this book, I expected a conspiracy tale, after the first page I realized that it was all about the bravery and powerful writing of a journalist.

Memory is of no use to the remembered, only to those who remember.

A must-read.
ISBN: 9781846554797
www.vintage-books.co.uk

Argo - Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio, 2012

2013-04-16T13:19:00.000+01:00

This wasn't some Hollywood movie, but life. The stakes were high.

Operation Argo has turned in a very popular subject between the espionage and conspiracies fans, such as Simplyreaders, of course. After all, what can be better than a real case published in a diary/novel/chronicle format?

Antonio Méndez sets us in the middle of the Cold War era describing the landscape and political pieces on the board and we can easily feel the thick air and tensions between the power domes on every extreme of the world.

At the time, Iran was a chaotic mess.

The USA embassy in Iran has been taken by the revolution army in Tehran and hosted American citizens. The 6 lucky ones who managed to escape from it are hidden by the Canadians in the Embassy and later in a safety house. The northern neighbors of USA took the risk of a diplomatic conflict and actively participated in the operation giving full cooperation and cover to the CIA that, led by Antonio Mendez, has prepared one of the craziest deceptions ever.

Many ideas arouse to rescue the hostages, from schoolteachers and agriculture experts to a full military operation that ended in a big fiasco. 'Argo' is the only one alternative and will put together all kind of resources in order to succeed: governments, CIA and Hollywood.

There is a great tradition in espionage operations of using the principles of magic, misdirection, illusion, deception, and denial.

Keep an eye on: how the operation was prepared, the doubts, the little details that must be cared as a part of a perfect plan that explores the mind of the enemy a 100 steps forward to avoid any single tiny doubt, the psychological preparation of the agents and the hostages. The description of all the tension and political interests involved in the situation.

Be prepared. It was not just a Baden-Powell Boy Scouts motto.

'Argo' is nothing else but an excellent first hand version of real events that will fascinate every big fan of espionage and deception operations. Any reader who considers itself a spy literature connoisseur must have this book in its shelf.

The first rule in any deception operation is to understand who your audience is.

Very recommendable.
ISBN: 9780241964590
www.penguin.com

Live and Let Die - Ian Fleming, 1954

2013-04-16T13:18:00.001+01:00

'Those who deserve to die,' he paused, 'die the death they deserve..'

And here we are again, talking about the most famous secret agent in the world!

Definitely one of the best resolutions ever at Simplyreaders has been to go through all Bond's novels, starting with Fleming's ones.

This time, Bond will visit Harlem in USA and had some sunny time at Jamaica, unfortunately not for leisure purposes. He must infiltrate and destroy a dangerous cel led by Mr. Big, a big capo supported by SMERSH and with a lot of power and money.

Never before in his life had there been so much to play for.

The cover of Bond will not last long and is matter of time that Mr. Big will start a thrilling and full of action chase. Fortunately for the MI6 field agent, he will have an unexpected ally, Solitaire, being handsome pays off, after all.

Bond liked fast cars and liked driving them. Most American cars bored him. They lacked personality...

Keep an eye on: the fantastic descriptions of the places, such as Harlem or the train carriages. As usual, don't miss the chance to read about the taste of Bond on cars, food and, of course, women.

If you look for a classic of espionage involving a lot of american old style mafia and a touch of regal, this is the correct book to pick on!

I have another motto. It's "live and let die".

Very recommendable
ISBN: 9780099575993
www.vintage-books.co.uk

bones to ashes - Kathy Reichs, 2007

2012-11-29T12:50:00.001+00:00

There are 206 bones in the adult human skeleton [...] clues about a person's life story [...]. The more bones, the more is revealed.

Dr. Temperance Brennan has good reputation in forensics and she's constantly requested for second opinion, keeping her life busy and making her proud of herself, after all... who doesn't like to be recognized by its skills and work?

She faces a new case with a bunch of bones of a female on her 14's and it triggers childhood memories with her friend, Evangeline Landry, that happens to be French and with a very poor English. It was a very short summer holiday when they met, spent time together and were separated. Well... sometimes it happens, right? but the point is that the separation came quite dramatic and Tempe just could see a car taking her just-known friend away and no one wanted to give an explanation about to where, with whom and when.

Dr. Brennan will need to be professional and leave aside her memories and perform her work just as it is expected from her, will she? After all, it is hard to separate our private life and the professional when the emotions are strong, isn't?

At the same time, the detective Andrew Ryan is working with three different cases that have something in common: females, about 14's. The roads will cross and Dr. Brennan will be tempted to cross the line between her assigned functions in forensics and go further given her relation with Detective Ryan.

Keep an eye on: the fantastic explanations about forensics and all the turns the story that will keep you reading until the next morning.

Sometimes we want to know the truth or come out with a deep secret, but... not always our findings can be pleasant and we may wish never started.

A great book for a weekend at home, particularly on winter time with a delicious coffee and a cosy sofa.

It's the body's attempt to rid itself of the bacterium that causes tissue destruction, excessive regeneration, and eventually mutilation, not the bacterium itself. More salad?.

Recommendable
ISBN: 9780099492368
Arrow Books

Fear - Jeff Abbott, 2006

2012-11-28T12:26:00.000+00:00

Add in all the other horrors of life that can haunt us: hurricanes, assaults, rapes, car crashes, accidents, terrorist attacks... well, you can see fighting trauma is a growth market.

Once, talking about vertigo and fear of heights a friend of mine said: 'I don't mind to say that I fear heights, because real men do'. Reading 'Fear' led me to think about our fears. People we have fears always and in a wide range. Heights, darkness, solitude, loneliness, water, success... so, what's your fear?

Miles Kendrick may look like a common guy walking in the streets, but what you don't know is that he uses to walk with an imaginary friend, Andy, that happens to be invisible, unnoticeable... why? well... he's dead.

Miles is apparently progressing and is invited to a new program to continue with his rehabilitation. He is under witness protection by the USA government as an exchange to be jailed for murder and criminal offences. Yes, he's professional resume would be well accepted in some organizations as a high skilled mobster he may say. His psychiatrist, Allison Vance, has been killed when someone decide to make a bonfire with her office and planted a bomb in there and Miles could see the nasty boy scout who did it. A loyalty feeling will push him to find out the reason of the killing and the circumstances will put him in companion with another two PTSD patients, a self-mutilator woman and a young soldier. Given his particular background, the FBI will take him as the main suspect of the crime and will make the things a lot harder.

I'll tell you why Allison was in danger if you tell me her secret.

As far and deep they get into the reasons of the murder, they will find very dirty stuff related with pharmaceuticals and other sort of mobs that also make a good money without use guns... the most of times.

Of course. Hospitals hate scandal. They hate dirty laundry.

Keep an eye on: the three main characters who suffer PTSD, Jeff Abbott did a good research work to present us them very consistent psychologies on them. The smart way Abbott puts on the table a couple of Public Health issues: the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) that is a nowadays present in many countries, among others USA and UK, mostly because of all of those brave individuals who have witnessed the horrors of war; and illegal pharmaceutical research that happens to be undercover and who knows how many are victims of this everyday.

This novel is an easy reading book and I would put it in my 'ideal-for-traveling-in-the-train' group. Compelling, smart, thrilling... a good work.

Crazy money is still as good as sane money.

Recommendable
ISBN: 9780751538328
Sphere

The Warsaw Anagrams - Richard Zimler, 2012

2012-11-20T13:24:00.002+00:00

Life is a big collection of events, some are critical whilst some others probably are not significant, however, all of them, in one way or other, may leave a print in our personality, our mood and therefore, they have an influence in our next steps. Some people even live with their own ghosts...

Erik Cohen is a psychiatrist that is sent to the overcrowding in the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw. His life is only supported by the company of his niece Stefa, the son of hers, Adam, as well as his beloved friend Izzy. The oppression of the Nazis and the death are the daily bread and nobody wants to pay attention when it happens. In some way, that's the best way to keep yourself alive.

The fragile balance of Erik's life is broken when Adam is found murdered and it leads to Stefa's suicide. With the help of Izzy and motivated by his own sadness and anger, Erik is determined to find the murder even without think what he may do once the truth is revealed.

Richard Zimler brings us a shocking picture of the history of Poland in the times of the WWII. The plot is nothing else but a good argument to show us a brave, well documented and disheartening evidence of the injustice and suffering of the Jews as well as their strong will to survive.

Keep an eye on: the descriptions of all elements of the ghetto: habits, manners and commerce. The linguistic resources from Yiddish.

The Warsaw Anagrams is a novel that will grab you until the last page. Richard Zimler along with Ira Levin, Philip Kerr, Frederick Forsyth and Gauke Andriesse, constitute a priceless and brave effort to all of them that want to know about the Holocaust and many other aspects related with it. Certainly these are all fiction writers, however, the accuracy of their descriptions blended to brilliant plots may suffice to understand and never forget.

Very recommendable

ISBN: 9781849013697 (paperback in English)

www.constablerobinson.com/

ISBN: 9788492919123 (paperback in Spanish)

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