Lieberman’s Choice (Abe Lieberman Number 2), Stuart M. Kaminsky. Open Road Media (ASIN: B00AYRI5HY) 2013 (first published 1993).
Summary: A cop kills his wife and the cop who is sleeping with her, and threatens to blow up a city block unless one demand is met.
Abe Lieberman can’t get to sleep. And then the phone rings. A fellow policeman walked into his apartment with a loaded shotgun and blew away his wife and the cop she was sleeping with. When his partner, recently “on the wagon” arrives, the scene is so awful he needs a drink. The officer, Bernie Shepard, has barricaded himself on the roof with his dog. He’s armed to the teeth. And he’s rigged up enough explosives to blow away not only the building but a city block.
Abe is the first one who talks to him and size up the situation. Shepard wants a TV reporter to interview him. Eventually, he gets his wish. He has one demand. Specifically, he wants to talk to Captain Alan Kearney at midnight, after a day-long siege. In his mind, Kearney is the one who had corrupted his wife.
There are lots of people who want to make this go away as quickly as possible, from a mayor facing re-election to the chief of police. And there are the civilians. First, a couple of hard-up bounty seekers living in the building attempt an assault on the rooftop nest only to end up splattered on the street below. Then a gang leader who Shepard had arrested wants to take a crack. Incredibly, they let him and he manages to wound Shepard. But Shepard has positioned himself so well that no chopper, no sniper, can take him out.
If Lieberman had his choice, he’d just hang out with the Alter Cockers at his brother Maish’s deli. Or he would be home with his family. Instead, he is on point negotiating with a man who has already killed four–one who has nothing left to lose. And if that is not enough, he has to deal with a religious crazy, Frankie Kraylaw. who is abusing his wife.
As the hours tick down and the pressure increases, will they find a way to avoid a confrontation with Kearney or a catastrophic explosion? Amid it all, Lieberman, the veteran of Chicago’s streets seems the wisest and sanest. But will it be enough?
A Rare Benedictine, Ellis Peters. Open Road Media (ISBN: 9781497671676), 2014 (first published in 1988).
Summary: Three short stories set prior to the Chronicles, explaining how Cadfael became a monk and his early adventures.
At the beginning of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, he is already a Benedictine monk of some years. We learn of his crusading and sea-faring past. But we are without a clue as to how he became a monk. In the Introduction to A Rare Benedictine, Ellis Peters explains that she decided not to write a novel going back to his crusading days, as it would interrupt the chronological flow of The Chronicles. But she eventually did write a short story recounting the story of Cadfael’s entry into the monastic life. That story, and two others that precede in time the first of The Chronicles, make up A Rare Benedictine.
A Light on the Road to Woodstock
Cadfael, one of the fighting men of Roger Maduit, has returned to England with the triumphant King Henry after years abroad, and most recently in securing Normandy for the King. He’s completed his service to Roger, but has no plan for what comes next. When Roger asks him to escort him to Woodstock for a trial over claims made by the Abbey at Shrewsbury to land Roger holds, Cadfael agrees. As it turns out, the case is shaky at best for Roger. In a plot of which Cadfael has no part, Roger sends men to waylay the Abbey’s representative until the trial is over. If he doesn’t appear before the king, the land by default goes to Roger.
The plot succeeds, but there is also an attempt on Roger’s life. Cadfael saves him. When the king does not show up, Rogers plans unravel. The ship sinks that is carrying all the king’s heirs. The delay affords Cadfael the chance to retrace the steps of the assassins. Not only will he find Brother Heribert in the process, but a plot that goes to the heart of Roger’s house. Having heard earlier of the Benedictines from Roger’s clerk, and that they do not bear arms, Cadfael, both weary of arms and disgusted by intrigue, leaves his sword at the altar….
The Price of Light
Hamo FitzHamon has reached the age where his loose life is catching up with him and he realizes the day he will face his maker is approaching. To improve his chances and secure some effectual Benedictine prayers, he donates an ornate pair of candlesticks for the church altar, along with funds to keep them lit. But two things happen when FitzHamon and his household come to deliver the gift.
First, his wife asks for a sleeping draft from Cadfael. But it is not for herself but her husband, so she can slip away for a tryst with one of her husband’s servants, which Cadfael overhears. Then, the candlesticks disappear from the altar. Cadfael finds them in a sack of lavender in his workshop. And he identifies the thief as one of the maids, Elfgiva. She has good reason. Her fiance, Alard, had agreed to make the candlesticks in exchange for his freedom. Hamo FitzHamon reneged, and Alard escaped. As we have often seen in other stories, Cadfael quietly works to set things to rights, helping reunite the separated lovers in the process.
Eye Witness
It’s time to collect the Abbey’s annual rents. While a young apprentice clerk fills in for Brother Ambrose, William Rede collects the rents. Madog, the boatman is the next to see him as he pulls him out of the Severn. Someone knocked him unconscious and threw him into the river to drown. His assailant robbed him of the purse with the rents.
But Cadfael figures out that there was a vantage point from which the crime could have been witnessed. He discretely puts about this fact about with the hopes of springing a trap to catch the thief.
The stories all seem to turn on the human follies that trip up wrongdoers. And we see Cadfael’s shrewd use of folly against the perpetrators to bring about just ends. Strikingly, there are no murders, although two murders are attempted.
While we learn of how Cadfael becomes a monk, I still had one question. Where did he learn his herb lore? Wikipedia indicates that it was from the Middle East, and that is plausible, but I cannot remember it being mentioned, and Wikipedia cites no reference. What is clear is that this shrewd, yet holy, monk will be a force to be reckoned with in the Abbey at Shrewsbury.
Red Knife(Cork O’Connor Number 8), William Kent Krueger. Atria Books (ISBN: 9781416556749), 2008.
Summary: Cork O’Connor is asked to help end a series of apparent revenge killings threatening a war between the Ojibwe and Tamarack County.
Buck Reinhardt’s daughter is dead from a drug overdose. He believes Lonnie Thunder, one of a group of young Ojibwe men, the Red Boyz, is responsible. And he wants revenge. The leader of the Red Boyz, Alex Kingbird, seeks out Cork O’;Connor in his role as private investigator to arrange a meeting with Reinhardt, promising him justice. Before the meeting can happen, someone brutally murders Kingbird and his wife.
Cork and Sheriff Marsha Dross want to find the killer before things escalate into an all-out blood feud. The lead suspects are Reinhardt and Lonnie Thunder–until a sniper’s bullet ends Reinhardt’s life. And Cork cannot find Thunder.
The tribal council hires Cork to bring an end to the killing. In the process, he discovers an evil beyond the Red Boyz and the townspeople. It will force him to choose between his commitment to law enforcement and loyalty to his Ojibwe heritage. Meanwhile, his daughter Anne will face her own struggle as she seeks to be a true friend to Uly Kingbird, the brother of Alex, and a suspect in Reinhardt’s death
The prologue describes a massacre that occurs in a clearing that will be called Miskwaamookomaan or Red Knife. Two hundred years later, that clearing became the site of a school. You will forget it as it seems irrelevant to the subsequent plot. I did, only to encounter one of the most chilling plot turns in Krueger’s series so far.
The Mind Readers(Albert Campion Number 18), Margery Allingham. Open Road Media (ASIN: B08CRRYGK7), 2020 (First published in 1965).
Summary: When Amanda’s nephews, playing with telepathic devices, are nearly kidnapped, Campion gets involved in a deadly quest.
The Mind Readers reminded me of the fascination with telepathy and extra-sensory perception in the 1960’s. In this story, a mix of mystery and science fiction, Allingham explores the implications of being able to read the thoughts of others. It is perhaps needless to say that this ability is neither benign nor desirable in her portrayal. Only children can handle it, lacking the depth of experience to comprehend the swirl of thoughts and emotions in adult minds. For adults, it can be unsettling to deranging.
The story begins at the home of Canon Avril, where Albert and Amanda are visiting. They are awaiting a visit by Amanda’s nephews, Sam and Edward, on term break. What promises to be a pleasant time is upset when someone tries to kidnap the boys on the way from the station. It comes out that the boys have been playing with telepathic devices. When taped to the jugular, allow one to read other’s thoughts and communicate telepathically.
As it turns out, the boys’ father Martin has been working on this problem at a research facility at a remote location connected by a causeway on the coast. Martin turns up with Pagan Mayo, who assumes responsibility for the devices, even though it is apparent they know nothing about them. These devices produce results they have not been able to achieve. There is an international effort to harness this technology with the English and French chief rivals. When Pagan Mayo turns up dead, it is clear the rivalry is deadly.
By this point, Edward, the older of the boys, has disappeared. Yet from what he says before he leaves, he seems to know what he is doing. But what Is he doing, and is he safe from the murderous people who seem after the telepathic devices he and Sam had been experimenting with? Meanwhile. Campion has gone to the research facility to see if he can unravel the mystery of the devices while DS Luke hunts for Edward. Campion is on the island when Pagan is murdered. The head of the facility, Ludor puts it on lockdown. Campion’s becomes a murder target. But an old associate offers unexpected help.
As the story comes to a climax, we wonder who killed Mayo, where the devices came from, and what happened to them. Most of all, we wonder, “Where’s Edward?” and what does he know about all this? At a deeper level, Allingham raises the specter of a technology that people would kill for. And in the end, would we really want to know the hidden thoughts of others? And what would it be like to be in a crowd? Would you really want to know everyone’s thoughts, simultaneously?
Brother Cadfael’s Penance (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Number 20), Ellis Peter. Open Road Media (ASIN: B00LUZNZB0) 2014 (first published in 1994).
Summary; Olivier, Cadfael’s son from his crusading days, is held hostage without ransom. Cadfael forsakes his vows to save him.
Frustrated by the stalemated civil war and Maud’s imperious and inadequate leadership, Philip FitzRobert switches sides to King Stephen. Philip is son of Robert of Gloucester, half-brother of Maud, and her most staunch supporter, so this hurts. Philip’s castellan also surrenders Faringdon. But not all of his men, among whom is Olivier of Bretagne, abandon their loyalty to Maud. They are held hostage for ransom. With an attempt at peace talks, a list is published. Olivier’s name is missing and his whereabouts unknown.
Olivier, if you remember, is Cadfael’s son from his crusading days. When he left Maria, the woman he loved to return home, he did not know she was with child. He only learned of this after his vows, when he and Olivier crossed paths. In passing, Olivier mentioned his mother’s name and the circumstances of his birth. However, to not interfere with Olivier’s life, Cadfael kept this knowledge secret, except to his confessor.
The bishops, tired of war and wanting to recruit for another crusade, bring Stephen and Maud together for a peace conference, offering safe conduct for all, including Philip and the castellan, Brien de Soulis. Hugh Beringar is among those attending. Cadfael secures permission from Radulfus to go to the conference to seek information about Olivier. But he must return with Hugh. Anything further is a breaking of his monastic vows.
When they arrive, Cadfael recognizes Yves Hugonin, Olivier’s brother-in-law, who Cadfael had rescued as a child. Yves is also seeking news of Olivier. But in his impulsiveness, he attacks de Soulis, accusing him of treachery. Order is restored, and in an audience with Empress Maud, he is both disciplined and given hints that she would not be displeased were de Soulis to be killed.
The peace talks fail. And Cadfael fails to get an answer to the whereabouts of Olivier. But before the proceedings end, at the end of Compline, Yves, one of the first to exit, trips over something and cries out. It’s a body. Brien de Soulis is dead, stabbed in the heart. And because of the earlier incident, Yves is the prime suspect. But Empress Maud invokes the safe conduct, and he leaves with her troops. But before they reach their destination, he is seized, most likely by Philip’s men.
Cadfael learns of this. He and Hugh also look at the body. They find de Soulis was killed with a dagger thrust, face to face with someone he had no reason to suspect. It couldn’t be Yves, an open enemy. They also find a strange seal among de Soulis’ possessions. Cadfael makes a fateful decision to break his vows and part from Hugh. He believes Philip is holding Yves, and Olivier.
On his way to Philip’s castle, La Musarderie, Cadfael finds one more clue confirming Yves innocence. He learns the seal belonged to one of deSoulis’ captains. Supposedly, he set his seal to the surrender of Faringdon before going on an errand. He was found dead, supposedly thrown by a horse. Everything points to de Soulis as his murderer, because he wouldn’t agree to the surrender. Someone else had a motive to kill de Soulis.
When Cadfael arrives at La Musarderie, he sees Philip, presenting the evidence that secures Yves release. He also learns that Philip is holding Olivier. Philip offers no explanation. He names no ransom. Though moved, he even rejects Cadfael’s offer of himself in place of his son.
Yves returns to Maud. Hoping to secure Olivier’s release, he reveals that Philip himself is at La Musarderie. Robert of Gloucester, Philip’s father, is away. Maud uses the opportunity for revenge. Not only will she besiege and conquer La Musarderie. She will take and hang Philip. Even Yves knew this would be disastrous. It would mark an escalation of the war. He gets word to Cadfael at La Musarderie.
Will they find a way to avert this grievous mistake? And will Cadfael somehow succeed in rescuing Olivier? And even if they manage to escape the sack of the castle, what will become of the apostate Cadfael? Will he have saved his son only to lose his vocation and his soul? And should Olivier learn that Cadfael is his father, how will he respond to this knowledge? When Cadfael parted from Hugh, in disobedience to his abbot, he risked all that was sacred. But would he succeed or would he lose all?
In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Cadfael embodies these words in the last of the Cadfael stories. We wait with bated breath in wonder that, even with faint hope, Cadfael risks all.
Maigret and the Wine Merchant(Inspector Maigret Number 71), Georges Simenon (Translated by Ros Scwartz). Penguin (ISBN: 9780241304280), 2020 (First published in 1970).
Summary: Maigret investigates the murder of a wealthy wine merchant, a womanizer and a ruthless employer.
Theo Stiernat is something of a pathetic young man. He bludgeoned his grandmother to death for a few francs. He “didn’t mean to do it” yet savagely beat her. While Maigret interrogates him Oscar Chabut, a wealthy wine merchant, also meets his death, gunned down in front of a high class brothel. Maigret knows the place, the Rue Fortuny and Madame Blanche, its proprietor.
He questions her and Chabut’s secretary, the latest of many lovers. Chabut was a notorious womanizer. Jeanne Chabut, his wife knows all about it. More than that, she furnishes Maigret with a list of all his known lovers. Many were married and it seems Chabut delighted in humiliating the husbands. No one is broken up over his death. But it is not clear who hated him enough to kill him.
All through the investigation, Maigret is down with the flu, frustrating his wife who cooks him magnificent meals, while trying to keep him in his bed.
Then the calls start coming. And the caller knows his whereabouts, but eludes attempts to capture him. Could this be the murderer? Maigret thinks so–in this case a troubled soul who wants to tell his story but has to be sure someone will listen without roughing him up. And so Maigret waits for the murderer to come to him.
There’s an interesting insight in this tightly written plot. The murderers are figures worth listening to and pitiable. But so are their victims, whether an old grandmother or a rich wine merchant. And it is this that drives Maigret, even when the victim is a wealthy man whose death no one mourned. He was a human being.
