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Detective Ash Rashid #2
The Outsider
Ash Rashid returns in this new novel from New York Times bestselling writer Chris Culver, author of The Abbey--the runaway bestseller with a million copies sold to date.
Indianapolis Detective Ash Rashid isn't the sort of man who lets rules stand in the way of the pursuit of justice. But his work has taken a toll on him professionally and emotionally, and after twelve years in uniform--he wants out. That changes, though, when the mother of one of his daughter's friends is murdered in front of her home--a crime that members of his department would seemingly rather ignore than investigate. Ash launches an inquiry and quickly becomes entangled in a case involving a dangerous mix of election-year politics, crime, and street justice. What he finds may have repercussions for the entire city . . .
Indianapolis Detective Ash Rashid isn't the sort of man who lets rules stand in the way of the pursuit of justice. But his work has taken a toll on him professionally and emotionally, and after twelve years in uniform--he wants out. That changes, though, when the mother of one of his daughter's friends is murdered in front of her home--a crime that members of his department would seemingly rather ignore than investigate. Ash launches an inquiry and quickly becomes entangled in a case involving a dangerous mix of election-year politics, crime, and street justice. What he finds may have repercussions for the entire city . . .
358 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1984
498 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Chris Culver
38 books236 followersChris Culver is the New York Times bestselling author of the Ash Rashid series of mysteries. After graduate school, Chris taught courses in ethics and comparative religion at a small liberal arts university in southern Arkansas. While there and when he really should have been grading exams, he wrote The Abbey, which spent sixteen weeks on the New York Times bestseller's list and introduced the world to Detective Ash Rashid.
Chris has been a storyteller since he was a kid, but he decided to write crime fiction after picking up a dog-eared, coffee-stained paperback copy of Mickey Spillane's I, the Jury in a library book sale. Many years later, his wife, despite considerable effort, still can't stop him from bringing more orphan books home. The two of them, along with a labrador retriever named Roy, reside near St. Louis where Chris is hard at work on his next novel.
Chris has been a storyteller since he was a kid, but he decided to write crime fiction after picking up a dog-eared, coffee-stained paperback copy of Mickey Spillane's I, the Jury in a library book sale. Many years later, his wife, despite considerable effort, still can't stop him from bringing more orphan books home. The two of them, along with a labrador retriever named Roy, reside near St. Louis where Chris is hard at work on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 7, 2021
Konusu: Ash Rashid Indianapolis Şehri Polis teşkilatında görevli kıdemli bir dedektif. Bir gün şehrin mafya babası konumundaki bir isim ona gelip henüz rapor edilmemiş bir cinayetten bahsediyor ve bunu araştırmasını istiyor. İddia edilen cinayete kurban giden kişi ise Ash'in kızının en yakın arkadaşının annesi. Ash, başta bunun gerçekten doğru olup olmadığını teyit etmek için harekete geçerken kendini daha karmaşık bir davanın ve politik oyunların ortasında buluyor.
Öncelikle ben sıkı bir polisiye okuyucusu değilim. Hatta okuduğum polisiye türü kitap parmakla sayılır. Diğer yandan çok sıkı bir polisiye (hukuk, suçla mücadele vs.) izleyicisiyim. Hep öyleydim. Bu yıl okumalarımda da polisiyeye ağırlık vermek istediğimden arkadaşımın hediyesi Ölümün Gizli Yüzü ile yıla başladım.
Çoğunlukla polisiyelerde, dedektifleri diğerlerinden ayrıştıran abartılı özellikler olabiliyor. Ash ise aslında pek çok yönden oldukça ortalama (ne en hızlı en güçlü türden ne de bir desteyi görüp miktarı tam tahmin edebilen, kilitleri iki hareketiyle açabilen türden bir polis) ama yaptığı işe inanan, kararlı biri. Gerçekten bir dedektifin ilerleyeceği süreçlerden geçtiğini düşünüyorum. Aşırı zeki ipuçlarıyla, beyin yakan olaylar içeren bir kitap değil. Öte yandan çok akıcı bir yazımı var, neler olacağını merak ederek okudum. Bu kitapta olan olaylar devam kitaplarında kartopu misali yuvarlanıp daha büyük sorunlara sebep olacak gibi ve ben de bunu umuyorum.
Ayrıca Ash'in ve ailesinin müslüman olmasına gelirsem... Chris Culver üniversitede Etik ve Karşılaştırmalı Din dersi vermiş bir hoca olsa da zaman zaman bilgiler bana çok İslam 101 seviyesinde geldi. Fakat sonuçta kitabın esas okuyucu kitlesi müslümanlar olmadığı için böyle olması normaldir.
Olumsuz bir hava var mıydı? Genel olarak hayır. Karısı Hannah başörtülü ve bu herhangi birinin baskısı yüzünden değil. Okumuş, eğitimli bir hemşire. Namaz kılıyorlar. Yediklerine dikkat ediyorlar. Bu kadar. Ash ve ailesi sıradan bir Amerikan ailesi olarak toplumun bir parçası. Bunlardan böyle bahsetmek gülünç fakat ne yazık ki fazla temsili müslüman karakter görmediğimiz, var olanların da hep kendileriyle bir çatışma içinde veya bir tür baskı altında gösterildikleri düşünülürse önemli noktalar.
Tuhaf gelen çok ufak detaylar vardı. Mesela Ash sabah namazına kalkamadığı için kendine sinirlenirken bir başka gün misafirleri var diye ailecek ikindi namazı kılmamışlardı. Yine Ash geyik eti yiyip yiyemeyeceğini bilmiyordu. Bana komik geldi. Tabii dediğim gibi bunlar çok ince ince ayrıntılar. Ayrıca Ash'in -bir polisiye klişesi olarak- alkol sorunu var. Fakat bu sorun müslüman olmasıyla bağdaştırılmamış. Yazarın iyi bir iş çıkardığını düşünüyorum.
Kitap serinin 2. kitabı. İlk kitabı Manastır'ı da kesinlikle temin edeceğim. Yayınevi kaç yıldır 2. kitaptan sonrasını çevirmese de ilk iki kitap yeni siyah kapaklarla basıldığı için serinin devamının geleceğine inanıyorum.
Öncelikle ben sıkı bir polisiye okuyucusu değilim. Hatta okuduğum polisiye türü kitap parmakla sayılır. Diğer yandan çok sıkı bir polisiye (hukuk, suçla mücadele vs.) izleyicisiyim. Hep öyleydim. Bu yıl okumalarımda da polisiyeye ağırlık vermek istediğimden arkadaşımın hediyesi Ölümün Gizli Yüzü ile yıla başladım.
Çoğunlukla polisiyelerde, dedektifleri diğerlerinden ayrıştıran abartılı özellikler olabiliyor. Ash ise aslında pek çok yönden oldukça ortalama (ne en hızlı en güçlü türden ne de bir desteyi görüp miktarı tam tahmin edebilen, kilitleri iki hareketiyle açabilen türden bir polis) ama yaptığı işe inanan, kararlı biri. Gerçekten bir dedektifin ilerleyeceği süreçlerden geçtiğini düşünüyorum. Aşırı zeki ipuçlarıyla, beyin yakan olaylar içeren bir kitap değil. Öte yandan çok akıcı bir yazımı var, neler olacağını merak ederek okudum. Bu kitapta olan olaylar devam kitaplarında kartopu misali yuvarlanıp daha büyük sorunlara sebep olacak gibi ve ben de bunu umuyorum.
Ayrıca Ash'in ve ailesinin müslüman olmasına gelirsem... Chris Culver üniversitede Etik ve Karşılaştırmalı Din dersi vermiş bir hoca olsa da zaman zaman bilgiler bana çok İslam 101 seviyesinde geldi. Fakat sonuçta kitabın esas okuyucu kitlesi müslümanlar olmadığı için böyle olması normaldir.
Olumsuz bir hava var mıydı? Genel olarak hayır. Karısı Hannah başörtülü ve bu herhangi birinin baskısı yüzünden değil. Okumuş, eğitimli bir hemşire. Namaz kılıyorlar. Yediklerine dikkat ediyorlar. Bu kadar. Ash ve ailesi sıradan bir Amerikan ailesi olarak toplumun bir parçası. Bunlardan böyle bahsetmek gülünç fakat ne yazık ki fazla temsili müslüman karakter görmediğimiz, var olanların da hep kendileriyle bir çatışma içinde veya bir tür baskı altında gösterildikleri düşünülürse önemli noktalar.
Tuhaf gelen çok ufak detaylar vardı. Mesela Ash sabah namazına kalkamadığı için kendine sinirlenirken bir başka gün misafirleri var diye ailecek ikindi namazı kılmamışlardı. Yine Ash geyik eti yiyip yiyemeyeceğini bilmiyordu. Bana komik geldi. Tabii dediğim gibi bunlar çok ince ince ayrıntılar. Ayrıca Ash'in -bir polisiye klişesi olarak- alkol sorunu var. Fakat bu sorun müslüman olmasıyla bağdaştırılmamış. Yazarın iyi bir iş çıkardığını düşünüyorum.
Kitap serinin 2. kitabı. İlk kitabı Manastır'ı da kesinlikle temin edeceğim. Yayınevi kaç yıldır 2. kitaptan sonrasını çevirmese de ilk iki kitap yeni siyah kapaklarla basıldığı için serinin devamının geleceğine inanıyorum.
January 6, 2021
What a big web of mystery and lies!
April 27, 2013
What a disappointment after Culver's first book, The Abbey, was such a compelling piece of fiction.
Culver somehow managed to turn the second book about Ash Rashid into a boring, run-of-the-mill police procedural. I believe a great part of that was because he tells the story in third person instead of in Ash's compelling voice, as was done in the first book. Secondly, I was disappointed to see that, once again, a bizarre link to Ash's own life makes murder investigation necessary. Does this guy not have an interesting enough job that something might pop up there? Does it always have to be a relative or close friend killed that requires Ash to investigate even when he's being warned off? Thirdly, Ash is now striking me as a character with no forward movement or change of his own possible. He's still drinking and hiding it (from a wife who is either the most tolerant woman on earth or the biggest idiot to not notice the "mouthwash" signal). He's still giving up obvious clues to possible bad guys (... and then moans because he thinks he got someone killed ... "think before you speak" is important for detectives, Ash.). And so forth and so on.
It all is a blah mixture and a waste of time. What a shame.
Culver somehow managed to turn the second book about Ash Rashid into a boring, run-of-the-mill police procedural. I believe a great part of that was because he tells the story in third person instead of in Ash's compelling voice, as was done in the first book. Secondly, I was disappointed to see that, once again, a bizarre link to Ash's own life makes murder investigation necessary. Does this guy not have an interesting enough job that something might pop up there? Does it always have to be a relative or close friend killed that requires Ash to investigate even when he's being warned off? Thirdly, Ash is now striking me as a character with no forward movement or change of his own possible. He's still drinking and hiding it (from a wife who is either the most tolerant woman on earth or the biggest idiot to not notice the "mouthwash" signal). He's still giving up obvious clues to possible bad guys (... and then moans because he thinks he got someone killed ... "think before you speak" is important for detectives, Ash.). And so forth and so on.
It all is a blah mixture and a waste of time. What a shame.
January 26, 2014
The blurb on the cover describes the protagonist as "the most fascinating detective in the history of crime fiction," which is itself an overstatement of almost criminal proportions.
The story revolves around a criminal case with problematic evidence. So far, so ordinary. The characters however are without exception stereotypes. Even though the main character, Ash Rashid, is given colour by being a Muslim in the American mid-West, he's a stereotypical Muslim: struggling with drink, worrying about missed prayers, staunchly supported by a more observant wife, and so forth. Along the way we meet the decent-but-too-hard prosecutor, the scheming crime boss who helps justice while pursuing his own agenda, the self-interested politician -- should I go on?
The story revolves around a criminal case with problematic evidence. So far, so ordinary. The characters however are without exception stereotypes. Even though the main character, Ash Rashid, is given colour by being a Muslim in the American mid-West, he's a stereotypical Muslim: struggling with drink, worrying about missed prayers, staunchly supported by a more observant wife, and so forth. Along the way we meet the decent-but-too-hard prosecutor, the scheming crime boss who helps justice while pursuing his own agenda, the self-interested politician -- should I go on?
October 25, 2019
7 out of 10 stars. I should have read the first book in the series first. The book gave enough detail to get through it just fine.
December 11, 2019
ILLUMINATING. INSIGHTFUL.
“The human race does not improve, change, or show any evidence of a divine touch. You might say we’ve come of age in a world that’s as uninventive as it is disgusting.” (KL 2485)
Twentieth century American author, Howard Fast, beat his drum of non-violence and social responsibility long, loudly and with persistence. In his illuminating novel, The Outsider he shines his spotlight on many late-twentieth century disgraces: WWII, the Holocaust, the Korean War, McCarthyism, the trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, the Civil Rights Movement, the War in Vietnam, et al. Through it all, he does hold humanities feet to the fire.
Recommendation: This novel is an excellent recounting of the era from the mid-1940s to the early-1970s. It is a very worthy and interesting read.
“We are all mad. We are a race gone mad.” (KL 4743)
Open Road Media. Kindle Edition. 5,253 Kindle Locations
“The human race does not improve, change, or show any evidence of a divine touch. You might say we’ve come of age in a world that’s as uninventive as it is disgusting.” (KL 2485)
Twentieth century American author, Howard Fast, beat his drum of non-violence and social responsibility long, loudly and with persistence. In his illuminating novel, The Outsider he shines his spotlight on many late-twentieth century disgraces: WWII, the Holocaust, the Korean War, McCarthyism, the trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, the Civil Rights Movement, the War in Vietnam, et al. Through it all, he does hold humanities feet to the fire.
Recommendation: This novel is an excellent recounting of the era from the mid-1940s to the early-1970s. It is a very worthy and interesting read.
“We are all mad. We are a race gone mad.” (KL 4743)
Open Road Media. Kindle Edition. 5,253 Kindle Locations
May 13, 2013
Chris Culver has created another stay-up-too-late can’t-put-it-down read. In true crime-fiction fashion, Culver has an excellent combination of intense scenes and plot intrigue. He does this while deepening the character development and growth of Ash Rashid throughout the entire novel, ultimately leading to an even better protagonist than before.
The Outsider allows the readers to understand and get to know Ash even better. We see a softer side of Ash as he’s caring for the victim’s family in the latest case, while still remaining true to his principles and of course, being tough on those who do harm to others. This is an excellent addition to what will hopefully be a long series!
The Outsider allows the readers to understand and get to know Ash even better. We see a softer side of Ash as he’s caring for the victim’s family in the latest case, while still remaining true to his principles and of course, being tough on those who do harm to others. This is an excellent addition to what will hopefully be a long series!
May 25, 2013
Ash Rashid is a devout Muslim police detective in the Indianapolis police department assigned to the prosecutor’s office. When the mother of his daughter’s friend is killed by a hit and run driver, he is somewhat “forced” to investigate by the suggestion of a local mobster, and finds that things just don’t add up.
I enjoyed this novel because Ash is real. He is tried to practice his religion as he can and tries harder not to have a drink as you can see that he may have a problem with that. He also cares about people and is devoted to doing good and believing in his job. The further he digs into the case, the more intense it gets. I liked how it all played out. Not everybody wins.
I enjoyed this novel because Ash is real. He is tried to practice his religion as he can and tries harder not to have a drink as you can see that he may have a problem with that. He also cares about people and is devoted to doing good and believing in his job. The further he digs into the case, the more intense it gets. I liked how it all played out. Not everybody wins.
May 1, 2025
It was a good story and I like Chris Culver's writing style. It might have even been 5 stars but this is a police procedural and I don't care if the main protagonist is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or worships the sun, I don't need to know every time they pray or want to pray. If Ash, the protagonist, had been Christian and praying was mentioned as often as in this book, the book would be placed in the Christian fiction genre, and I probably wouldn't have read it. Yes, Ash is Muslim but unless the praying is essential to the story, which it isn't, we don't need to constantly hear about his daily prayer regime!
May 31, 2013
I loved this book. having read The Abby and loving that book and reading some of the early reviews I was concerned that Mr. Culver couldn't replicate the magic of The Abby. I'm glad to say my worry was wasted. I couldn't put this book down; I loved the internal struggle Ash felt throughout the book just as much I as was riveted by the murder mystery. There was some procedural parts of the book but I found those parts to be interesting as well, to learn not just the how but why things are done the way they are done. Go ahead and give the book a try, I bet you'll like it!
August 11, 2016
This is the second book about Detective Ash Rashid he never plays by the rules.
He wants out of the police force but he comes home one day and Konstantin Bukoholov a drug king is in his back garden, and he tell Ash about a murder that has happen
Ash goes to check on the murder and finds it his daughter best friend mum,
he get caught up in a election-year politics plus crime and corruption on the police force
Of cause with Ash he get beaten up but he finds out more people have been murder by the bent cops,
this is another book that once you start to read it you cant put it down
He wants out of the police force but he comes home one day and Konstantin Bukoholov a drug king is in his back garden, and he tell Ash about a murder that has happen
Ash goes to check on the murder and finds it his daughter best friend mum,
he get caught up in a election-year politics plus crime and corruption on the police force
Of cause with Ash he get beaten up but he finds out more people have been murder by the bent cops,
this is another book that once you start to read it you cant put it down
October 13, 2022
Ministerial Doubts
As a retired Protestant clergyman, I found the expressions of self-doubt about why anyone would become a rabbi or a minister refreshing. I think every clergy of any stripe has those moments of wondering, of doubting, and I felt as if I was in good company reading through this story. Its part history, part story, and part self reflection all provided through some interesting and believable characters.
As a retired Protestant clergyman, I found the expressions of self-doubt about why anyone would become a rabbi or a minister refreshing. I think every clergy of any stripe has those moments of wondering, of doubting, and I felt as if I was in good company reading through this story. Its part history, part story, and part self reflection all provided through some interesting and believable characters.
October 25, 2017
I think Howard Fast is one of the best writers of all time. Although I have only read 7 of his books, they have all been great, and he has left a long list of other novels that i expect are equally good. The Outsider is a story about a Jewish rabbi. Like all of Fast’s characters, he is very believable and provides a lot of food for thought.
May 14, 2017
Refreshing! No sex scenes. No profanity. No gratuitous violence. Actual content! I wasn't sure modern authors could do that anymore. Thanks!
June 23, 2017
This is my first novel by Chris Culver. I found the book really interesting and it managed to keep me reading for hours. The plot was really enjoyable but somewhat predictable. You can figure out the jizz of what's going on and who is involved halfway. I also enjoyed reading the character development of Ash Rashid, who at the starting of the novel, was always home late, didn't reaply have time for his family and whose breath was coated with alcohol changed to someone who is fighting the urge/temptation of alcohol and seeing the value in his family.
The ending of chapter 22 though was really annoying as it just ended there. It was such a good climb up to the climax and the explaination and I guess I just expected too much because it felt a lot like a sharp decline that leaves you disappointed.
The ending of chapter 22 though was really annoying as it just ended there. It was such a good climb up to the climax and the explaination and I guess I just expected too much because it felt a lot like a sharp decline that leaves you disappointed.
June 14, 2018
First time reading about Detective Ash Rashid ...it was fast moving, a thriller with lots of action in the city of Indianapolis. Rashid is a Muslim, married with two children who is stalked and beaten up so many times, I lost count. This story involves 'bent' or 'dirty' cops, a type of story I usually avoid because it is scary to think that those we should be able to trust are not trustworthy.
May 16, 2024
It was interesting and I enjoyed the diversity of the protagonist, but I wish there was more about his family in the book and the ending was a cop out because it was basically Ash recanting what happened instead of the ending being woven into actual plot. Somewhat hard to follow at times and tbh the vocabulary of the police department & law enforcement kept screwing me up. Interesting plot but overall, your typical detective story and you won’t miss out on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2018
I have to admit that I really loved the ending of this novel but the rest of it just felt so predictable for me. This had a great premise but so-so execution. I would still read the book that preceded this one though. But still:
December 8, 2021
Müslüman bir dedektifin ilginç serüveni. Kitapta dinler arasında herhangi bir ayrım yok ama müslüman bir dedektif ilk defa okudum. İslam dinini güzel ve nazikçe anlatmış yeri geldikçe. Dedektif Ash muhteşem bir zeka ve azme sahip. Vazgeçmiyor ve de oyunu kendine göre kuruyor. Adalet, arkadaşlıktan üstün müdür? Sorusuna yanıt bulmak isteyenlere ve güzel bir kitap okumak isteyenlere tavsiye edilir.
August 4, 2017
I really enjoyed book 2 it fit like a glove, very similar feel to the first. Yes police procedural but that's what cops do, I felt drawn along with our flawed hero Rashid and attempted to fit the evidence jigsaw together. Is my mind if story and kept me rapt for the two days it took to devour it.
December 18, 2019
7/10
This becomes more than an outside chance of an entertaining read, in the hands of its self-confessed inexperience author.
Its fresh protagonist is a dry, witty Midwestern Muslim cop bucking against police procedures.
This becomes more than an outside chance of an entertaining read, in the hands of its self-confessed inexperience author.
Its fresh protagonist is a dry, witty Midwestern Muslim cop bucking against police procedures.
June 30, 2020
A very different murder mystery, with a different protagonist, a Muslim police detective, living in Indianapolis. Excellent writing, with great characters, and an intriguing plot! I really enjoyed my first book by Chris Culver, and I will be looking for more books featuring Ash Rashid !
January 26, 2024
I really liked this book! Very well written. I wish I had read the authors first book before I had found this one as I would have enjoyed getting to know the main characters better. I'll be looking for more from this author.
December 6, 2024
Enjoyed the book
I have enjoyed all the books written by this author. They move quickly and keep my interest throughout. I highly recommend this book and all that Chris Culver has written so far.
I have enjoyed all the books written by this author. They move quickly and keep my interest throughout. I highly recommend this book and all that Chris Culver has written so far.
October 5, 2019
Culver has a good detective series going with Ash Rashid. Well written !
June 21, 2020
Review to come.
August 11, 2020
Also enjoyed this second Ash book.
June 24, 2021
This is my first book by Culver, look forward to reading another offering by him.
This story had enough twists to keep the reader turning pages, looking for the next clue.
This story had enough twists to keep the reader turning pages, looking for the next clue.
August 23, 2021
language
March 21, 2022
Liking Ash a lot. On to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews