(Drivebycuriosity) - Crime novels are very popular. Usually a cop - or a team of cops - investigates a murder case. Sometimes the investigation is done by a private detective like in the books of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. The Polish author Zygmunt Miloszewski has an alternative, here Teodor Szacki, a smart, well educated & analytical prosecutor, leads the investigation.
I just finished reading "Entanglement", the first of a series of Teodor Szacki novels (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones amazon). In Poland`s capital Warsaw a man was murdered who had taken part in an intense group therapy. Sacki`s investigation leads to some dark secrets (this is a spoiler free blog).
Miloszewski`s novel reminds me of the popular sinister Scandinavian thrillers (for instance the "Kurt Wallander" novels by Henning Mankell). The
plot mixes politics, psychology & social issues with a gripping story. "Entanglement" doesn`t have much thrill & suspense, but I really
enjoyed Miloszewski`s psychological insights & his sarcastic
remarks about society, politics, history, the law system & more and I like his precise style. Szacki`s private life (inclusive his sexual ambitions) seems to be at least as important & interesting as the murder case.
"Entanglement" shows that crime novels can entertain and be intelligent and intellectual satisfying as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment