Jack in the Box

Von Valenti #1

by Hanna Allen

This edition is no longer available.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2012

Reviews

[Nick Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a good story in here somewhere, but I also found a lot of this police procedural - about the linked deaths of a theatre actor and several rent boys several years earlier back in the mid 1980s - somewhat flawed. Long stretches were so 'crime thriller by numbers' that it became dull, for all the fact it felt solidly put together as a consequence. I didn't much like many of the characters and failed to connect with the central protagonist Von Valenti, she seemed a bit Mary Sue in places. The final denouement seemed all a bit unrealistic too - plenty of people confessing and explaining how and why they'd committed the crime in order to drive the conclusion to things.

The overall affect was that I was left feeling I had kinda enjoyed reading this, but like the other novel by the same author I had read ('Clearing The Dark' - featuring a different female detective Dania Gorska, who had "this woman is Polish" laid on with a trowel) I was aware that some aspects of the book were flawed and a little clunky.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curate's egg of a book. Absolutely terrific story, well-plotted, excellent twists (except for the very final one!!) and with loads of tension and pace, but, for me, undermined by the characterisation, particularly the dialogue which used such mis-matching vocabulary as to render Von in particular, very hazy. Additionally, something I am more conscious of as a result of hearing my younger son go on about it at length, the intrusion of relationships was over done.
But it is a first novel, and Hania Allen is to be congratulated on it.

[Jane Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is crime fiction written to a formula, without inspiration. There's an over-complicated plot; detectives with messy private lives; plenty of sex; and corrupt cops. Nothing comes as a surprise.
Allen can probably do better than this.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great start to a new series.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

London based crime story. Lots of twists and turns, but not always convincing in terms of police procedure.

[Miki101.michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack in the Box - a Whodunnit with ..., 17. Juli 2013

... unexpected twists and turns, but also with a lot of lengths.

I liked the other book written by Hanna Allen ICEHOTEL very much.

Then I started to read "Jack in the Box", but everything was quite different. The idea of the double crime plot was really brilliant, but the authoress this time had a bit too much pots on the fire. So, after the half of the thriller, my interest started to fade away a bit.
There were the 3 1/2 killings 15 years ago - never resolved. Now the new killing and it's the Super's brother who left this world in the same way the earlier victims did. Then enters the play, after that the drugs and... and...
And out heroine Von Valenti seems to be more the designated scapegoat than a real investigator, who has the full support of her superiors and collaborators.
The more the crime story goes on, more faults are made - mostly by Von. At a certain point I wanted to cry at her: "Hey, stupid girl, think about what You have learnt in the Police Academy!"

No - this crime novel is entertaining until a certain point, not very long over the half. After that I only wanted to see the culprits - yet guessed who they were, and how they were implicated - arrested, or shot (not to death ...:) or fleeing the British Isles before hunted down...

I am sorry - surely the tastes are different. But this "thriller" cannot compete with "Icehotel". It is too long and - as I said before - there are really too many threads to be united well at the end.
But Hanna Allen will surely surprise her readers with a new, exciting crime story or thriller.
And I will reasd the next one, too.

[Pete Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cracker of a book and the story is well crafted with many surprising twists and turns. As police procedurals go this is amongst the best and the characters are strong and cleverly developed.
The lead character, Von Valenti, is a strong and forceful woman handling a vicious murder which has trails leading back to a series of murders many years before. Meanwhile her personal life is under stress and her boss, Superintendent Richard Quincey is adding to her worries.
The story is carried forward at all times and is fast paced and full of intrigue.
Highly recommended.

[Quanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from'Good Reads'. In 1985 four teenage boys are brutalized, three die. In 2000 an older man is murdered in the same fashion - strangled with his eyes poked out. A jack-in-the-box is left at each scene. This story has everything - drugs, prostitution, corrupt police and an honest policewoman that won't give up. No one is who they seem and the ending is truly a surprise. This 'Good Read' is a 'Great Read'.

[LLona Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted police procedural with believable characters and interaction. Doesn't play as well in text-to-speech because it's sometimes difficult to discern which character is speaking (and who's POV is active), but works very well when reading pages normally. It's a good murder mystery with subplots that blend well.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at Bloody Scotland book festival at Stirling this year. One of the events i attended was "The next big name in crime fiction" . The talk was fascinating and Hania Allen was one of the authors. I bought the book at the event, started it that night and i couldn't put it down. The subject matter is not for the faint hearted, a nice twist to finish with. Can't wait for the next book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great British murder mystery! I love these types of mystery especially when they include a bit of humor. In this book, Von, a woman detective, must figure out if and how a current murder is linked to a string of murders 25 years ago.
The plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I am hoping there will be more in this series.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to have won this book in the Goodreads Giveaway. This was certainly a book that once I started, I couldn't put down. Lots of twists and very fast paced. I shall be looking for more books by this author. Recommended.

[Andy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

thanks to goodreads for the preview copy

great book, well planned & controlled pace that keeps you interested all the way, i'd imagine the police elements are well researched

strong whodunnit & look forward to mor from this author

[Karla Wieting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reading if you enjoy British Crime. Easy reading with a solid plot. A few twists and turns during the novel and an excellent one to finish off the book. Really enjoyed this novel and will be looking for more from this author.

[Lee Holz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack in the Box is a first rate British police procedural with lots of action, surprises and complications, all expertly handled. The characters are believable and interesting. Highly recommended.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well writen and a griping read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a lucky winner of this book here on Goodreads.com & found it to be a riveting thriller that was hard to put down. Looking forward to reading more Hanna Allen books in the near future.

[Chip · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 4.5 out of 5. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Mark Levandoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good job.Once I got past the preliminaries, did not want to stop reading.Well done.This book was awarded to me in the Goodreads Contest Winner category.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile read. A typical who dun it with a good plot and a few twists. Will look out for her next book without doubt.