New Reviews on Euro Crime: Badoe, Kernick, La Plante, O'Brien, Somer, Twining
Karen Meek
Maxine Clarke reviews Yaba Badoe's debut novel, 'True Murder', which,
Maxine suggests, should appeal to fans of Ruth Rendell and Morag Joss;
Michelle Peckham reviews the latest from Britain's answer to Harlan
Coben, Simon Kenick's 'Target';
Geoff Jones reviews the new DI Anna Travis book from Lynda La Plante,
'Silent Scream';
Jacquot's back: Terry Halligan reviews the return of French detective
Jacquot in Martin O'Brien's 'Confession';
I review the latest in one of crime fiction's more unusual series: 'The
Gigolo Murder' by Mehmet Murat Somer, tr. Kenneth Dakan
and Amanda Gillies reviews the most recent in James Twining's Tom Kirk
Art Thief series: 'The Geneva Deception'.
http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/review_list.html
Forthcoming titles can be found here:
http://www.eurocrime.co.uk/future_releases_by_date.html
The euro crime blog has regular news on British/European crime fiction,
tv, and film and the monthly competitions - http://eurocrime.blogspot.com/.
best wishes,
Karen M
(& YA blog http://readingteenagefiction.blogspot.com/)
K Barrett
> New reviews this week on Euro Crime:
>
> I review the latest in one of crime fiction's more unusual series: 'The
> Gigolo Murder' by Mehmet Murat Somer, tr. Kenneth Dakan
>
[snip]
I've been very tempted to read this series. I guess I just worry that
it may be too - sheesh - what's the word? I mean how can you wonder
about how unrealistic a character can be if you are talking about a
transexual prostitute. Sheesh, even typing that places sooo many
(possibly negative) connotations on transsexuals and prostitutes that I
think my hesitation becomes apparent. I mean, I'd like to think the
author treats his characters with humanity and respect and if so I'd
read the series, but I won't read the series if the characters are
buffoons or stereotypes, even well intentioned stereotypes.
LOL! I guess I'll have to read one and find out.
K Barrett
K Barrett
Oops, I said transexual when I meant transvestite. Sorry ([blush]
K Barrett
Karen Meek
The lead character isn't a prostitute as far as I can recall though some
of his peers might be and there's the gigolo of course! There are a few
"rude bits" - definitely not miss marple. I believe The Kiss Murder is
actually the first one written which I've not yet read but I liked
Gigolo more than Prophet as it had a better plot. Got a few strange
looks whilst reading it too. I've got an interview with the author on
the blog at:
http://eurocrime.blogspot.com/2008/05/mehmet-murat-somer-euro-crime-interview.html
=>EC: Where did the idea for the main character come from?
**MMS: Two reasons really. First, I believe the media presentation of
transvestites is usually negative. They are presented as either
slapstick fun material or potential criminals by the media, in bad films
and books. For example see the freak transvestite character in The
Silence of the Lambs. As a result transvestites are perceived by many as
potential criminals, doomed to be street hookers but nothing else, with
almost no moral values. I don't agree with this attitude at all. So I
wanted to create a likeable, intelligent, witty, refined, well educated
hero/heroine with "positive skills". Not the typical, stereotypical
drag-queen. Therefore I furnished him/her with contrasting and
considerable talents� Plus lots of knowledge and warm wit. Hence I
created, I believe, the first transvestite detective.
And the second reason was to create a marketing niche in the presence of
many straight, and the few gay /lesbian detectives of crime fiction.
--
best wishes
Karen
Annie C
"Karen Meek" <ka...@eurocrime.co.uk> wrote in message
news:VL-dnZIv9Psgao_W...@eclipse.net.uk...
> transvestite detective.
>
> And the second reason was to create a marketing niche in the presence of
> many straight, and the few gay /lesbian detectives of crime fiction.
> --
>
> best wishes
> Karen
>
About a year ago, Mehmet Murat Somer was here in Chicago on tour. Wish I
could have made it the signing that night, but missed it due to weather,
iirc. Fortunately, I was able to get a copy of his first book.. still here
on the TBR. Must remedy that soon
Annie
K Barrett
Thank you Karen for responding. You've assuaged my fears. I see the
second and third books are available on Kindle (my preferred reading
method), but the first isn't. None are on Audible, but I have asked for
them. I'll see if I can get the first from the library.
K Barrett
Karen Meek
> Thank you Karen for responding. You've assuaged my fears. I see the
> second and third books are available on Kindle (my preferred reading
> method), but the first isn't. None are on Audible, but I have asked for
> them. I'll see if I can get the first from the library.
>
> K Barrett
I hope you can find it :). The US covers are rather different to the UK
ones!
best wishes,
Karen
Euro Crime for the British & European crime scene at
http://www.eurocrime.co.uk
Euro Crime blog - http://eurocrime.blogspot.com/
Teenage Fiction blog - http://readingteenagefiction.blogspot.com/