A review by joanna_m
Happy Birthday, Turk! by Jakob Arjouni

3.0

I first heard about this book on the Radio 4 programme 'Foreign Bodies', listed as an example of crime fiction as post war European social commentary. On reading it, I was incredibly impressed at the depth and maturity of a novel written by a white, middle class 20 year old. Although it does not match the intelligence and social conscience of the Martin Beck novels, Arjouni still gives an interesting view of the seedier side of German life. In the end, I felt that the book depended too much on unnecessarily graphic violence, which as the plot advanced, irritated me, as I just thought it would never stand up in court. I would recommend it, if not unconditionally, and will probably read the rest of the series.