Crime fiction books read and reviewed this month:
The Consorts of Death (Arcadia Books, 2009) Translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett. Originally published as Dødens drabanter in 2006 by Gunnar Staalesen (A+)
Arab Jazz (MacLehose Press, 2015) Translated from the French by Sam Gordon, 2015. Originally published as Arab Jazz in 2012 by Karim Miské (A+)
Maigret (Penguin Books, 2015) This edition translated by Ron Schwartz in 2015. First published in book form by Fayard in 1934 by Georges Simenon (C)
Camille (MacLehose Press. 2015) Translated by Frank Wynne, 2014. First published in the French language as Sacrifices by Editions Albin Muchel in 2012 by Pierre Lemaitre (A)
Cobra (Hodder & Stoughton, 2014) Translated by K- L- Seegers, 2014. Originally published in Afrikaans as Kobra in 2013 by Deon Meyer (A)
And my choice for this moth pick of the month will be:
Book description: Kosher sushi, kebabs, a second hand bookshop and a bar: the 19th arrondissement in Paris is a cosmopolitan neighbourhood where multicultural citizens live, love and worship alongside one another. This peace is shattered when Ahmed Taroudant’s melancholy daydreams are interrupted by the blood dripping from his upstairs neighbour’s brutally mutilated corpse. The violent murder of Laura Vignole, and the pork joint placed next to her, set imaginations ablaze across the neighbourhood, and Ahmed finds himself the prime suspect. However detectives Rachel Kupferstein and Jean Hamelot are not short of leads. What is the connection between a disbanded hip-hop group and the fiery extremist preachers that jostle in the streets for attention? And what is the mysterious new pill that is taking the district by storm?
In this his debut novel, Karim Miské demonstrates a masterful control of setting, as he moves seamlessly between the sensual streets of Paris and the synagogues of New York to reveal the truth behind a horrifying crime. (Source: MacLehose Press)
Arab Jazz has been shortlisted for this year CWA International Dagger and the winner will be announced tonight at the CWA annual dinner together with the Short Story, the Non-Fiction, the Endeavour Historical and the CWA Debut Dagger awards.
Needless to say Arab Jazz is my favourite. The rest of contenders are here.
A Crime is Afoot 
I’ve been swithering over this one – not sure if it’s my cup.of tea or not. But having looked at the books it’s up against, I’m thinking I should perhaps give it a try. Plus if you enjoyed it Jose, that’s a pretty good indicator of quality! And thanks for reminding me the Dagger winners are announced tonight…I’ll have to keep an eye out for who the winners are!
Thanks for your compliment Linda! I hope the book will live up to your expectations.
A great pick for Crime Fiction of the Month – it was such an interesting read, so relevant to the Paris of today (and to all religious extremism of all colours).
Fully agree with you Marina Sofia!