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dgrachel's review
3.0
The Kayankaya books have the feel of old-school, hard-boiled detective noir, like Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett, complete with the misogyny. Oh, that misogyny! The depiction of women in this book is dreadful. While I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first, Happy Birthday Turk, it was still an interesting mystery. I don’t know that I’d call it a thriller, but that may have more to do with the translation than the original text. There were a number of typos, which I found distracting. Overall, it’s a decent story, but the ending was thoroughly dissatisfying. I’m sure I’ll finish the series (I own them), but I do think it will be a little while before I grab the next one, because ugh.
oldpondnewfrog's review
4.0
From the first sentences I could tell I'd like it—fast-moving, wry, and dark without overwhelming. One of the more breathlessly what-happens-next books that I've read in a while. In this translation the sentences are sharp and punchy. I've never read crime fiction before, and I loved how it follows clear genre stereotypes. Textbook example of E.M. Forster's mix of "flat" and "round" characters. Just plain fun.
alanfederman's review
3.0
Another in an enjoyable series. The plot was better in this book than some of his others - very Raymond Chandler like in the plot twists and the way the characters fit into the story.
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