LE CRIME by Peter Steiner. (2003)
Like
the cover ad says, this is “A FANTASTIC NOVEL”.
But
not in the traditional “thriller” sense.
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layers. – This is the main focus here in
this book. Like a lot of European thriller, this one put a lot of weight
on characters. But in this case, believe it or not, almost all of it in
one guy, LOUIS MORGAN-main man here, which, again, in this case works so
wonderfully. Therefore-A Fantastic Novel.
Let me give you an idea. Author,
Peter Steiner, used up HALF the book to develop/describe/dissect/analyze Louis.
We are talking about more than 120 pages here. By the half way through the
book, we know almost everything about the rise and fall and kind of rise-again
of him. Which is so creatively well-imagined, I am actually quite jealous of
his life experience. His encounter with Phillip the gypsy is probably the
highlight of his journey.
HUGH BOWES. Another fascinating character.
Darker side of Louis. He has everything to become the most powerful man in the
world and he actually makes himself the one with
brain/ambition/conspiracy/intimidation. No hesitation what so ever to use the
power when it suits himself and his need which, he himself firmly believe, is
the beneficial to US and therefore, world peace. That is how he projects
himself to outside world. Inside, well, it’s a whole different story. He has,
to put it mildly, some kind of twisted personal issue.
Like a lot of so called powerful figures, he believes that his service to his country is vital to maintain the stability of his country. Therefore, anything threatening his existence/power, in this case his personal life, must be dealt with a swift power with vengeance even if it has absolutely nothing to do with national security.
Like a lot of so called powerful figures, he believes that his service to his country is vital to maintain the stability of his country. Therefore, anything threatening his existence/power, in this case his personal life, must be dealt with a swift power with vengeance even if it has absolutely nothing to do with national security.
In this book, the thriller was
created NOT by some kind of complicated twist/plots, BUT by the personal
history of the two main men, Louis and Hugh. Their friendship and relationship
is the base of the thriller and Peter Steiner very masterfully uncovered their
history little by little. I can’t say more then this, cause revealing any of
their relationship will ruin your reading pleasure.
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lace. – Paris to Washington. Louis exiled
to Paris some
20 yeas ago after his trouble with Washington Politics and his personal life.
How he settled down to the small town, Saint Leon Sur Deme, in Paris is another story. Very beautiful one.
Why he left Washington is the
opposite. After he decided to stay in this small town, it seems like he
actually did some work with the police there, but it was never mentioned in
this book. I guess the author left it for his next series, called L’ASSASSIN.
One thing I can tell you is that according to Author’s description of the areas
around where Louis lives, mainly country side and the cities, France is a
truly beautiful country.
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lot. – This novel actually starts really fast. Within
first two pages, Louis,, opening the door with his usual breakfast trey in his
left hand, finds the dead man lying in front of his front door. Throat
being slitted from ear to ear giving the impression of bloody smile. From here
on, like I mentioned above, author used more than half (actually almost two
third of the book, I think) to carefully guide readers through Louis’s life.
His life turned festinating once he left Washington
and arrived at Paris.
Out of his many amazing encounters, the one with Phillipe the gypsy and the
NIGHT SWIMMING with full sky surrounding him must be the best parts!! . I won’t
say anymore. You should see it with your own eyes.
Is this the political thriller,
like it says on the cover? Well, in a sense. Not because the plot involves some
kind of vicious/outrageous, Ludlum-like international conspiracy, but because
two main characters (Louis and Hugh) were involved in politics before. One
retired, the other rose to the top.
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erdict. – This is not your typical
plot-oriented-fast paced thriller. The opposite. After first two pages, it
takes step back and slowly but firmly built the storyline. Never in a hurry.
Just step by step.
This book might not be for
everyone. For one thing, no action sequence ever. FOR THRILLER!! When’s
the last time you read the thriller without some kind of final, violent, life
or death confrontation? But, not for this one. Absolutely NOT necessary to
built the story. That's why.
But if you like good literature,
European-style mystery which always starts slowly but delivers mightily at the
end, this one is really really really good choice for you. It only took me
three nights to finish this book. Good luck finding it!!!
