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Frank Delaney #1
The Mazovia Legacy: A Frank Delaney Thriller #1
The snow in a Montreal winter covers a multitude of sins ...
In the icy depths of a Quebec winter, a harmless old Polish man dies in mysterious circumstances. His suspicious niece draws in Montreal investigative journalist, Frank Delaney, to help her find the truth behind the death, a story the authorities seem to want covered up.
The search for answers sweeps them into a dangerous web involving Canadian, Polish and Vatican agents who will use any means, even murder, to stop them. The catalyst for this international intrigue is the true story of Polish national art treasures secretly shipped to Canada to be hidden from the Nazis in the opening days of World War Two. This classic thriller combines fascinating history, deft storytelling and psychological depth.
The Mazovia Legacy was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel, 2004.
In the icy depths of a Quebec winter, a harmless old Polish man dies in mysterious circumstances. His suspicious niece draws in Montreal investigative journalist, Frank Delaney, to help her find the truth behind the death, a story the authorities seem to want covered up.
The search for answers sweeps them into a dangerous web involving Canadian, Polish and Vatican agents who will use any means, even murder, to stop them. The catalyst for this international intrigue is the true story of Polish national art treasures secretly shipped to Canada to be hidden from the Nazis in the opening days of World War Two. This classic thriller combines fascinating history, deft storytelling and psychological depth.
The Mazovia Legacy was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel, 2004.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2003
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Michael E. Rose
8 books4 followersMichael Edward Rose is a Canadian writer, journalist, and broadcaster now living in Sydney, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 28, 2015
3 1/2 stars.
When a harmless old Polish man dies in mysterious circumstances his suspicious niece draws in Montreal investigative journalist, Frank Delaney, to help her find the truth behind the death, a story the authorities seem to want covered up.
The search for answers sweeps them into a dangerous web involving Canadian, Polish and Vatican agents who will use any means, even murder, to stop them. The catalyst for this international intrigue is the true story of Polish national art treasures secretly shipped to Canada to be hidden from the Nazis in the opening days of World War Two. This classic thriller combines fascinating history, deft storytelling and psychological depth.
I really enjoyed this book, and would have given it 4 * had there not been a tediously long history of the CSIS, and then frequent references (all in much the same vein) to the state of affairs of the Polish government at the time. I think a brief history of the CSIS would have sufficed, and fewer diatribes against the Lech Walesa government would have greatly improved the book. I think the story of hiding the art treasures from the Nazis gave us all the background material needed on the Polish Government.
But it is a really good first Crime novel and I understand why it was short-listed for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel, 2004. Overall, a good read - and I don't usually read books involving spies!
Thank you to NetGalley, Momentum Books and Michael E Rose for the ARC for review.
When a harmless old Polish man dies in mysterious circumstances his suspicious niece draws in Montreal investigative journalist, Frank Delaney, to help her find the truth behind the death, a story the authorities seem to want covered up.
The search for answers sweeps them into a dangerous web involving Canadian, Polish and Vatican agents who will use any means, even murder, to stop them. The catalyst for this international intrigue is the true story of Polish national art treasures secretly shipped to Canada to be hidden from the Nazis in the opening days of World War Two. This classic thriller combines fascinating history, deft storytelling and psychological depth.
I really enjoyed this book, and would have given it 4 * had there not been a tediously long history of the CSIS, and then frequent references (all in much the same vein) to the state of affairs of the Polish government at the time. I think a brief history of the CSIS would have sufficed, and fewer diatribes against the Lech Walesa government would have greatly improved the book. I think the story of hiding the art treasures from the Nazis gave us all the background material needed on the Polish Government.
But it is a really good first Crime novel and I understand why it was short-listed for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel, 2004. Overall, a good read - and I don't usually read books involving spies!
Thank you to NetGalley, Momentum Books and Michael E Rose for the ARC for review.
February 24, 2015
A touching, sensitive and moving fast paced thriller.
It’s Quebec in winter and an elderly former Polish pilot in the Mazovia squadron of the Free Polish air force dies. Natalya his niece is suspicious and hires an investigative journalist, Frank Delaney to uncover the truth of her Uncle's death.
The story soon spirals in tension and intrigue involving Polish art treasures hidden during the Cold War and foreign agents will stop at nothing to kill to keep things hushed up.
Michael Rose is a former journalist and it shows to great effect in the language he uses which is never overly verbose, but beautifully descriptive all the same.
I read the book as I have an interest in Poland, but the book is beyond that. It is around the nature of loyalty, love and memory and I was surprised as to how much the story and the characters captivated and moved me.
I won’t give away the story, but safe to say this is a very entertaining read and recommended for anyone who likes conspiracy, espionage thrillers beyond the usual misogyny typical of the some thriller writers.
It’s Quebec in winter and an elderly former Polish pilot in the Mazovia squadron of the Free Polish air force dies. Natalya his niece is suspicious and hires an investigative journalist, Frank Delaney to uncover the truth of her Uncle's death.
The story soon spirals in tension and intrigue involving Polish art treasures hidden during the Cold War and foreign agents will stop at nothing to kill to keep things hushed up.
Michael Rose is a former journalist and it shows to great effect in the language he uses which is never overly verbose, but beautifully descriptive all the same.
I read the book as I have an interest in Poland, but the book is beyond that. It is around the nature of loyalty, love and memory and I was surprised as to how much the story and the characters captivated and moved me.
I won’t give away the story, but safe to say this is a very entertaining read and recommended for anyone who likes conspiracy, espionage thrillers beyond the usual misogyny typical of the some thriller writers.
October 20, 2009
This book is a perfect example of what happens when authors disobey the writing maxim of "Show, don't tell". It has an intriguing plot that quickly becomes bogged down by the weight of extended narrative passages.
An old Polish war veteran dies after what seems to be an all-too-common variety of household accident: he drowns in the bathtub. However, his niece, Natalia, is not so quick to accept the scene at face value. She calls upon the expertise of an investigative journalist named Francis Delaney and asks him to help her investigate. They soon discover that a friend of her uncle's has died under eerily similar circumstances, and then CSIS becomes involved...
... at which point I stopped. This is the part where I became really annoyed with the narrative passages replacing meaningful scenes. The CSIS guy is introduced suddenly as he's driving to Montreal to discuss the case with Delaney, and during the drive he's pondering how he and his superiors have been pursuing this case, but it's presented as expository narrative instead of something like:
"He thought back on how the case had begun...
***
"I want Jason Bourne on the steps in a body bag by sundown," Hinchley's superior had said, shamelessly ripping off The Bourne Identity.
Etc.
***
Hinchley arrived at Delaney's apartment.
See how that would be more interesting to read? It would break up the pace a bit and generate some interest. But no, we're treated to pages of expository narrative interspersed with gratuitous Jungian psychology. There are also gratuitous dream interludes that may serve some higher purpose in the book, but unfortunately their presence is much too jarring for them to be of any use.
This book receives two stars because the plot was promising. With better execution, this would have been at least a three-star book.
So to sum up, don't waste your time with this book, unless you have a LOT of patience for third-person narration.
An old Polish war veteran dies after what seems to be an all-too-common variety of household accident: he drowns in the bathtub. However, his niece, Natalia, is not so quick to accept the scene at face value. She calls upon the expertise of an investigative journalist named Francis Delaney and asks him to help her investigate. They soon discover that a friend of her uncle's has died under eerily similar circumstances, and then CSIS becomes involved...
... at which point I stopped. This is the part where I became really annoyed with the narrative passages replacing meaningful scenes. The CSIS guy is introduced suddenly as he's driving to Montreal to discuss the case with Delaney, and during the drive he's pondering how he and his superiors have been pursuing this case, but it's presented as expository narrative instead of something like:
"He thought back on how the case had begun...
***
"I want Jason Bourne on the steps in a body bag by sundown," Hinchley's superior had said, shamelessly ripping off The Bourne Identity.
Etc.
***
Hinchley arrived at Delaney's apartment.
See how that would be more interesting to read? It would break up the pace a bit and generate some interest. But no, we're treated to pages of expository narrative interspersed with gratuitous Jungian psychology. There are also gratuitous dream interludes that may serve some higher purpose in the book, but unfortunately their presence is much too jarring for them to be of any use.
This book receives two stars because the plot was promising. With better execution, this would have been at least a three-star book.
So to sum up, don't waste your time with this book, unless you have a LOT of patience for third-person narration.
December 18, 2020
Great reading
I liked Delaney. Very well written character and along with the rest of the characters in this book, it made for a very good read. Held my attention and stole my sleep. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I liked Delaney. Very well written character and along with the rest of the characters in this book, it made for a very good read. Held my attention and stole my sleep. I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 20, 2014
Other than a few Jungian dream sequences and treatises on Jungian theory, I actually found this to be quite absorbing story. The main female protagonist Natalia Janovski is a psychotherapist whose practice is based on Jungian analyses. You can gloss over these bits if you want, you won't miss anything particularly but it also made this novel a cut above the average mystery coming out of Canada. Polish WWII fighter pilot found dead in old Montreal - was he or was he not murdered? but there is less doubt about the mysterious death of a priest. Our female lead invites the journalistic expertise of a former client in assisting her in her search for answers about her recently deceased uncle. We meet Francis Delaney, our roving journalist anti-hero and together the two take us to Paris, Rome, Lake Como and to the snow clad outskirts of Montreal. We also get to meet a varied cast of characters, some of whom are rather nasty.
WWII Polish treasure.
Lech Walesa and 1990's Polish Politics.
CSIS.
Vatican.
Roman Catholic church in Quebec.
The scenery was all great.
The story is quite clever.
There is some mystery still lingering as I reflect on this novel.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Fast fun read.
Recommend (if you can find it. The original publisher has closed up shop, and I acquired a copy of this book as part of a grab bag give-away).
WWII Polish treasure.
Lech Walesa and 1990's Polish Politics.
CSIS.
Vatican.
Roman Catholic church in Quebec.
The scenery was all great.
The story is quite clever.
There is some mystery still lingering as I reflect on this novel.
I enjoyed this book a lot. Fast fun read.
Recommend (if you can find it. The original publisher has closed up shop, and I acquired a copy of this book as part of a grab bag give-away).
April 3, 2015
I was given an arc by the publishers via Netgalley in return for an honest review
.
This has all the ingredients you would look for in a great spy thriller, Frank Delaney investigates the death of an elderly Polish man whose niece is convinced something is not right. and hires Frank to find out. The problem with this is that the authorities seem to want to keep them from finding out anything.
It becomes clear the war with the Germans has something to do with it, hidden antiquities? The problem facing them is not just their own authorities but the various ones in other countries. Dig a hole chances are it will fall in, dig a tunnel chances are it will subside around you, dig into a death and maybe it will result in another death! I loved the twists & turns in this story, how the author swept you along in this realistic tale of espionage, murder, thrills. and spills.
http://lilianflesher.blogspot.com/201...
April 3, 2016
Struggled to finish it. Clunky at best, boring at worst. Who in the western world knows about the inner workings of the polish government in the 1990's?? Why go into so much detail about something nobody knows/cares about. A WWII spy/soldier is going to write his friend about the where/hows of the clandestine Polish art work...
Must haves to read and understand this book, more then a passing knowledge on polish politics particularly in the early 1990's and (basic?) knowledge of French - written. Of which I have neither.
Not to mention some Intelligencegathering which didn't include spell check
Must haves to read and understand this book, more then a passing knowledge on polish politics particularly in the early 1990's and (basic?) knowledge of French - written. Of which I have neither.
Not to mention some Intelligencegathering which didn't include spell check
May 8, 2016
I have to admit, even though I kept going, I did not find this story captivating or engaging. The story of secrets from Poland dating back to WWII should have been enthralling, but I found that I had no interest in the characters or the quest they appeared to be on. Natalia was extremely annoying with her Jung insights and at time I found her & Delaney's relationship rather pathetic. The characters just felt to me very one-dimensional.
August 18, 2010
It's obvious this book is written by a journalist but having said that, it's quite absorbing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews