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Kiszka and Kershaw #2
Death Can't Take a Joke
The second Kiszka and Kershaw crime thriller.
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice.
Shadowing a beautiful Ukrainian girl he believes could solve the mystery, Kiszka soon finds himself skating dangerously close to her ruthless ‘businessman’ boyfriend. Meanwhile, his old nemesis, rookie police detective Natalie Kershaw is struggling to identify a mystery suicide, a Pole who jumped off the top of Canary Wharf Tower. But all is not what it seems…
Sparks fly as Kiszka and Kershaw’s paths cross for a second time, but they must call a truce when their separate investigations call for a journey to Poland’s wintry eastern borders…
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice.
Shadowing a beautiful Ukrainian girl he believes could solve the mystery, Kiszka soon finds himself skating dangerously close to her ruthless ‘businessman’ boyfriend. Meanwhile, his old nemesis, rookie police detective Natalie Kershaw is struggling to identify a mystery suicide, a Pole who jumped off the top of Canary Wharf Tower. But all is not what it seems…
Sparks fly as Kiszka and Kershaw’s paths cross for a second time, but they must call a truce when their separate investigations call for a journey to Poland’s wintry eastern borders…
323 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
14 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Anya Lipska
4 books85 followersAnya Lipska a.k.a. A.K. Turner
Her debut as Anya Lipska - 'Where the Devil Can't Go' - led to her being selected for Val McDermid's prestigious New Blood Panel at the Theakstons Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate 2013. She went on to write a much-loved trilogy following the investigations of Polish fixer Kiszka and Met detective Kershaw.
Her latest crime thriller is Body Language, featuring Cassie Raven, a Goth girl mortuary technician who talks to the dead. Raven was first introduced in two short stories read by Ellie Kendrick on BBC Radio 4. The series is published by Zaffre in the UK and by publishers in Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia.
In her day job as a producer of factual TV documentaries, Anya has worked on a wide range of topics from a missing Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, to the sex lives of Neanderthals, and a history of Italian gardens with Monty Don.
Her debut as Anya Lipska - 'Where the Devil Can't Go' - led to her being selected for Val McDermid's prestigious New Blood Panel at the Theakstons Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate 2013. She went on to write a much-loved trilogy following the investigations of Polish fixer Kiszka and Met detective Kershaw.
Her latest crime thriller is Body Language, featuring Cassie Raven, a Goth girl mortuary technician who talks to the dead. Raven was first introduced in two short stories read by Ellie Kendrick on BBC Radio 4. The series is published by Zaffre in the UK and by publishers in Germany, France, Ukraine, and Russia.
In her day job as a producer of factual TV documentaries, Anya has worked on a wide range of topics from a missing Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, to the sex lives of Neanderthals, and a history of Italian gardens with Monty Don.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 28, 2014
After bursting onto the British crime fiction scene last year with her perfectly hewed debut Where The Devil Can’t Go, it is a delight to be immersed once more in Lipska’s interweaving of Polish and British culture in this thoroughly enjoyable follow-up. Oh- and watch out for those twists- they’ll get you every time….
One of the strongest features of Lipska’s debut was the relationship developed between Janusz Kiszka, the grouchy Polish PI with his unique brand of tough guy underscored by a heart of gold, and ambitious young detective Natalie Kershaw. This novel drives the development of this relationship further as once again their individual investigations overlap, with the murder of one of Kiszka’s closest friends, and a mysterious death in Docklands that proves to be no common suicide, necessitating a sojourn to Poland for our unlikely crime fighting partners. As the story develops, Lipska injects an enjoyable smattering of the more personal issues affecting the pair, with Kershaw on the cusp of moving in with her partner and fellow police officer, Ben, and Kiszka falling under the spell with a European gangster’s mole, the mysterious femme fatale Varenka. To my great delight, outside of their own investigations and affairs of the heart, Death Can’t Take A Joke, also re-introduces Kiszka’s friend, the ebullient Oskar, who lights up every scene he appears in with his blunt charm, and less than politically correct behaviour. His interactions with the more taciturn Kiszka are once again a joy to behold, as Oskar ingratiates himself into Kiszka’s pursuit of Varenka’s lover in his own Polish Keystone Cop style. I think that even if you are coming to this book as a new reader, the strength and natural style of Lipska’s characterisation will instantly draw you into the characters and the different worlds they inhabit.
As with the first book, I was once again exceedingly impressed with the fluidity of Lipska’s writing style from the unfolding of the plot and the twists contained within, the free-flowing dialogue and the seamless insertion of the Polish vernacular. Although, there is less concentration on the strands of Polish history, so prevalent and effective in the first book, the reader is completely absorbed in this mix of two cultures, and how these cultures shape the main protagonists. Likewise, Lipska’s manipulation of pace and plot made this is a book that was extremely hard to put down, and I was grabbing any spare minute to delve back into the plot, but without losing any sense of where the story was up to, or what had happened just previously.
So as you can gather, I quite enjoyed this book. Great characters, a compelling plot, and a skilful blend of pathos and humour that not only captured the gritty side of the immigrant experience in London, but evinced all the essential components of a solid police procedural. Genialny odczytu!
One of the strongest features of Lipska’s debut was the relationship developed between Janusz Kiszka, the grouchy Polish PI with his unique brand of tough guy underscored by a heart of gold, and ambitious young detective Natalie Kershaw. This novel drives the development of this relationship further as once again their individual investigations overlap, with the murder of one of Kiszka’s closest friends, and a mysterious death in Docklands that proves to be no common suicide, necessitating a sojourn to Poland for our unlikely crime fighting partners. As the story develops, Lipska injects an enjoyable smattering of the more personal issues affecting the pair, with Kershaw on the cusp of moving in with her partner and fellow police officer, Ben, and Kiszka falling under the spell with a European gangster’s mole, the mysterious femme fatale Varenka. To my great delight, outside of their own investigations and affairs of the heart, Death Can’t Take A Joke, also re-introduces Kiszka’s friend, the ebullient Oskar, who lights up every scene he appears in with his blunt charm, and less than politically correct behaviour. His interactions with the more taciturn Kiszka are once again a joy to behold, as Oskar ingratiates himself into Kiszka’s pursuit of Varenka’s lover in his own Polish Keystone Cop style. I think that even if you are coming to this book as a new reader, the strength and natural style of Lipska’s characterisation will instantly draw you into the characters and the different worlds they inhabit.
As with the first book, I was once again exceedingly impressed with the fluidity of Lipska’s writing style from the unfolding of the plot and the twists contained within, the free-flowing dialogue and the seamless insertion of the Polish vernacular. Although, there is less concentration on the strands of Polish history, so prevalent and effective in the first book, the reader is completely absorbed in this mix of two cultures, and how these cultures shape the main protagonists. Likewise, Lipska’s manipulation of pace and plot made this is a book that was extremely hard to put down, and I was grabbing any spare minute to delve back into the plot, but without losing any sense of where the story was up to, or what had happened just previously.
So as you can gather, I quite enjoyed this book. Great characters, a compelling plot, and a skilful blend of pathos and humour that not only captured the gritty side of the immigrant experience in London, but evinced all the essential components of a solid police procedural. Genialny odczytu!
March 27, 2014
Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.
The second Kiszka and Kershaw crime thriller.
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice.
So when I read “Where the Devil Can’t Go” way back when it was published, I loved it and knew that this was a series that I was going to enjoy ongoing and with “Death Can’t Take a Joke” Anya Lipska has just confirmed that first impression for me.
This is gritty crime at its best – with wonderfully drawn characters, already fleshed out well enough in Book One so that you can sink right back into their world with this instalment, realistically violent and with a terrifically constructed and compelling story.
What I loved about this one: The further consolidation of the relationship between our two main protagonists, the fact that it gives a pragmatic and earthy snapshot of the Polish community and, well, Janusz Kiszka. Another book character I would marry in an instant.
The plot flows along at a perfect speed, always exciting, never allowing our characters to become one dimensional, with some wonderful twists and turns that keep you on your toes and keep you reading just one more chapter. Then just one chapter more. Then you wake up two days later with rather a messy house. Well, I did anyway.
Definitely an author to watch out for, I can’t wait to see whats next.
Happy Reading Folks!
The second Kiszka and Kershaw crime thriller.
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice.
So when I read “Where the Devil Can’t Go” way back when it was published, I loved it and knew that this was a series that I was going to enjoy ongoing and with “Death Can’t Take a Joke” Anya Lipska has just confirmed that first impression for me.
This is gritty crime at its best – with wonderfully drawn characters, already fleshed out well enough in Book One so that you can sink right back into their world with this instalment, realistically violent and with a terrifically constructed and compelling story.
What I loved about this one: The further consolidation of the relationship between our two main protagonists, the fact that it gives a pragmatic and earthy snapshot of the Polish community and, well, Janusz Kiszka. Another book character I would marry in an instant.
The plot flows along at a perfect speed, always exciting, never allowing our characters to become one dimensional, with some wonderful twists and turns that keep you on your toes and keep you reading just one more chapter. Then just one chapter more. Then you wake up two days later with rather a messy house. Well, I did anyway.
Definitely an author to watch out for, I can’t wait to see whats next.
Happy Reading Folks!
August 5, 2015
This novel builds well on her first outing where she introduced us to the unlikely pair of crime investigators; Polish PI Kiszka and London cop DC Kershaw.
Anya Lipska again manages to combine the basic police procedural with an action thriller. This second book also gives her an opportunity to flesh out the other characters re-introduced here. Everyone must love his best mate,Oskar, Father Piotr Pietruzki and her boss, DS 'Streaky' Bacon.
The writing is pithy and the action pacy alternating between the two main protagonists but it is their scenes together that are a developing joy as their relationship thaws, chills and develops.
Great up to date plot that shows that even the most basic of outlines can deliver more than one surprising twist.
An understated author eho has real talent in her writing that warms and entertains the reader that the end arrives far too soon.
If not among your current to read list please feel free to say you heard it here first; Anya is a rising star and worthy of your interest.
Anya Lipska again manages to combine the basic police procedural with an action thriller. This second book also gives her an opportunity to flesh out the other characters re-introduced here. Everyone must love his best mate,Oskar, Father Piotr Pietruzki and her boss, DS 'Streaky' Bacon.
The writing is pithy and the action pacy alternating between the two main protagonists but it is their scenes together that are a developing joy as their relationship thaws, chills and develops.
Great up to date plot that shows that even the most basic of outlines can deliver more than one surprising twist.
An understated author eho has real talent in her writing that warms and entertains the reader that the end arrives far too soon.
If not among your current to read list please feel free to say you heard it here first; Anya is a rising star and worthy of your interest.
February 25, 2016
An absolutely superb follow up to the first Kiszka and Kershaw crime thriller which marks Anya Lipska out as a distinctive new voice taking readers straight to the heart of the thriving Polish community in London. This second novel builds on everything that worked so well in the first outing with private investigator and unofficial 'fixer' for the Polish community Janusz Kiszka and the young and ambitious locally born DC Natalie Kershaw joining forces. Well paced, brilliantly constructed and with enough red herrings to keep every crime fiction fully focused this makes for a cracking read!
Anya Lipska throws readers straight into the action and tackles the obvious questions of how this duo would stray into each others paths once again without the situation feeling contrived in the slightest. When one of Kiszka's closest friends is stabbed to death outside his own home, Janusz promises his distraught widow that he will deliver justice and track down the killers. Jim Fulford worshipped his wife but when Kiszka sees a beautiful woman laying flowers outside his house he starts to think that perhaps he didn't know everything about his friend.. Tailing the woman leads Kiszka to her wealthy businessman lover and into an underworld that even he is powerless to tackle alone. Meanwhile DC Natalie Kershaw is itching to start her new role on the Murder Squad but finds herself delayed by tracking down the identity of a suicide victim who has jumped from one of the tower blocks in Canary Wharf. When the man is identified as a Polish national and it becomes clear that his death is not quite as simple as it appears, there is only one way that this is heading... Kershaw takes Kiszka back to his homeland to act as her translator in order to shed some light on just how the man may have died. Despite working separate cases when the connections between the two mysteries become apparent they are once again forced to rely on each other and unite.
Kiszka and Kershaw are not an obvious choice to join forces but after escaping the misery of communist Poland, Kiszka has retained his principles and as Lipska points out he is a "man bristling with contradictions". An educated man-mountain who is driven by good and believes in delivering justice, whilst at the same time never being slow to resort to brute force. Despite being resident in London for over twenty years, Kiszka still finds himself flinching when the abrasive Kershaw curses, bringing home just how old fashioned he is. Despite the atrocities of the communist years, Kiszka is a strikingly honourable character even if he does occasionally use his size to influence a situation!
In terms of Kershaw, in this second novel her relationship with boyfriend Ben brings out a new side to her as she faces deeper questions about her own morals and the importance she attaches to her career. The bonds of her early days under superior DS 'Streaky' Bacon are cemented and more apparent, giving a brilliant insight into the bonds and respect which a successful career in the force is so dependent upon. DS Bacon was every bit as inimitable as in the first outing and he brings out the best in Kershaw and his colourful analogies,such as his references to Scotland Yard as 'The Dream Factory', keep readers chuckling away.
The welcome return of Oskar delivers the comedy once again and his interactions with the altogether more taciturn Kiszka keeps readers entertained. The culture, language, cuisine, and traditions of the Polish nation appear all the more subtle in the second novel and whereas the theme of communism ran so overtly through the first it was interlaced throughout Death Can't Take a Joke and served to make the comparisons between the old and new regimes even more effective. When Kiszka makes the wry comment that communism helped to preserve the traditions of the Polish nation in his mourning of the decline of traditional cuisine, it is a perfect example of how the country has changed in the subsequent years. An altogether grittier plot which even considers the plight of trafficked girls and Lipska leaves her readers with no illusions about just how difficult so many find it is to escape this vicious cycle.
Death Can't Take A Joke has the feel of a coming of age novel and sees the Kiszka and Kershaw pairing really get into their stride; the character of Kershaw is developed further making for a more fulfilling read. It is a great redress of the imbalance of the first novel and readers learn so much more about what makes this pair tick. Although Kiszka is the undoubted star of both novels, I really saw the first beginnings of a great partnership. Interesting this second novel also raises the prospect of an attraction between Kiszka and Kershaw. The begrudging admiration of the first book is taken further and raises the questions of an attraction and chemistry between the duo. It shall certainly be interesting the see where things are headed in book three.
Showcasing some of the finest black humour which would give Ian Rankin a run for his money, Lipska commentates on the more unsavoury aspects of life for the Polish migrants in East London and her acerbic wit flows through the novel making this a pleasure to read. A real consolidation of all that worked so well in the first book, Death Can't Take a Joke deserves to propel Anya Lipska amongst the very best authors that bring urban noir straight into our hearts and minds. Anya Lipska has honed her skills and with this altogether more finely nuanced follow up I am with on board with Kiszka and Kershaw for the long haul!
Anya Lipska throws readers straight into the action and tackles the obvious questions of how this duo would stray into each others paths once again without the situation feeling contrived in the slightest. When one of Kiszka's closest friends is stabbed to death outside his own home, Janusz promises his distraught widow that he will deliver justice and track down the killers. Jim Fulford worshipped his wife but when Kiszka sees a beautiful woman laying flowers outside his house he starts to think that perhaps he didn't know everything about his friend.. Tailing the woman leads Kiszka to her wealthy businessman lover and into an underworld that even he is powerless to tackle alone. Meanwhile DC Natalie Kershaw is itching to start her new role on the Murder Squad but finds herself delayed by tracking down the identity of a suicide victim who has jumped from one of the tower blocks in Canary Wharf. When the man is identified as a Polish national and it becomes clear that his death is not quite as simple as it appears, there is only one way that this is heading... Kershaw takes Kiszka back to his homeland to act as her translator in order to shed some light on just how the man may have died. Despite working separate cases when the connections between the two mysteries become apparent they are once again forced to rely on each other and unite.
Kiszka and Kershaw are not an obvious choice to join forces but after escaping the misery of communist Poland, Kiszka has retained his principles and as Lipska points out he is a "man bristling with contradictions". An educated man-mountain who is driven by good and believes in delivering justice, whilst at the same time never being slow to resort to brute force. Despite being resident in London for over twenty years, Kiszka still finds himself flinching when the abrasive Kershaw curses, bringing home just how old fashioned he is. Despite the atrocities of the communist years, Kiszka is a strikingly honourable character even if he does occasionally use his size to influence a situation!
In terms of Kershaw, in this second novel her relationship with boyfriend Ben brings out a new side to her as she faces deeper questions about her own morals and the importance she attaches to her career. The bonds of her early days under superior DS 'Streaky' Bacon are cemented and more apparent, giving a brilliant insight into the bonds and respect which a successful career in the force is so dependent upon. DS Bacon was every bit as inimitable as in the first outing and he brings out the best in Kershaw and his colourful analogies,such as his references to Scotland Yard as 'The Dream Factory', keep readers chuckling away.
The welcome return of Oskar delivers the comedy once again and his interactions with the altogether more taciturn Kiszka keeps readers entertained. The culture, language, cuisine, and traditions of the Polish nation appear all the more subtle in the second novel and whereas the theme of communism ran so overtly through the first it was interlaced throughout Death Can't Take a Joke and served to make the comparisons between the old and new regimes even more effective. When Kiszka makes the wry comment that communism helped to preserve the traditions of the Polish nation in his mourning of the decline of traditional cuisine, it is a perfect example of how the country has changed in the subsequent years. An altogether grittier plot which even considers the plight of trafficked girls and Lipska leaves her readers with no illusions about just how difficult so many find it is to escape this vicious cycle.
Death Can't Take A Joke has the feel of a coming of age novel and sees the Kiszka and Kershaw pairing really get into their stride; the character of Kershaw is developed further making for a more fulfilling read. It is a great redress of the imbalance of the first novel and readers learn so much more about what makes this pair tick. Although Kiszka is the undoubted star of both novels, I really saw the first beginnings of a great partnership. Interesting this second novel also raises the prospect of an attraction between Kiszka and Kershaw. The begrudging admiration of the first book is taken further and raises the questions of an attraction and chemistry between the duo. It shall certainly be interesting the see where things are headed in book three.
Showcasing some of the finest black humour which would give Ian Rankin a run for his money, Lipska commentates on the more unsavoury aspects of life for the Polish migrants in East London and her acerbic wit flows through the novel making this a pleasure to read. A real consolidation of all that worked so well in the first book, Death Can't Take a Joke deserves to propel Anya Lipska amongst the very best authors that bring urban noir straight into our hearts and minds. Anya Lipska has honed her skills and with this altogether more finely nuanced follow up I am with on board with Kiszka and Kershaw for the long haul!
May 13, 2019
A tiny bit implausible towards the end,but entertaining.
April 4, 2014
The second book in the Kiszka and Kershaw series set within the Polish community in London, DEATH CAN'T TAKE A JOKE has been a much anticipated arrival, which does not disappoint.
In the first book, WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO, Lipska builds a terrific partnership between the distant, slightly standoffish, Polish PI Janusz Kiszka and an ambitious, young, British detective Natalie Kershaw. This is not your traditional police procedural relationship, there's no love interest (not even a spark of sexual tension), and there's no enforced working relationship (they aren't colleagues). In DEATH CAN'T TAKE A JOKE this relationship is expanded further as once again, their investigations overlap deep within the complex world of the Polish expatriate community centred around the area of Kershaw's police beat. It's a clever way of pulling together an unlikely pairing like this, particularly as Kiszka's involvement here is initially that of a suspect.
Part of the reason this pairing of characters works well is the contrasts. The life of the immigrant forced from a country he loves by circumstances beyond his control, a broken marriage and fractured relationship with his only child, versus that of someone British born, whose major life change is moving in with partner, and fellow cop Ben. Although there are some similarities in that their love lives always seem to be teetering on the edge of not quite getting it right, they both fare slightly better with friendships. In particular, Kiszka's long-term friends have been a source of real enjoyment in both of these books, particularly the magnificently batty Oskar, who is the perfect foil for the taciturn Kiszka in every way. Their enforced abode sharing in this book is the source of a series of particularly funny one-liners. There's also a good working relationship between Kershaw and her boss - he's not the stereotypical thorn in our hero's side for once, and there's a great sense of understanding, camaraderie and co-operation.
Whilst the characters are a big part of why this series has worked so well, they are supported by good, believable and complex plots. There's no surprise in the death of Kiszka's friend being an official investigation, and the focus of his own attention. There's also something elegantly realistic about the way that the connections between a Ukrainian mystery woman, a ruthless Romanian gangster and the unknown Polish man who seemingly jumped to his death fall into place. There are even touches of history lesson woven in - we're learning more and more about the political tensions in Poland, and the reasons why so many people have fled or been forced out.
All of which leads us to the underlying reason for this series heading into firm favourite stakes. Lipska is a consummate storyteller. The characters, the place, and the plots are realistic. The dialogue is well structured, and even the inclusion of Polish terms and slang flow into place without ever bogging the reader down in translation thinking. The combination of plot, personal and pace are perfect. There's real impetus to keep reading here, and that's not because of any impending sense of doom or gloom, it's because of a genuine engagement with the investigators, their friends, family and colleagues, and the victims.
If you've not read the first book WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO, then you could dive straight into DEATH CAN'T TAKE A JOKE. There's enough feel for the back-story of all the main characters that you're not going to be completely lost and bamboozled. Although you'd be missing a real opportunity to catch up with, and then wait impatiently for the third book in the series. Just like the rest of us welded-on fans.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
In the first book, WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO, Lipska builds a terrific partnership between the distant, slightly standoffish, Polish PI Janusz Kiszka and an ambitious, young, British detective Natalie Kershaw. This is not your traditional police procedural relationship, there's no love interest (not even a spark of sexual tension), and there's no enforced working relationship (they aren't colleagues). In DEATH CAN'T TAKE A JOKE this relationship is expanded further as once again, their investigations overlap deep within the complex world of the Polish expatriate community centred around the area of Kershaw's police beat. It's a clever way of pulling together an unlikely pairing like this, particularly as Kiszka's involvement here is initially that of a suspect.
Part of the reason this pairing of characters works well is the contrasts. The life of the immigrant forced from a country he loves by circumstances beyond his control, a broken marriage and fractured relationship with his only child, versus that of someone British born, whose major life change is moving in with partner, and fellow cop Ben. Although there are some similarities in that their love lives always seem to be teetering on the edge of not quite getting it right, they both fare slightly better with friendships. In particular, Kiszka's long-term friends have been a source of real enjoyment in both of these books, particularly the magnificently batty Oskar, who is the perfect foil for the taciturn Kiszka in every way. Their enforced abode sharing in this book is the source of a series of particularly funny one-liners. There's also a good working relationship between Kershaw and her boss - he's not the stereotypical thorn in our hero's side for once, and there's a great sense of understanding, camaraderie and co-operation.
Whilst the characters are a big part of why this series has worked so well, they are supported by good, believable and complex plots. There's no surprise in the death of Kiszka's friend being an official investigation, and the focus of his own attention. There's also something elegantly realistic about the way that the connections between a Ukrainian mystery woman, a ruthless Romanian gangster and the unknown Polish man who seemingly jumped to his death fall into place. There are even touches of history lesson woven in - we're learning more and more about the political tensions in Poland, and the reasons why so many people have fled or been forced out.
All of which leads us to the underlying reason for this series heading into firm favourite stakes. Lipska is a consummate storyteller. The characters, the place, and the plots are realistic. The dialogue is well structured, and even the inclusion of Polish terms and slang flow into place without ever bogging the reader down in translation thinking. The combination of plot, personal and pace are perfect. There's real impetus to keep reading here, and that's not because of any impending sense of doom or gloom, it's because of a genuine engagement with the investigators, their friends, family and colleagues, and the victims.
If you've not read the first book WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO, then you could dive straight into DEATH CAN'T TAKE A JOKE. There's enough feel for the back-story of all the main characters that you're not going to be completely lost and bamboozled. Although you'd be missing a real opportunity to catch up with, and then wait impatiently for the third book in the series. Just like the rest of us welded-on fans.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
November 18, 2014
"The second Kiszka and Kershaw crime thriller.
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice."
I was just going to write ‘This is a fabulous crime novel, you have to read it’, but although I like to keep my reviews short, I think that’s too short even for me.
Despite the title there is some great humour in this book – I’ve read several crime thrillers recently that have made me gasp with the tension built up, but I can’t recall another that has also had me laughing out loud at regular intervals.
The complex plot gripped me and I really didn’t want to put the book down until I’d finished it. If anyone tells me they sussed out what was going on before the reveal I simply won’t believe them.
Anya Lipska's writing style is addictive; I love the Kiszka and Kershaw unofficial ‘partnership’ and hope it will continue for many more books.
Thank you to netgalley / Harper Collins for the advance review copy e-book.
Highly Recommended.
When masked men brutally stab one of his closest friends to death, Janusz Kiszka – fixer to East London’s Poles – must dig deep into London’s criminal underbelly to track down the killers and deliver justice."
I was just going to write ‘This is a fabulous crime novel, you have to read it’, but although I like to keep my reviews short, I think that’s too short even for me.
Despite the title there is some great humour in this book – I’ve read several crime thrillers recently that have made me gasp with the tension built up, but I can’t recall another that has also had me laughing out loud at regular intervals.
The complex plot gripped me and I really didn’t want to put the book down until I’d finished it. If anyone tells me they sussed out what was going on before the reveal I simply won’t believe them.
Anya Lipska's writing style is addictive; I love the Kiszka and Kershaw unofficial ‘partnership’ and hope it will continue for many more books.
Thank you to netgalley / Harper Collins for the advance review copy e-book.
Highly Recommended.
April 8, 2014
I loved every minute of this new novel featuring Kershaw and Kiszka. It has everything, violence, dry humour and it is full of twists, none of which I guessed at.
We got to know the recurring characters a lot more in this book, I love Oskar, he had me laughing in most of the scenes he featured in. I think the relationship between Kershaw and Kiszka works very well and hope there are more novels involving them.
I really enjoy reading novels that feature other countries. I like learning the history and culture of a country that I know very little about, and hearing about the different foods is an added bonus.
I have read the previous novel, 'Where the Devil Can't Go, but if you do read them out of sequence there are no spoilers.
Very much looking forward to more by Anya Lipska.
Thanks to the publisher and the author for the copy via NetGalley
We got to know the recurring characters a lot more in this book, I love Oskar, he had me laughing in most of the scenes he featured in. I think the relationship between Kershaw and Kiszka works very well and hope there are more novels involving them.
I really enjoy reading novels that feature other countries. I like learning the history and culture of a country that I know very little about, and hearing about the different foods is an added bonus.
I have read the previous novel, 'Where the Devil Can't Go, but if you do read them out of sequence there are no spoilers.
Very much looking forward to more by Anya Lipska.
Thanks to the publisher and the author for the copy via NetGalley
September 20, 2023
3,5 Sterne
May 26, 2015
I'm going to try not to rush this review because I really want to start reading book three and what can I say about the book that hasn't been said already? I recently read Where the Devil Can't Go and immediately started reading Death Can't Take a Joke when I finished it because it was such an enjoyable read with two fantastic main characters in Janusz Kiska and Natalie Kershaw.
Anya Lipska doesn't mess around and kicks off the story straightaway, creating a real sense of intrigue and mystery with two deaths to get us thinking right at the start of the book. Detective Kershaw witnesses a suicide from the top of a Canary Wharf tower and somehow once again her investigations lead her to fixer to East London's Polish community, Janusz Kiszka. Janusz has problems of his own however as one of his closest friends has been stabbed to death on his own doorstep. Janusz and Kershaw must travel to Poland in their quest to find answers to both of these cases.
In the past I have had the spoiler police on my back, but I do find it difficult to discuss books without talking about the plot in some way. There are a number of characters I would like to discuss but I suppose one that stands out is a mysterious femme fatale, Varenka, who Janusz witnesses leaving flowers outside his friend's home and of course ends up following in search of answers. He does seem to be a magnet for trouble, and so he soon finds himself in a lot of danger, but he does have that fierce determination for justice that makes him a lot of fun to read about, and somebody that you would definitely want on your side. Also returning and playing a large role in the story is his best friend Oskar who might even be more of a favourite character for me than Kershaw (I'd say Janusz is my favourite). Together they are brilliant, with some much needed comedic scenes but this time around with some more serious ones too. I enjoy how natural their partnership feels, a friendship that is really believable and how natural the comedy is also. It's a very tricky thing to master in crime fiction, yet Anya certainly has.
Speaking of partnerships it was fascinating to witness the change in Janusz and Kershaw in this book, especially in terms of how they view each other. I know, don't give too much away but there's almost a kind of friendship there now but still with some wariness from both parties. I do enjoy their scenes together, especially when they must travel to Poland as a duo and that's where the wariness comes into play, with one of them having to decide whether to share what they have discovered about the case or not... Now, Natalie Kershaw could perhaps be described as somewhat of a maverick cop, and she is definitely one who very rarely thinks things through before going ahead and doing them. And crime fiction connoisseurs know that usually only ends up one way. I did find myself wanting to shout at my Kindle with some of the decisions she was making, seeing the danger coming before she did, but at the same time it did create some real tension and suspense, and as her investigation nears its thrilling conclusion, it was a really exciting read. Anya Lipska knows exactly how to captivate a reader, and even made me abandon my afternoon nap after being up since 4am. I just had to see how the story would conclude.
In terms of twists this book certainly has them with a couple in particular that have me wanting to reread the book to see whether the clues were always there! And there's more after that, I probably shouldn't laugh at Janusz but I'm going to anyway (it will make sense when you read). Once again everything about the book felt extremely authentic, Anya clearly having done her research and I enjoyed the use of Polish words and phrases throughout which just fit into the narrative perfectly. This is a really exciting new (to me!) series and one that I very highly recommend to anybody else who is yet to discover it.
Anya Lipska doesn't mess around and kicks off the story straightaway, creating a real sense of intrigue and mystery with two deaths to get us thinking right at the start of the book. Detective Kershaw witnesses a suicide from the top of a Canary Wharf tower and somehow once again her investigations lead her to fixer to East London's Polish community, Janusz Kiszka. Janusz has problems of his own however as one of his closest friends has been stabbed to death on his own doorstep. Janusz and Kershaw must travel to Poland in their quest to find answers to both of these cases.
In the past I have had the spoiler police on my back, but I do find it difficult to discuss books without talking about the plot in some way. There are a number of characters I would like to discuss but I suppose one that stands out is a mysterious femme fatale, Varenka, who Janusz witnesses leaving flowers outside his friend's home and of course ends up following in search of answers. He does seem to be a magnet for trouble, and so he soon finds himself in a lot of danger, but he does have that fierce determination for justice that makes him a lot of fun to read about, and somebody that you would definitely want on your side. Also returning and playing a large role in the story is his best friend Oskar who might even be more of a favourite character for me than Kershaw (I'd say Janusz is my favourite). Together they are brilliant, with some much needed comedic scenes but this time around with some more serious ones too. I enjoy how natural their partnership feels, a friendship that is really believable and how natural the comedy is also. It's a very tricky thing to master in crime fiction, yet Anya certainly has.
Speaking of partnerships it was fascinating to witness the change in Janusz and Kershaw in this book, especially in terms of how they view each other. I know, don't give too much away but there's almost a kind of friendship there now but still with some wariness from both parties. I do enjoy their scenes together, especially when they must travel to Poland as a duo and that's where the wariness comes into play, with one of them having to decide whether to share what they have discovered about the case or not... Now, Natalie Kershaw could perhaps be described as somewhat of a maverick cop, and she is definitely one who very rarely thinks things through before going ahead and doing them. And crime fiction connoisseurs know that usually only ends up one way. I did find myself wanting to shout at my Kindle with some of the decisions she was making, seeing the danger coming before she did, but at the same time it did create some real tension and suspense, and as her investigation nears its thrilling conclusion, it was a really exciting read. Anya Lipska knows exactly how to captivate a reader, and even made me abandon my afternoon nap after being up since 4am. I just had to see how the story would conclude.
In terms of twists this book certainly has them with a couple in particular that have me wanting to reread the book to see whether the clues were always there! And there's more after that, I probably shouldn't laugh at Janusz but I'm going to anyway (it will make sense when you read). Once again everything about the book felt extremely authentic, Anya clearly having done her research and I enjoyed the use of Polish words and phrases throughout which just fit into the narrative perfectly. This is a really exciting new (to me!) series and one that I very highly recommend to anybody else who is yet to discover it.
May 25, 2014
Janusz Kiszka is one of the most well-connected individuals in London's Polish community - he knows everybody's business and there's not much that slips under his radar. He dabbles in building projects and business deals here and there, but also engages in a little private investigative work when it suits him. In Death Can't Take A Joke, Kiszka happens across old acquaintance DC Natalie Kershaw, though in a more professional capacity than before. She is investigating the case of an unidentified Polish man who has jumped from a central London tower block and needs Kiszka's unique insight into the community. Janusz is reluctant to take on the task as he is otherwise occupied with digging up dirt on a nasty Ukrainian gangster who he suspects has murdered one of his closest friends. But he ultimately relents, and the two end up travelling to Poland together to uncover the answers they both need.
Janusz Kiszka is a really great protagonist and lends these books a great depth. It is refreshing to encounter such a complex character in a police procedural rather than your average world-weary middle-aged constable. He is a man of many contradictions - a burly brute, and an impressive intellect.
Kershaw, on the other hand, is a little less memorable. It is interesting to consider the difficulty that a young woman must face having to work in such a male-dominated environment as the Metropolitan Police, and the professional dilemmas that arise when one's boss is a misogynistic pig, but I found it difficult to truly care about her relationship difficulties or her wistful childhood memories.
Lipska's novels are fast-paced and tightly plotted, and kept me on my toes at all times. I was totally gripped. I really loved the insight she provides into the immigrant experience in the UK. It made me consider the factors that drive people to leave their homes, the countries they love, and seek a new life elsewhere. For someone like myself who was born in the late 1980s it is easy to forget just how much the political landscape of Eastern Europe has been transformed in very recent history. It was interesting to read about Kiszka's experiences in the Solidarity movement and the difficult choices he had to make on behalf of his country.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Anya Lipska, and I can see that this series has the potential to become a real favourite of mine.
Janusz Kiszka is a really great protagonist and lends these books a great depth. It is refreshing to encounter such a complex character in a police procedural rather than your average world-weary middle-aged constable. He is a man of many contradictions - a burly brute, and an impressive intellect.
Kershaw, on the other hand, is a little less memorable. It is interesting to consider the difficulty that a young woman must face having to work in such a male-dominated environment as the Metropolitan Police, and the professional dilemmas that arise when one's boss is a misogynistic pig, but I found it difficult to truly care about her relationship difficulties or her wistful childhood memories.
Lipska's novels are fast-paced and tightly plotted, and kept me on my toes at all times. I was totally gripped. I really loved the insight she provides into the immigrant experience in the UK. It made me consider the factors that drive people to leave their homes, the countries they love, and seek a new life elsewhere. For someone like myself who was born in the late 1980s it is easy to forget just how much the political landscape of Eastern Europe has been transformed in very recent history. It was interesting to read about Kiszka's experiences in the Solidarity movement and the difficult choices he had to make on behalf of his country.
I'm looking forward to reading more from Anya Lipska, and I can see that this series has the potential to become a real favourite of mine.
February 16, 2016
D.C. Natalie Kershaw is about to join the Murder squad, but first she has to clear up the case of the un identified man who fell from the top of a skyscraper and died. Janusz Kiszka is a long time Polish emigre, and troubleshooter for Poles in London. He and Natalie have met before, in the first book of the series, and his focus is on finding out who murdered his close friend Jim - and why.
As the plot develops, it is clear that their cases intertwine and each finds the other useful, though limiting the amount of information they are prepared to share..
Meanwhile, Natalie is about to move in with her puppy-eyed policeman sergeant boyfriend, Ben, but she's finding it hard to shake off her misgivings; misgivings which turn into terrible doubts as she moves in, only to turn around and go straight back out after she discovers something that shakes her belief in him and what he stands for.
Death Can't take a Joke is the first of Anya Lipska's books that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. Well plotted, nicely stranded together and with flawed but likeable central characters, I look forward to reading more of this series. Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
As the plot develops, it is clear that their cases intertwine and each finds the other useful, though limiting the amount of information they are prepared to share..
Meanwhile, Natalie is about to move in with her puppy-eyed policeman sergeant boyfriend, Ben, but she's finding it hard to shake off her misgivings; misgivings which turn into terrible doubts as she moves in, only to turn around and go straight back out after she discovers something that shakes her belief in him and what he stands for.
Death Can't take a Joke is the first of Anya Lipska's books that I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. Well plotted, nicely stranded together and with flawed but likeable central characters, I look forward to reading more of this series. Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy of this book.
March 23, 2014
I received this as an early read via NetGalley. I read the first Kiszka & Kershaw (thank you NetGalley!) and was then able to follow it immediately with #2, I love when the story can go on like that. :-) #1 gave me some problems due to what felt like an overwhelming amount of Polish words and phrases, I spent a lot of time muddling through the meanings and pronunciations and as a result, sort of lost track of the plot. This was a whole different ballgame and as a result, I LOVED it! The characters and the writing were well rounded and solidly done in #1, and in #2 I was able to enjoy those qualities while really coming to know the characters better, getting past the language barrier and allow myself to sink into the storylines. It's a "typical" UK mystery; smart, realistically framed, a "bit" violent, but this isn't Miss Marple! I loved the plot twists, particularly at the very end, I'm officially a fan of Anya Lipska and hope to see more from her very soon!
September 7, 2016
Totally recommended! This second entry in Anya Lipska' s New series is as exciting as the first! She is unafraid to examine the gritty bottom lines of the current socio-economic climates in both London and Poland. If you loved the gritty earthiness of Paul Cornell's "London Falling," and you're not afraid of the seamy underbelly of modern life, you'll really enjoy this series.
March 12, 2018
An improvement over the first entry in the series.
Set up is basically the same. A murder impacts the Polish community in London. Private eye starts investigating; becomes a suspect; meets cop also investigating; they wok the case sorta together and sorta in competition with each other.
In this entry in the series, there is an added twist, the cop's boyfriend, Ben, has is own case, which appears to be totally separate, but (predictably) in the end they are related. I found the relationship tension this inserted into the book a waste--it didn't go far enough to matter, and it seemed like a convenient plotting device to keep the two cases separate for most of the book.
That said, there were lots of twists and turns here which kept my flipping the pages, and (in contrast to the first entry in the series) were logical and fit the flow of the narrative, rather than reading like they were inserted artificially just to keep us interested.
well worth the read, and definitely good enough to get me to read the third volume.
Set up is basically the same. A murder impacts the Polish community in London. Private eye starts investigating; becomes a suspect; meets cop also investigating; they wok the case sorta together and sorta in competition with each other.
In this entry in the series, there is an added twist, the cop's boyfriend, Ben, has is own case, which appears to be totally separate, but (predictably) in the end they are related. I found the relationship tension this inserted into the book a waste--it didn't go far enough to matter, and it seemed like a convenient plotting device to keep the two cases separate for most of the book.
That said, there were lots of twists and turns here which kept my flipping the pages, and (in contrast to the first entry in the series) were logical and fit the flow of the narrative, rather than reading like they were inserted artificially just to keep us interested.
well worth the read, and definitely good enough to get me to read the third volume.
August 7, 2021
Excellent book. Better than the first in the series. Can't wait to read the third. Natalia, as Kiszka calls her, the English policewoman is much more of a rounded character her, and Kiszka himself is less thuggish and much more likable. the plot moves apace with lots of twists and turns, and the Polish macaronisms do not seem to intrude so much. or perhaps I am just more used to them. I did learn one new Polish swear word though. but I've been asking around and no one my generation seems to have heard of it!
October 26, 2018
We not a bad read. It was not a suspenseful book but one that moves along at a good pace and at times leaves the reader guessing and wanting things to happen, especially on the romantic side.
Of course the detectives, both police and private, know things we don't and sometimes we are left wondering what is happening.
The ending has a couple of twists and is OK.
Recommended.
Of course the detectives, both police and private, know things we don't and sometimes we are left wondering what is happening.
The ending has a couple of twists and is OK.
Recommended.
November 22, 2018
Had it not been for the ending which lacks more tension and action, it would be perfect. Without the need to introduce the characters any more, Lipska manages to dig even deeper in the backgroud of Poles (and Ukrainians) living in England. And once her characters travel back to the Eastern Europe, it is once again the best and most thrilling part of the book.
July 9, 2017
The combination of young English detective and polish private investigator works surprisingly well in this murder mystery novel
Read
November 18, 2023I couldn't get into this character, the book looked as though it would be too dark and grubby for my current taste, so DNF.
I've sampled this author now, and that's it.
I've sampled this author now, and that's it.
December 9, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyable book, part 'police-procedural' and partly private detector and how their cases/lives overlap...collide, even.
Well written in flowing text and realistic dialogue. Second in a series, we come to the 'established' cast as if they were old friends. Perhaps these are not the most rounded characters ever written, but Kiszka, in particular, is making his mark as real personality, someone who stands out in the crime series world of (somewhat necessarily) role players. Kershaw isn't unattractive, either, although a bit unfathomable - reminding me in some ways of Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan and Sarah Hilary's Marnie Rome, all of them admirable characters.
I like Anya's approach. Her style isn't hi-falutin' - linear narrative and linear timescale. But within that there is a richness of vocabulary and a series of contradictions. Not the sort of contradictions that are put in because The Rules of Writing say so, but because it's a shrewd observation of life.
There is so much of joy in this book. For example, I highlighted passages where Kiszka is not happy about a regular drinking spot being turned into a Gastro pub. It's brilliant writing in its own right, and, superficially, not germane to the plot - but it's a clever way of presenting that area of Walthamstow as gentrifying. I don't know Walthamstow but I live in Brixton and long ago established that they are like twins guarding each end of the Victoria Line.
I started reading this just as I was finishing Martin Gilbert's Never Again: A History of the Holocaust. Very different books indeed, and, yet, both in different ways giving us an insight into the history of 20th century Poland and the modern Polish-British community.
I did toy with 5 stars for this, as I had done for Where the Devil Can't Go, but I drew back when I thought about the victim Jim
A Good follow up to a good debut, and I look forward to the third, and hopefully, subsequent installments
Well written in flowing text and realistic dialogue. Second in a series, we come to the 'established' cast as if they were old friends. Perhaps these are not the most rounded characters ever written, but Kiszka, in particular, is making his mark as real personality, someone who stands out in the crime series world of (somewhat necessarily) role players. Kershaw isn't unattractive, either, although a bit unfathomable - reminding me in some ways of Jane Casey's Maeve Kerrigan and Sarah Hilary's Marnie Rome, all of them admirable characters.
I like Anya's approach. Her style isn't hi-falutin' - linear narrative and linear timescale. But within that there is a richness of vocabulary and a series of contradictions. Not the sort of contradictions that are put in because The Rules of Writing say so, but because it's a shrewd observation of life.
There is so much of joy in this book. For example, I highlighted passages where Kiszka is not happy about a regular drinking spot being turned into a Gastro pub. It's brilliant writing in its own right, and, superficially, not germane to the plot - but it's a clever way of presenting that area of Walthamstow as gentrifying. I don't know Walthamstow but I live in Brixton and long ago established that they are like twins guarding each end of the Victoria Line.
I started reading this just as I was finishing Martin Gilbert's Never Again: A History of the Holocaust. Very different books indeed, and, yet, both in different ways giving us an insight into the history of 20th century Poland and the modern Polish-British community.
I did toy with 5 stars for this, as I had done for Where the Devil Can't Go, but I drew back when I thought about the victim Jim
A Good follow up to a good debut, and I look forward to the third, and hopefully, subsequent installments
August 9, 2016
Death Can't Take a Joke
I really did enjoy the first book in this series and was so looking forward to getting stuck in to book 2. (that's the positive side of discovering books late. you get to read book 1 and 2 back to back, and then have to sit praying that there will be a book 3).
This time around Natalie Kershaw and Janus Kiszka have another reason to come together.
Kershaw is investigating the death of a possible suicide, and Kiszka a private investigator is trying to find who has killed his long time pal Jim Fulford. Kershaw and Kiszka meet again, 2 years after their last encounter. when Kiszka is pulled in for questioning over the murder of Jim.
Kershaw needs to travel to Poland to work her investigation and manages to get Kiszka to go along as her Polish interpreter.
And in true kiszka style he manages to find trouble wherever he goes. But will he reveal what he finds and is he really interested in helping the police.
I liked both Natalie and Janus in the first book and They just seem better stronger characters in this second book. They are definatly an odd working duo.
Natalie just seems to be able to get her own way no matter what she is doing, and Janus just seems to find trouble for himself, And working as a team they make for great reading.
Oskar is also back with his Witt and one liners. I always seem to chuckle when he appears in the book.
Natalie and Ben are now couple and it seems that now Natalie has decided he a *keeper* and they are moving in together, things may start to get a little more serious. obviously Natalie has to deal with the fact that Ben has moved up in rank before her, but is that really an issue.They are now working in the same station as Natalie is back to working for Streaky on the Murder Squad. Working the Murder squad is something she has wanted to do since she was 14. But will Natalie and Ben be able to cope with the work pressures and working together and are things as Rosie as they seem?
I wasn't sure that book 2 could be any better than book one, but how wrong way I. The book seemed to just flow along brilliantly. Absolutely fantastic read. But i'm sorry Anya.... you are going to have your work cut out to beat this one.
There are a number of story plots going on in this book that interweave into one another. And like Anya's first book it is expertly written.
Anya Lipska is an author to watch out for.
April 25, 2014
Anya Lipska’s compelling sequel to “Where The Devil Can’t Go” demonstrates that she is fast building what the marketeers like to refer to as a “brand” for herself. In simple terms it means she’s a damn good writer.
The intricate plot interweaves a number of story threads, reuniting the characters of Janusz Kiska and DC Natalie Kershaw. The chemistry between Kiska and Kershaw is carefully constructed and beautifully weighted. Lipska writes the nuanced dialogue with real skill, and Kiska’s dour grumpiness provides a counterpoint to his muscular approach to detecting. He also gets some of the best dialogue, particularly when in conversation with his dodgy Polish compatriot Oskar.
The plot is complex and multi-layered, constructed with a number of false starts and dead ends so that the reader is kept guessing nearly as much as the protagonists. The denouement is both brilliantly set-up and executed, with more than a hint of Thomas Harris.
Lipska excels at creating believable minor characters with strong individual voices. I was a little disappointed that Kiska’s complicated love-interest Kasia [one time exotic dancer now running a nail-bar] didn’t get to make an appearance, apart from a brief text message. I thought she was one of Lipska’s great inventions from “Devil”, and I hope that she may return in the next book.
I was privileged enough to hear Anya speak at a Polish Crime Night a few months ago, organised by Magda Raczynska of The Polish Cultural Institute at Belgravia Books in Victoria. Anya shared a platform with another of my literary heroes William Brodrick, author of the Father Anselm books. They both spoke eloquently about their work and each performed a brief reading from their current WiP.
I am a huge fan of her writing and me this novel is even better than her debut. So many of the scenes have a cinematic sensibility, which screams movie / TV mini-series to me. I can only hope that the novel gets optioned, which it richly deserves.
The intricate plot interweaves a number of story threads, reuniting the characters of Janusz Kiska and DC Natalie Kershaw. The chemistry between Kiska and Kershaw is carefully constructed and beautifully weighted. Lipska writes the nuanced dialogue with real skill, and Kiska’s dour grumpiness provides a counterpoint to his muscular approach to detecting. He also gets some of the best dialogue, particularly when in conversation with his dodgy Polish compatriot Oskar.
The plot is complex and multi-layered, constructed with a number of false starts and dead ends so that the reader is kept guessing nearly as much as the protagonists. The denouement is both brilliantly set-up and executed, with more than a hint of Thomas Harris.
Lipska excels at creating believable minor characters with strong individual voices. I was a little disappointed that Kiska’s complicated love-interest Kasia [one time exotic dancer now running a nail-bar] didn’t get to make an appearance, apart from a brief text message. I thought she was one of Lipska’s great inventions from “Devil”, and I hope that she may return in the next book.
I was privileged enough to hear Anya speak at a Polish Crime Night a few months ago, organised by Magda Raczynska of The Polish Cultural Institute at Belgravia Books in Victoria. Anya shared a platform with another of my literary heroes William Brodrick, author of the Father Anselm books. They both spoke eloquently about their work and each performed a brief reading from their current WiP.
I am a huge fan of her writing and me this novel is even better than her debut. So many of the scenes have a cinematic sensibility, which screams movie / TV mini-series to me. I can only hope that the novel gets optioned, which it richly deserves.
July 15, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
We are back with Kiszka and Kershaw again, in another story of crime, murder and intrigue.
When one of his best-friends is killed in what appears to be a random attack, Janusk is pulled in for questioning as he was supposed to meet Jim the same day. When he is released, he sets out to find the people responsible for Jim's death.
DC Natalie Kershaw is having a coffee break on her last day at the local nick, when a man commits suicide off the top of Canary Wharf. Being the first on scene, she refuses to leave the case unsolved and so has to work on that case as well as finding her feet in the new police station that she was transferring to. She is also trying to solve Jim's murder and a suspicious hanging of a known paedophile, along with moving in with her boyfriend, fellow police officer Ben.
With a strange connection between the Canary Wharf jumper and a dodgy Polish gangster with ties to a Polish airline, Kiszka and Kershaw are going to be working the same case from different angles again as neither of them know that both of their cases are connected.
Dodgy gangsters, stunning women who could be supermodels, a best friend who gets into some seriously funny and sometimes hazardous situations and some relationship turmoil thrown in. This is a fantastic follow-on to Where the Devil can't go.
The author has written a wonderful tale, it has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster ride. There is a serious twist at the end that you definitely don't see coming. Plus you learn bits and pieces of a new language and get some great cooking ideas, or at least I did.
We are back with Kiszka and Kershaw again, in another story of crime, murder and intrigue.
When one of his best-friends is killed in what appears to be a random attack, Janusk is pulled in for questioning as he was supposed to meet Jim the same day. When he is released, he sets out to find the people responsible for Jim's death.
DC Natalie Kershaw is having a coffee break on her last day at the local nick, when a man commits suicide off the top of Canary Wharf. Being the first on scene, she refuses to leave the case unsolved and so has to work on that case as well as finding her feet in the new police station that she was transferring to. She is also trying to solve Jim's murder and a suspicious hanging of a known paedophile, along with moving in with her boyfriend, fellow police officer Ben.
With a strange connection between the Canary Wharf jumper and a dodgy Polish gangster with ties to a Polish airline, Kiszka and Kershaw are going to be working the same case from different angles again as neither of them know that both of their cases are connected.
Dodgy gangsters, stunning women who could be supermodels, a best friend who gets into some seriously funny and sometimes hazardous situations and some relationship turmoil thrown in. This is a fantastic follow-on to Where the Devil can't go.
The author has written a wonderful tale, it has more twists and turns than a roller-coaster ride. There is a serious twist at the end that you definitely don't see coming. Plus you learn bits and pieces of a new language and get some great cooking ideas, or at least I did.
September 20, 2014
Most of the readers rate the second in the series of Kiskza & Kershaw mysteries higher than the first one. But though I also feel like praising, I feel more like hailing consistency rather than growth.
True, in No2 Lipska delivers on all the goodies one may expect after the first book - the atmosphere, the firm narrative, cholesterol, good crisp writing.
But with a single notable exemption, character development stalls - Kiszka doesn't go flat, but also doesn't go anywhere much either. Kershaw struggles but oddly, the emotional challenge she faces doesn't add depth to her character, in fact it makes her feel a bit like a cardboard cut out. And it's only Kiszka's friend Oskar that to grows meat (and copious amounts of body fat) on the bones of the character structure drafted in the previous book.
The plot is thick, but not as meticulously woven as the first one, and it didn't hold me in as firm a grip. The heroes' charming deductive blundering continues, and their clumsy hike through dense fog of self-delusions contributes to the credibility of the narrative. But the developments sometimes feel a little bit predictable, and psychological motivations not entirely convincing.
The Polishness is a bit more ornamental this time, and introducing the work of the Nobel Prize Laureate Wislawa Szymborka to the book and its title doesn't add literary sophistication to it - though it does expose the author's so far unfulfilled ambition in that direction.
On the whole, an excellent 4 stars read, and a thoroughly recommended way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. With the dreaded second book out of the way, here's looking forward to the third, a charm.
True, in No2 Lipska delivers on all the goodies one may expect after the first book - the atmosphere, the firm narrative, cholesterol, good crisp writing.
But with a single notable exemption, character development stalls - Kiszka doesn't go flat, but also doesn't go anywhere much either. Kershaw struggles but oddly, the emotional challenge she faces doesn't add depth to her character, in fact it makes her feel a bit like a cardboard cut out. And it's only Kiszka's friend Oskar that to grows meat (and copious amounts of body fat) on the bones of the character structure drafted in the previous book.
The plot is thick, but not as meticulously woven as the first one, and it didn't hold me in as firm a grip. The heroes' charming deductive blundering continues, and their clumsy hike through dense fog of self-delusions contributes to the credibility of the narrative. But the developments sometimes feel a little bit predictable, and psychological motivations not entirely convincing.
The Polishness is a bit more ornamental this time, and introducing the work of the Nobel Prize Laureate Wislawa Szymborka to the book and its title doesn't add literary sophistication to it - though it does expose the author's so far unfulfilled ambition in that direction.
On the whole, an excellent 4 stars read, and a thoroughly recommended way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. With the dreaded second book out of the way, here's looking forward to the third, a charm.
April 14, 2014
As a Polish ex-pat I find Lipska's take on the crime novel exciting. As with her first novel, the central characters are rich and relatable, but the baddies lack the same level of depth. The novel moves at a good pace and kept me turning pages, but some of the story developments seemed a little convenient and had me thinking "really?" Also, as a speaker of Polish, I grew frustrated with the errors of tense and gender in the Polish words littered throughout the dialogue, but as most readers would be English speakers it's a minor gripe.
Overall, I really love the references to the Polish way of doing things, and the characters of Kershaw and Kiszka are enough to have me waiting eagerly for the next instalment.
Overall, I really love the references to the Polish way of doing things, and the characters of Kershaw and Kiszka are enough to have me waiting eagerly for the next instalment.
May 27, 2014
I was sent a copy of the book for review though Net Galley, as always, all opinions are my own.
I somehow managed to read this series out of order and am currently going back and struggling through the first book. It doesn’t seem to flow quite as well as Death Can’t Take a Joke, which hooked me immediately, although part of the problem is a language barrier. I’m from the US, the book is set in London with a lot of references to Poland. It made for some slow reading at times, but the twists, turns and interweaving plot-lines of this series kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I think I have things figured out something unexpected comes out of left field. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
I somehow managed to read this series out of order and am currently going back and struggling through the first book. It doesn’t seem to flow quite as well as Death Can’t Take a Joke, which hooked me immediately, although part of the problem is a language barrier. I’m from the US, the book is set in London with a lot of references to Poland. It made for some slow reading at times, but the twists, turns and interweaving plot-lines of this series kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I think I have things figured out something unexpected comes out of left field. I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series!
June 23, 2015
But...
This is the second installment of a series built on the concept of two protagonists: one a police officer and the other a shifty sometimes private investigator. They are simultaneously allies and enemies. Toward the end the intriguing relationship weakens as they become friends. The plot is also interesting, featuring murder victims and potential killers, but with no good reason why these murderers would choose these victims. Unfortunately, the resolution is over the top. A minor problem is the excessive profanity and crude sexism which does not help the story. Still, this was a very readable book, although it is hard to see how, given the way the relationship between the protagonists is going, the next entry in the series can remain true to the original concept
This is the second installment of a series built on the concept of two protagonists: one a police officer and the other a shifty sometimes private investigator. They are simultaneously allies and enemies. Toward the end the intriguing relationship weakens as they become friends. The plot is also interesting, featuring murder victims and potential killers, but with no good reason why these murderers would choose these victims. Unfortunately, the resolution is over the top. A minor problem is the excessive profanity and crude sexism which does not help the story. Still, this was a very readable book, although it is hard to see how, given the way the relationship between the protagonists is going, the next entry in the series can remain true to the original concept
March 11, 2015
Police detective Natalie Kershaw and Polish private investigator Janusz Kiszka cross paths again in East London in Anya Lipska's fantastic second novel Death Can't Take a Joke. It has everything you would want from a crime novel: tension, pacing, action, twists and dark humour. Lipska's second novel is even better than the first and I love the intertwining of British culture with Polish and other Eastern European cultures. Anya Lipska's gets the East London setting just right, describing the streets down to a tee. The main protagonists are likeable and intriguing and I liked that Janusz was more of a softie in this book.
July 7, 2016
London based crime drama - featuring the Polish private investigator Janusz Kiszka and Detective Natalie Kershaw. The pair have a shaky working relationship as they try to work out what the motive was for the brutal murder of Janusz's friend.
The plot is mostly set in London, with a bit set in Poland. I found it a really engaging read. Some of the Polish names were a little difficult to get my head round, but overall a strong plot, and a book that was quick to read and kept me engaged all the way through. Part of a series I think judging by some of the writing, but worked well as a standalone novel too.
The plot is mostly set in London, with a bit set in Poland. I found it a really engaging read. Some of the Polish names were a little difficult to get my head round, but overall a strong plot, and a book that was quick to read and kept me engaged all the way through. Part of a series I think judging by some of the writing, but worked well as a standalone novel too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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