A blog reviewing mystery books, with a listing of Saskatchewan mysteries, and a sprinkling of non-fiction books, especially history and biographies
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Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick
In this post I put up a review I wrote in the fall of 2008.
****
44. - 454.) The Business of Dying by Simon Kernick –
Dennis Milne, a London
detective, moonlights as a hired killer of bad guys avoiding justice. His
vigilante justice is turned upside down when he is set up by his employer and
kills two customs officers and an accountant. As he struggles to deal with his
actions he attempts to resolve the murder of an early teenage prostitute. Trying
to reconcile his lawful pursuit of criminals with his own criminal actions is
difficult. As he moves forward each of the plots becomes more complex. There
were too many bodies for me. The book drew me swiftly forward as I wondered
what the consequences would be for Milne. I concluded that anti-heroes are not
my favourites. While I sometimes tire of the hero always solving the case I
dislike the hero being a murderer. Should the anti-hero be rewarded for killing
bad people? Many would favour such action but when did the anti-hero become God?
Milne settles for justifying his actions to himself. Good. Paperback. (Oct.
21/08)
Bill - There is a real balance isn't there between the hero always solving everything (not realistic) and the anti-hero (can get tiresome). I have to say I think Kernick is a talented author. I'll admit I've not read this one, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The plot line of this novel is somewhat similar to the encounter deaths of criminals reportedly engineered by the police in Mumbai. Undertrials were often killed in "encounters" after they tried to escape custody. Public outcry has put a near end to this disguised form of vigilante justice.
Prashant: Society loses when the police exceed their role in justice. Without the checks and balances of police, prosecutors, defence counsel and judges enforcement becomes an arbitrary personal assessment. I am glad police vigilantism has ceased.
In this post I put up a review I wrote in the fall of 2008.
Bill - There is a real balance isn't there between the hero always solving everything (not realistic) and the anti-hero (can get tiresome). I have to say I think Kernick is a talented author. I'll admit I've not read this one, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI quite like an anti-hero TBH. I've read a couple of Kernick's earlier books but not this one.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. Kernick does challenge a reader.
ReplyDeletecol: Thanks for the comment. I hope you get a chance to read and review the book.
ReplyDeleteThe plot line of this novel is somewhat similar to the encounter deaths of criminals reportedly engineered by the police in Mumbai. Undertrials were often killed in "encounters" after they tried to escape custody. Public outcry has put a near end to this disguised form of vigilante justice.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, Bill. I don't know much about this author. If I run into this book or one of his others at a book sale, I will give it a try.
ReplyDeletePrashant: Society loses when the police exceed their role in justice. Without the checks and balances of police, prosecutors, defence counsel and judges enforcement becomes an arbitrary personal assessment. I am glad police vigilantism has ceased.
ReplyDeleteTracyK: The book will challenge you. I hope you have a chance to read it.
ReplyDelete