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Title: The Bridge of Sighs by Olen Steinhauer, Ned Schmidtke ISBN: 0-7861-2412-1 Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks Pub. Date: 01 February, 2003 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $35.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (7 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Edgar nominee historical mystery
Comment: In Eastern Europe, 1948, twenty two year old detective Emil Brod is given his first murder case for the People's Militia. A famous patriotic songwriter is killed in his home. As Emil investigates the murder he realizes there may have been a political reason for the killing. While questioning the upper hierarchy of the party, he is suddenly suspected of being a spy. With death being the penalty for a convicted spy, Brod now finds his own life in danger. He can expect no help from his colleagues in the People's Militia. Emil, with so much at stake, cannot abandon his search for the truth.
THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS is a period piece historical novel with a major strength being the descriptions of the locale- the exact location of which is unknown. Characters almost play a supporting role to their surroundings. The author keeps things in proper perspective, however, as the plot moves quickly to its clever ending. With the strong reliance on the almost unbearable oppression of the people, one immediately recalls the historical dramas of J. Robert Janes and LIE IN THE DARK by Dan Fesperman. Very well done.
Rating: 4
Summary: By the Book
Comment: The Bridge of Sighs takes place in a very unique time and place -- post WWII (1948) and in a tiny Eastern block country. It's wonderful how the hero of our story, Emil Brod, is relentlessly nailed to the wall right from the beginning. He starts a new job, everybody hates him, and things at home -- living with his grandparents -- aren't exactly great, either. And it gets worse before it gets better.
In a nutshell, this is a wonderful by-the-book detective story, though the by-the-book-ness is perhaps its weakest point. The story has been told a million times before -- the woman in trouble, the corrupt official, the hero going through the ringer before overcoming the villain. I just wish Steinhauer would have gone slightly off the formula to keep it a bit fresher.
But that's a very minor complaint. This is a superbly novel with identifiable, realistic characters and a plot that just keeps on moving. Steinhauer can flat-out write: look for a tightly constructed chapter near the middle of the book where he intercuts a flashback (Brod's fight with his arch enemy aboard the ship) and present-day action (a hooker trying to get Brod's attention). Artful, beautiful, perfect.
Rating: 3
Summary: Cold War Murder in Eastern Europe
Comment: A not altogether convincing murder mystery set in an unnamed Eastern block nation shortly after WW II. Our hero is the new guy in the pricinct, who lives with mom and dad. A thorough nebish, who, by the end, solves the crime, earns the respect of his hostile comrades, defeats powerful antagonists and gets the girl. So she's over the hill and an alcoholic. It's still a victory. I wonder if they move in with his folks? The narrator is excellent, though the tale is flawed. He has an attractive voice, and makes a brave stab at portraying the transition of our hero from schlepper to mensch.
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Title: Death of a Nationalist (Soho Crime) by Rebecca Pawel ISBN: 1569473447 Publisher: Soho Crime Pub. Date: 01 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: The Confession by Olen Steinhauer ISBN: 0312303289 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 01 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Guards by Ken Bruen ISBN: 0312320272 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 19 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Offer of Proof : A Novel by Robert Heilbrun ISBN: 0060538120 Publisher: William Morrow Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Night of the Dance: A Mystery by James Hime ISBN: 0312313225 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 21 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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