A Question of Blood

A “Question of Blood” by Ian Rankin is a crime fiction novel including two very intelligent detectives; DS Clarke and DI Rebus. They both live north of Edinburgh and operate out of a police station called St. Leonard’s. Rebus, likes to bend the rules and has to in order to solve this murder. The murder took place in a school in their jurisdiction called Port Edgar. An ex-Army loner killed two seventeen-year olds in the school, who turned the gun on himself after the murders.

Ian Rankin writes in a certain way to lead the reader as if there is no other possible killer other than the man from the military. Then, at the last possible second a clue presents itself leading the detectives on a wild goose chase to find the killer. His style is very light; there are many jokes even though it is a whodunit novel. I believe that because of the lightness of his writing the reader becomes more enveloped in the story.

A crime fiction novel is supposed to be logical, the author should weave a puzzle leaving the reader confused but not at a total loss. The reader should be guessing who the killer is, and wanting to know. The clues should lead the reader to a certain point and then show the killer. Ian Rankin wrote “A Question of Blood” in this manner which allowed the reader to be trapped into the story.

This novel was quite good, and I look forward to reading more of the same genre and author.

The Power of One

The Power of One, by Bryce Courtenay is an uplifting novel about racism, boxing and independence. The story is about a young boy maturing in South Africa, his name is Peekay. His name was given to him by a shoe salesman, because he didn’t have a proper name. Early on in his life, Peekay met a man named Hoppie Groenewald. A boxing champion taught Peekay the words “First with your head and then with your heart,” early on in his life. He carried these words for the rest of his life, all the way to winning the boxing championships and defeating his childhood enemy.

This novel is a historical fiction; it includes non-fiction parts of the past such as World War II. This novel also includes parts of the past such as the Boer war and the hate it spawned. However, the rest of the novel is not true. However, Courtenay interlocks the non-fiction and fictional aspects of this book so well that sometimes the reader is confused into believing it is a true story.

Bryce Courtenay wrote in a way that made the reader believe that they were taking part in the story or longing to anyway. The diction used by Courtenay is appropriate for the time and place of the novel; using words like “Pisskop,” etc…These words although sometimes hard to understand contribute to the novel because without them the reader wouldn’t be ensnared in the stories setting.

I really enjoyed this novel because it motivated me to do my best and never give up. Also that being independent is very important and many things can be accomplished on your own. This I believe is the “Power of One.”

The Ambler Warning

The “The Ambler Warning” written by Robert Ludlum is a crime fiction novel, about an ex-federal agent named Ambler. Ambler was involuntarily shipped off to an asylum where the Government holds high security risks, people who know too much. The only problem is, there is nothing wrong with him, and he is aided in his escape by a young nurse. He realizes he knows nothing about himself, even his real name; he has been erased from the world. He is being set up by higher powers, to assassinate a Chinese political leader, in hopes that it will start a world war. However, Ambler who can infallibly read people, he knows what they are thinking by their body movements. At the last moment, Ambler realizes he is being set-up and avoids the trap.

Robert Ludlum wrote this story as a crime fiction novel. This genre is meant to lead the reader into a suspenseful journey, in this books Ambler’s journey. Ludlum used the proper diction relating to the Army because Ambler was an ex-federal agent. This diction really allows the reader to be captivated by the novel and fall into the story. Ludlum also uses sensible hints that the reader tries to find in an attempt to solve the puzzle before Ambler does, leading the reader on a wild goose chase.

Robert Ludlum writes in a serious tone, but occasionally drops in a joke, to ease the mood. Ludlum portrays Ambler as a very intelligent, but lost man. Because of Ambler’s intelligence Ludlum is allowed to put in some wit, and quick comebacks. This use of comic relief is quite satisfying because 500 pages of seriousness are not what I am looking for.