The Big Killing is the 2nd book in the Bruce Medway series by award-winning British crime writer Robert Wilson. I came across this book used and picked it up on a whim. I haven't read anything else by him. Too much of the story is told in conversation between characters to suit me. I finally got tired of it and put the book down. I don't think I'll finish this one.
from the back of the book:
Bruce Medway, a go-between and "fixer" for traders in steamy West Africa, smells trouble when a porn merchant asks him to deliver a video at a secret location. Things look up, though, when he's hired to act as minder to Ron Collins, a spoiled playboy looking for diamonds in the Ivory Coast. Medway thinks this job could be an answer to his cashflow crisis, but when the video delivery leads to a shootout and the discovery of a mutilated body, he wants out. Soon, he is caught in a terrifying cycle of violence. Unless he can get to the bottom of the mystery, Medway knows that for the savage killer out there in the African night, he is the next target.Publishers Weekly concludes, "Wilson isn't about to rival Alexander McCall Smith in the African mystery market, but Graham Greene fans stateside ought to start taking him seriously just as fans have in Britain." Kirkus Reviews calls it a "darkly tangled thriller from highly regarded Wilson".
The book begins:
Chapter 1
Saturday 26th OctoberI agree with his preference for coffee without the milk added. I hold that people who add flavorings to coffee don't actually like coffee and should drink something else. Your mileage may vary, of course ;) Strong and black, that's how I like it. Please join the T Stands for Tuesday blogger gathering and share your own beverage preferences.
We were here again -if you call a hangover company or a slick of methylated sweat a friend- in this bar, this palmleaf-thatched shack set back from the sea in some fractious coconut palms, waiting for the barman to arrive. The head I was nursing (the first since last Saturday) had already been given some hot milk -the Ivorians call it coffee, I called it three grains of freeze-dried and a can of condensed milk.
My computer died a sudden death, and I'm having some trouble with this borrowed one, but I'll visit when I can.
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That coffee reference makes me think of my Eldest. She likes all sorts of foo-foo flavors. I tease her that she doesn't really drink coffee, but drinks La-Di-Dahs. Sorry about your computer woes. I hope it's a Happy T Day
ReplyDeleteHopefully your computer woes are fixed quickly, easily & without too much cost. I'm with you about too much conversation between characters as a method of telling the story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the coffee-we have always drank it black-I have started a bit of cream in mine which is actually really good but it adds calories-sigh Hope you get your computer working-that's the pits for sure-Happy T
ReplyDeleteI'm not a coffee fan, so I wonder if that concoction sounded disgusting to coffee lovers too.
ReplyDeleteHappy T-day! Eileen xx
I don't likt to much talk between characters and scenes, either. Sorry about the computer! Valerie
ReplyDeleteI have a difficult time not finishing a book. Rarely do I quit, but probably would have done the same on this one. Hope you can easily get the computer problem corrected.
ReplyDeleteHappy T Day!
I think I would find it hard to read this one too with the story based around conversation 😉. Enjoy your coffee and I hope your computer problems are sorted soon. Wishing you a lovely week and Happy T Tuesday! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting reference for T day! I do hope you will be able to get a new computer soon. Happy T day!
ReplyDeleteHope your computer gets fixed soon. I find books that are mostly conversation hard to read also. If you lose attention for just a second you lose track of who is speaking. Hope it was also a great T day. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteHeavens, I feel for you and your computer woes. In fact, I'm SO sorry it has taken me so long to visit. I'm having a terrible time with my internet. I called ATT three times today and they told me it might be my modem. However, after I got frustrated enough to threaten to go elsewhere, I was suddenly back online. So I truly empathize. In this day and age, I don't know what will cost more, a new computer or a new modem.
ReplyDeleteI usually know within the first 10 pages if I'm going to finish a book of fiction. I'm not sure I would finish one I didn't like, either.
I'd LOVE to be able to drink my coffee black, but I have to use half and half because my coffee is so strong (by choice), it would rip my gut if I didn't coat my stomach with the milk. Believe me, I've tried and I got shaky and my stomach turned into knots. If I visit someone and they have weak coffee, I can drink it black. No problem. However, mine requires a buffer of sorts.
Thanks for sharing the Big Killing, the reference to coffee, and your computer woes with us for T this Tuesday. Hope you get a new computer soon, dear.
I'm sorry the book was a disappointment. I like cream and sugar in my coffee, because drinking it straight is a little too strong for me. :-) I'm sorry your computer died. That's never pleasant. Happy T-Day!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound like my kind of book either. I hope your computer gets fixed soon.
ReplyDeleteYvonne xx
I understand about having to put books down. It's disappointing to get a ways into a book and then waste the time by not finishing. I hope you find another good read.
ReplyDeleteI am not a coffee drinker so I can't comment except to say all coffee tastes yucky too me.
Happy Belated Tea Day,
Kate
I don't know this book (or the author) either. I'm sorry you were disappointed. Better to give up, life's too short to read uninteresting books.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, computer problems. What a nightmare. I hope you get sorted soon.
Happy belated T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
It may be an interesting book, thanks so much for sharing. I usually dring one cup of coffee with milk every day, better in the morning, so I can begin the day "stronger", thought. I hope your computer will work again very soon.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a very nice Friday,
Big hugs, Caty
I think I will carry on with my historical novels for now! As for coffee I will drink it anyway although I can't say that I like flavoured coffees too early in the day! Hope you get your computer fixed, Chrisx
ReplyDelete