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Deadly Autumn Harvest
A series of bizarre murders rocks the beautiful Carpathian town of Braşov. At first there’s nothing obvious to link what appear to be random killings. With the police still smarting from the scandal of having failed to act in a previous case of a serial kidnapper and killer, they bring in forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa to figure out if several murderers are at work – or if they have another serial killer on their hands. Ambitious, tough, and not one to suffer fools gladly, Gigi fights to be taken seriously in a society that maintains old-fashioned attitudes to the roles of women. She and the police team struggle to establish a pattern, especially when resources are diverted to investigating a possible terrorist plot. With the clock ticking, Gigi stumbles across what looks to be a far-fetched theory – just as she realises that she could be on the murderer’s to-kill list.
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About the author
Tony Mott
21 books78 followersTony Mott was born in Brasov, Romania in 1970. Her pen name was chosen to honor her grandfather, as Mott was her mother’s maiden name.
She has published her first novel in 2008, then a poetry volume in 2010, followed almost every year by a new apparition at Tritonic Publishing House - Juliet Had a Gun (Julieta avea un pistol, 2014), A Bullet for Juliet (Un glonț pentru Julieta, 2016), Don’t Throw Stones at Juliet, (Nu dați cu pietre în Julieta, 2017). Since 2019 she has been publishing a new series that follows the character Gigi Alexa: The Winter Of Perfect Murders (Iarna crimelor perfecte, 2019), In Autumn We Count The Dead Bodies (Toamna se numără cadavrele, 2019), The Last Poisoned Summer (Ultima vară otrăvită, 2021), and When Spring Comes (Când vine primăvara, 2022). She has also contributed to four collective volumes of short stories.
She also writes non-ficion on her real name, Antoneta Galeș. First edition of The Notebook of Happiness (Caietului Fericirii) was published in 2019, followed by a volume with the detailed subjects listed in the notebook - Our Daily unHAPPINESS (neFERiCIREA noastră cea de toate zilele , Creator Publishing House, 2021).
She has published her first novel in 2008, then a poetry volume in 2010, followed almost every year by a new apparition at Tritonic Publishing House - Juliet Had a Gun (Julieta avea un pistol, 2014), A Bullet for Juliet (Un glonț pentru Julieta, 2016), Don’t Throw Stones at Juliet, (Nu dați cu pietre în Julieta, 2017). Since 2019 she has been publishing a new series that follows the character Gigi Alexa: The Winter Of Perfect Murders (Iarna crimelor perfecte, 2019), In Autumn We Count The Dead Bodies (Toamna se numără cadavrele, 2019), The Last Poisoned Summer (Ultima vară otrăvită, 2021), and When Spring Comes (Când vine primăvara, 2022). She has also contributed to four collective volumes of short stories.
She also writes non-ficion on her real name, Antoneta Galeș. First edition of The Notebook of Happiness (Caietului Fericirii) was published in 2019, followed by a volume with the detailed subjects listed in the notebook - Our Daily unHAPPINESS (neFERiCIREA noastră cea de toate zilele , Creator Publishing House, 2021).
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 5, 2023
I discovered 'Deadly Autumn Harvest' by Tony Mott recently. It had been translated into English just then by Marina Sofia, and it was originally written in Romanian, and I'd never read a Romanian novel before. So I thought I'll read this as the first book for 'Women in Translation Month'
Gigi Alexa helps the police department solve crimes. One day there is a new murder in the city. And before we could blink there is another. And then another. It looks like a serial killer is on the prowl. While this is happening, in her personal life, Gigi is facing different challenges. Her boyfriend is a nice guy, but sometimes he is too demanding. To make things more complicated, one day her former boss, with whom Gigi used to be in a relationship, turns up and tries to rekindle things. In addition to this, a doctor she meets at a conference tries to court her. How Gigi navigates these professional and personal challenges and whether she and her team are able to catch the killer forms the rest of the story.
'Deadly Autumn Harvest' is a well-paced crime thriller. Halfway through the book when Gigi and her team put together the puzzle pieces and prize out the secrets of the murderer, it is fascinating to watch. I tried guessing the murderer, but I guessed the wrong person.
I'll leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"The death of a parent is usually the first time we confront mortality. It is far easier to ignore the unknown or secondary people who disappear from our lives, they come and go, there is no way they can be expected to last forever. But our mother has always been there, since the moment we were born, the first continuous presence in our life."
"Cats are far more independent, that’s what she liked about them. Morty jumped into her lap, headbutted her on the chin, then pushed against the phone in her hand. She put it down on the table and started stroking him. Humans resemble dogs more. They always need something, need attention, need to be seen, to be loved, and start to beg for it. Cats are far less needy, but if they want something, they are not afraid of letting you know at once. Without a care in the world about how you might respond."
Have you read 'Deadly Autumn Harvest'? What do you think about it?
Gigi Alexa helps the police department solve crimes. One day there is a new murder in the city. And before we could blink there is another. And then another. It looks like a serial killer is on the prowl. While this is happening, in her personal life, Gigi is facing different challenges. Her boyfriend is a nice guy, but sometimes he is too demanding. To make things more complicated, one day her former boss, with whom Gigi used to be in a relationship, turns up and tries to rekindle things. In addition to this, a doctor she meets at a conference tries to court her. How Gigi navigates these professional and personal challenges and whether she and her team are able to catch the killer forms the rest of the story.
'Deadly Autumn Harvest' is a well-paced crime thriller. Halfway through the book when Gigi and her team put together the puzzle pieces and prize out the secrets of the murderer, it is fascinating to watch. I tried guessing the murderer, but I guessed the wrong person.
I'll leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"The death of a parent is usually the first time we confront mortality. It is far easier to ignore the unknown or secondary people who disappear from our lives, they come and go, there is no way they can be expected to last forever. But our mother has always been there, since the moment we were born, the first continuous presence in our life."
"Cats are far more independent, that’s what she liked about them. Morty jumped into her lap, headbutted her on the chin, then pushed against the phone in her hand. She put it down on the table and started stroking him. Humans resemble dogs more. They always need something, need attention, need to be seen, to be loved, and start to beg for it. Cats are far less needy, but if they want something, they are not afraid of letting you know at once. Without a care in the world about how you might respond."
Have you read 'Deadly Autumn Harvest'? What do you think about it?
August 26, 2023
Set in the town of Braşov, this succinct novel incorporates many mainstream ideas but presents them in a style which is refreshingly different. It’s serial killer story but without the gory embellishments one would see in the US equivalent. It eschews much of the mundane aspects of the police procedural, which keeps it brief and punchy whilst allowing room for the characters to express themselves.
Our central character Dr Regina Alexa (Gigi from now on) works at the local University’s Behavioural Sciences department and has helped the local police as a consultant. Externally she is the epitome of the modern European woman, confident, determined and sassy, with what can be thought of a male attitude to sex and relationships. She has shared pasts with police colleagues which really add to the emotional complexity. (So much like another female favourite of mine who regular readers of this blog will recognise.) There are some dark experiences in her past that still haunt her, and when feeling hurt she has the trait of dressing totally in black. Otherwise, she dresses with all the colours and flamboyance of a budgerigar’s cocktail party (wearing black, blue, yellow, pink and magenta together one day), which with her mop of blond curls mean nobody is going to miss her.
Braşov is a city in Transylvania, and we even have a character named Vlad, but there are no silly vampire references, this is a modern European city, much like many others. The Iron Curtain fell over thirty years ago and membership of the EU has changed the place immensely, though plum brandy and tripe soup are still popular. There is still a different feel to the place though, the use of cafes and late-night dining puts it more on a par with Spain or Italy, as does the smoking. Here it’s almost like a throwback of forty years, so many characters smoke and any indoor bans seem to be ignored.
The plot centres on the realisation that murders are linked and there is a serial killer at large, then the subsequent search for him. The pattern and motivation at play is interesting and entertaining, creative without being too far-fetched and allows Gigi’s’ brilliance shine. The storyline flows remarkably well considering the relationship tensions between Gigi and her boyfriend, colleagues and a new admirer slotted around the murders. Another author might be tempted to add much more detail to the investigation, but I feel that she has been ruthless but only taken out the unnecessary bits. For me it worked remarkably well and produced a style I loved.
The translation is on point and allows the story to flow smoothly along, and in combination with a cracking storyline, this is a novel that deserves a wide audience. Crime fiction might not be a ‘big thing’ in the literary canon of the region, but I for one would be happy to explore more.
Deadly Autumn Harvest breaks the shackles of the serial killer thriller trope and presents it with a stylish, fast moving Eastern European slant.
Our central character Dr Regina Alexa (Gigi from now on) works at the local University’s Behavioural Sciences department and has helped the local police as a consultant. Externally she is the epitome of the modern European woman, confident, determined and sassy, with what can be thought of a male attitude to sex and relationships. She has shared pasts with police colleagues which really add to the emotional complexity. (So much like another female favourite of mine who regular readers of this blog will recognise.) There are some dark experiences in her past that still haunt her, and when feeling hurt she has the trait of dressing totally in black. Otherwise, she dresses with all the colours and flamboyance of a budgerigar’s cocktail party (wearing black, blue, yellow, pink and magenta together one day), which with her mop of blond curls mean nobody is going to miss her.
Braşov is a city in Transylvania, and we even have a character named Vlad, but there are no silly vampire references, this is a modern European city, much like many others. The Iron Curtain fell over thirty years ago and membership of the EU has changed the place immensely, though plum brandy and tripe soup are still popular. There is still a different feel to the place though, the use of cafes and late-night dining puts it more on a par with Spain or Italy, as does the smoking. Here it’s almost like a throwback of forty years, so many characters smoke and any indoor bans seem to be ignored.
The plot centres on the realisation that murders are linked and there is a serial killer at large, then the subsequent search for him. The pattern and motivation at play is interesting and entertaining, creative without being too far-fetched and allows Gigi’s’ brilliance shine. The storyline flows remarkably well considering the relationship tensions between Gigi and her boyfriend, colleagues and a new admirer slotted around the murders. Another author might be tempted to add much more detail to the investigation, but I feel that she has been ruthless but only taken out the unnecessary bits. For me it worked remarkably well and produced a style I loved.
The translation is on point and allows the story to flow smoothly along, and in combination with a cracking storyline, this is a novel that deserves a wide audience. Crime fiction might not be a ‘big thing’ in the literary canon of the region, but I for one would be happy to explore more.
Deadly Autumn Harvest breaks the shackles of the serial killer thriller trope and presents it with a stylish, fast moving Eastern European slant.
July 30, 2023
The first of four novels, one for each season, which has been translated into English with forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa as the main character. Gigi works with the police in the central Romanian town of Brașov.
The book begins with a murder, we are reading the killer’s point of view and similar chapters interweave those of the police investigation and Gigi’s story as we get to know more about her. Chapters are clearly indicated so it’s easy to know which is which.
Gigi is called in to help when a pair of seemingly random murders occur and with two different modus operandi (MO) they seem to have two different killers! Gigi is not so sure, she recalls a previous investigation and worries that if her intuition is right they might miss recognising a serial killer – again!
Superintendant Vlad Tomescu, the former Chief of Police in Brașov, is back in town on secondment. This makes Gigi determined to keep the relationship professional. They had had an affair but it ended badly when she felt his behaviour threatened violence towards her. She wants to make it clear she has no interest in rekindling any kind of personal relationship.
Another reason Gigi wants to make it clear to Vlad she isn’t interested is that she’s living with her boyfriend Radu. Radu is a vet, very needy and somewhat controlling. She seems to have pretty bad taste in men what with Radu and now Vlad who seems to be trying to start up their old affair. Vlad makes remarks that he then implies are lighthearted or misunderstood! Vlad’s behaviour is old fashioned bordering on, if not crossing the line of, harassment. From what we read not only regarding Gigi but also of how Alina, the police PR liaison, is treated by some male colleagues seems that it may well still be acceptable in parts of Romanian culture. It takes you back decades in Britain – or perhaps not that far back! Thank goodness it wasn’t the same with all the male characters. Other colleagues, like Emil and Matei, have a more modern attitude and are supportive.
The investigations are going nowhere when there’s an explosion at an art gallery adding yet another crime to the list. Are these all linked?
However, the bombing is treated as a terrorist threat so it and the other crimes are treated separately – Vlad takes control of the bombing investigation whilst Matei and Gigi continue to investigate the death.
Chief Inspector Matei, who took over from Vlad, isn’t happy about his return as he feels he will be undermined and Vlad heading up the terrorist angle doesn’t help.
Gigi still feels everything is connected, something is forming in her mind and when she recalls Radu mentioning going to some stables that feeling starts to form a very tentative theory.
Are all the crimes linked? Can Gigi get the others to buy into her theory or will they think it’s just too far fetched? Can they figure out what is happening and catch the perpetrator before something dreadful happens again?
Gigi herself is a terrific main character. She’s fascinating, intelligent, ambitious and intuitive. She is actively involved in the cases and it is her ability to think creatively and push forward when answers are not forthcoming from the usual police or forensic processes. She’s strong and a bit unconventional yet with an underlying vulnerability which seems to surface in personal relationships.
The action moves along at a great pace, Gigi is a terrific protagonist, who I really liked, hunting down a chilling killer and what an ending!This is a gripping story and was a pleasure to read. Tony Mott has created a terrific character in Gigi Alexa.
There is a wonderful sense of place in the story of Brașov and also of Romania’s café culture which certainly spills into the investigation and definitely into Gigi’s need for coffee!
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of Gigi and I hope the other books in this series will be translated and brought out in English. I will certainly be keeping a lookout for more from this author.
The translation by MarinaSophia is great bringing characters and places alive. It is a must to acknowledge her, indeed all translators, as without translation I and many others would not be able to read and enjoy this and many other foreign language books. Also, thanks to the publishers, Corylus Books, who bring these wonderful stories into our lives.
Thanks
Many thanks to Corylus Books for an eBook for review purposes of Deadly Autumn Harvest by Tont Mott and to Ewa for her great organising of the BlogTour.
The book begins with a murder, we are reading the killer’s point of view and similar chapters interweave those of the police investigation and Gigi’s story as we get to know more about her. Chapters are clearly indicated so it’s easy to know which is which.
Gigi is called in to help when a pair of seemingly random murders occur and with two different modus operandi (MO) they seem to have two different killers! Gigi is not so sure, she recalls a previous investigation and worries that if her intuition is right they might miss recognising a serial killer – again!
Superintendant Vlad Tomescu, the former Chief of Police in Brașov, is back in town on secondment. This makes Gigi determined to keep the relationship professional. They had had an affair but it ended badly when she felt his behaviour threatened violence towards her. She wants to make it clear she has no interest in rekindling any kind of personal relationship.
Another reason Gigi wants to make it clear to Vlad she isn’t interested is that she’s living with her boyfriend Radu. Radu is a vet, very needy and somewhat controlling. She seems to have pretty bad taste in men what with Radu and now Vlad who seems to be trying to start up their old affair. Vlad makes remarks that he then implies are lighthearted or misunderstood! Vlad’s behaviour is old fashioned bordering on, if not crossing the line of, harassment. From what we read not only regarding Gigi but also of how Alina, the police PR liaison, is treated by some male colleagues seems that it may well still be acceptable in parts of Romanian culture. It takes you back decades in Britain – or perhaps not that far back! Thank goodness it wasn’t the same with all the male characters. Other colleagues, like Emil and Matei, have a more modern attitude and are supportive.
The investigations are going nowhere when there’s an explosion at an art gallery adding yet another crime to the list. Are these all linked?
However, the bombing is treated as a terrorist threat so it and the other crimes are treated separately – Vlad takes control of the bombing investigation whilst Matei and Gigi continue to investigate the death.
Chief Inspector Matei, who took over from Vlad, isn’t happy about his return as he feels he will be undermined and Vlad heading up the terrorist angle doesn’t help.
Gigi still feels everything is connected, something is forming in her mind and when she recalls Radu mentioning going to some stables that feeling starts to form a very tentative theory.
Are all the crimes linked? Can Gigi get the others to buy into her theory or will they think it’s just too far fetched? Can they figure out what is happening and catch the perpetrator before something dreadful happens again?
Gigi herself is a terrific main character. She’s fascinating, intelligent, ambitious and intuitive. She is actively involved in the cases and it is her ability to think creatively and push forward when answers are not forthcoming from the usual police or forensic processes. She’s strong and a bit unconventional yet with an underlying vulnerability which seems to surface in personal relationships.
The action moves along at a great pace, Gigi is a terrific protagonist, who I really liked, hunting down a chilling killer and what an ending!This is a gripping story and was a pleasure to read. Tony Mott has created a terrific character in Gigi Alexa.
There is a wonderful sense of place in the story of Brașov and also of Romania’s café culture which certainly spills into the investigation and definitely into Gigi’s need for coffee!
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading more of Gigi and I hope the other books in this series will be translated and brought out in English. I will certainly be keeping a lookout for more from this author.
The translation by MarinaSophia is great bringing characters and places alive. It is a must to acknowledge her, indeed all translators, as without translation I and many others would not be able to read and enjoy this and many other foreign language books. Also, thanks to the publishers, Corylus Books, who bring these wonderful stories into our lives.
Thanks
Many thanks to Corylus Books for an eBook for review purposes of Deadly Autumn Harvest by Tont Mott and to Ewa for her great organising of the BlogTour.
August 18, 2023
It is autumn in Braşov, and the tourist season is coming to close, but life in this picturesque Carpathian town is about to be anything but quiet. Braşov has become the location for a bizarre series of murders, and although they seem unconnected, the police force is nervous about being caught wanting in the wake of a previous embarrassing, serial killer related episode. The police decide to bring in forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa to consult on the case, hoping that her brilliant mind can help them discover if the strange murders are linked.
Feisty and resourceful, Gigi sets her mind to the task, wading though the usual nonsense that comes with the old-fashioned attitudes to women that frustrate her. Working together, Gigi and the police struggle to detect a pattern to the crimes, and their work is made even harder when an explosion in Bucharest diverts their resources to a potential terrorist incident. As the bodies pile up, Gigi begins to see that there may be a tenuous link to the murders after all, and that she might be on the killer's list too...
Deadly Autumn Harvest is a cracking, twisty thriller set in the beautiful Carpathian town of Braşov. It features forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa, from Tony Mott's Romanian crime series, now being published for the first time in English in an excellent translation from Marina Sofia.
It did take me a little while to get into the rhythm of the novel, as there is quite a lot of backstory around Gigi's work and relationship history that you have to pick up, as a result of this book not being the first one in the series. However, the combination of an intriguing murder mystery and Gigi's compelling characterisation soon grabs you by the scruff of the neck, and pulls you into a story that oozes tension on the rain-soaked streets of Braşov.
Mott's tautly plotted story is delicious, as it keeps you on the edge of your seat as the seemingly unrelated threads begin to weave together, and she does not shy away from throwing in a few nicely conceived red herrings along the way. The story flips between Gigi's often chaotic lifestyle, her inspirational flashes, and realistic teamwork with the police around her; segueing into glimpses into the mind of the disturbed individual going about his gruesome mission. There are also occasional points of view from the victims who become his prey, which adds a curiously emotional edge to the proceedings. Slowly, a shocking picture takes shape, and the atmosphere of menace ramps up notch by notch as Gigi begins to see her own involvement in the tableau the serial killer is trying to create.
I adored Gigi in all her fierce, colourful, quick-minded and sharp-tongued glory. She does not suffer fools gladly, and longs to be left to her own devices most of the time, and yet she is consumed by the push and pull of mixed up emotions that come with her troubled childhood and the legacy of her rocky romantic relationships. She makes for the perfect protagonist in a noir crime story, and Mott builds a really interesting team around her that promises great things in a continuing series - including Morty the cat.
It is always a pleasure to read translated fiction with flow, and I tip my hat to Marina Sofia for her stellar work here. I cannot wait for more Gigi Alexa books to be published in English.
Feisty and resourceful, Gigi sets her mind to the task, wading though the usual nonsense that comes with the old-fashioned attitudes to women that frustrate her. Working together, Gigi and the police struggle to detect a pattern to the crimes, and their work is made even harder when an explosion in Bucharest diverts their resources to a potential terrorist incident. As the bodies pile up, Gigi begins to see that there may be a tenuous link to the murders after all, and that she might be on the killer's list too...
Deadly Autumn Harvest is a cracking, twisty thriller set in the beautiful Carpathian town of Braşov. It features forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa, from Tony Mott's Romanian crime series, now being published for the first time in English in an excellent translation from Marina Sofia.
It did take me a little while to get into the rhythm of the novel, as there is quite a lot of backstory around Gigi's work and relationship history that you have to pick up, as a result of this book not being the first one in the series. However, the combination of an intriguing murder mystery and Gigi's compelling characterisation soon grabs you by the scruff of the neck, and pulls you into a story that oozes tension on the rain-soaked streets of Braşov.
Mott's tautly plotted story is delicious, as it keeps you on the edge of your seat as the seemingly unrelated threads begin to weave together, and she does not shy away from throwing in a few nicely conceived red herrings along the way. The story flips between Gigi's often chaotic lifestyle, her inspirational flashes, and realistic teamwork with the police around her; segueing into glimpses into the mind of the disturbed individual going about his gruesome mission. There are also occasional points of view from the victims who become his prey, which adds a curiously emotional edge to the proceedings. Slowly, a shocking picture takes shape, and the atmosphere of menace ramps up notch by notch as Gigi begins to see her own involvement in the tableau the serial killer is trying to create.
I adored Gigi in all her fierce, colourful, quick-minded and sharp-tongued glory. She does not suffer fools gladly, and longs to be left to her own devices most of the time, and yet she is consumed by the push and pull of mixed up emotions that come with her troubled childhood and the legacy of her rocky romantic relationships. She makes for the perfect protagonist in a noir crime story, and Mott builds a really interesting team around her that promises great things in a continuing series - including Morty the cat.
It is always a pleasure to read translated fiction with flow, and I tip my hat to Marina Sofia for her stellar work here. I cannot wait for more Gigi Alexa books to be published in English.
June 5, 2023
Deadly Autumn Harvest is the first book featuring Forensic Pathologist Gigi Alexander to be translated into English, and what a book it is. From the very beginning of the book I found myself gripped by the story, not only because of the great characters of Gigi and the rest of the police investigation team, but because of the perplexing nature of the murders and the mystery as to what, if anything connects them. Whilst it is obvious to us, as readers, that there is something in play, one central antagonist who seems to be out to cause the maximum of mayhem, but the why, wherefore and the who of it all remains very carefully hidden.
I really liked Gigi as a character. There were times that she came across as being a little prickly or awkward, but given the incessant attention she faced from the men around her I’m not really surprised. There are things we learn about her throughout the course of the book which also go some way to explaining why she is they way that she is, but those testy character traits aside, she is an interesting character to spend time with. Determined, feisty, and very intelligent, she uses her skills as pathologist and psychologist to get to the heart of the case, eventually spotting the crucial link between the murders. And it’s not an immediately obvious one so it really does need you, and the police, to think laterally if you are going to get one step ahead of the killer.
I liked that there was no real link and no obvious synergy between the various murders. Some were far more brutal than others, and there are two victims within the book that some readers really will not find palatable – a brave move by the author – but overall you could feel that sympathy for the victims, even though we didn’t really get to know any of them in detail. In that respect, the story is less about them as people – they are seemingly a means to an end – but more about the complex motive and reasoning of a killer who it takes a particular mindset, and maybe even education to understand.
I love reading fiction in translation, and Marina Sofia has done a brilliant job of capturing the story and the nuances of the investigation. There is a good sense of place and you get a real understanding of the dynamic between the characters. There is a steady sense of unease that underpins the narrative as the killings, and the perpetrator, are so unpredictable, and it adds to the pace of the whole story. Towards the end of the book you can feel the tension pick up as it becomes more obvious who the killer is, and who he has his sights set on. How this all plays out you’ll have to read to find out, but as this is part of a series, I’m hoping there is plenty more to come from Gigi and the team.
An intriguing, twisted and complex thriller with brilliant characters and a very creative antagonist. If you enjoy crime fiction in translation, it’s definitely recommended.
I really liked Gigi as a character. There were times that she came across as being a little prickly or awkward, but given the incessant attention she faced from the men around her I’m not really surprised. There are things we learn about her throughout the course of the book which also go some way to explaining why she is they way that she is, but those testy character traits aside, she is an interesting character to spend time with. Determined, feisty, and very intelligent, she uses her skills as pathologist and psychologist to get to the heart of the case, eventually spotting the crucial link between the murders. And it’s not an immediately obvious one so it really does need you, and the police, to think laterally if you are going to get one step ahead of the killer.
I liked that there was no real link and no obvious synergy between the various murders. Some were far more brutal than others, and there are two victims within the book that some readers really will not find palatable – a brave move by the author – but overall you could feel that sympathy for the victims, even though we didn’t really get to know any of them in detail. In that respect, the story is less about them as people – they are seemingly a means to an end – but more about the complex motive and reasoning of a killer who it takes a particular mindset, and maybe even education to understand.
I love reading fiction in translation, and Marina Sofia has done a brilliant job of capturing the story and the nuances of the investigation. There is a good sense of place and you get a real understanding of the dynamic between the characters. There is a steady sense of unease that underpins the narrative as the killings, and the perpetrator, are so unpredictable, and it adds to the pace of the whole story. Towards the end of the book you can feel the tension pick up as it becomes more obvious who the killer is, and who he has his sights set on. How this all plays out you’ll have to read to find out, but as this is part of a series, I’m hoping there is plenty more to come from Gigi and the team.
An intriguing, twisted and complex thriller with brilliant characters and a very creative antagonist. If you enjoy crime fiction in translation, it’s definitely recommended.
July 30, 2023
Deadly Autumn Harvest introduces us to Romanian forensic pathologist Gigi Alexa (it's the first book translated into English to feature her, although there is backstory especially with one of her police colleagues; through much of this books she's negotiating the trauma of one particular relationship with someone she still has to work with). Gigi is clearly at the top of her profession, slightly resented by the cops and uninclined to suffer fools gladly. I enjoyed the value she ascribes to being alone: while being perfectly capable of getting along with others, she really, really needs her time away from them.
The mystery we're presented with here is a perplexing one. As the tourist season comes to an end, visitors thin out in the town of Braşov, the days shorten, and the weather turns cool, a series of killings begins. We know they are connected (the story, while coy about identities, does give us the perspective of the killer at times, as well as of some of the victims) but they don't seem to have much of a common thread. Taken together, the murders put a lot of strain on the Braşov police, still reeling from a previous botched investigation, and bring national attention. Alongside the minutiae of the investigation, the book raises issues about what crimes are prioritised and about how an investigation may be driven - or derailed - by press attention and public concern.
The story with Gigi's earlier lover and colleague also gives us an insight into the aftermath of an abusive relationship, something she's finding it hard to move on from (one might think her speciality would help here but really "physician, heal thyself" doesn't cut it). Mott also gives us insights into Gigi's family background and earlier life, including an incident which might deserve a content warning for sexual violence. Indeed, the wrinkles and creases of Gigi's personality are as fascinating as the events unfolding in Braşov, as Mott gives us a carefully managed, slow revelation of the mischief that's at work. The balance between the two is perfect, current events and past history - and the personalities of the different victims - combining to present a many-faceted portrayal of suffering, of wrongness - and of overcoming.
I did, actually, spot the murderer before they were revealed and was very pleased with myself... until I realised I hadn't! The mystery is actually deceptively complex and all the more so for everything (apparently) being set out before us.
All in all a most enjoyable crime novel, with Marina Sofia's translation excellently readable, rendering the story into English without flattening out the Romanian-ness of it - for example, making clear where a choice of pronouns indicates familiarity.
I hope to hear more about Gigi Alexa, and maybe to catch up oil some of her earlier adventures too.
The mystery we're presented with here is a perplexing one. As the tourist season comes to an end, visitors thin out in the town of Braşov, the days shorten, and the weather turns cool, a series of killings begins. We know they are connected (the story, while coy about identities, does give us the perspective of the killer at times, as well as of some of the victims) but they don't seem to have much of a common thread. Taken together, the murders put a lot of strain on the Braşov police, still reeling from a previous botched investigation, and bring national attention. Alongside the minutiae of the investigation, the book raises issues about what crimes are prioritised and about how an investigation may be driven - or derailed - by press attention and public concern.
The story with Gigi's earlier lover and colleague also gives us an insight into the aftermath of an abusive relationship, something she's finding it hard to move on from (one might think her speciality would help here but really "physician, heal thyself" doesn't cut it). Mott also gives us insights into Gigi's family background and earlier life, including an incident which might deserve a content warning for sexual violence. Indeed, the wrinkles and creases of Gigi's personality are as fascinating as the events unfolding in Braşov, as Mott gives us a carefully managed, slow revelation of the mischief that's at work. The balance between the two is perfect, current events and past history - and the personalities of the different victims - combining to present a many-faceted portrayal of suffering, of wrongness - and of overcoming.
I did, actually, spot the murderer before they were revealed and was very pleased with myself... until I realised I hadn't! The mystery is actually deceptively complex and all the more so for everything (apparently) being set out before us.
All in all a most enjoyable crime novel, with Marina Sofia's translation excellently readable, rendering the story into English without flattening out the Romanian-ness of it - for example, making clear where a choice of pronouns indicates familiarity.
I hope to hear more about Gigi Alexa, and maybe to catch up oil some of her earlier adventures too.
August 10, 2023
I am not usually a lover of crime fiction but was intrigued to read this book as it is in translation and I hoped to learn a little more about Roumania and Brasov in particular, a town I had heard a little about.
The book moves at pace and the story held me. It is translated with great sensitivity. This is, in my view, an under-appreciated skill. To translate using idiom in a way that makes the book feel like it is written in English, whilst retaining its context as a novel in translation, is something I admire very much. Marina Sofia did a great job.
The character of Gigi engaged me and I look forward to seeing how our relationship with her develops over the series. In some ways this book felt like an introduction to her. Whilst the pacing is very strong and the premise is interesting (no spoilers - don't worry) I did feel that it was, to some extent, at the expense of tension and sense of place. I would have liked to have felt the pressure more strongly that the main characters were under and I'd have liked to get a bit more sense of Brasov and its community. The ending was tidy but came rather quickly and could have been developed further to give greater sense of danger and of resolution.
Overall, a good read and I would read another in the series by Tony Mott to see how the characters and style develop.
The book moves at pace and the story held me. It is translated with great sensitivity. This is, in my view, an under-appreciated skill. To translate using idiom in a way that makes the book feel like it is written in English, whilst retaining its context as a novel in translation, is something I admire very much. Marina Sofia did a great job.
The character of Gigi engaged me and I look forward to seeing how our relationship with her develops over the series. In some ways this book felt like an introduction to her. Whilst the pacing is very strong and the premise is interesting (no spoilers - don't worry) I did feel that it was, to some extent, at the expense of tension and sense of place. I would have liked to have felt the pressure more strongly that the main characters were under and I'd have liked to get a bit more sense of Brasov and its community. The ending was tidy but came rather quickly and could have been developed further to give greater sense of danger and of resolution.
Overall, a good read and I would read another in the series by Tony Mott to see how the characters and style develop.
August 28, 2023
My Review…..
Firstly, huge thanks to Corylus Books for very kindly sending me a beautiful copy of Deadly Autumn Harvest, signed by Marina Sofia no less, the translator!
I’d never heard of Tont Mott, but I kept seeing the cover of Deadly Autumn Harvest and just KNEW it would be a book for me.
Set in Brasov, Romania, this is the second book in the Gigi Alexa series, but the first to be translated into English. Gigi is a whip-smart, intelligent, Forensic Pathologist and reading between the lines, had a nasty case that got her involved with the Police closely, and put her in danger in book one of the series, The Winter of Perfect Murders. Now anyone who follows me, knows that I hate reading books out of series order, but unless I can translate from Romanian, I am going to have to wait until the rest of the series is translated before I can read them, and after reading Deadly Autumn Harvest, I cannot wait!
I adored Gigi Alexa just from this first novel ( English Translation) she is fierce, funny, and has no patience for fools, and she is making sure women are taken seriously in this Patriarchal society.
I found Deadly Autumn Harvest an easy and gripping read, it has a real sense of place and describes Brasov in vivid detail. The cast of supporting characters includes Gigi’s ex-boyfriend Vlad, a senior Police officer, who is obviously very manipulative as Gigi is still very wary of him, however in Deadly Autumn Harvest she has no choice but to work alongside him.
The plot and the series of murders are frankly very original, and I was immediately drawn into the story from the opening pages., and the way the killings pan out is written superbly well, and really cleverly detailed!
This is a book that is definitely not lost in translation ( thank you Marnia Sofia!) and my only criticism is that I wanted to read the first in the series, first! But I do hope that these will be translated for us readers as I am a huge fan of Gigi Alexa.
A 4-star read, only marked down as I wanted to read book one first! ( My OCD sorry Corylus!) I love Tony Mott’s work!
Firstly, huge thanks to Corylus Books for very kindly sending me a beautiful copy of Deadly Autumn Harvest, signed by Marina Sofia no less, the translator!
I’d never heard of Tont Mott, but I kept seeing the cover of Deadly Autumn Harvest and just KNEW it would be a book for me.
Set in Brasov, Romania, this is the second book in the Gigi Alexa series, but the first to be translated into English. Gigi is a whip-smart, intelligent, Forensic Pathologist and reading between the lines, had a nasty case that got her involved with the Police closely, and put her in danger in book one of the series, The Winter of Perfect Murders. Now anyone who follows me, knows that I hate reading books out of series order, but unless I can translate from Romanian, I am going to have to wait until the rest of the series is translated before I can read them, and after reading Deadly Autumn Harvest, I cannot wait!
I adored Gigi Alexa just from this first novel ( English Translation) she is fierce, funny, and has no patience for fools, and she is making sure women are taken seriously in this Patriarchal society.
I found Deadly Autumn Harvest an easy and gripping read, it has a real sense of place and describes Brasov in vivid detail. The cast of supporting characters includes Gigi’s ex-boyfriend Vlad, a senior Police officer, who is obviously very manipulative as Gigi is still very wary of him, however in Deadly Autumn Harvest she has no choice but to work alongside him.
The plot and the series of murders are frankly very original, and I was immediately drawn into the story from the opening pages., and the way the killings pan out is written superbly well, and really cleverly detailed!
This is a book that is definitely not lost in translation ( thank you Marnia Sofia!) and my only criticism is that I wanted to read the first in the series, first! But I do hope that these will be translated for us readers as I am a huge fan of Gigi Alexa.
A 4-star read, only marked down as I wanted to read book one first! ( My OCD sorry Corylus!) I love Tony Mott’s work!
August 21, 2023
Thank you @sh_ewa and @tonymott for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. My Review Deadly Autumn Harvest is a tremendous read that I thoroughly enjoyed and read in one day. This is the first book I have read by Tony Mott and it is an excellent read. I was hooked from the start by the bizarre murders that were happening in Brasov. I liked the character Gigi who is a forensic pathologist who works with the police to find out who doing these bizarre murders. I felt Gigi is a strong woman that needs no man to define her. I did think I knew who the murderer was, and I was correct which is always good. Deadly Autumn Harvest is a translation of fiction that I enjoyed reading and I will be reading more translated fiction in the future it is open my eyes to different authors around the world. There is a great amount of suspense and drama running through the book that keeps you hooked. Tony Mott has a great imagination, and I will be reading more from her. Deadly Autumn is a great crime thriller which is totally different to other crime books which is why i enjoyed it. I strongly recommend it. Out now to buy 5 stars.
September 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters stood out from the page and Gigi was a very intuitive, relatable character. A spate of seemingly unrelated murders begin and somehow she knows that they are not unrelated. But finding the thing that makes them all join is her problem. I warmed to Gigi very quickly in her struggle for acceptance in a male dominated profession and world. She’s constantly fighting the patriarchy and misogyny and she keeps on going. She was a little prickly sometimes, but why wouldn’t you be?
Did I guess correctly who was responsible? I would love to say yes, but I’d be lying. Because of the writers skill in laying a breadcrumb trail and a few red herrings I thought I knew, yet I was entirely wrong!
This is a shorter novel, but nonetheless interesting for it. If you want a quicker read then definitely go for this. The translation by Marina Sofia is also totally spot on.
With thanks to Ewa Sherman, Corylus and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
Did I guess correctly who was responsible? I would love to say yes, but I’d be lying. Because of the writers skill in laying a breadcrumb trail and a few red herrings I thought I knew, yet I was entirely wrong!
This is a shorter novel, but nonetheless interesting for it. If you want a quicker read then definitely go for this. The translation by Marina Sofia is also totally spot on.
With thanks to Ewa Sherman, Corylus and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.
July 26, 2023
The story is based in Brasov, town in Carpathian, which is a beautiful location and the town is going through a set of random killings, but are they? Dr Regina Alexa, call me Gigi, a Forensic Pathologist, is asked to help the police to help solve these killings to see if they are individual murders or part of a pattern by a serial killer. Gigi is a feisty and tough lady who doesn't suffer fools lightly! Gigi works hard to help solve the riddle of killings - who, what, why, how and where? Gigi figures out the reason behind the killings but she tries hard to say how this could be connected to a suspected terrorism plot. The task force works on both investigations but the team working on the killings is reduced to a smaller number with the rest of the team working the terrorism angle. I highly recommend this book!!
Read
March 31, 2024Received in proof from Corylus Books! I’m not usually one for police procedurals, and this was very procedure-heavy, with a lot of wheel-spinning until the protagonist makes a leap of deduction three-quarters of the way through (for a reason that we don’t actually learn until after she’s explained her revelation). I’m glad I read something so outside of my usual fare, though, for variety’s sake. Plus, Mott is good on the sexism and machismo that still exists in Romanian culture, where even a badass forensic behavioural analyst has to deal with her boss also being an ex-boyfriend who literally stalked her in a previous (as-yet-untranslated) installment of the series.
August 14, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Gigi is an intriguing character - striving to be taken seriously by her male colleagues while, at the same time, struggling with events from her past.
The crimes are also very interesting, and the link between them isn't obvious - or not to me, at least!
There are a few potential suspects signposted along the way, and when we find out who is responsible, things come to a head very quickly.
There is a lot of crime in the book, some very violent indeed, but this is dealt with in a rather quiet, understated way, and I enjoyed the book a lot.
Thanks to the author, translator, Ewa Sherman, and Corylus Books for the eARC of this book.
The crimes are also very interesting, and the link between them isn't obvious - or not to me, at least!
There are a few potential suspects signposted along the way, and when we find out who is responsible, things come to a head very quickly.
There is a lot of crime in the book, some very violent indeed, but this is dealt with in a rather quiet, understated way, and I enjoyed the book a lot.
Thanks to the author, translator, Ewa Sherman, and Corylus Books for the eARC of this book.
May 27, 2025
Romanian Noir is now a thing. I enjoyed this book, picked up at Crimefest, for its sense of place and sparkling dialogue. Gigi, a young and independently-minded pathologist, helps her local police in the Romanian town of Brasov. It's a small place, surrounded by brooding forests, yet near a ski resort. Gigi deliberately wears colourful clothes to make herself seen by her rather dull and chauvinistic male colleagues. Yet it is their teamwork that finally solves a serial killer case in which Gigi herself becomes a target. This is a well-written and imaginative story.
August 18, 2023
Forensic pathologist, Dr Regina Alexa, may not have the best track record when it comes to romantic relationships, but her aptitude for behavioural profiling makes her an essential member of Braşov’s recently established Police Unit for Behavioural Analysis. Gigi gets the job done, even if she needs to crack a few eggs to make the omelette.
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
August 9, 2023
This was such an easy to read book I found whole swathes of time vanishing each time I settled down and opened the pages. The characters, locations and behaviours were just so interesting that the words on the page captured my whole attention and time just slipped away from me!
July 25, 2023
This is the first book in the series that has been translated into English and despite me wanting to know everything that had happened to everyone who featured previously, I could follow and enjoy this book a lot.
The main character, Gigi, worked closely with the police as a Forensic Pathologist. Some of the police officers she dealt with were condescending and she dealt with them in the manner that they deserved. Others were lecherous, which she seemed to find easier to either accept or just ignore.
The case which they were trying to solve was a complex one but once I read her theory I reread parts to see if I could see what she did. I couldn’t, but many will be able to, especially if they are familiar with what she mentions. However this was no hardship because the book was so captivating to read. Not only for the case itself but also because of Gigi. I thought she was amazing.
She had made many mistakes, romantically. In many ways it was her only failing, she seemed to be poor judge of character but also seemed accepting and not overly concerned that she did. I felt like she didn’t feel any longing for a partner, just quite content living on her own with her cat.
This was a fascinating and intriguing book to read, I hope that more from the series will be translated into English soon
The main character, Gigi, worked closely with the police as a Forensic Pathologist. Some of the police officers she dealt with were condescending and she dealt with them in the manner that they deserved. Others were lecherous, which she seemed to find easier to either accept or just ignore.
The case which they were trying to solve was a complex one but once I read her theory I reread parts to see if I could see what she did. I couldn’t, but many will be able to, especially if they are familiar with what she mentions. However this was no hardship because the book was so captivating to read. Not only for the case itself but also because of Gigi. I thought she was amazing.
She had made many mistakes, romantically. In many ways it was her only failing, she seemed to be poor judge of character but also seemed accepting and not overly concerned that she did. I felt like she didn’t feel any longing for a partner, just quite content living on her own with her cat.
This was a fascinating and intriguing book to read, I hope that more from the series will be translated into English soon
February 15, 2026
The case itself was interesting but I did not enjoy the characters at all. Why was everyone seemingly in love with the protagonist?
October 9, 2023
I am a huge fan of translated fiction, especially crime fiction and Deadly Autumn Harvest is another cracker from the Corylus Books stable. Translated by Marina Sofia, it's a slim volume but packed to the brim with a complex and intriguing murder investigation carried out by a lead character who has already become a favourite.
The small town of Braşov is beginning to slow down at the end of the tourist season. The weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter when the police are called in to investigate the murder of a local woman. Gigi Alexander is a forensic pathologist who has worked closely with the police in the past, and once again, her services are called upon to help with this new case.
And then there is another murder, seemingly unrelated, the investigative team can find no connections between the victims, and the actual killings seem very different. However, Gigi is not convinced that there is more than one murderer, there's something about these cases that pull at her instincts, and she is determined to find out more. As the death toll increases, the investigation becomes more complex and more urgent. There's a huge media interest due to issues with previous cases and everyone involved knows that these murders have to be stopped.
Gigi is an amazing character. Strong willed, forceful and often blunt. The author cleverly and subtly weaves her back story into the narrative, enabling the reader to understand more of her behaviours. Despite her prickly behaviour at times, one cannot help but back her all of the way.
Interwoven between the accounts of the investigation are the thoughts and feelings of the killer. The reader knows far more about the workings of their mind than Gigi and the police do, although we are not aware of the identity of the murderer. This adds a sinister note to the story, increasing the tension throughout.
This is a clever story that kept me intrigued and guessing right up to the end. Maria Sofia's translation is clear and precise and there's an authentic feel to this, especially around the setting.
This is the first in this series to be translated into English and I am really hoping that more is to follow. Gigi is a fabulous character and I'd love to learn more about her.
The small town of Braşov is beginning to slow down at the end of the tourist season. The weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter when the police are called in to investigate the murder of a local woman. Gigi Alexander is a forensic pathologist who has worked closely with the police in the past, and once again, her services are called upon to help with this new case.
And then there is another murder, seemingly unrelated, the investigative team can find no connections between the victims, and the actual killings seem very different. However, Gigi is not convinced that there is more than one murderer, there's something about these cases that pull at her instincts, and she is determined to find out more. As the death toll increases, the investigation becomes more complex and more urgent. There's a huge media interest due to issues with previous cases and everyone involved knows that these murders have to be stopped.
Gigi is an amazing character. Strong willed, forceful and often blunt. The author cleverly and subtly weaves her back story into the narrative, enabling the reader to understand more of her behaviours. Despite her prickly behaviour at times, one cannot help but back her all of the way.
Interwoven between the accounts of the investigation are the thoughts and feelings of the killer. The reader knows far more about the workings of their mind than Gigi and the police do, although we are not aware of the identity of the murderer. This adds a sinister note to the story, increasing the tension throughout.
This is a clever story that kept me intrigued and guessing right up to the end. Maria Sofia's translation is clear and precise and there's an authentic feel to this, especially around the setting.
This is the first in this series to be translated into English and I am really hoping that more is to follow. Gigi is a fabulous character and I'd love to learn more about her.
December 15, 2023
Deadly Autumn Harvest is the first in the Gigi Alexa series to be brought to an English audience, thanks to Marina Sofia's deft translation, although it's the 2nd book in the original Romanian series. This 'first' book for us is a more standard format of police procedural so a good point of entry, to allow us to engage with Gigi before reading the more personal story which will be presented later as a sort of prequel, the dark and foreboding winter episode. Gigi is a forensic pathologist in Brașov, a bold and assertive character, sticking up for herself as a no nonsense woman in a man's world. A couple of bizarre murders are committed and although it appears there is nothing initially to connect them, yet Gigi has a nagging feeling that somehow there is a link. I love this sort of story, where a serial killer is following a prescribed plan, whether that be as obvious as Vincent Price's Dr Phibes' biblical plagues, or something more literary and obscure. But once the investigators begin to connect the dots, it adds such an element of tension and suspense when you know what 'theme' is due to come next but you don't know what form it will take, so you're just on high alert for anything to try and prevent the next death. And murders where the victim is secondary to the method make it harder to form those connections for the team. Gigi's history with Vlad who comes in from out of town to be involved in the case, her current boyfriend Radu, and the new and rather pushy admirer Lucian add to the drama and intrigue. I loved her friendship with Matei and the protective soft spot he clearly has for her. These are well written characters to draw you in and become invested in, with an intriguing mystery to solve, and I look forward to seeing out the rest of the seasons with Gigi!
July 30, 2023
The story is based in Brasov, a town in Carpathian, which is a beautiful location and the town is going through a set of random killings, but are they? Dr Regina Alexa, call me Gigi, a Forensic Pathologist, is asked to help the police to help solve these killings to see if they are individual murders or part of a pattern by a serial killer. Gigi is a feisty and tough lady who doesn't suffer fools lightly! Gigi works hard to help solve the riddle of killings - who, what, why, how and where? Gigi figures out the reason behind the killings but she tries hard to say how this could be connected to a suspected terrorism plot. The task force works on both investigations but the team working on the killings is reduced to a smaller number with the rest of the team working the terrorism angle. I highly recommend this book!!
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