cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Detective Josef Slonsky has been a policeman in Prague for almost 40 years. He doesn't have further career ambitions past his current rank of Lieutenant, but he isn't ready to retire yet. Slonsky seems to take a liking to the newest rookie, Navratil, with whom he's partnered. The two are assigned to a case of an unidentified young woman found strangled in a railway station. When the woman is linked to a high-ranking government official, Slonsky and his new partner become involved in an investigation that is more complex and more dangerous than they could have ever guessed.
I was intrigued by the setting of this book because I've never read a book set in the Prague. The book includes information about the modern Czech Republic as well as the country's history. I learned a lot while being entertained by this gritty police procedural. Slonsky is witty, lazy, and says what's on his mind. He makes an unlikely but complementary match with the young, enthusiastic, and sometimes naive Navratil. I enjoyed the humor in the book and Slonsky reminded me of Inspector Morse. I found myself laughing out loud at many of Slonsky's one-liners.
The plot of the book gets more complicated as the story goes on and I sometimes couldn't see how things that seemed unrelated to the investigation fit into the story. However, everything comes together for a shocking ending I never saw coming. I'm happy to see a follow-up to this book is scheduled to come out this fall. I think fans of Colin Dexter or Peter Robinson will enjoy the layered characters and complex plot of "Lying and Dying" as much as I did.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Josef Slonsky has been a policeman in Prague for almost 40 years. He doesn't have further career ambitions past his current rank of Lieutenant, but he isn't ready to retire yet. Slonsky seems to take a liking to the newest rookie, Navratil, with whom he's partnered. The two are assigned to a case of an unidentified young woman found strangled in a railway station. When the woman is linked to a high-ranking government official, Slonsky and his new partner become involved in an investigation that is more complex and more dangerous than they could have ever guessed.
I was intrigued by the setting of this book because I've never read a book set in the Prague. The book includes information about the modern Czech Republic as well as the country's history. I learned a lot while being entertained by this gritty police procedural. Slonsky is witty, lazy, and says what's on his mind. He makes an unlikely but complementary match with the young, enthusiastic, and sometimes naive Navratil. I enjoyed the humor in the book and Slonsky reminded me of Inspector Morse. I found myself laughing out loud at many of Slonsky's one-liners.
The plot of the book gets more complicated as the story goes on and I sometimes couldn't see how things that seemed unrelated to the investigation fit into the story. However, everything comes together for a shocking ending I never saw coming. I'm happy to see a follow-up to this book is scheduled to come out this fall. I think fans of Colin Dexter or Peter Robinson will enjoy the layered characters and complex plot of "Lying and Dying" as much as I did.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘We always disregard the obvious and assume that things are not what they seem.’
The body of a young woman is found strangled, by the side of a road in Prague. Who has killed her and why? The only clue seems to be a large amount of money concealed on her person.
The murder case is assigned to Lieutenant Joseph Slonský and his new partner Navrátil. Slonský who is edging close to retirement, is regarded as something of a maverick by his colleagues. He’s clever but seen as lazy. He does just enough work to ensure that his superior, Captain Lukas, has no grounds to retire him early. Slonský likes to conserve energy but needs frequent refuelling in the form of coffee and food. Navrátil is a recent graduate from the police academy: eager to learn as much as he can. While Slonský doesn’t really want a partner, he’s happy to have a gofer:
‘In return for small domestic services like making coffee, he was prepared to dispense occasional pearls of wisdom that might benefit Navrátil’s career.’
Investigation into the murder seems to indicate that the woman was involved with a member of the Czech government. And when the government minister lies about his involvement with the woman, it all looks very suspicious. But Slonský isn’t convinced. So he keeps digging.
‘Everyone is guilty, sir,’ offered Slonský. ‘They may not be guilty of what they’re charged with, but everyone has done something.’
‘Cynical, and hardly reassuring,’ Lukas observed.
‘But true, sir.’
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, with its twists and turns. Granted, some of those twists are extremely convoluted but Slonský is determined to find the truth. His methods may not be conventional (and his solutions certainly are not) but sometimes (at least in fiction) the ends justify the means. Perhaps. Slonský and Navrátil are great characters: Slonský, the crusty old cop, a flawed character with great knowledge and experience while Navrátil is smart and keen to learn.
I understand this book is the first in a series: I’ll certainly be looking to read the second!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The body of a young woman is found strangled, by the side of a road in Prague. Who has killed her and why? The only clue seems to be a large amount of money concealed on her person.
The murder case is assigned to Lieutenant Joseph Slonský and his new partner Navrátil. Slonský who is edging close to retirement, is regarded as something of a maverick by his colleagues. He’s clever but seen as lazy. He does just enough work to ensure that his superior, Captain Lukas, has no grounds to retire him early. Slonský likes to conserve energy but needs frequent refuelling in the form of coffee and food. Navrátil is a recent graduate from the police academy: eager to learn as much as he can. While Slonský doesn’t really want a partner, he’s happy to have a gofer:
‘In return for small domestic services like making coffee, he was prepared to dispense occasional pearls of wisdom that might benefit Navrátil’s career.’
Investigation into the murder seems to indicate that the woman was involved with a member of the Czech government. And when the government minister lies about his involvement with the woman, it all looks very suspicious. But Slonský isn’t convinced. So he keeps digging.
‘Everyone is guilty, sir,’ offered Slonský. ‘They may not be guilty of what they’re charged with, but everyone has done something.’
‘Cynical, and hardly reassuring,’ Lukas observed.
‘But true, sir.’
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, with its twists and turns. Granted, some of those twists are extremely convoluted but Slonský is determined to find the truth. His methods may not be conventional (and his solutions certainly are not) but sometimes (at least in fiction) the ends justify the means. Perhaps. Slonský and Navrátil are great characters: Slonský, the crusty old cop, a flawed character with great knowledge and experience while Navrátil is smart and keen to learn.
I understand this book is the first in a series: I’ll certainly be looking to read the second!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book - the characters are mostly likable, lots of humor and surprises, and an interesting story. Lieutenant Josef Slonský is a pretty likable character most of the time, smart, and completely keeps out of the limelight as much as possible. Although he often seems only to care about eating and drinking, he's a good cop. And I like that he often gives credit to others, even when they didn't do anything, just because they need it more than him. Early on, he's described thusly: "Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever." And this is by design, not incompetence. I also like that he is always polite, even when insulting someone. He rarely seems to get angry, or at least doesn't show it (although the ending...).
He definitely has his own way of doing things, and sometimes they seem dumb, but he always has some strange reasoning. One example is when they were on a stakeout, and his partner asked him why. He said there was a tip about some guns being sold, from another policeman's brother. But the tip didn't come from the policeman, but was seen in his log book. Turns out they get a lot of tips this way, but none of them turn out to be true. This is because the tips are actually provided by Slonský, and he does it as an excuse to be away from the station while some group is there investigating something or other.
I'm looking forward to reading more of the series soon.
He definitely has his own way of doing things, and sometimes they seem dumb, but he always has some strange reasoning. One example is when they were on a stakeout, and his partner asked him why. He said there was a tip about some guns being sold, from another policeman's brother. But the tip didn't come from the policeman, but was seen in his log book. Turns out they get a lot of tips this way, but none of them turn out to be true. This is because the tips are actually provided by Slonský, and he does it as an excuse to be away from the station while some group is there investigating something or other.
I'm looking forward to reading more of the series soon.
left_coast_justin's review
3.0
Three stars, for a book of this type, means I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't life-changing or particularly distinctive.
The extent to which one will enjoy this book largely depends on how well one like the main character, Josef Slonsky:
This is because Slonsky is part of nearly every paragraph in the book. He's a relatable sort, clever but lazy, forever ducking off for a beer or a sausage. (After about the twentieth occurrence, though, the joke had worn thin.)
This book felt like it was written by an older person -- a person who still finds a whiff of scandal in drinking beer during working hours, and who finds an extramarital affair giggleworthy. People are having sex! Tee-hee! But for all that, the story is presented quite clearly and about 70% of it made sense. Only in the final few chapters did the logic start to falter.
But then, at the very end, another surprise came rolling out of the author's sleeve, making me re-evaluate all I'd read before.
Enjoyable, if you can overlook some warts in the lead character's character.
The extent to which one will enjoy this book largely depends on how well one like the main character, Josef Slonsky:
You don't get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, partner. You have to work at it. I wasn't born grey, you know. I'm a self-unmade man.
This is because Slonsky is part of nearly every paragraph in the book. He's a relatable sort, clever but lazy, forever ducking off for a beer or a sausage. (After about the twentieth occurrence, though, the joke had worn thin.)
This book felt like it was written by an older person -- a person who still finds a whiff of scandal in drinking beer during working hours, and who finds an extramarital affair giggleworthy. People are having sex! Tee-hee! But for all that, the story is presented quite clearly and about 70% of it made sense. Only in the final few chapters did the logic start to falter.
But then, at the very end, another surprise came rolling out of the author's sleeve, making me re-evaluate all I'd read before.
Enjoyable, if you can overlook some warts in the lead character's character.
kaz_loves_books's review
2.0
Unfortunately I read this book and found it hard to follow at times. It could just be me but I struggled to understand the characters, some of the plot and what was happening in the book.
vesper1931's review
4.0
In Prague the body of a strangled female is found in the early morning and Lieutenant Josef Slonský is put in charge of the investigation, with the help of new graduate Navrátil.
An interesting read, and an entertaining well-written mystery. With some characters that certainly grow on you as you read the book. A very worthy start to a new series.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy.
An interesting read, and an entertaining well-written mystery. With some characters that certainly grow on you as you read the book. A very worthy start to a new series.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy.
thequietgeordie's review
4.0
The book opens with the discovery of a dead woman on the road, who is concealing a large amount of cash. Lieutenant Josef Slonský is on the case, along with his new partner, Navrátil, who has recently graduated.
With few clues to the woman's identity, a picture is placed in the papers. In response, they receive a photograph of someone very familiar. Is it a case of corruption, or something bigger?
The novel is set in Prague in a cold February. It's the first time I've read a book set in that particular part of Europe. I found the plot intriguing, it certainly kept the pages turning. I kept having to reread bits as the twists just kept coming and whilst I tried to work out whodunnit the author did a very good job of leading me up the garden path.
I loved the character of Slonský. He is hilarious, he drives all of his colleagues nuts and he is obsessed with food (he reminded me a bit of Montalbano). He is thought of as lazy, but he insists he just needs brain fuel. Navrátil does a good job of mostly asking questions on the reader's behalf, but there are occasions when he proves he has brains.
I really enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more from the author.
With few clues to the woman's identity, a picture is placed in the papers. In response, they receive a photograph of someone very familiar. Is it a case of corruption, or something bigger?
The novel is set in Prague in a cold February. It's the first time I've read a book set in that particular part of Europe. I found the plot intriguing, it certainly kept the pages turning. I kept having to reread bits as the twists just kept coming and whilst I tried to work out whodunnit the author did a very good job of leading me up the garden path.
I loved the character of Slonský. He is hilarious, he drives all of his colleagues nuts and he is obsessed with food (he reminded me a bit of Montalbano). He is thought of as lazy, but he insists he just needs brain fuel. Navrátil does a good job of mostly asking questions on the reader's behalf, but there are occasions when he proves he has brains.
I really enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more from the author.
pgchuis's review
3.0
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Police detective Josef Slonsky investigates the murder of a young woman, while at the same time mentoring (or is it corrupting?) new recruit Navratil. The first two thirds of this story are excellent; the tone is light, there are lots of funny lines, and the plot moves along swiftly. Slonsky's methods are reprehensible, but achieve results, and he cleverly gets away with things and manipulates his superiors. There are passages touching on Prague's recent history which were interesting.
However, I was less enamoured of the last third of the narrative, which was filled with lengthy speeches and argument. Both the motive and method of the murderer seemed dubious to me. Would his plan really have achieved what he sought? (I don't think so). I was very disappointed indeed with how the story ended.
Police detective Josef Slonsky investigates the murder of a young woman, while at the same time mentoring (or is it corrupting?) new recruit Navratil. The first two thirds of this story are excellent; the tone is light, there are lots of funny lines, and the plot moves along swiftly. Slonsky's methods are reprehensible, but achieve results, and he cleverly gets away with things and manipulates his superiors. There are passages touching on Prague's recent history which were interesting.
However, I was less enamoured of the last third of the narrative, which was filled with lengthy speeches and argument. Both the motive and method of the murderer seemed dubious to me. Would his plan really have achieved what he sought? (I don't think so). I was very disappointed indeed with how the story ended.
laurenvp's review
3.0
3.5 stars rounded down. The best part of this book was the characters within it, the dialogue was crackling with humorous electricity.
The whodunnit left me a bit cold by the end hence the rounding down, I'll definitely check out the next one in the series though!
The whodunnit left me a bit cold by the end hence the rounding down, I'll definitely check out the next one in the series though!
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