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Josef Slonský Investigations #1
The Outrageous Behaviour of Left-Handed Dwarves
Lieutenant Josef Slonský has been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years. In that time – which includes the collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia – he has worked his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever.
But he has learned the difference between the law and justice. His remaining ambition in the police force is to make it to retirement age without any young yob bashing his skull in with a lump of wood. Oh, and needling his superiors just enough to satisfy his sense of insubordination without leaving him vulnerable to reprisals.
But when the sardonic Slonský is called in to investigate the death of a young woman found with a wad of bank notes rammed - somewhere! - he finds himself embroiled in a series of scandals that reach to the highest levels in Government. In his personal search of the truth – and his next coffee, beer, sausage – Slonský trawls through the mean streets of Prague keeping alive the fine tradition of the maverick detective.
Graham Brack was born in Sunderland. Having produced a lot of highly respected technical writing, The Outrageous Behaviour of the Left Handed Dwarves is his first work of fiction. Another, The Book of Slaughter and Forgetting – a work which cheekily references that of Czech-born writer Milan Kundera – also features the long-suffering Slonský.
But he has learned the difference between the law and justice. His remaining ambition in the police force is to make it to retirement age without any young yob bashing his skull in with a lump of wood. Oh, and needling his superiors just enough to satisfy his sense of insubordination without leaving him vulnerable to reprisals.
But when the sardonic Slonský is called in to investigate the death of a young woman found with a wad of bank notes rammed - somewhere! - he finds himself embroiled in a series of scandals that reach to the highest levels in Government. In his personal search of the truth – and his next coffee, beer, sausage – Slonský trawls through the mean streets of Prague keeping alive the fine tradition of the maverick detective.
Graham Brack was born in Sunderland. Having produced a lot of highly respected technical writing, The Outrageous Behaviour of the Left Handed Dwarves is his first work of fiction. Another, The Book of Slaughter and Forgetting – a work which cheekily references that of Czech-born writer Milan Kundera – also features the long-suffering Slonský.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
246 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
Graham Brack
36 books149 followersGraham Brack trained as a pharmacist but now writes crime fiction. He has been shortlisted three times for the Crime Writers Association's Debut Dagger (2011, 2014 and 2016) without ever winning it. Those three entries involved three different detectives.
The 2011 entry has been published as Lying and Dying by Sapere Books, and has been followed by seven more books about Josef Slonský, a Prague policeman, and his team.
The 2014 offering has been published as Death in Delft and features Master Mercurius, a seventeenth century university lecturer. The second Mercurius mystery, Untrue till Death followed in August 2020 and the third in the series Dishonour and Obey in October 2020. The fourth, The Noose's Shadow arrived in December 2020 and The Vanishing Children in 2021. The sixth book was The Lying Dutchman (2022) and the seventh was Murder in Maastricht (2023). The latest is The Moers Murders . The ninth in the series, Nun Shall Sleep, will be published in January 2026.
Graham is married to Gillian and has two adult children and three granddaughters. He lives in a small village in Northamptonshire.
The 2011 entry has been published as Lying and Dying by Sapere Books, and has been followed by seven more books about Josef Slonský, a Prague policeman, and his team.
The 2014 offering has been published as Death in Delft and features Master Mercurius, a seventeenth century university lecturer. The second Mercurius mystery, Untrue till Death followed in August 2020 and the third in the series Dishonour and Obey in October 2020. The fourth, The Noose's Shadow arrived in December 2020 and The Vanishing Children in 2021. The sixth book was The Lying Dutchman (2022) and the seventh was Murder in Maastricht (2023). The latest is The Moers Murders . The ninth in the series, Nun Shall Sleep, will be published in January 2026.
Graham is married to Gillian and has two adult children and three granddaughters. He lives in a small village in Northamptonshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 30, 2021
4.5 ~ 5★
“‘What urgent business do we have here, sir?’
‘The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navrátil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.’
What an absolute delight! Josef Slonský is as astute as the old Colombo was, as rumpled as Jackson Lamb, from Mick Herron’s wonderful British "Slough House" detective/spy series, with as deep a distrust of the law and a belief in true justice as any reader could want. He’s an old codger who’s fighting off a rear-guard action from his boss to retire him early, so he treads a careful line between insubordination and actual usefulness. We meet him here.
“After about twenty minutes a battered old police car pulled up behind them, and a battered old policeman climbed out, stretched himself, and turned his collar up against the sharp wind. Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever.”
I contend that his lack of influence was misinterpreted. He kept what influence he had out of sight, but he does let his new, young offsider, Navrátil, in on several of his secrets as he goes along. Poor Navrátil, isn’t sure what he’s in for.
“Lots of people told Navrátil that Slonský was a good cop. None of them actually wanted to work with him, but they were all agreed that he was a good cop.”
I had postponed reading this, thinking from the cover, the setting and the title that it was going to be a dark, grim, Eastern European story. (I had already forgotten the humorous publicity blurb, so I should have known better). I guess it is dark (it opens with a murder), and it certainly takes place in the Czech Republic, but it is not grim. Slonský knows what grim is, and it was pretty much before Navrátil’s time. More about that later.
A young woman’s body is discovered dumped at the side of the road, and it’s up to the seasoned veteran and the new boy to figure out who, what, why, where and when. Speaking of which, there’s a sozzled old journalist who features as a contact who’s desperate for a scoop but who has contacts of his own. They always meet over a drink or three.
Slonský never misses a chance for a coffee, beer or sausage. You can’t work on an empty stomach, he says, something he’s probably never been accused of. Navrátil asks why he drinks so much beer.
“‘To forget, then?’
‘On the contrary, Navrátil, I drink for a religious reason. I’m a beer Buddhist.’
‘I didn’t think Buddhists drank beer.’
‘Don’t they? Poor devils. No, I drink to achieve enlightenment, which is a religious state much desired by Buddhists.’
‘Enlightenment?’
‘Exactly. There is a point, Navrátil, at which the brain ceases to maintain its tenuous hold on reality and allows itself to be carried along in the flood of ideas. It casts itself free of all earthly shackles and enters a meta-existence of cause and effect beyond reasoning.’”
Sounds good to me, except my drug of choice would be wine. But rather than free my cognitive abilities, it would put me to sleep. But I digress.
The plot weaves back and forth around a couple of government ministers (from opposing parties) who’ve been caught in compromising photographs, but also around a wad of money that was in a plastic bag found inside the victim’s “doodah”, as Slonský so charmingly puts it.
Here I will add a bit of history, as explained to young Navrátil by the older Slonský. In January 1969, student Jan Palach self-immolated in Wenceslas Square to protest the Prague Spring – when the Soviet Union invaded to crush the government. Or, technically, they were “invited” in to restore law and order.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Palach
“‘There were workmen scrubbing the ground to remove the charring.
. . . Alive, he was just a student, but dead, he spoke for all of us. I stood where he had burned and then — I don’t know what came over me — I saluted.’
Slonský swilled his glass around and inspected the eddies in his drink.
‘Policemen weren’t too popular in Prague just then. You’d get barged in the trams and people would accidentally stamp on your feet. Someone spat on my back when I was on the beat. But when I brought my arm down to my side one of the workmen clapped his hand on my shoulder and muttered “You’re all right, son”. No praise I’ve ever had has meant as much to me as that.’”
This is where Slonský learned to tell the difference between what is legal and what is just.
The investigation gets more complicated towards the end, as we’re introduced to some financial wheeling and dealing, but they pull it all together, resulting in a most satisfying ending, so now it’s on to #2 in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere books for this marvellous preview! Loved it!
“‘What urgent business do we have here, sir?’
‘The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navrátil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.’
What an absolute delight! Josef Slonský is as astute as the old Colombo was, as rumpled as Jackson Lamb, from Mick Herron’s wonderful British "Slough House" detective/spy series, with as deep a distrust of the law and a belief in true justice as any reader could want. He’s an old codger who’s fighting off a rear-guard action from his boss to retire him early, so he treads a careful line between insubordination and actual usefulness. We meet him here.
“After about twenty minutes a battered old police car pulled up behind them, and a battered old policeman climbed out, stretched himself, and turned his collar up against the sharp wind. Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever.”
I contend that his lack of influence was misinterpreted. He kept what influence he had out of sight, but he does let his new, young offsider, Navrátil, in on several of his secrets as he goes along. Poor Navrátil, isn’t sure what he’s in for.
“Lots of people told Navrátil that Slonský was a good cop. None of them actually wanted to work with him, but they were all agreed that he was a good cop.”
I had postponed reading this, thinking from the cover, the setting and the title that it was going to be a dark, grim, Eastern European story. (I had already forgotten the humorous publicity blurb, so I should have known better). I guess it is dark (it opens with a murder), and it certainly takes place in the Czech Republic, but it is not grim. Slonský knows what grim is, and it was pretty much before Navrátil’s time. More about that later.
A young woman’s body is discovered dumped at the side of the road, and it’s up to the seasoned veteran and the new boy to figure out who, what, why, where and when. Speaking of which, there’s a sozzled old journalist who features as a contact who’s desperate for a scoop but who has contacts of his own. They always meet over a drink or three.
Slonský never misses a chance for a coffee, beer or sausage. You can’t work on an empty stomach, he says, something he’s probably never been accused of. Navrátil asks why he drinks so much beer.
“‘To forget, then?’
‘On the contrary, Navrátil, I drink for a religious reason. I’m a beer Buddhist.’
‘I didn’t think Buddhists drank beer.’
‘Don’t they? Poor devils. No, I drink to achieve enlightenment, which is a religious state much desired by Buddhists.’
‘Enlightenment?’
‘Exactly. There is a point, Navrátil, at which the brain ceases to maintain its tenuous hold on reality and allows itself to be carried along in the flood of ideas. It casts itself free of all earthly shackles and enters a meta-existence of cause and effect beyond reasoning.’”
Sounds good to me, except my drug of choice would be wine. But rather than free my cognitive abilities, it would put me to sleep. But I digress.
The plot weaves back and forth around a couple of government ministers (from opposing parties) who’ve been caught in compromising photographs, but also around a wad of money that was in a plastic bag found inside the victim’s “doodah”, as Slonský so charmingly puts it.
Here I will add a bit of history, as explained to young Navrátil by the older Slonský. In January 1969, student Jan Palach self-immolated in Wenceslas Square to protest the Prague Spring – when the Soviet Union invaded to crush the government. Or, technically, they were “invited” in to restore law and order.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Palach
“‘There were workmen scrubbing the ground to remove the charring.
. . . Alive, he was just a student, but dead, he spoke for all of us. I stood where he had burned and then — I don’t know what came over me — I saluted.’
Slonský swilled his glass around and inspected the eddies in his drink.
‘Policemen weren’t too popular in Prague just then. You’d get barged in the trams and people would accidentally stamp on your feet. Someone spat on my back when I was on the beat. But when I brought my arm down to my side one of the workmen clapped his hand on my shoulder and muttered “You’re all right, son”. No praise I’ve ever had has meant as much to me as that.’”
This is where Slonský learned to tell the difference between what is legal and what is just.
The investigation gets more complicated towards the end, as we’re introduced to some financial wheeling and dealing, but they pull it all together, resulting in a most satisfying ending, so now it’s on to #2 in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere books for this marvellous preview! Loved it!
December 30, 2019
I love mystery series that take me somewhere different. Thanks to some GR friends, I just discovered the Lt. Josef Slonsky series that takes place in Prague. I loved the initial description of Slonsky. “ After about 20 minutes, a battered old police car pulled up behind them and a battered old policeman climbed out.” In fact, over the next page or so, Barack goes on to paint Slonsky so that you know exactly the kind of policeman he is. He’s been around for so long he knows how to bend all the rules, how to out lie the criminals and sweat them to get the info he needs.
It only took another few pages for me to know this exactly my sort of series. Great humor, that dry light chuckle sort. I literally found myself laughing on most pages. “He waved to attract the waiter. “Give the cat another diuretic and fill this up.””
And humor doesn’t preclude a good mystery. It’s complicated and Slonsky was always a step or two ahead of me.
Good fun and I’m thrilled to have discovered another wonderful mystery series.
August 15, 2018
What a great surprise. Picked this up on a whim & really enjoyed it. Set in Prague, we meet cop Lt. Josef Sonský, a whip smart curmudgeon who's been doling out law & order for more than 40 years. When a young woman is found murdered on the streets of the capital, the investigation heads off in directions no one could have foreseen.
It's a twisty police procedural that will keep you guessing but what sets this apart are the characters. Josef is a sly old dog who knows where all the bodies are buried & is presently mentoring naive newbie Navrátil. They are truly chalk & cheese & the dialogue between these 2 provides plenty of comic relief as the investigation takes a dark turn. And that ending....nope, never saw that coming.
Smart & entertaining, I'll be on the lookout for book #2.
It's a twisty police procedural that will keep you guessing but what sets this apart are the characters. Josef is a sly old dog who knows where all the bodies are buried & is presently mentoring naive newbie Navrátil. They are truly chalk & cheese & the dialogue between these 2 provides plenty of comic relief as the investigation takes a dark turn. And that ending....nope, never saw that coming.
Smart & entertaining, I'll be on the lookout for book #2.
March 18, 2020
Graham Brack's detective Lieutenant Josef Slonský is an interesting character. He reminds me very much of the old TV detective Colombo. An Eastern European version - his brilliantly analytical mind heavily disguised by his disheveled appearance and lazy, sloppy ways. Although Slonský is not so much lazy as energy efficient; never doing more than he needs to to solve a crime and able to bend the rules just enough to avoid getting in trouble.
He requires a lot more refueling stops than the average contemporary fictional detective (who by all accounts almost never has time to stop to eat over the course of an investigation). Slonský, however, never starts a day without coffee and pastries, followed later in the day by beer and sausage. The only time he encounters a vegetable in the book is by accident and it is promptly spat out. Nearing sixty and retirement, he's recently taken on a protegee to train in the ways of investigation, an eager beaver by the name of Navrátil fresh from the police academy, who is taking some time to acclimatize himself to Slonský's methods.
Slonský and Navrátil are investigating the murder of a young woman who turns out to be the mistress of an important political figure. The plot is well paced and quickly becomes quite convoluted as Slonský and Navrátil tread carefully through a political minefield to uncover the murderer and the motive. The writing is wry and entertaining and the setting in Prague makes for an interesting backdrop to this promising start to the series.
He requires a lot more refueling stops than the average contemporary fictional detective (who by all accounts almost never has time to stop to eat over the course of an investigation). Slonský, however, never starts a day without coffee and pastries, followed later in the day by beer and sausage. The only time he encounters a vegetable in the book is by accident and it is promptly spat out. Nearing sixty and retirement, he's recently taken on a protegee to train in the ways of investigation, an eager beaver by the name of Navrátil fresh from the police academy, who is taking some time to acclimatize himself to Slonský's methods.
Slonský and Navrátil are investigating the murder of a young woman who turns out to be the mistress of an important political figure. The plot is well paced and quickly becomes quite convoluted as Slonský and Navrátil tread carefully through a political minefield to uncover the murderer and the motive. The writing is wry and entertaining and the setting in Prague makes for an interesting backdrop to this promising start to the series.
October 11, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this fairly complicated mystery that takes place in modern day
Czechoslovakia. With light bantering throughout, Detective Slonsky plods through the small clues left by the murderer and does not flinch in finding justice. A bonus - the slice of life about the Czech government during and post Communist era, and the impact on everyday lives. Not a bonus - my craving to drink coffee and eat pastries right along with Detective Slonsky!
Czechoslovakia. With light bantering throughout, Detective Slonsky plods through the small clues left by the murderer and does not flinch in finding justice. A bonus - the slice of life about the Czech government during and post Communist era, and the impact on everyday lives. Not a bonus - my craving to drink coffee and eat pastries right along with Detective Slonsky!
September 29, 2018
* https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
A young woman is murdered and her body dumped near a railway station. It appears as if the murderer wanted the body found. The case is taken by Lt Josef Slonsky, a veteran of nearly forty years on the force.
Approaching 60, his days on the force are numbered but Slonsky isn’t ready to retire yet and he still has a lot to offer as he is training young recruit, Navratil.
“Navratil? He’s all right. Got to learn to pace himself though. You get nowhere rushing. Fortunately he has the great advantage of having me to show him the ropes.”
As the evidence is slowly gathered it all points to one person, a man in a high ministerial position. But it’s not all cut and dried and the story follows many twists and turns.
Slonsky’s dry, irreverent humour makes for many laugh out loud moments. He is gruff at times but has real concern and empathy when it is warranted.
Slonsky has the obligatory slight disdain for his superiors and food is always foremost on his mind.
“Slonsky smiled angelically and lowered his bulky frame into the car. ‘My brain’s slowing down. It could do with a pastry or two. Come on, lad, put your foot down’.”
“The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navratil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.”
Slonsky’s policing methods are unconventional to say the least but he gets results so a blind eye is turned to his practices.
The story starts out with plenty of dry humour, sarcasm and witty banter between the characters but as the case hots up the atmosphere becomes very deep and serious and Slonsky drops his flippant manner.
Brack includes snippets of Prague’s history and how the characters fit into these events, which in turn explains their actions.
Lying and Dying is an entertaining political crime mystery. Slonsky is an endearing hero and even though the ending is somewhat unconventional it suits our protagonist perfectly and I loved it.
The first Josef Slonsky Mystery is an excellent start to a new series.
*I received a copy from the publisher to read and review.
A young woman is murdered and her body dumped near a railway station. It appears as if the murderer wanted the body found. The case is taken by Lt Josef Slonsky, a veteran of nearly forty years on the force.
Approaching 60, his days on the force are numbered but Slonsky isn’t ready to retire yet and he still has a lot to offer as he is training young recruit, Navratil.
“Navratil? He’s all right. Got to learn to pace himself though. You get nowhere rushing. Fortunately he has the great advantage of having me to show him the ropes.”
As the evidence is slowly gathered it all points to one person, a man in a high ministerial position. But it’s not all cut and dried and the story follows many twists and turns.
Slonsky’s dry, irreverent humour makes for many laugh out loud moments. He is gruff at times but has real concern and empathy when it is warranted.
Slonsky has the obligatory slight disdain for his superiors and food is always foremost on his mind.
“Slonsky smiled angelically and lowered his bulky frame into the car. ‘My brain’s slowing down. It could do with a pastry or two. Come on, lad, put your foot down’.”
“The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navratil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.”
Slonsky’s policing methods are unconventional to say the least but he gets results so a blind eye is turned to his practices.
The story starts out with plenty of dry humour, sarcasm and witty banter between the characters but as the case hots up the atmosphere becomes very deep and serious and Slonsky drops his flippant manner.
Brack includes snippets of Prague’s history and how the characters fit into these events, which in turn explains their actions.
Lying and Dying is an entertaining political crime mystery. Slonsky is an endearing hero and even though the ending is somewhat unconventional it suits our protagonist perfectly and I loved it.
The first Josef Slonsky Mystery is an excellent start to a new series.
*I received a copy from the publisher to read and review.
July 30, 2019
This book made ideal airplane reading by which I mean it was so absorbing I could read it from beginning to end without being distracted at all by everything else going on around me.
I loved Josef most of all with his warped sense of humour and his attitude to life which revolved mostly around food. He makes an excellent main character for a slightly quirky police procedural. There is a good supporting cast too including the usual hopeless boss, the naive young assistant and the uncouth yet helpful sergeant.
The setting was Prague which was interesting and I learned a bit about the history and politics in a nice user friendly way. The humour was frequent and usually black. The story was excellent and the police work smart. All told a very entertaining start to a series which I am definitely going to pursue further.
I loved Josef most of all with his warped sense of humour and his attitude to life which revolved mostly around food. He makes an excellent main character for a slightly quirky police procedural. There is a good supporting cast too including the usual hopeless boss, the naive young assistant and the uncouth yet helpful sergeant.
The setting was Prague which was interesting and I learned a bit about the history and politics in a nice user friendly way. The humour was frequent and usually black. The story was excellent and the police work smart. All told a very entertaining start to a series which I am definitely going to pursue further.
March 8, 2020
The body of a young woman was found early in the morning by a shift worker named Bear. The resultant arrival by the members of the police force in Prague included Lieutenant Josef Slonsky and his off-sider and newly graduated recruit, Navratil. Slonsky had been on the force for around forty years and although he was nearing sixty, thoughts of retiring made him shudder. But he was determined to discover the identity of the murderer of this young woman, and between eating sausage and pastries, and drinking coffee, was sure of his abilities.
As evidence came to light, Slonsky was wary. But when had he ever held back! He and Navratil made the arrest which would cause controversy; corruption was obviously rife. Using his informer; chasing leads; finding evidence – was there enough to convince the courts?
Lying and Dying is the first in the Josef Slonský Investigations by Graham Brack and I had many laugh out loud moments. Wry and dark humour, sarcasm and wit are Slonsky’s forte – his success in confusing his poor recruit made me smile. And his (un)popularity within the police force was well done. A great police procedural set in Prague in 2006, I enjoyed it and will continue with the series. Recommended. Thanks to all my GR friends who recommended this one as well.
As evidence came to light, Slonsky was wary. But when had he ever held back! He and Navratil made the arrest which would cause controversy; corruption was obviously rife. Using his informer; chasing leads; finding evidence – was there enough to convince the courts?
Lying and Dying is the first in the Josef Slonský Investigations by Graham Brack and I had many laugh out loud moments. Wry and dark humour, sarcasm and wit are Slonsky’s forte – his success in confusing his poor recruit made me smile. And his (un)popularity within the police force was well done. A great police procedural set in Prague in 2006, I enjoyed it and will continue with the series. Recommended. Thanks to all my GR friends who recommended this one as well.
August 3, 2018
4.5 Stars
Lt. Josef Slonsky .. possibly the laziest policeman in Prague, probably in Central Europe. He rarely sees the need to rush and is frequently found conserving his energy with his feet on his desk. He meets with his protege and other members of law enforcement to discuss business over beer and sausages ..sometimes a biscuit. Detecting for 40 years, he is due to retire soon.
He has a wry sense of humor that not everyone understands and a strong stubborn streak that does him well. He doesn't exactly cross that line, but comes close enough to cause all kinds of problems.
A young woman is found strangled and investigation shows that she was last seen in the company of a very prominent person in law enforcement ... Slonsky's immediate boss. This puts Slonsky and Navratil, his rookie partner, between a rock and a hard place.
Is the whole police department corrupt? There is only circumstantial evidence and not near enough to convict anyone. Are they willing to risk their careers in their pursuit of the truth?
People always lie and in this case ...some also die.
This is the beginning of what I expect to be an exciting series. Navratil is learning just how brilliant Slonsky really is underneath all the dark humor. I love how these two characters interact with each other. There's plenty to hold the reader's attention... all the way to the surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this international crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Lt. Josef Slonsky .. possibly the laziest policeman in Prague, probably in Central Europe. He rarely sees the need to rush and is frequently found conserving his energy with his feet on his desk. He meets with his protege and other members of law enforcement to discuss business over beer and sausages ..sometimes a biscuit. Detecting for 40 years, he is due to retire soon.
He has a wry sense of humor that not everyone understands and a strong stubborn streak that does him well. He doesn't exactly cross that line, but comes close enough to cause all kinds of problems.
A young woman is found strangled and investigation shows that she was last seen in the company of a very prominent person in law enforcement ... Slonsky's immediate boss. This puts Slonsky and Navratil, his rookie partner, between a rock and a hard place.
Is the whole police department corrupt? There is only circumstantial evidence and not near enough to convict anyone. Are they willing to risk their careers in their pursuit of the truth?
People always lie and in this case ...some also die.
This is the beginning of what I expect to be an exciting series. Navratil is learning just how brilliant Slonsky really is underneath all the dark humor. I love how these two characters interact with each other. There's plenty to hold the reader's attention... all the way to the surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this international crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 21, 2021
One of the most intriguing things to me about this clever and amusing police procedural is how the British author came up with what seems to be a fairly authentic Czech atmosphere. Setting a novel in a location a writer has visited, but not lived, is one thing. But Brack has incorporated patterns of speech and a world view that seem to have a distinctly Czech feel. It all comes across as legitimate to an American reader, but I would love to know from a Czech reader whether it really is.
I started out liking Slonský as he is initially presented - an aging Prague police detective, full of quirks and not exactly beloved by the powers-that-be, saddled with the responsibility of bringing along a novice on the force. As they attempt to solve the perplexing murder of a young woman, Slonský plays fast and loose with official procedures and takes a special delight in tweaking the system.
But I really came to love him closer to the end of the book, when he shares his backstory, set along the course of postwar Czechoslovakia, in more detail. He sums up his attitude toward crime solving in this way: “No more upholding the law, Josef,” I said to myself. “Your job is giving people justice."
I anticipate reading further books in the series, and I have my fingers crossed that, like Brack's Master Mercurius series, this one will become available in audio before long.
I started out liking Slonský as he is initially presented - an aging Prague police detective, full of quirks and not exactly beloved by the powers-that-be, saddled with the responsibility of bringing along a novice on the force. As they attempt to solve the perplexing murder of a young woman, Slonský plays fast and loose with official procedures and takes a special delight in tweaking the system.
But I really came to love him closer to the end of the book, when he shares his backstory, set along the course of postwar Czechoslovakia, in more detail. He sums up his attitude toward crime solving in this way: “No more upholding the law, Josef,” I said to myself. “Your job is giving people justice."
I anticipate reading further books in the series, and I have my fingers crossed that, like Brack's Master Mercurius series, this one will become available in audio before long.
February 5, 2020
Low cunning was Slonský’s strong point. He could limbo his way past most villain’s defences if he could engineer the right opportunity…
Introducing Prague detective, Lieutenant Josef Slonský, known for his bad diet and lack of exercise, he is approaching a retirement that he dreads. He is to mentor Navrátil, a recent graduate from the academy, with idealistic views on policing. Slonský remembers the solemn days under the Soviet yoke, prior to the Berlin Wall being destroyed, when the law and justice meant two very different things.
In their first case together, a young woman is found strangled by a railway station in the early hours of a February morning, when the grey slush of snow is still around, with a fair amount of money secreted in a body cavity. The pathologist concludes that she was killed elsewhere and the body dumped, and the two detectives try to find witnesses in local bars and cafes and among the homeless sleeping rough near the station. When Navrátil questions whether people would be willing to help the police Slonský lets him in on a secret.
‘I’ve cultivated anonymity for many a year. Everybody knows me but they don’t know my business. They’ve met me in a bar or having a sausage somewhere, but so far as anyone knows I’m just someone who works in some office or other. You don’t get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, Navrátil. You have to work at it…’
When the girl is identified as the mistress of the Minister for the Interior, he becomes the prime suspect and on arrest pleads he is innocence of murder, despite Slonský and the desk sergeant setting up elaborate schemes to unsettle him. ‘He’s a politician, Navrátil. Telling the same lie repeatedly is something he can do with his eyes shut.’
CCTV coverage at a bank shows the minister withdrawing a sizable sum from his account and Slonský concludes that the minister is being set up, possibly blackmailed, but why and by whom? When an anonymous photo of another politician in a compromising position lands on his desk he feels there is something much deeper going on, that someone is trying to bring down the government.
What a welcome addition to noir crime Slonský is. The wily detective has his superior Captain Lukas tied up in red tape as he closes in on a sociopath who for years has courted and manipulated favours of people in high circles. The ending caught me by surprise.
Verdict: bring on the next one.
Introducing Prague detective, Lieutenant Josef Slonský, known for his bad diet and lack of exercise, he is approaching a retirement that he dreads. He is to mentor Navrátil, a recent graduate from the academy, with idealistic views on policing. Slonský remembers the solemn days under the Soviet yoke, prior to the Berlin Wall being destroyed, when the law and justice meant two very different things.
In their first case together, a young woman is found strangled by a railway station in the early hours of a February morning, when the grey slush of snow is still around, with a fair amount of money secreted in a body cavity. The pathologist concludes that she was killed elsewhere and the body dumped, and the two detectives try to find witnesses in local bars and cafes and among the homeless sleeping rough near the station. When Navrátil questions whether people would be willing to help the police Slonský lets him in on a secret.
‘I’ve cultivated anonymity for many a year. Everybody knows me but they don’t know my business. They’ve met me in a bar or having a sausage somewhere, but so far as anyone knows I’m just someone who works in some office or other. You don’t get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, Navrátil. You have to work at it…’
When the girl is identified as the mistress of the Minister for the Interior, he becomes the prime suspect and on arrest pleads he is innocence of murder, despite Slonský and the desk sergeant setting up elaborate schemes to unsettle him. ‘He’s a politician, Navrátil. Telling the same lie repeatedly is something he can do with his eyes shut.’
CCTV coverage at a bank shows the minister withdrawing a sizable sum from his account and Slonský concludes that the minister is being set up, possibly blackmailed, but why and by whom? When an anonymous photo of another politician in a compromising position lands on his desk he feels there is something much deeper going on, that someone is trying to bring down the government.
What a welcome addition to noir crime Slonský is. The wily detective has his superior Captain Lukas tied up in red tape as he closes in on a sociopath who for years has courted and manipulated favours of people in high circles. The ending caught me by surprise.
Verdict: bring on the next one.
April 8, 2019
Having established his career in the Czech police force during the communist era, Lieutenant Josef Slonský is approaching retirement in present day Prague. He's dishevelled in appearance and ravenous in appetite, but is quick-witted and has a mind like a steel trap. With his new offsider, young detective Navrátil, he expects to make reasonably short work of his latest case - an unknown young woman, strangled and dumped near a Metro station in the dead of night. But when it seems that the boss might be implicated in the murder, the case suddenly doesn't seem so straightforward any more.
This is #1 of a series, currently numbering 4 instalments; one I'll be more than happy to continue reading. Slonský and Navrátil are both great characters and make an excellent investigative team. While this book didn't necessarily transport me to Prague (a city I don't yet know), I felt that it gave me a nice introduction to Czech culture and history. The investigation had sufficient momentum and was nicely unpredictable, at least for me. I thought the constant banter between Slonský and Navrátil (and Slonský and just about every other character) gave the book something of a 'cosy' feel, until I read the climax of the story and could not believe my eyes! I had to go back and re-read a couple of pages to make sure I hadn't fallen into a micro-sleep and missed something! Wow, I did not see that coming.
Recommended for lovers of smart, witty crime with a little grit.
This is #1 of a series, currently numbering 4 instalments; one I'll be more than happy to continue reading. Slonský and Navrátil are both great characters and make an excellent investigative team. While this book didn't necessarily transport me to Prague (a city I don't yet know), I felt that it gave me a nice introduction to Czech culture and history. The investigation had sufficient momentum and was nicely unpredictable, at least for me. I thought the constant banter between Slonský and Navrátil (and Slonský and just about every other character) gave the book something of a 'cosy' feel, until I read the climax of the story and could not believe my eyes! I had to go back and re-read a couple of pages to make sure I hadn't fallen into a micro-sleep and missed something! Wow, I did not see that coming.
Recommended for lovers of smart, witty crime with a little grit.
August 28, 2018
‘We always disregard the obvious and assume that things are not what they seem.’
The body of a young woman is found strangled, by the side of a road in Prague. Who has killed her and why? The only clue seems to be a large amount of money concealed on her person.
The murder case is assigned to Lieutenant Joseph Slonský and his new partner Navrátil. Slonský who is edging close to retirement, is regarded as something of a maverick by his colleagues. He’s clever but seen as lazy. He does just enough work to ensure that his superior, Captain Lukas, has no grounds to retire him early. Slonský likes to conserve energy but needs frequent refuelling in the form of coffee and food. Navrátil is a recent graduate from the police academy: eager to learn as much as he can. While Slonský doesn’t really want a partner, he’s happy to have a gofer:
‘In return for small domestic services like making coffee, he was prepared to dispense occasional pearls of wisdom that might benefit Navrátil’s career.’
Investigation into the murder seems to indicate that the woman was involved with a member of the Czech government. And when the government minister lies about his involvement with the woman, it all looks very suspicious. But Slonský isn’t convinced. So he keeps digging.
‘Everyone is guilty, sir,’ offered Slonský. ‘They may not be guilty of what they’re charged with, but everyone has done something.’
‘Cynical, and hardly reassuring,’ Lukas observed.
‘But true, sir.’
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, with its twists and turns. Granted, some of those twists are extremely convoluted but Slonský is determined to find the truth. His methods may not be conventional (and his solutions certainly are not) but sometimes (at least in fiction) the ends justify the means. Perhaps. Slonský and Navrátil are great characters: Slonský, the crusty old cop, a flawed character with great knowledge and experience while Navrátil is smart and keen to learn.
I understand this book is the first in a series: I’ll certainly be looking to read the second!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The body of a young woman is found strangled, by the side of a road in Prague. Who has killed her and why? The only clue seems to be a large amount of money concealed on her person.
The murder case is assigned to Lieutenant Joseph Slonský and his new partner Navrátil. Slonský who is edging close to retirement, is regarded as something of a maverick by his colleagues. He’s clever but seen as lazy. He does just enough work to ensure that his superior, Captain Lukas, has no grounds to retire him early. Slonský likes to conserve energy but needs frequent refuelling in the form of coffee and food. Navrátil is a recent graduate from the police academy: eager to learn as much as he can. While Slonský doesn’t really want a partner, he’s happy to have a gofer:
‘In return for small domestic services like making coffee, he was prepared to dispense occasional pearls of wisdom that might benefit Navrátil’s career.’
Investigation into the murder seems to indicate that the woman was involved with a member of the Czech government. And when the government minister lies about his involvement with the woman, it all looks very suspicious. But Slonský isn’t convinced. So he keeps digging.
‘Everyone is guilty, sir,’ offered Slonský. ‘They may not be guilty of what they’re charged with, but everyone has done something.’
‘Cynical, and hardly reassuring,’ Lukas observed.
‘But true, sir.’
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, with its twists and turns. Granted, some of those twists are extremely convoluted but Slonský is determined to find the truth. His methods may not be conventional (and his solutions certainly are not) but sometimes (at least in fiction) the ends justify the means. Perhaps. Slonský and Navrátil are great characters: Slonský, the crusty old cop, a flawed character with great knowledge and experience while Navrátil is smart and keen to learn.
I understand this book is the first in a series: I’ll certainly be looking to read the second!
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 25, 2019
“Nobody speak to me for a while. I have an idea, and I need to think deeply about it. To the untrained eye, it will look as if I am asleep, but actually my brain will be running like a hamster in a wheel.”
Lying and Dying is the first book in the Josef Slonský Investigations series by British author, Graham Brack. At almost sixty, Lieutenant Josef Slonský is not yet ready to retire. A veteran of some forty years, he has a good case clearance rate and Captain Lukas usually permits him to work alone, but has recently assigned him Jan Navrátil, an eager young officer in Prague’s Criminal Police Force, to mentor. Slonský’s pleased to pass on his wisdom, and they are soon examining the unidentified body of a young woman with a large sum of cash on her person.
A press appeal for identification yields an anonymously-sent photograph that links the victim to a Government Minister. After his initial denials, trace evidence and financial records prove sufficient for an arrest. But what originally looks like a solved case runs into problems due to lack of evidence. And then an additional photograph, sent subsequently, and apparently from the same source, featuring another prominent figure in a compromising position, has Slonský puzzled about the agenda of this mysterious provider.
Slonský is one of those characters who, for all his flaws, instantly appeals. He’s obviously very smart and there are times when his actions will seem inexplicable, but the reader quickly learns to be patient: Slonský’s logic and brilliance will be revealed. His supporting cast, too, are characters the reader will look forward to meeting again. Brack deftly provides back stories (more of which on Brack’s website) for the whole company without any tedious information dumps.
Brack gives the reader a believable plot that proceeds at a steady pace, containing some excellent detective work and a great twist, before reaching a jaw-dropping conclusion. The dialogue is a rich source of humour, often laugh-out-loud (and blackly) funny. Brack also manages to include some snippets of Czech history in easily digestible bites, and some of his word usage gives the story a distinctly Eastern European feel.
To give some idea of Slonský’s priorities, it will be noted that most chapters feature him eating and/or drinking, often multiple times. Unless Slonský is extremely distracted by concurrent events or discussion, coffee, beer, párek (sausage), or pastry will be consumed. We can only hope that Brack has given his protagonist a hardy constitution because: “Slonský took a mouthful of roll. To his horror, it proved to contain salad. ‘Hell, that’s like eating a hedge. Give me a napkin so I can spit it out.’” and we do want him to survive the next few instalments (of which, readers will be pleased to know, there are at least three more) in good health. Fans of Mick Herron’s Jackson Lamb series are likely to find Brack’s work equally entertaining. Outstanding crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Sapere Books.
Lying and Dying is the first book in the Josef Slonský Investigations series by British author, Graham Brack. At almost sixty, Lieutenant Josef Slonský is not yet ready to retire. A veteran of some forty years, he has a good case clearance rate and Captain Lukas usually permits him to work alone, but has recently assigned him Jan Navrátil, an eager young officer in Prague’s Criminal Police Force, to mentor. Slonský’s pleased to pass on his wisdom, and they are soon examining the unidentified body of a young woman with a large sum of cash on her person.
A press appeal for identification yields an anonymously-sent photograph that links the victim to a Government Minister. After his initial denials, trace evidence and financial records prove sufficient for an arrest. But what originally looks like a solved case runs into problems due to lack of evidence. And then an additional photograph, sent subsequently, and apparently from the same source, featuring another prominent figure in a compromising position, has Slonský puzzled about the agenda of this mysterious provider.
Slonský is one of those characters who, for all his flaws, instantly appeals. He’s obviously very smart and there are times when his actions will seem inexplicable, but the reader quickly learns to be patient: Slonský’s logic and brilliance will be revealed. His supporting cast, too, are characters the reader will look forward to meeting again. Brack deftly provides back stories (more of which on Brack’s website) for the whole company without any tedious information dumps.
Brack gives the reader a believable plot that proceeds at a steady pace, containing some excellent detective work and a great twist, before reaching a jaw-dropping conclusion. The dialogue is a rich source of humour, often laugh-out-loud (and blackly) funny. Brack also manages to include some snippets of Czech history in easily digestible bites, and some of his word usage gives the story a distinctly Eastern European feel.
To give some idea of Slonský’s priorities, it will be noted that most chapters feature him eating and/or drinking, often multiple times. Unless Slonský is extremely distracted by concurrent events or discussion, coffee, beer, párek (sausage), or pastry will be consumed. We can only hope that Brack has given his protagonist a hardy constitution because: “Slonský took a mouthful of roll. To his horror, it proved to contain salad. ‘Hell, that’s like eating a hedge. Give me a napkin so I can spit it out.’” and we do want him to survive the next few instalments (of which, readers will be pleased to know, there are at least three more) in good health. Fans of Mick Herron’s Jackson Lamb series are likely to find Brack’s work equally entertaining. Outstanding crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Sapere Books.
September 25, 2018
4.5 Stars
Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this international crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Lt. Josef Slonsky .. possibly the laziest policeman in Prague, probably in Central Europe. He rarely sees the need to rush and is frequently found conserving his energy with his feet on his desk. He meets with his protege and other members of law enforcement to discuss business over beer and sausages ..sometimes a biscuit. Detecting for 40 years, he is due to retire soon.
He has a wry sense of humor that not everyone understands and a strong stubborn streak that does him well. He doesn't exactly cross that line, but comes close enough to cause all kinds of problems.
A young woman is found strangled and investigation shows that she was last seen in the company of a very prominent person in law enforcement ... Slonsky's immediate boss. This puts Slonsky and Navratil, his rookie partner, between a rock and a hard place.
Is the whole police department corrupt? There is only circumstantial evidence and not near enough to convict anyone. Are they willing to risk their careers in their pursuit of the truth?
People always lie and in this case ...some also die.
This is the beginning of what I expect to be an exciting series. Navratil is learning just how brilliant Slonsky really is underneath all the dark humor. I love how these two characters interact with each other. There's plenty to hold the reader's attention... all the way to the surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this international crime thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Lt. Josef Slonsky .. possibly the laziest policeman in Prague, probably in Central Europe. He rarely sees the need to rush and is frequently found conserving his energy with his feet on his desk. He meets with his protege and other members of law enforcement to discuss business over beer and sausages ..sometimes a biscuit. Detecting for 40 years, he is due to retire soon.
He has a wry sense of humor that not everyone understands and a strong stubborn streak that does him well. He doesn't exactly cross that line, but comes close enough to cause all kinds of problems.
A young woman is found strangled and investigation shows that she was last seen in the company of a very prominent person in law enforcement ... Slonsky's immediate boss. This puts Slonsky and Navratil, his rookie partner, between a rock and a hard place.
Is the whole police department corrupt? There is only circumstantial evidence and not near enough to convict anyone. Are they willing to risk their careers in their pursuit of the truth?
People always lie and in this case ...some also die.
This is the beginning of what I expect to be an exciting series. Navratil is learning just how brilliant Slonsky really is underneath all the dark humor. I love how these two characters interact with each other. There's plenty to hold the reader's attention... all the way to the surprising ending.
July 17, 2020
Intriguing story about a detective from the Czech Republic. Josef Slonsky can be humorous, he has an unending appetite for sausages and pastries, and he is unlike almost any other detective that I have read. Looking forward to the next book.
July 26, 2018
I would like to thank Sapere Books for an advance copy of Lying and Dying, a police procedural set in Prague.
When the body of a young woman is found strangled beside the railway station Lieutenant Josef Slonsky and his trainee, Navrátilov are given the case. Their first order of business is to establish her identity, unsuccessfully until a photograph sent to Slonsky anonymously helps to identify not only the victim but a well known suspect.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lying and Dying which not only had me laughing out loud but reading selected morsels of dialogue to my husband for his edification and amusement. This is an extremely amusing novel with clever dialogue but the amusement stops there as it is also a serious procedural with a good mystery and an unexpected motive with its roots in the past. It is also extremely informative on Czech post war history and the difficulties of life under a Communist régime.
I found the plot gripping and read the novel in one sitting. Mr Brack is a master of misdirection and just as I was getting used to one reality he inserts another twist and takes his plot in another direction. I gave up trying to second guess his intentions as I got nowhere. The solution makes a lot of sense to me, in a sort of twisted way (yes, more twists), but I'm not sure if a younger generation who don't remember the Iron Curtain will see it the same way.
The strength of the novel is in the character of Lieutenant Josef Slonsky, a wily operator in a class of his own. His dialogue and ability to incense his colleagues are beyond amusing, they had me in stitches but he is also an extremely savvy investigator and operator and his endeavours in this direction had me gripped. Of course, playing to his stereotype he needs frequent refuelling with sausages and beer particular favourites.
Lying and Dying is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
When the body of a young woman is found strangled beside the railway station Lieutenant Josef Slonsky and his trainee, Navrátilov are given the case. Their first order of business is to establish her identity, unsuccessfully until a photograph sent to Slonsky anonymously helps to identify not only the victim but a well known suspect.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lying and Dying which not only had me laughing out loud but reading selected morsels of dialogue to my husband for his edification and amusement. This is an extremely amusing novel with clever dialogue but the amusement stops there as it is also a serious procedural with a good mystery and an unexpected motive with its roots in the past. It is also extremely informative on Czech post war history and the difficulties of life under a Communist régime.
I found the plot gripping and read the novel in one sitting. Mr Brack is a master of misdirection and just as I was getting used to one reality he inserts another twist and takes his plot in another direction. I gave up trying to second guess his intentions as I got nowhere. The solution makes a lot of sense to me, in a sort of twisted way (yes, more twists), but I'm not sure if a younger generation who don't remember the Iron Curtain will see it the same way.
The strength of the novel is in the character of Lieutenant Josef Slonsky, a wily operator in a class of his own. His dialogue and ability to incense his colleagues are beyond amusing, they had me in stitches but he is also an extremely savvy investigator and operator and his endeavours in this direction had me gripped. Of course, playing to his stereotype he needs frequent refuelling with sausages and beer particular favourites.
Lying and Dying is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 14, 2022
I loved this book - the characters are mostly likable, lots of humor and surprises, and an interesting story. Lieutenant Josef Slonský is a pretty likable character most of the time, smart, and completely keeps out of the limelight as much as possible. Although he often seems only to care about eating and drinking, he's a good cop. And I like that he often gives credit to others, even when they didn't do anything, just because they need it more than him. Early on, he's described thusly: "Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever." And this is by design, not incompetence. I also like that he is always polite, even when insulting someone. He rarely seems to get angry, or at least doesn't show it (although the ending...).
He definitely has his own way of doing things, and sometimes they seem dumb, but he always has some strange reasoning. One example is when they were on a stakeout, and his partner asked him why. He said there was a tip about some guns being sold, from another policeman's brother. But the tip didn't come from the policeman, but was seen in his log book. Turns out they get a lot of tips this way, but none of them turn out to be true. This is because the tips are actually provided by Slonský, and he does it as an excuse to be away from the station while some group is there investigating something or other.
I'm looking forward to reading more of the series soon.
He definitely has his own way of doing things, and sometimes they seem dumb, but he always has some strange reasoning. One example is when they were on a stakeout, and his partner asked him why. He said there was a tip about some guns being sold, from another policeman's brother. But the tip didn't come from the policeman, but was seen in his log book. Turns out they get a lot of tips this way, but none of them turn out to be true. This is because the tips are actually provided by Slonský, and he does it as an excuse to be away from the station while some group is there investigating something or other.
I'm looking forward to reading more of the series soon.
August 9, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Sapere Books for this arc.
What's not to love in a book featuring a crusty curmudgeon? Who's both smart and a real smart-a** too?
And he can eat anything, any time and every where!
Slonsky is breaking in a new detective Navratil. If Navratil doesn't suffer whiplash from keeping up with Slonsky's thought processes, he's bound to suffer from the diet. Slonsky is smart, crafty, manilipulative and logical. The characters make this book. The story was pretty good, too.
I kept being reminded of Andrea Camilleri's Montanlbano books. and will keep my eye out for additional books by the author.
4.5 stars rounded up
What's not to love in a book featuring a crusty curmudgeon? Who's both smart and a real smart-a** too?
And he can eat anything, any time and every where!
Slonsky is breaking in a new detective Navratil. If Navratil doesn't suffer whiplash from keeping up with Slonsky's thought processes, he's bound to suffer from the diet. Slonsky is smart, crafty, manilipulative and logical. The characters make this book. The story was pretty good, too.
I kept being reminded of Andrea Camilleri's Montanlbano books. and will keep my eye out for additional books by the author.
4.5 stars rounded up
September 27, 2018
No matter how many crime books you've read, I doubt very much if you have EVER read one like this!!
The discovery of a young woman's body at the side of the road in Prague means a new case for Lieutenant Josef Slonský. His new partner, Navrátil is raw and keen to learn -a blank canvas for Slonský to mould to his way of doing things. With what little clues there are pointing further up the political chain, these two have their work cut out.
Josef Slonský isn't your usual detective; get-up-and-go aren't words in his vocabulary. Favouring a more laid back approach with regular food breaks, young Navrátil is more than a little puzzled at his unorthodox methods but never underestimate Slonský. His years of experience haven't been wasted - why take three steps when one will do? 'Wry humour' is spot on in regards to the lieutenant; this story is full of amusing moments and it's easy to get distracted but this is a fine mystery and one the reader would do well to pay attention to. Josef Slonský is a man who misses nothing, and has many ways of getting what he wants even - no, especially - from his superiors and this is a very entertaining read. The author paints a vivid picture of this murder and the investigation, and it's an enjoyable novel. The ending is not to be missed!
My thanks to Sapere Books for both my copy and inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
The discovery of a young woman's body at the side of the road in Prague means a new case for Lieutenant Josef Slonský. His new partner, Navrátil is raw and keen to learn -a blank canvas for Slonský to mould to his way of doing things. With what little clues there are pointing further up the political chain, these two have their work cut out.
Josef Slonský isn't your usual detective; get-up-and-go aren't words in his vocabulary. Favouring a more laid back approach with regular food breaks, young Navrátil is more than a little puzzled at his unorthodox methods but never underestimate Slonský. His years of experience haven't been wasted - why take three steps when one will do? 'Wry humour' is spot on in regards to the lieutenant; this story is full of amusing moments and it's easy to get distracted but this is a fine mystery and one the reader would do well to pay attention to. Josef Slonský is a man who misses nothing, and has many ways of getting what he wants even - no, especially - from his superiors and this is a very entertaining read. The author paints a vivid picture of this murder and the investigation, and it's an enjoyable novel. The ending is not to be missed!
My thanks to Sapere Books for both my copy and inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
June 25, 2023
Having found this author through his other respected series, I was keen to explore the Czech Police in Prague.
“Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever. Although he was a lieutenant, he never expected to make captain, and did not care one bit.”
He is an unconventional detective but clever and after following laws he didn’t always believe in; he has reached a time his life when he now seeks justice.
Slonský is a riot and the undoubted star of this novel, closely followed by young detective, Navrátil who is being mentored by the old warhorse.
This is an open and shut case and initially I thought it was going to follow the plot of ‘Presumed Innocent’. The opening third rattles along and Slonský is a delight with his acerbic wit, sarcasm and unorthodox methods.
The middle section gets a little bogged down as the plot becomes technical and the investigation seems to be treading water.
The conclusion is brilliant and with a twist or two that will satisfy and shock most readers.
The banter and ways of Slonský may not carry every reader for him, but it makes for a refreshing read and a short distraction to one’s reading. The plot is convincing and the tension builds throughout. A good crime thriller and excellent police procedural all the more interesting as it is set in another country from the usual books out there.
“Josef Slonský had been a policeman in Prague for nearly forty years, working his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever. Although he was a lieutenant, he never expected to make captain, and did not care one bit.”
He is an unconventional detective but clever and after following laws he didn’t always believe in; he has reached a time his life when he now seeks justice.
Slonský is a riot and the undoubted star of this novel, closely followed by young detective, Navrátil who is being mentored by the old warhorse.
This is an open and shut case and initially I thought it was going to follow the plot of ‘Presumed Innocent’. The opening third rattles along and Slonský is a delight with his acerbic wit, sarcasm and unorthodox methods.
The middle section gets a little bogged down as the plot becomes technical and the investigation seems to be treading water.
The conclusion is brilliant and with a twist or two that will satisfy and shock most readers.
The banter and ways of Slonský may not carry every reader for him, but it makes for a refreshing read and a short distraction to one’s reading. The plot is convincing and the tension builds throughout. A good crime thriller and excellent police procedural all the more interesting as it is set in another country from the usual books out there.
July 17, 2021
Three stars, for a book of this type, means I enjoyed reading it, but it wasn't life-changing or particularly distinctive.
The extent to which one will enjoy this book largely depends on how well one like the main character, Josef Slonsky:
This is because Slonsky is part of nearly every paragraph in the book. He's a relatable sort, clever but lazy, forever ducking off for a beer or a sausage. (After about the twentieth occurrence, though, the joke had worn thin.)
This book felt like it was written by an older person -- a person who still finds a whiff of scandal in drinking beer during working hours, and who finds an extramarital affair giggleworthy. People are having sex! Tee-hee! But for all that, the story is presented quite clearly and about 70% of it made sense. Only in the final few chapters did the logic start to falter.
But then, at the very end, another surprise came rolling out of the author's sleeve, making me re-evaluate all I'd read before.
Enjoyable, if you can overlook some warts in the lead character's character.
The extent to which one will enjoy this book largely depends on how well one like the main character, Josef Slonsky:
You don't get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, partner. You have to work at it. I wasn't born grey, you know. I'm a self-unmade man.
This is because Slonsky is part of nearly every paragraph in the book. He's a relatable sort, clever but lazy, forever ducking off for a beer or a sausage. (After about the twentieth occurrence, though, the joke had worn thin.)
This book felt like it was written by an older person -- a person who still finds a whiff of scandal in drinking beer during working hours, and who finds an extramarital affair giggleworthy. People are having sex! Tee-hee! But for all that, the story is presented quite clearly and about 70% of it made sense. Only in the final few chapters did the logic start to falter.
But then, at the very end, another surprise came rolling out of the author's sleeve, making me re-evaluate all I'd read before.
Enjoyable, if you can overlook some warts in the lead character's character.
April 13, 2020
This series seems to be just the thing to lighten the mood as it portrays a sarcastic Lieutenant Slonsky mentoring a young pup on how to survive policing in postwar Prague. It is pretty darn near close to slapstick. This book kicks off with a murder investigation of young woman and it takes some very interesting turns.
As Slonsky is reaching retirement age it remains to be seen if he will continue as sidekick to young Navratil, but having read the introduction to the second book I know the answer to that threat.
Kindle Unlimited
As Slonsky is reaching retirement age it remains to be seen if he will continue as sidekick to young Navratil, but having read the introduction to the second book I know the answer to that threat.
Kindle Unlimited
January 21, 2020
It was a fun read, with lots of wry humor. I like detective series with world weary detectives who have a great sense of humor. This is the first in a series, and it takes place in Prague. I loved reading about a city I have visited. The twists are a little outrageous, but didn't spoil the fun for me.
September 28, 2019
First part kind of dragged for me, but I liked the detectives well enough to keep going. Later part of the book saw more action, which makes me interested in reading the next one.
In a sense, these guys reminded me of (a less cerebral) Morse and Lewis.
In a sense, these guys reminded me of (a less cerebral) Morse and Lewis.
June 29, 2022
A very pleasant surprise. Great characterisations.
October 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️+
Lying and Dying by Graham Brack is the first in a series set in the early 2000’s in the Czech Republic. Josef Slonsky is a lieutenant detective in the police force in Prague. He is pushing 60, has lived the first half of his career in a Communist regime, and is, of course, a little quirky. (Aren’t they all?) He’s overweight, loves to eat sausages, pancakes and pastries. He’s viewed as somewhat lazy by his colleagues and is frequently threatened with forced retirement by his boss. The deal is that he takes on a newbie to train; enter Navratil, young, intelligent, earnest and devout. They make for an interesting team.
This book was full of dark humor while they solved the crime. I enjoyed that it was set in an Eastern European culture, something new for me. The methods used to resolve the murder I’ve not seen before in any other crime/mystery book I’ve read, but then again, it’s not a genre I read too often. This book and the next one in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited for any KU readers out there. I may eventually get to the 2nd book in the series, but not any time soon.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #93 of 125
Lying and Dying by Graham Brack is the first in a series set in the early 2000’s in the Czech Republic. Josef Slonsky is a lieutenant detective in the police force in Prague. He is pushing 60, has lived the first half of his career in a Communist regime, and is, of course, a little quirky. (Aren’t they all?) He’s overweight, loves to eat sausages, pancakes and pastries. He’s viewed as somewhat lazy by his colleagues and is frequently threatened with forced retirement by his boss. The deal is that he takes on a newbie to train; enter Navratil, young, intelligent, earnest and devout. They make for an interesting team.
This book was full of dark humor while they solved the crime. I enjoyed that it was set in an Eastern European culture, something new for me. The methods used to resolve the murder I’ve not seen before in any other crime/mystery book I’ve read, but then again, it’s not a genre I read too often. This book and the next one in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited for any KU readers out there. I may eventually get to the 2nd book in the series, but not any time soon.
Goodreads 2025 Challenge - Book #93 of 125
April 11, 2019
This is an impressive debut. The novel in set in the Czech Republic in the early 2000s. The protagonist is Josef Slonský ‘who has been a policeman in Prague for nearly 40 years working, his way up from the lowest of the low to a position of almost no influence whatsoever.’ One of his primary ambitions is ‘needling his superiors just enough to satisfy his sense of insubordination without leaving him vulnerable to reprisals. In this he had done remarkably well.’ This is a character who is bent on enjoying himself and staving off retirement as long as possible.
For the first time in his life has been asked to mentor a new recruit. ‘Lots of people told Navrátil that Slonský was a good cop. None of them actually wanted to work with him, but they were all agreed that he was a good cop.’”
The training consists of such dialogue:
‘Sorry, sir. Thought you had something to do.’ ‘I did. And I did it. First rule of police work, Navrátil: never miss a chance to splash your boots. Who knows when it’ll come round again?”
“ ‘Should I call a pathologist?’ ‘Bit late for a bloody dentist.’”
When they have to participate in an autopsy of a woman , Navrátil is asked to get any young woman so she could give an expert opinion, which she does.
“‘Shall I ask the motor licensing authorities to give us lists of owners of beige BMWs and Mercedes?’ ‘Navrátil, do you like watching paint dry? There’ll be thousands, and we can’t say for sure it was beige.’”
“‘You’ll have to learn to watch the eyes, Navrátil. You see, lad, villains lie. I’ve complained about it to Captain Lukas, but that’s just the way it is.’”
“’…You don’t get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, Navrátil. You have to work at it. I wasn’t born grey, you know. I’m a self-unmade man’”
“‘Why are we drinking anyway? We don’t have anything to celebrate.’ ‘That’s not the only reason for a drink, Navrátil. If you only drank to celebrate the Czech Republic wouldn’t have much of a brewing industry.’”
As you can see their interaction is hilarious but that should not give the impression that Slonský is not a good policeman. His whole character has been moulded by the fact that for many years he was a policeman under Communist rule when he was forced to carry out unpleasant orders. He has now decided that he will make sure that he carries out his duties as best as can. Of course, in his own inimitable way: “’..your generation labours under the disadvantage of not having grown up under Communism. For people of my age, rampant cynicism comes naturally. We always disregard the obvious and assume that things are not what they seem.’”
“’Fancy snatching the Minister’s cup like that.’ ‘It’s evidence. His DNA will be on it.’ ‘You could have asked him to give a swab.’ ‘Men like him don’t give swabs. He’d probably get an underling to do it for him.’ ‘Do you seriously expect to get a match with the swab from that young lady?’ ‘No. He’s probably got an underling who does that for him too.’”
“‘The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navrátil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.’”
“’… But nothing untoward, Slonský! I don’t want this enquiry threatened by an excess of zeal on your part.’ ‘Thank you very much, sir. I’ve never been accused of an excess of zeal before.’”
I do not know how Czechs feel about how they are described in this book but for the rest of us it is a very enjoyable read but the plot itself is not satisfactory.
Three more books in this series have been published and they are all delightful.
For the first time in his life has been asked to mentor a new recruit. ‘Lots of people told Navrátil that Slonský was a good cop. None of them actually wanted to work with him, but they were all agreed that he was a good cop.’”
The training consists of such dialogue:
‘Sorry, sir. Thought you had something to do.’ ‘I did. And I did it. First rule of police work, Navrátil: never miss a chance to splash your boots. Who knows when it’ll come round again?”
“ ‘Should I call a pathologist?’ ‘Bit late for a bloody dentist.’”
When they have to participate in an autopsy of a woman , Navrátil is asked to get any young woman so she could give an expert opinion, which she does.
“‘Shall I ask the motor licensing authorities to give us lists of owners of beige BMWs and Mercedes?’ ‘Navrátil, do you like watching paint dry? There’ll be thousands, and we can’t say for sure it was beige.’”
“‘You’ll have to learn to watch the eyes, Navrátil. You see, lad, villains lie. I’ve complained about it to Captain Lukas, but that’s just the way it is.’”
“’…You don’t get to be as nondescript as I am by accident, Navrátil. You have to work at it. I wasn’t born grey, you know. I’m a self-unmade man’”
“‘Why are we drinking anyway? We don’t have anything to celebrate.’ ‘That’s not the only reason for a drink, Navrátil. If you only drank to celebrate the Czech Republic wouldn’t have much of a brewing industry.’”
As you can see their interaction is hilarious but that should not give the impression that Slonský is not a good policeman. His whole character has been moulded by the fact that for many years he was a policeman under Communist rule when he was forced to carry out unpleasant orders. He has now decided that he will make sure that he carries out his duties as best as can. Of course, in his own inimitable way: “’..your generation labours under the disadvantage of not having grown up under Communism. For people of my age, rampant cynicism comes naturally. We always disregard the obvious and assume that things are not what they seem.’”
“’Fancy snatching the Minister’s cup like that.’ ‘It’s evidence. His DNA will be on it.’ ‘You could have asked him to give a swab.’ ‘Men like him don’t give swabs. He’d probably get an underling to do it for him.’ ‘Do you seriously expect to get a match with the swab from that young lady?’ ‘No. He’s probably got an underling who does that for him too.’”
“‘The Minister told us to redouble our efforts, Navrátil. So we’re going for two beers and two sausages.’”
“’… But nothing untoward, Slonský! I don’t want this enquiry threatened by an excess of zeal on your part.’ ‘Thank you very much, sir. I’ve never been accused of an excess of zeal before.’”
I do not know how Czechs feel about how they are described in this book but for the rest of us it is a very enjoyable read but the plot itself is not satisfactory.
Three more books in this series have been published and they are all delightful.
September 24, 2018
A brilliant read and first time with this author. Vivid sense of time and place. Dark story line, interspersed with humour. Interesting dynamic between the two main characters. More in depth review on the blog tour
August 16, 2018
I really enjoyed the setting of this book (Prague). I found this book to also move quickly because of the snappy dialogue, which I also enjoyed. You get a real feel for the characters because of their banter, and it makes it an engaging way to move through the whodunnit of this book.
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