Sunday 6 January 2013

Dark Dreams

Finished January 5
Dark Dreams by Michael Genelin

This police mystery is based in Slovakia, mainly in and around Bratislava. Jana Matinova is a police commander, a lone female at that level. Her best friend from childhood, Sofia, has recently entered politics and become involved in something Jana warned her against. When Jana returns home from work one evening and finds an enormous diamond hanging in her living room, she wonders whether it is related to Sofia, or she is being set up for something.
Jana has a good relationship with her boss, Trokan, who protects her as well as giving her lots of leeway in her own investigations. She consults with him about the diamond and is given a week to do her own investigation before they turn it over to another department.
Jana's case involves two brothers who have recently returned to Slovakia, possibly hunting for the crooked antique dealer who informed on them. When one brother is found dead, Jana's investigation leads to both Hungary and the Ukraine.
Meanwhile Jana is also involved in her own love affair, but it is early days and she hasn't totally opened up to her lover yet. Since he is part of the attorney general's office, they also have interactions professionally.
With lots going on, the plot is sometimes a bit jumpy, but Jana is an interesting character, and this book is part of a series featuring her.
I visited Bratislava a couple of years ago and found it a pleasant city that I'd like to get to know better, but this book doesn't do that aspect of it justice.

4 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting read, but it is disappointing when the scene is not reflected adequately.

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  2. Interesting -- I like reading books set in unusual locations, and if Ukraine is involved, I will definitely have to take a look at this one!

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  3. Irene, I think it just needed a bit of editing to link things together better.

    Melwyk, Ukraine is definitely involved. I saw this imprint and they seem to do a number of different locations for mysteries. I read another that was set in Argentina.

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  4. I have been in a mood to read mysteries set in unfamiliar to me countries, so thanks for this review.

    Sorry it has taken me forever to get around to reading all the reviews posted on the European Reading Challenge page. Thanks for taking part in the challenge.

    Rose City Reader

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