He has written a few thrillers, or what one would classify as such, and for many readers here this is a novelty of sorts, because the thriller genre isn't one many Portuguese authors try. The fact this author does and that he does have the luck of having a good publicity team and even good covers (in my opinion) certainly helps with that assumption.
This story is a kind of sequel to another I've read in January (here) by the author. The main character is Pilar, who was a police officer in the first book and now is simply trying to cope with what happened to her in that other book. When the story begins she is in Finland but then travels to the UK when a message arrives from her friend Cicero (who helped her in the other book), but the problem is that he is in prison. While there he meets Max Loar and is told about his story, for he is a young man who apparently killed his own brother by crucifixion on the island of St Dismas. The island is known for the St Dismas cult, a group of people who believe the true Messiah was the good thief and not Jesus, and how this affects the lives of everyone, even those who left. Pilar joins forces with Noah, a police officer, to try to find out what really happened to the Loar brothers and what is truly behind the cult. The problem is that someone is paying attention and doesn't want the truth to come out...
In terms of writing, since I'm already used to the author's style, I can say I just go full speed while reading these books, especially these that are more about action that inner musings. The book has more than 500 pages but the style and my having chosen my days off to read it meant I finished as quickly as my usual. If the book had not been appealing, of course this might have been different. Therefore, I liked the overall premise, the structure, most of the content, the epilogue where we learn how Cicero and Pilar are doing....
If I think about it in general terms, I liked it and that is why I gave it four stars on GR. But I can't help but thinking a lot of specific stuff while reading. The most glaring one is why was a Portuguese man imprisoned on a British prison and why wasn't he sent to Portugal instead. And then, of course, what are the real odds that a person not British, not on official work or while not having an official role with the police anymore could really join the investigation on British soil that easily! I suppose "literary creativity" could be the answer, but it just felt too weird, even when the author finds ways to explain these possibilities.
That aside - although it was difficult to not think about it - the story was quite fascinating and the two elements that I liked the most for what they meant was the whole cult thing, always an interesting theme in fiction, and the cult's identity about St Dismas. I'm a catholic and of course I am aware of the story of the good thief (didn't know his name though!) but I had never heard of such a sect/cult and I imagine the author invented this to suit his story. If this had been published decades ago I bet it would have been banned for what it says about Jesus and all that.
I think this content and all the stuff developed from that regarding the characters and their actions and, as expected, the bunch of secrets around and about the cult made for a very entertaining story. I think the police procedures and scenes weren't as believable, even if not considering the nationality issue I've mentioned. The final twist was also not as surprising and the explanation was a little contrived... as for the imprisoned Cicero, he has quite an adventure...
Oh, boy, I can relate so much with what you say, about having to consciously suspend disbelief on some aspects of the premise (such as having a non-Brit being allowed into a major crime investigative team in the U.K. and so on), in order to enjoy the story.
ReplyDeleteFor me, and reading this review, also for you, I can do that while I'm actively reading, but once I'm done, those are the aspects I remember most, the things that nag and erode my remembered enjoyment.
Hi!
DeleteYes, some things just don't seem to be likely and I can understand their inclusion for plot's purposes, but it's a little... well, like fantasy, but there's a difference between intended fantasy worlds and things that are naturally harder to accept. Although, probably what will be easier to remember in the future, for me, about this story, is the St Dismas thing; what an idea, that the Good Thief was the real humble Messiah!...