Scan barcode
mrsfrozzie's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Another most excellent Greek Detective story by Anne Zouroudi. I've been learning some basic Greek so I was happy to recognise the greeting words used in the book.
I love how these books are written.
Hermes Diaktoros is a mysterious man referred to as 'The Fat Man' who pops up in seemingly random places to solve murders.
I didn't get any inkling to this in the first book, but now I have some serious suspicions that The Fat Man may be the God Hermes himself.
I love how these books are written.
Hermes Diaktoros is a mysterious man referred to as 'The Fat Man' who pops up in seemingly random places to solve murders.
I didn't get any inkling to this in the first book, but now I have some serious suspicions that The Fat Man may be the God Hermes himself.
mstormodolge's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Took me a while to get into it but I thought it was interesting?? Idk. Like the descriptions were cool but a lot of it just didn’t seem necessary. Like I figured this book would go under the umbrella of Count of Monty Cristo type books with everything connecting at the end but a lot of it, while I think intended to connect, just didn’t fit as beautifully as CMC does. I loved how the world was described but people not so much. Some people were hard to tell apart for a bit and the fact one main character Hermes (who I was SO hoping was actual Hermes but there’s no proof I’m right at least in this book) is constantly described as ‘the fat man’ was funny for about a page then got exhausting.
Idk overall I’m glad I read it but it’s far from my fav Greek book I’ve ever read.
Idk overall I’m glad I read it but it’s far from my fav Greek book I’ve ever read.
samphiresyl's review against another edition
4.0
HOLY SHIT what an ending!??? Hermes certainly lives up to his namesake... I kinda guessed one of the plot twists, but the other stuff that happened was completely unexpected O.O
The writing was quite beautiful in this book, though I cringed a bit when women were described - they didn't really play any role in this story, which certainly disappointed me.
The audiobook narrator did lots of voices LOL and he definitely nailed the reporter guy!! He did speak kinda slowly though, so I had to speed up his voice a bit. Overall, I loved the small town vibes, and the complex characters. The mystery itself was less of a whodunnit and more of an "okay now which of these awful dudes is gonna pay for this" T.T
The writing was quite beautiful in this book, though I cringed a bit when women were described - they didn't really play any role in this story, which certainly disappointed me.
The audiobook narrator did lots of voices LOL and he definitely nailed the reporter guy!! He did speak kinda slowly though, so I had to speed up his voice a bit. Overall, I loved the small town vibes, and the complex characters. The mystery itself was less of a whodunnit and more of an "okay now which of these awful dudes is gonna pay for this" T.T
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first book by Zouroudi. It was a pretty decent tale, but the overarching story was much better than the mystery, which almost felt like a throwaway. I thought she did a good job evoking the feeling of small-town Greece, and some of the characters and their quandaries were quite engaging. I liked the hints of Nemesis at work as the story is resolved. That being said, the pace was so slow at the beginning I almost gave up. It remained rather languid throughout.
tien's review against another edition
2.0
Not a police procedural.
Not a PI either even if he says he is an 'investigator'.
Money is not an issue for him.
He seems to be particular about his white tennis shoes.
He introduced himself as 'Hermes Diaktoros' yet throughout the novel he is more often referred to as 'the fat man'. Ugh, I'm not very politically correct myself BUT there is only so much reference to 'the fat man' I can take. I didn't count but reckon there may be about 100 times in 270 pages (on one page, it was mentioned twice in 2 lines). I have no idea what or who he is supposed to be. Some sort of avenging angel? An angel of mercy? Both? It is a mystery.
I guess it is also a murder mystery even if I don't think this is the main point of this novel. It seems to be a celebration of Greek kind of life and it sounds mighty fine to me!
Not a PI either even if he says he is an 'investigator'.
Money is not an issue for him.
He seems to be particular about his white tennis shoes.
He introduced himself as 'Hermes Diaktoros' yet throughout the novel he is more often referred to as 'the fat man'. Ugh, I'm not very politically correct myself BUT there is only so much reference to 'the fat man' I can take. I didn't count but reckon there may be about 100 times in 270 pages (on one page, it was mentioned twice in 2 lines). I have no idea what or who he is supposed to be. Some sort of avenging angel? An angel of mercy? Both? It is a mystery.
I guess it is also a murder mystery even if I don't think this is the main point of this novel. It seems to be a celebration of Greek kind of life and it sounds mighty fine to me!
robinhigdon's review against another edition
4.0
nice, gentle light mystery. I love her descriptions and characters. I want to go to Greece now!
pturnbull's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining book about a Greek "fat man" detective who presents himself as if he represents some shadowy authorities who are keen to know about graft, corruption, and injustice. The good things in life--fresh, wholesome food, friendship, the beauty of nature--are held up as the highest value and those characters who don't understand this, well, woe to them. The "fat man," as he is known most of the time, is seen from the outside, as if we are watching a movie or BBC mystery. He maintains an enviable composure and seems to have the best of every encounter he has. Even so, the book is a pleasure to read. I expect that as the series continues we will get to know more of this man and his vague connections. Meanwhile, enjoy visiting Greece.