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A Song for Nemesis
Unable to come to terms with the shocking murder of his lover, Enrique Maqui abandons his work as a filmmaker and leaves London for war-torn El Salvador. Wounded while undertaking a covert assignment for the rebel forces, he meets Senica, a peasant whose courage over adversity inspires him to put his life in order. With an unfinished screenplay still sitting in London, and an impatient producer on his back, Enrique returns to the city that took his lover’s life. Here, he redrafts the script, which in essence threatens to lift the lid off a deception that runs to the core of civilization, a totalitarian nightmare devised by a power as brutal as it is invisible.
Before long, with Senica set to arrive in the UK on a doctored passport, Enrique finds himself terrorized by a gunman, whose client’s chilling ploy to first unnerve and then to eliminate the film director puts at risk the entire production. Betrayal, and a remarkable act of valour from an unlikely source ensue. For the gunman, to disappoint his anonymous and apparently wealthy client is not an option, as he receives his final instructions and closes in on his quarry for the final kill.
Before long, with Senica set to arrive in the UK on a doctored passport, Enrique finds himself terrorized by a gunman, whose client’s chilling ploy to first unnerve and then to eliminate the film director puts at risk the entire production. Betrayal, and a remarkable act of valour from an unlikely source ensue. For the gunman, to disappoint his anonymous and apparently wealthy client is not an option, as he receives his final instructions and closes in on his quarry for the final kill.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 14, 2012
A Song For Nemesis by Len Harper will appeal to any reader who likes a book to be action-packed and driven by an explicit and largely linear plot that occupies the narrative focus and, apparently, the entire psyches of most of the characters. Written in the style of its genre, A Song For Nemesis is effectively a screenplay that has been filmed Hollywood-style. The plot is revealed largely through dialogue between pairs of characters, with occasional musings offering background and interpretation that operate rather like incidental music. This stylistic device could be a weakness – and usually is – but in the case of A Song For Nemesis by Len Harper, it subtly enhances the plot, since the book’s principal character, Enriqué, is a film maker pursuing his craft.
In all books of this genre, any summary of the plot’s content becomes a spoiler, since finding out what happens is the main reason for reading the book. But it is possible, without spoiling the plot, to mention some settings, contexts, themes and characters.
A Song For Nemesis opens in London, and much of the action is set in the west of that city. It starts near the Oval, visits Holland Park and goes as far afield as Hammersmith. Some people, it seems, have to keep on the move, because there are snipers with rifles and silenced handguns, plus road-rage drivers with powerful cars who mean business, applying their attentions mainly to Enriqué. It seems that the hit-men - or man, perhaps, because balaclavas can be changed - is none too competent, since the job seems to be beyond him. But, as the plot unfolds, we appreciate that there might be method in such incompetence, since mere madness might be the eventual motive. It might be Enriqué’s project that is the target, but is the aim to prevent it or, perversely, protect it?
The first event in A Song For Nemesis is Enriqué’s proposal to Lena, who just happens to be in a rock band. She is going to accept the offer, can’t wait, it seems, but first she has to do a gig. And at that gig a hit-man bursts onto the stage and brings the song to an abrupt end. The question is why? The answer may become clear towards the end of the book.
Enriqué is an interesting character, who surely would have been more interesting had we got to know him better. He is an émigré - perhaps refugee? - from El Salvador. He is also a film maker and a competent one, who likes to lace his entertainment with traces of meaning and significance. On an assignment in El Salvador he gets shot. A kitchen knife doused in a disinfectant of moonshine digs out the bullet. The blade is handled by Senica - pronounced Seneeca - with such aplomb that the wound seems to heal in no time at all. Cutting someone’s arm to bits, it seems, is a real come on, because Enriqué and Senica bond, with the lady eventually playing a virtually non-speaking role in that crucial film that the director is making.
If a murder and an international conflict characterised by terrorism and guerrilla warfare were not enough, these characters also have to deal with an international conspiracy. Yes, there’s a secret society that is so secret that the whole world seems to know about it, right down to its origins in central Asia, the brainchild of a descendent of Genghis Khan, no less. There are capitalists whose corporations are associated with a covert drive for world government, making a change from global domination, though in the end it may amount to the same thing. There is an upper crust family in Oxfordshire, whose generations look down from wall portraits to haunt the living heirs. They have their Damascus moment, but it happens in Oxford, though they do have a flat in London, as well. There is an elderly magnate in the United States, a curiously ambivalent figure who has some even more curious employees, and a landed aristocrat with generations of ancient lineage in Switzerland… But this is all getting very close to the substance of plot and plotting, of which there is much.
El Salvadorean émigré Enriqué eventually makes his film, and its revelations prove immediately significant. But what the film is about and what transpires along the way will only be revealed if you read A Song For Nemesis by Len Harper.
In all books of this genre, any summary of the plot’s content becomes a spoiler, since finding out what happens is the main reason for reading the book. But it is possible, without spoiling the plot, to mention some settings, contexts, themes and characters.
A Song For Nemesis opens in London, and much of the action is set in the west of that city. It starts near the Oval, visits Holland Park and goes as far afield as Hammersmith. Some people, it seems, have to keep on the move, because there are snipers with rifles and silenced handguns, plus road-rage drivers with powerful cars who mean business, applying their attentions mainly to Enriqué. It seems that the hit-men - or man, perhaps, because balaclavas can be changed - is none too competent, since the job seems to be beyond him. But, as the plot unfolds, we appreciate that there might be method in such incompetence, since mere madness might be the eventual motive. It might be Enriqué’s project that is the target, but is the aim to prevent it or, perversely, protect it?
The first event in A Song For Nemesis is Enriqué’s proposal to Lena, who just happens to be in a rock band. She is going to accept the offer, can’t wait, it seems, but first she has to do a gig. And at that gig a hit-man bursts onto the stage and brings the song to an abrupt end. The question is why? The answer may become clear towards the end of the book.
Enriqué is an interesting character, who surely would have been more interesting had we got to know him better. He is an émigré - perhaps refugee? - from El Salvador. He is also a film maker and a competent one, who likes to lace his entertainment with traces of meaning and significance. On an assignment in El Salvador he gets shot. A kitchen knife doused in a disinfectant of moonshine digs out the bullet. The blade is handled by Senica - pronounced Seneeca - with such aplomb that the wound seems to heal in no time at all. Cutting someone’s arm to bits, it seems, is a real come on, because Enriqué and Senica bond, with the lady eventually playing a virtually non-speaking role in that crucial film that the director is making.
If a murder and an international conflict characterised by terrorism and guerrilla warfare were not enough, these characters also have to deal with an international conspiracy. Yes, there’s a secret society that is so secret that the whole world seems to know about it, right down to its origins in central Asia, the brainchild of a descendent of Genghis Khan, no less. There are capitalists whose corporations are associated with a covert drive for world government, making a change from global domination, though in the end it may amount to the same thing. There is an upper crust family in Oxfordshire, whose generations look down from wall portraits to haunt the living heirs. They have their Damascus moment, but it happens in Oxford, though they do have a flat in London, as well. There is an elderly magnate in the United States, a curiously ambivalent figure who has some even more curious employees, and a landed aristocrat with generations of ancient lineage in Switzerland… But this is all getting very close to the substance of plot and plotting, of which there is much.
El Salvadorean émigré Enriqué eventually makes his film, and its revelations prove immediately significant. But what the film is about and what transpires along the way will only be revealed if you read A Song For Nemesis by Len Harper.
October 28, 2012
A thrilling ride…almost like watching an action mystery thriller movie…
A political thriller that will appeal to readers across multiple genres, A Song for Nemesis is like watching a James Bond movie. With strong characters and a fast paced plot, I could not put the book down once I started. The story’s main character, Enrique, is introduced to the reader as a mysterious man—passionate, strong, handsome type; his background is Central American but his exact heritage is not revealed until later on. The story opens in El Salvador amidst gunfire--Enrique tries to carry his friend Sergio to safety but later witnesses him die in his arms. Sergio’s last wish is to be laid in the corn field. Enrique’s emotions over the loss of his friend are quite intense and it is soon revealed that he recently lost his fiancée only several months earlier. Upon chance, he stumbles upon a small bar looking for replenishment and rifles and is coldly greeted by Senica, a beautiful Salvadorian (part Mayan) girl, who has seen her share of brutality and violence. The unlikely couple journey together to San Miguel to Enrique’s temporary housing while on mission. He travels back to his real home in the UK where it is revealed that he is a renown controversial film maker. Through action packed chapters, we are led into the heart of the political drama. His backer, Joshua Waldo, a rich and powerful man, wants Enrique to make the movie that will unravel the secrets behind the chaos in the world. Tied to this theme, is Enrique’s quest to uncover the truth behind his fiancée’s murder. We soon find out that there are darker elements underfoot and Enrique’s head is marked for reasons revealed at the end of the book. With the suspense, also comes romance and author, Len Harper, does a wonderful job of writing the growing passion between Enrique and Senica. The ending is satisfying with surprise twists and turns—literally explosive action. I really enjoyed Harper’s style of writing—descriptive and colourful. I could visually see each moment like a scene in a movie. I appreciated his ability to weave in the rich cultural aspects of his characters and the historical and political backdrop of El Salvador throughout the story’s theme. As a filmmaker and writer myself, I found that Harper’s account of the technical details of film making quite accurate and refreshing. He obviously did his homework. A pleasure to read, A Song for Nemesis is a novel that should definitely be added to your reading list. I look forward to more books or perhaps a movie from this talented author in the near future.
A political thriller that will appeal to readers across multiple genres, A Song for Nemesis is like watching a James Bond movie. With strong characters and a fast paced plot, I could not put the book down once I started. The story’s main character, Enrique, is introduced to the reader as a mysterious man—passionate, strong, handsome type; his background is Central American but his exact heritage is not revealed until later on. The story opens in El Salvador amidst gunfire--Enrique tries to carry his friend Sergio to safety but later witnesses him die in his arms. Sergio’s last wish is to be laid in the corn field. Enrique’s emotions over the loss of his friend are quite intense and it is soon revealed that he recently lost his fiancée only several months earlier. Upon chance, he stumbles upon a small bar looking for replenishment and rifles and is coldly greeted by Senica, a beautiful Salvadorian (part Mayan) girl, who has seen her share of brutality and violence. The unlikely couple journey together to San Miguel to Enrique’s temporary housing while on mission. He travels back to his real home in the UK where it is revealed that he is a renown controversial film maker. Through action packed chapters, we are led into the heart of the political drama. His backer, Joshua Waldo, a rich and powerful man, wants Enrique to make the movie that will unravel the secrets behind the chaos in the world. Tied to this theme, is Enrique’s quest to uncover the truth behind his fiancée’s murder. We soon find out that there are darker elements underfoot and Enrique’s head is marked for reasons revealed at the end of the book. With the suspense, also comes romance and author, Len Harper, does a wonderful job of writing the growing passion between Enrique and Senica. The ending is satisfying with surprise twists and turns—literally explosive action. I really enjoyed Harper’s style of writing—descriptive and colourful. I could visually see each moment like a scene in a movie. I appreciated his ability to weave in the rich cultural aspects of his characters and the historical and political backdrop of El Salvador throughout the story’s theme. As a filmmaker and writer myself, I found that Harper’s account of the technical details of film making quite accurate and refreshing. He obviously did his homework. A pleasure to read, A Song for Nemesis is a novel that should definitely be added to your reading list. I look forward to more books or perhaps a movie from this talented author in the near future.
September 10, 2012
A filmmaker, born in El Salvador and currently in London, is living with the love of his life, a successful singer. After she is murdered he returns to El Salvador on a project for the anti-government forces. Add a beautiful peasant girl, an assassin, and a worldwide conspiracy, and you have all the ingredients for a thriller.
When I accept a book for review, I always blame myself when I discover that the story told is not up to the promise of the blurb. Originally entered in literary competition as ‘The Indiscriminate Agenda’, this tale was then cut by 15k words to 84k, and professionally copy-edited. I have to say that it felt as though that missing 15k might have been responsible for my confusion, which continued for most of the book. Character names appeared that I didn’t remember being introduced, and props/events are mentioned with no context. Sometimes the context was in the following chapter, but I found this more annoying than suspenseful.
On the good side: you are thrown right in to the action, which I like. Location descriptions were good. Characters were distinct individuals.
On the down side: not a fan of the writing style. Was thrown out of the story, such as when people speak and they are doing one thing one moment, and are somewhere completely different in the room the next time they reply. I found the dialog very false. I had to re-read some sentences/paragraphs several times to get the meaning. Can’t say that I was invested in any of the characters.
I felt that the storyline held great possibilities, but the greatest fault was that I always felt like an outsider, excluded from knowing what was going on.
I really thought I would like this book, but in the end I did not.
I read the Nook Edition (July 2012, 274p), provided by the author for review.
When I accept a book for review, I always blame myself when I discover that the story told is not up to the promise of the blurb. Originally entered in literary competition as ‘The Indiscriminate Agenda’, this tale was then cut by 15k words to 84k, and professionally copy-edited. I have to say that it felt as though that missing 15k might have been responsible for my confusion, which continued for most of the book. Character names appeared that I didn’t remember being introduced, and props/events are mentioned with no context. Sometimes the context was in the following chapter, but I found this more annoying than suspenseful.
On the good side: you are thrown right in to the action, which I like. Location descriptions were good. Characters were distinct individuals.
On the down side: not a fan of the writing style. Was thrown out of the story, such as when people speak and they are doing one thing one moment, and are somewhere completely different in the room the next time they reply. I found the dialog very false. I had to re-read some sentences/paragraphs several times to get the meaning. Can’t say that I was invested in any of the characters.
I felt that the storyline held great possibilities, but the greatest fault was that I always felt like an outsider, excluded from knowing what was going on.
I really thought I would like this book, but in the end I did not.
I read the Nook Edition (July 2012, 274p), provided by the author for review.
October 9, 2012
Half-mad with grief after the murder of his fiance, London filmmaker Enrique Mauqi takes insane risks while photographing military atrocities in his homeland, El Salvador. The fatal results - and a chance meeting with an intriguing peasant girl - help snap Enrique back to reality, and convince him to return to London to complete work on the most important film of his life. But someone doesn't want the film to be made...
With his life and those of his loved ones under threat, Enrique must decide whether exposing the centuries old global conspiracy at the heart of his documentary is worth it.
Fast moving and dramatic, "A Song for Nemesis" is a fairly quick read despite its size. However, the characters and dialog are uneven, with a fair bit of unnatural "baring of the souls" in conversation between characters whose personalities would seem to make such revelations unlikely at best. Moreover, certain elements of the plot are decidedly weak, a notable character transformation not quite believable, and a few dangling elements left unexplained. For all of the drama surrounding the film at the center of the plot, very few of its details are gone into, and it begins to feel more like a "Maguffin." Case in point: its title (and that of the book) is never explained. Who is Nemesis? Why are we singing about him or it? Inquiring minds want to know! :)
That said, the global conspiracy itself is perhaps the Most believable part of the book, and would seem to be worth exploring in later volumes.
Recommended for lovers of political thrillers and conspiracy theories who are annoyed with reading books with Tom Clancy's name on them that he didn't actually write...
With his life and those of his loved ones under threat, Enrique must decide whether exposing the centuries old global conspiracy at the heart of his documentary is worth it.
Fast moving and dramatic, "A Song for Nemesis" is a fairly quick read despite its size. However, the characters and dialog are uneven, with a fair bit of unnatural "baring of the souls" in conversation between characters whose personalities would seem to make such revelations unlikely at best. Moreover, certain elements of the plot are decidedly weak, a notable character transformation not quite believable, and a few dangling elements left unexplained. For all of the drama surrounding the film at the center of the plot, very few of its details are gone into, and it begins to feel more like a "Maguffin." Case in point: its title (and that of the book) is never explained. Who is Nemesis? Why are we singing about him or it? Inquiring minds want to know! :)
That said, the global conspiracy itself is perhaps the Most believable part of the book, and would seem to be worth exploring in later volumes.
Recommended for lovers of political thrillers and conspiracy theories who are annoyed with reading books with Tom Clancy's name on them that he didn't actually write...
September 26, 2012
It felt as if the author was trying to dance at one wedding with two brides. The main political plot kept veering off into romantic meanderings or family drama. There seemed to be too many subplots vying for attention and ultimately it made the main storyline sink into obscurity.
Pity, because the beginning chapters are a convincing solid political and moral undertaking about the oppression of the people in El Salvador.
The main character whips from being portrayed as a fighter for the oppressed to a filmmaker documenting the criminals behind it, to the target of a hitman. The reason being a script about said political events, but that manuscript is never delved into deep enough to understand what the fuss is all about.
What was the point of creating that link to El Salvador in regards to Lena and then coming in with a completely left wing and ancient solution, which made no sense and didn't explain the motive?
Now I happen to have read that the original book was edited and cut by at least a quarter and I wonder if some of the real essence of this book was lost in translation or on the editors desk.
I would like to see this author tackle his original political idea with a little more strength and conviction.
Pity, because the beginning chapters are a convincing solid political and moral undertaking about the oppression of the people in El Salvador.
The main character whips from being portrayed as a fighter for the oppressed to a filmmaker documenting the criminals behind it, to the target of a hitman. The reason being a script about said political events, but that manuscript is never delved into deep enough to understand what the fuss is all about.
What was the point of creating that link to El Salvador in regards to Lena and then coming in with a completely left wing and ancient solution, which made no sense and didn't explain the motive?
Now I happen to have read that the original book was edited and cut by at least a quarter and I wonder if some of the real essence of this book was lost in translation or on the editors desk.
I would like to see this author tackle his original political idea with a little more strength and conviction.
September 4, 2012
I have reviewed this novel on my blog: http://mygoodbookshelf.wordpress.com/...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews