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Detective Balthazar Kovacs Danube Blues #1
District VIII
Set in the long, hot Hungarian summer of 2015—and revealing the hidden, criminal world beneath Budapest’s glittering facade—District VIII is the first novel in the new Detective Balthazar Kovacs mystery series.
Life’s tough for a Gypsy detective in Budapest. The cops don’t trust you because you’re a Gypsy. Your fellow Gypsies, even your own family, shun you because you’re a cop.
The dead, however, don't care. So when Balthazar Kovacs, a detective in the city's murder squad, gets a mysterious text message on his phone, he gulps down his coffee and goes to work. The message has two parts: a photograph and an address. The photograph shows a man, in his early thirties, lying on his back with his eyes open, half-covered by a blue plastic sheet. The address is 26 Republic Square, the former Communist Party headquarters, and once the most feared building in the country. But when Kovacs arrives at Republic Square, the body is gone...
Inspired by true events, the novel takes the reader to a hidden city within Budapest and an underworld that visitors never get to see: the gritty back alleys of District VIII; the endemic corruption that reaches deep into government as officials plunder state coffers at will; a rule of law bent to serve the interests of the rich and powerful; the rising power of international organized crime gangs who use the Hungarian capital as a springboard for their European operations; and a troubling look at the ghosts of Communism (and Nazism) that still haunt Budapest.
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2017
49 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Adam LeBor
17 books87 followersAdam LeBor was born in London and read Arabic, international history and politics at Leeds University, graduating in 1983, and also studied Arabic at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He worked for several British newspapers before becoming a foreign correspondent in 1991. He has reported from thirty countries, including Israel and Palestine, and covered the Yugoslav wars for The Times of London and The Independent. Currently Central Europe correspondent for The Times of London, he also writes for the Sunday Times, The Econdomist, Literary Review, Condé Nast Traveller, the Jewish Chronicle, New Statesman and Harry's Place in Britain, and contributes to The Nation and the New York Times in the States. He is the author of seven books, including the best-selling Hitler's Secret Bankers, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. His books have been published in nine languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 1, 2017
This is wonderful crime fiction set in Budapest, Hungary, featuring Gypsy Detective Balthazar 'Tazi' Kovacs, a member of the Budapest Murder Squad. Kovacs's Roma background brings him a partial ostracism from his family and the Roma, although the fierce bonds of family and blood are unbreakable, particularly given the way the Roma face endemic prejudice from society and the police. Balthazar is sent a photograph of a dead migrant man from an unknown source. When he arrives at the scene, the body has disappeared, although he manages to retrieve a sim card as evidence. He is warned off by the brutal and unaccountable Gendarmerie, a recently formed force reporting solely to the Prime Minister and his elite circle. This story portrays the complex Hungarian social and political history from the persecution of the Jews and Roma, Nazism and Communism, to the secret police and intense surveillance, all of which inform the present. Sandor Takacs, the Head of the Murder Squad, sanctions Kovacs to investigate, but off the books, given the political dangers.
There is a migrant crisis at Keleti Station as Western Europe closes its borders to the refugees. The politics of fear becomes poisonous as the corrupt political parties take advantage and the violent MNF, the Hungarian National Front, go on the rampage. Kovacs is sent a message when he is badly beaten up to stop looking into the death. He joins forces with his ex-girlfriend, Eniko, a journalist. Human trafficking is a growing problem as is the selling of passports, ISIS involvement brings unwelcome attention to the current government from the British and American security services. The various competing criminal elements have been profiting from the refugee crisis, and this includes Balthazar's brother, Gaspar, who proves to be a valuable source of information. As the story progresses, the involvement of the state intelligence agency becomes apparent, so too does the dirty politics whilst Eniko and Balthazar find themselves in grave danger as they get closer to the truth.
Lebor has written a tense and thrilling novel that reveals the state of contemporary Hungary, influenced heavily by its geographical proximity to troubled states and its own history. He creates an interesting and complicated protagonist in Kovacs, the double outsider, who gives us unique insight into how the Roma are treated and insights into the Roma community and culture. The corrupt government that behind the scenes swindles the European Community is portrayed through the actions of the PM and the difficulties that the Justice Minister finds herself in. The overwhelming strengths of this book lie in Balthazar and the author's expert knowledge of Hungary. A wonderful and atmospheric read that I highly recommend. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
There is a migrant crisis at Keleti Station as Western Europe closes its borders to the refugees. The politics of fear becomes poisonous as the corrupt political parties take advantage and the violent MNF, the Hungarian National Front, go on the rampage. Kovacs is sent a message when he is badly beaten up to stop looking into the death. He joins forces with his ex-girlfriend, Eniko, a journalist. Human trafficking is a growing problem as is the selling of passports, ISIS involvement brings unwelcome attention to the current government from the British and American security services. The various competing criminal elements have been profiting from the refugee crisis, and this includes Balthazar's brother, Gaspar, who proves to be a valuable source of information. As the story progresses, the involvement of the state intelligence agency becomes apparent, so too does the dirty politics whilst Eniko and Balthazar find themselves in grave danger as they get closer to the truth.
Lebor has written a tense and thrilling novel that reveals the state of contemporary Hungary, influenced heavily by its geographical proximity to troubled states and its own history. He creates an interesting and complicated protagonist in Kovacs, the double outsider, who gives us unique insight into how the Roma are treated and insights into the Roma community and culture. The corrupt government that behind the scenes swindles the European Community is portrayed through the actions of the PM and the difficulties that the Justice Minister finds herself in. The overwhelming strengths of this book lie in Balthazar and the author's expert knowledge of Hungary. A wonderful and atmospheric read that I highly recommend. Many thanks to Head of Zeus for an ARC.
October 1, 2017
3.5 stars to reflect a stalled plot but fascinating portrait of contemporary Budapest
What is abundantly clear is that LeBor knows Hungary and one of the great pleasures of this book is his portrait of Budapest with its complicated history of Nazi then Soviet occupations, its proximity to the troubled Balkan states, and its front-line position as a border to the Schengen area. Most of this story is set against that distressing moment in 2015 when crowds of refugees were held as international trains out of Hungary were stopped and Keleti station was turned into a reluctant makeshift refugee camp.
In the foreground, we have a story of high-level government corruption, greed, exploitation and cover-ups - the problem, though, is that the whole plot is exposed very early on and there's nothing to develop. Our hero and heroine, a Gypsy cop and a female journalist, are an attractive pair, perhaps idealised, and both do a lot of rushing around chasing contacts which allows LeBor to give us detailed portraits of underground/organised crime syndicates, and government-sponsored private police/militia.
There are clunky info-dump moments throughout as LeBor fills us in on Hungarian language and culture. I actually found this almost more interesting than the stalled plot but it's sometimes placed in an almost comical manner: for example, in the middle of a police car-chase we're treated to a mini lecture on Gypsy music: 'The band was the best known Gypsy orchestra in the world. For a moment he was back at home on Jozsef Street, a teenage boy listening to his older brother Melchior as he explained how during the Ottoman empire, Gypsy musicians had marched into battle alongside the soldiers, which was why, even now, bands like Boban Markovic had a distinctly martial rhythm.' Fascinating stuff, just not in the middle of a high-speed chase!
So overall I enjoyed this book but perhaps for the wrong reasons. The writing is slick, the characterisation deft, the politics dirty and realistic - if you're looking for a speedy, twisting plot then this might not satisfy, but I loved the rounded portrait of a city that I've never visited.
Thanks to House of Zeus for an ARC via NetGalley
But no Hungarian politician ever went to prison, no matter how corrupt they were and how strong the evidence against them. That was the one rule of engagement that all sides agreed on, whoever was in power
What is abundantly clear is that LeBor knows Hungary and one of the great pleasures of this book is his portrait of Budapest with its complicated history of Nazi then Soviet occupations, its proximity to the troubled Balkan states, and its front-line position as a border to the Schengen area. Most of this story is set against that distressing moment in 2015 when crowds of refugees were held as international trains out of Hungary were stopped and Keleti station was turned into a reluctant makeshift refugee camp.
In the foreground, we have a story of high-level government corruption, greed, exploitation and cover-ups - the problem, though, is that the whole plot is exposed very early on and there's nothing to develop. Our hero and heroine, a Gypsy cop and a female journalist, are an attractive pair, perhaps idealised, and both do a lot of rushing around chasing contacts which allows LeBor to give us detailed portraits of underground/organised crime syndicates, and government-sponsored private police/militia.
There are clunky info-dump moments throughout as LeBor fills us in on Hungarian language and culture. I actually found this almost more interesting than the stalled plot but it's sometimes placed in an almost comical manner: for example, in the middle of a police car-chase we're treated to a mini lecture on Gypsy music: 'The band was the best known Gypsy orchestra in the world. For a moment he was back at home on Jozsef Street, a teenage boy listening to his older brother Melchior as he explained how during the Ottoman empire, Gypsy musicians had marched into battle alongside the soldiers, which was why, even now, bands like Boban Markovic had a distinctly martial rhythm.' Fascinating stuff, just not in the middle of a high-speed chase!
So overall I enjoyed this book but perhaps for the wrong reasons. The writing is slick, the characterisation deft, the politics dirty and realistic - if you're looking for a speedy, twisting plot then this might not satisfy, but I loved the rounded portrait of a city that I've never visited.
Thanks to House of Zeus for an ARC via NetGalley
January 29, 2018
Gripping and unusual thriller
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
July 29, 2018
There is all the elements of a cracking crime novel. A quirky lead cop - the Gypsy born Inspector Kovacs, his ex but still in the frame talented girlfriend - the journalist Eniko, an exotic locale - Budapest being inundated with refugees, corruption - it starts with the Prime Minister protected by his private security force, foreign interests - Qatar wants to invest in Hungary, the Western world is nervous by the lack of Hungarian passport controls, a sordid underworld of gangsters - including Kovacs' brother and a wanted terrorist.
And I think that is the main problem with too much going on. The story also slows at times with snippets of Hungarian history and back stories of the many characters.
The makings of a top series is there, it'll be interesting to see how this one develops.
And I think that is the main problem with too much going on. The story also slows at times with snippets of Hungarian history and back stories of the many characters.
The makings of a top series is there, it'll be interesting to see how this one develops.
January 30, 2018
Gripping and unusual thriller
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
May 25, 2020
District VIII is a deep dive into the political underworld of modern day Hungary, centred around the refugee humanitarian crisis of 2015. Keleti Station, central Budapest was the epicenter of this and the images that were broadcast at the time are ones that unsurprisingly were etched into my memory and brought back to consciousness when reading this book. Adam LeBor absolutely knows Hungary and Budapest as is evident in the depth of description of the city and its history. After reading I feel like I could walk into the city and find my way around and understand certain ways of being and specific landmarks. I must admit I love a book that does that and LeBor did this perfectly.
The main character, Balthazar Kovacs is a young Hungarian man, a policeman, a gypsy, a father - multiple elements to his identity and the book insightfully teases out the Roma culture, the discrimination, marginalization and differences between this and the dominant culture. Balthazar straddles these two worlds and highlights the struggles of doing so in an authentic way. He is a likable character and I would have liked to see his character even further developed.
The plot is full of political intrigue and while not difficult to read I must admit I found myself struggling to work out exactly what had transpired when I finished the book. The political dramas were exactly that - corruption at highest levels and outcomes that serve those in power.
One thing I really loved was the little glimpses into Hungarian and Roma culture, snippets of language, sayings and ways of being, especially in a post communist Hungary. I loved this read and look forward to the next one.
The main character, Balthazar Kovacs is a young Hungarian man, a policeman, a gypsy, a father - multiple elements to his identity and the book insightfully teases out the Roma culture, the discrimination, marginalization and differences between this and the dominant culture. Balthazar straddles these two worlds and highlights the struggles of doing so in an authentic way. He is a likable character and I would have liked to see his character even further developed.
The plot is full of political intrigue and while not difficult to read I must admit I found myself struggling to work out exactly what had transpired when I finished the book. The political dramas were exactly that - corruption at highest levels and outcomes that serve those in power.
One thing I really loved was the little glimpses into Hungarian and Roma culture, snippets of language, sayings and ways of being, especially in a post communist Hungary. I loved this read and look forward to the next one.
January 31, 2023
Budapest, Spätsommer 2015: Auf dem Höhepunkt der Flüchtlingskrise stranden viele Flüchtlinge in der ungarischen Hauptstadt. Besonders prekär ist die Situation rund um den Bahnhof Keleti pályaudvar. Der Kommissar Balthazar Kovács erhält von einer unbekannten Nummer eine Nummer mit einer Adresse und einem Foto, das einen leblosen, wahrscheinlich toten Mann zeigt, den äußeren Merkmalen nach vermutlich ein Flüchtling. Doch als Balthazar das Gelände erreicht, ein Trümmergrundstück, ist dort keine Leiche. Stattdessen tauchen ein paar finstere Gestalten der Gendarmerie auf, eine neue Polizeieinheit direkt dem Ministerpräsidenten unterstellt, und macht Balthazar klar, dass er hier nicht zu suchen hat. Doch er konnte vorher unbemerkt noch eine SIM-Karte sicherstellen.
Zeitgleich hat auch Eniko Szalai, Journalistin eines erfolgreichen Online-Magazins und Exfreundin von Balthazar, das Foto erhalten und kann bei Recherchen rund um den Keleti eine junge Syrerin ausfindig machen, die ihren Mann vermisst. Wie sich herausstellt, ist auf dem Foto Simon Nazir aus Aleppo. Er konnte seiner Frau nur noch einen Zettel mit dem Wort „Gärtner“ hinterlassen. Hinter dem „Gärtner“ verbirgt sich ein Krimineller, Folterer und Islamist, der nun offenbar in Budapest gesehen wurde. Als Balthazar im Keleti-Bahnhof von Unbekannten verprügelt wird und Enikos Handy im Tumult entwendet wird, arbeiten beide zusammen. Sie müssen nach und nach feststellen, dass die ganze Sache viel größere Ausmaße hat als angenommen, bis hin zum Ministerpräsidenten und der Justizministerin.
Dem Leser wird dies schon früher klar, denn Adam LeBor erzählt aus verschiedenen Perspektiven und schnell wird klar, das Ministerpräsident Pálkovics und Justizministerin Bárdossy ihr eigenes Süppchen kochen, es geht um Geschäfte mit arabischen Investoren, Schwarzgeldkonten, offizielle ungarische Pässe, die illegal ausgestellt werden, radikale Islamisten, die mit dem Flüchtlingsstrom in den Westen einreisen, Geschäfte mit illegalen Schleppern. Auch ausländische Geheimdienste sind involviert sowie kriminelle Banden in Budapest. In dieser Gemengelage stechen Balthazar und Eniko in ein Wespennest, werden aber auch teilweise von Dritten zum eigenen Vorteil benutzt.
„Aber jetzt zählte Budapest wieder, was bedeutete, sie brauchten sie. Internationale Verbrecherbanden hatten ihre Hauptquartiere in der Stadt aufgeschlagen, […]. Budapest war ein Tor zum Westen – für jeden, von den Triaden Hongkongs bis zu korrupten amerikanischen Konzernen… und jetzt auch noch für Dschihadisten.“ (Auszug E-Book, Pos. 3999)
Das Herausstechende an diesem Roman ist sicherlich die verschiedenen prägnanten Figuren, allen voran die Hauptfigur Balthazar Kovács. Balthazar zählt als Rom zu den Minderheiten in Ungarn und Außenseitern im Polizeiapparat. Umgekehrt aber auch als Polizist in der eigenen Familie, zumal sein Bruder Gáspár eine der Unterweltgrößen Budapests ist. Der Autor beschreibt diese Verhältnisse sehr versiert, gibt immer wieder Einblicke in die Kultur und die Tradition der Roma, ohne Probleme zu verklären. Gleichzeitig zeichnet er ein facettenreiches Bild von Budapest, insbesondere vom titelgebenden XIII. Bezirk, ein Gründerzeitviertel, immer noch zahlreich von Minderheiten bewohnt.
„District VIII“ beginnt mit der Suche nach einer verschwundenen Leiche und einem Mörder, weitet sich aber schnell zu einem rasanten Politthriller mit Verschwörungsszenario aus. Trotz zahlreicher Spannungsszenen nimmt sich Adam LeBor aber Zeit für die Hintergründe seiner Figuren und der Schilderung einer sehr ambivalenten ungarischen Gesellschaft zwischen Demokratie, Korruption, Freiheit, Gastfreundschaft und Rassismus sowie den wachsenden Einflüssen von außen. LeBor widersteht dem simplen Manöver, die Figur des fiktiven Ministerpräsidenten Victor Orban nachzuempfinden, sondern installiert stattdessen einen fiktiven Sozialdemokraten (und Ex-Kommunisten), um zu zeigen, dass das Problem der schwierigen Demokratie und kleptokratischen Politikerkaste mitnichten an einer Partei festzumachen ist. Bei minimalen Abstrichen (etwa der Überspitzung mancher Szenen oder etwas zu ausführlichem kulturellem Dozieren) gelingt dem Autor, der viele Jahre als britischer Korrespondent in Ungarn tätig war, eine lesenswerte Mischung aus Krimi und politischem Thriller mit einem sehr spannenden Setting. Drei Romane um Balthazar Kovács (der englische Verlag scheut nicht den Begriff „Gypsy Cop“) hat Adam LeBor bereits veröffentlicht, bleibt zu hoffen, dass diese bald ebenfalls in deutscher Übersetzung erscheinen.
Zeitgleich hat auch Eniko Szalai, Journalistin eines erfolgreichen Online-Magazins und Exfreundin von Balthazar, das Foto erhalten und kann bei Recherchen rund um den Keleti eine junge Syrerin ausfindig machen, die ihren Mann vermisst. Wie sich herausstellt, ist auf dem Foto Simon Nazir aus Aleppo. Er konnte seiner Frau nur noch einen Zettel mit dem Wort „Gärtner“ hinterlassen. Hinter dem „Gärtner“ verbirgt sich ein Krimineller, Folterer und Islamist, der nun offenbar in Budapest gesehen wurde. Als Balthazar im Keleti-Bahnhof von Unbekannten verprügelt wird und Enikos Handy im Tumult entwendet wird, arbeiten beide zusammen. Sie müssen nach und nach feststellen, dass die ganze Sache viel größere Ausmaße hat als angenommen, bis hin zum Ministerpräsidenten und der Justizministerin.
Dem Leser wird dies schon früher klar, denn Adam LeBor erzählt aus verschiedenen Perspektiven und schnell wird klar, das Ministerpräsident Pálkovics und Justizministerin Bárdossy ihr eigenes Süppchen kochen, es geht um Geschäfte mit arabischen Investoren, Schwarzgeldkonten, offizielle ungarische Pässe, die illegal ausgestellt werden, radikale Islamisten, die mit dem Flüchtlingsstrom in den Westen einreisen, Geschäfte mit illegalen Schleppern. Auch ausländische Geheimdienste sind involviert sowie kriminelle Banden in Budapest. In dieser Gemengelage stechen Balthazar und Eniko in ein Wespennest, werden aber auch teilweise von Dritten zum eigenen Vorteil benutzt.
„Aber jetzt zählte Budapest wieder, was bedeutete, sie brauchten sie. Internationale Verbrecherbanden hatten ihre Hauptquartiere in der Stadt aufgeschlagen, […]. Budapest war ein Tor zum Westen – für jeden, von den Triaden Hongkongs bis zu korrupten amerikanischen Konzernen… und jetzt auch noch für Dschihadisten.“ (Auszug E-Book, Pos. 3999)
Das Herausstechende an diesem Roman ist sicherlich die verschiedenen prägnanten Figuren, allen voran die Hauptfigur Balthazar Kovács. Balthazar zählt als Rom zu den Minderheiten in Ungarn und Außenseitern im Polizeiapparat. Umgekehrt aber auch als Polizist in der eigenen Familie, zumal sein Bruder Gáspár eine der Unterweltgrößen Budapests ist. Der Autor beschreibt diese Verhältnisse sehr versiert, gibt immer wieder Einblicke in die Kultur und die Tradition der Roma, ohne Probleme zu verklären. Gleichzeitig zeichnet er ein facettenreiches Bild von Budapest, insbesondere vom titelgebenden XIII. Bezirk, ein Gründerzeitviertel, immer noch zahlreich von Minderheiten bewohnt.
„District VIII“ beginnt mit der Suche nach einer verschwundenen Leiche und einem Mörder, weitet sich aber schnell zu einem rasanten Politthriller mit Verschwörungsszenario aus. Trotz zahlreicher Spannungsszenen nimmt sich Adam LeBor aber Zeit für die Hintergründe seiner Figuren und der Schilderung einer sehr ambivalenten ungarischen Gesellschaft zwischen Demokratie, Korruption, Freiheit, Gastfreundschaft und Rassismus sowie den wachsenden Einflüssen von außen. LeBor widersteht dem simplen Manöver, die Figur des fiktiven Ministerpräsidenten Victor Orban nachzuempfinden, sondern installiert stattdessen einen fiktiven Sozialdemokraten (und Ex-Kommunisten), um zu zeigen, dass das Problem der schwierigen Demokratie und kleptokratischen Politikerkaste mitnichten an einer Partei festzumachen ist. Bei minimalen Abstrichen (etwa der Überspitzung mancher Szenen oder etwas zu ausführlichem kulturellem Dozieren) gelingt dem Autor, der viele Jahre als britischer Korrespondent in Ungarn tätig war, eine lesenswerte Mischung aus Krimi und politischem Thriller mit einem sehr spannenden Setting. Drei Romane um Balthazar Kovács (der englische Verlag scheut nicht den Begriff „Gypsy Cop“) hat Adam LeBor bereits veröffentlicht, bleibt zu hoffen, dass diese bald ebenfalls in deutscher Übersetzung erscheinen.
October 23, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Heads of Zeus for an advance copy of District VIII, a stand alone thriller set in Budapest.
Balthazar Kovacs is sent a text with the picture of a dead man. As he tries to investigate he is threatened by members of the Gendarmerie, a newly established police force with unlimited powers and responsible only to the prime minister, who take the case from him. Undeterred, Tazi conducts his own unofficial investigation at some personal cost.
There is no doubt that District VIII is a very informative novel. Mr LeBor has done his homework on both present day and historical Budapest and has created a very atmospheric novel where the city comes alive. It is not, however, the detective novel I thought it would be as it is more a political examination than investigative as it has at its heart terrorism and corruption, subjects which do not interest me. As a result it failed to hold my attention.
Hungary has a serious refugee problem which Mr LeBor exposes knowledgeably and compassionately but no one knows how many of these refugees are terrorists and this is a central theme in the novel, government corruption aiding these terrorists. I'm unsure if the corruption portrayed in the novel is realistic or if I just don't want to believe it could happen but either way it is extremely distasteful. What is apparent is the real suffering of the refugees.
The protagonist, Tazi, is Roma making him an outcast both in his less than law abiding family and in the wider world where the Roma are despised. The upside to this is that he has contacts other detectives don't. He is a pleasant individual but quite colourless in terms of his impact in the novel.
Many readers will enjoy District VIII with its authentic setting and the issues raised in it but it didn't appeal to me and failed to hold my attention.
Balthazar Kovacs is sent a text with the picture of a dead man. As he tries to investigate he is threatened by members of the Gendarmerie, a newly established police force with unlimited powers and responsible only to the prime minister, who take the case from him. Undeterred, Tazi conducts his own unofficial investigation at some personal cost.
There is no doubt that District VIII is a very informative novel. Mr LeBor has done his homework on both present day and historical Budapest and has created a very atmospheric novel where the city comes alive. It is not, however, the detective novel I thought it would be as it is more a political examination than investigative as it has at its heart terrorism and corruption, subjects which do not interest me. As a result it failed to hold my attention.
Hungary has a serious refugee problem which Mr LeBor exposes knowledgeably and compassionately but no one knows how many of these refugees are terrorists and this is a central theme in the novel, government corruption aiding these terrorists. I'm unsure if the corruption portrayed in the novel is realistic or if I just don't want to believe it could happen but either way it is extremely distasteful. What is apparent is the real suffering of the refugees.
The protagonist, Tazi, is Roma making him an outcast both in his less than law abiding family and in the wider world where the Roma are despised. The upside to this is that he has contacts other detectives don't. He is a pleasant individual but quite colourless in terms of his impact in the novel.
Many readers will enjoy District VIII with its authentic setting and the issues raised in it but it didn't appeal to me and failed to hold my attention.
December 12, 2017
Political thriller set in BUDAPEST
Adam LeBor is an exciting writer. He is a foreign correspondent (working, amongst others, for the The Economist and Newsweek) and has actually written more non-fiction than he has fiction. The discipline necessary for a successful journalist comes though very clearly in his work… Everything he writes about is well researched, and essentially believable. He blurs fact and fiction in his stories.
The Rekyavik Assignment, the last book by this author, is set firmly amongst the scheming and machinations of the UN in New York. District VIII is set in Budapest where Adam is now based for half of his time (the other half is in London). It happens in 2015 at the peak of the refugee crisis – with thousands camping out rough close to the main Keleti train station, waiting for transport through to Austria and Germany.
A migrant is killed. A photograph of the body is sent anonymously to Balthazar Kovacs, a detective in the city’s murder squad. When he reaches the scene of the discovery, the body has disappeared – and he is threatened by the dreaded Gendarmarie, an out of control and brutal semi-police unit who report directly into the Prime Minister’s office. Why are they, or perhaps even the Prime Minister, interested in the murder of a humble migrant? What is going on? Balthazar, an anomaly in the police force in that he is a Roma, has strong connections – through his brother – to the Budapest underworld. He uses those connections, and his relationship with investigative journalist, Eniko, to try and find out. His enquiries lead him into a murky world of political intrigue, falsely obtained passports, and large amounts of money and favour changing hands to ensure the safe passage of some pretty unsavoury characters from Syria through to to Western Europe and perhaps onto the States. MI5 and the CIA are taking a keen interest in what is happening.
District VIII is brutal and violent. It is also, for the reader, quite feasible that the events described could actually have happened. Set against the background of the times, nothing seems impossible.
I read District VIII during a recent visit to Budapest (the essence of TripFiction…). I stayed near Heroes Square, and enjoyed wandering the short distances to the iconic Keleti Station, Jozsef Street (where Balthazar was brought up), and John Paul II Square – the former Republic Square where the body was found and where the Communist Party Headquarters used to be situated. I felt I understood a little more about the city and its recent history.
Adam LeBor is an exciting writer. He is a foreign correspondent (working, amongst others, for the The Economist and Newsweek) and has actually written more non-fiction than he has fiction. The discipline necessary for a successful journalist comes though very clearly in his work… Everything he writes about is well researched, and essentially believable. He blurs fact and fiction in his stories.
The Rekyavik Assignment, the last book by this author, is set firmly amongst the scheming and machinations of the UN in New York. District VIII is set in Budapest where Adam is now based for half of his time (the other half is in London). It happens in 2015 at the peak of the refugee crisis – with thousands camping out rough close to the main Keleti train station, waiting for transport through to Austria and Germany.
A migrant is killed. A photograph of the body is sent anonymously to Balthazar Kovacs, a detective in the city’s murder squad. When he reaches the scene of the discovery, the body has disappeared – and he is threatened by the dreaded Gendarmarie, an out of control and brutal semi-police unit who report directly into the Prime Minister’s office. Why are they, or perhaps even the Prime Minister, interested in the murder of a humble migrant? What is going on? Balthazar, an anomaly in the police force in that he is a Roma, has strong connections – through his brother – to the Budapest underworld. He uses those connections, and his relationship with investigative journalist, Eniko, to try and find out. His enquiries lead him into a murky world of political intrigue, falsely obtained passports, and large amounts of money and favour changing hands to ensure the safe passage of some pretty unsavoury characters from Syria through to to Western Europe and perhaps onto the States. MI5 and the CIA are taking a keen interest in what is happening.
District VIII is brutal and violent. It is also, for the reader, quite feasible that the events described could actually have happened. Set against the background of the times, nothing seems impossible.
I read District VIII during a recent visit to Budapest (the essence of TripFiction…). I stayed near Heroes Square, and enjoyed wandering the short distances to the iconic Keleti Station, Jozsef Street (where Balthazar was brought up), and John Paul II Square – the former Republic Square where the body was found and where the Communist Party Headquarters used to be situated. I felt I understood a little more about the city and its recent history.
June 27, 2020
This book can't decide whether it wants to be a crime novel or an encyclopedia of life in Budapest since the 90s. Yes, we get it, the author has been living in Budapest since the fall of Communism and as a journalist knows a lot about the political intricacies, the everyday life and the Hungarian endemic corruption. I appreciated that. However, the level of detail about these things that he gives in the book is disturbing. He is so obsessive compulsive about explaining everything, that we lose track of the crime story. After all, it's a story that happens in a few days, but it felt like endless weeks due to the author's obsession to detail everything (the reader could really live without so many explanations about the names of the streets accessing the Gresham hotel, for example).
On the other hand, the dialogues between the characters (Balthazar and Eniko, for instance) are very basic and one fails to see any chemistry between them. In general, character development is way behind the effort put into the explanations we are given about everything else (streets, corruption, CEU). Besides, Balthazar's career path between his family of pimps, CEU and the Police force is absolutely not credible. I admit though that the general mumbo-jumbo of some CEU people is transmitted quite well (although of course, this is also a cliche - not all CEU people are that shallow and that sketchy).
I could go on and on. Suffice is to say I started this book with a lot of enthusiasm (I am a foreigner in Budapest who studied at CEU and lived in District VIII for 10 years, and I have witnessed the migrants' crisis in 2015). But the enormous level of unnecessary detail in this book made me put it away many times and made it painful to finish it. Seems like the author really wanted to show off his miscellaneous knowledge of life in Budapest. OK, he convinced me about his knowledge, he convinced me that he is a great documentarist (although, after 30 years in the region he should know that not all Romanians or Hungarian Romanians are gypsies or dark skinned). What he doesn't convince me of is that he is a good writer of crime books. Or that he understands the human nature and the dialogue development between people (lovers, former lovers, father-son, neighbours, police frenemies). These are extremely flat characters, with flat conversations and flat motivations. For a successful journalist, Eniko appears very dumb and with a very limited vocabulary.
One final note: the editing of this book leaves a lot to be desired. There are numerous situations of incorrect usage of 'who' vs 'whom', lots of misplaced adjectives. But mostly, I laughed out loud at Eniko's high cheeks, inherited from a 'Tartar ancestor'.
On the other hand, the dialogues between the characters (Balthazar and Eniko, for instance) are very basic and one fails to see any chemistry between them. In general, character development is way behind the effort put into the explanations we are given about everything else (streets, corruption, CEU). Besides, Balthazar's career path between his family of pimps, CEU and the Police force is absolutely not credible. I admit though that the general mumbo-jumbo of some CEU people is transmitted quite well (although of course, this is also a cliche - not all CEU people are that shallow and that sketchy).
I could go on and on. Suffice is to say I started this book with a lot of enthusiasm (I am a foreigner in Budapest who studied at CEU and lived in District VIII for 10 years, and I have witnessed the migrants' crisis in 2015). But the enormous level of unnecessary detail in this book made me put it away many times and made it painful to finish it. Seems like the author really wanted to show off his miscellaneous knowledge of life in Budapest. OK, he convinced me about his knowledge, he convinced me that he is a great documentarist (although, after 30 years in the region he should know that not all Romanians or Hungarian Romanians are gypsies or dark skinned). What he doesn't convince me of is that he is a good writer of crime books. Or that he understands the human nature and the dialogue development between people (lovers, former lovers, father-son, neighbours, police frenemies). These are extremely flat characters, with flat conversations and flat motivations. For a successful journalist, Eniko appears very dumb and with a very limited vocabulary.
One final note: the editing of this book leaves a lot to be desired. There are numerous situations of incorrect usage of 'who' vs 'whom', lots of misplaced adjectives. But mostly, I laughed out loud at Eniko's high cheeks, inherited from a 'Tartar ancestor'.
November 18, 2017
I won this great thriller in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This was a very enjoyable read and made a change to read a thriller set in Budapest. This hardback book will remain in my bookcase for family to enjoy. Recommended.
This was a very enjoyable read and made a change to read a thriller set in Budapest. This hardback book will remain in my bookcase for family to enjoy. Recommended.
January 8, 2020
Intriguing setting and story. I loved the characters.
July 24, 2020
Fascinating portrait of modern Budapest.
January 30, 2018
Gripping and unusual thriller
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
Adam LeBor has created a fascinating character in Gypsy murder detective Balthazar Kovac. Even though he’s a policeman, he’s on the outside, not trusted by his colleagues and shunned by his own family.
When Kovac gets a text message with a photo he’s drawn into a web of government, international organized crime gangs and the ghosts of the Soviet and Nazi era that still haunt Budapest.
LeBor describes the gritty back alleys of District VIII with a knowledge seemingly of having walked these streets on the ground, and his knowledge of the Romany community with its customs and practices adds an extra layer of authenticity and gives the book a rich atmospheric feel.
His characterisations are strong too with menacing criminals, corrupt politicians and truth seeking journalists all described in compelling detail.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it to be quite a page turner. I will be looking out for further works by this author.
I was given a copy of this book to review by the publisher, but wasn’t obliged to provide a positive review.
June 15, 2018
British-Hungarian journalist Adam LeBor, author of other works of fiction and some non-fiction, has begun the "Detective Balthazar Kovacs" series, with the first book, "District VIII". Kovacs is a Gypsy, and in the Budapest Police Department, he's one of a few Gypsies. And the Gypsy community finds it equally odd that he's a cop. LeBor has created a character who moves uneasily between two worlds, but appreciates both.
Adam LeBor begins his story in 2015 Budapest. The country has been caught up in the refugee crisis as more and more people leave their homes in war-torn Syria, looking for asylum in European countries. But the number of refugees - men, women, and children - have reached a critical mass, and much of that mass has settled into Budapest's Keleti train station. Their presence has caused problems in Budapest in all levels of officialdom and criminal circles. A man, a refugee, has been killed and Kovacs assigns himself the case. LeBor's characters mostly reflect back on Kovac's life - his bosses, his family, the Gypsy community, the criminals he's become involved with over the years. All meet in the plot and most affect on the outcome of the case. No one, from the mayor to a street urchin is without a story. There's a fair amount of violence in the book, but most is organic.
Adam LeBor's book is a good, topical story, well told. The refugee crisis in central Europe waxes and wanes as the political uncertainties continue in the mid-east and people try to flee to new lives in safer places. LeBor's book is in no way heavy-handed but does point out certain realities in today's world.
Adam LeBor begins his story in 2015 Budapest. The country has been caught up in the refugee crisis as more and more people leave their homes in war-torn Syria, looking for asylum in European countries. But the number of refugees - men, women, and children - have reached a critical mass, and much of that mass has settled into Budapest's Keleti train station. Their presence has caused problems in Budapest in all levels of officialdom and criminal circles. A man, a refugee, has been killed and Kovacs assigns himself the case. LeBor's characters mostly reflect back on Kovac's life - his bosses, his family, the Gypsy community, the criminals he's become involved with over the years. All meet in the plot and most affect on the outcome of the case. No one, from the mayor to a street urchin is without a story. There's a fair amount of violence in the book, but most is organic.
Adam LeBor's book is a good, topical story, well told. The refugee crisis in central Europe waxes and wanes as the political uncertainties continue in the mid-east and people try to flee to new lives in safer places. LeBor's book is in no way heavy-handed but does point out certain realities in today's world.
October 15, 2025
This series swept me up whole. Earnest yet badass detective. The streets of Budapest. Love. Drama. Hungarian political CHAOS. A magyar nagymama making túrós palacsinta - iykyk. what more could you want!
wish-list-possibles
June 6, 2018Interesting storyline. Pretty good rating.
November 8, 2017
Budapest is a difficult place to be a policeman. A job made all the more challenging if you are, like Balthazar Kovacs, from the Roma community.
When Balthazar receives an anonymous text message concerning a man lying in Republic Square he goes to investigate. But when he gets there the body is gone and Balthazar has only the word of a child that it was removed in an unmarked van. So begins an investigation which leads Balthazar into a complex world of corruption in a city riddled with political intrigue and ruthless criminals.
As a Roma cop, Balthazar belongs to neither one world, nor the other. Although he maintains his links through his brother Gaspar who is now the head of the family Balthazar has become alienated from by his choice to become a policeman. He is a very moral man, but still slips in and out of the Roma community, courtesy of his brother and other Romas who have a soft spot for Balthazar despite his career choice. This means he is able to investigate in areas other policemen cannot, and adds an extra layer to the story.
Eniko Szalay, a journalist with whom Balthazar’s has a past, also becomes involved in the investigation. She is the kind of reporter who is interested in information of high-level people trafficking which involves genuine Hungarian passports and is prepared to keep digging despite the dangers involved. The people being given these passports are those who threaten the safety of not just Hungary but the whole world.
So, District VIII is no ordinary detective novel, but one which weaves in Balthazar’s double life as policeman and Roma as well as the convoluted politics of Hungary as Balthazar and Eniko tread their perilous way through the potentially explosive and dangerous political society of Budapest where few can be trusted and many are using the system to their own ends.
While providing an engaging and thrilling read, District VIII is also a fascinating alternative travel guide of a city with a complex and harrowing history, which has become a hub for those seeking sanctuary in the West.
District VIII was courtesy of Head of Zeus via NetGalley
When Balthazar receives an anonymous text message concerning a man lying in Republic Square he goes to investigate. But when he gets there the body is gone and Balthazar has only the word of a child that it was removed in an unmarked van. So begins an investigation which leads Balthazar into a complex world of corruption in a city riddled with political intrigue and ruthless criminals.
As a Roma cop, Balthazar belongs to neither one world, nor the other. Although he maintains his links through his brother Gaspar who is now the head of the family Balthazar has become alienated from by his choice to become a policeman. He is a very moral man, but still slips in and out of the Roma community, courtesy of his brother and other Romas who have a soft spot for Balthazar despite his career choice. This means he is able to investigate in areas other policemen cannot, and adds an extra layer to the story.
Eniko Szalay, a journalist with whom Balthazar’s has a past, also becomes involved in the investigation. She is the kind of reporter who is interested in information of high-level people trafficking which involves genuine Hungarian passports and is prepared to keep digging despite the dangers involved. The people being given these passports are those who threaten the safety of not just Hungary but the whole world.
So, District VIII is no ordinary detective novel, but one which weaves in Balthazar’s double life as policeman and Roma as well as the convoluted politics of Hungary as Balthazar and Eniko tread their perilous way through the potentially explosive and dangerous political society of Budapest where few can be trusted and many are using the system to their own ends.
While providing an engaging and thrilling read, District VIII is also a fascinating alternative travel guide of a city with a complex and harrowing history, which has become a hub for those seeking sanctuary in the West.
District VIII was courtesy of Head of Zeus via NetGalley
December 5, 2017
This review is also on Goodreads as it appears here:
I received an advance copy of this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As well as being a mystery/thriller, this novel was also really rich in both the history and description of Budapest and the Roma people. Coincidently, I was in Budapest briefly during the time that this novel took place and it definitely brought back memories, especially of the Terror Museum.
The lead character, Balthazar is both cop and Roma and he uses this to his advantage in investigations and also gaining access to the criminal underworld. His character is complex and I found myself wanting to know more about his past. There are many references to his family life, past cases, and love affairs and at one point I thought perhaps that I had missed some books and that this was a series. I'm hoping that he author will continue this series and expand a bit more on Balthazar.
I was a bit overwhelmed and confused at the beginning of the novel. I felt bombarded with all of these characters at once and different storylines. It was was hard to keep straight. Each character also seems to have an elaborate back story as well, which as I said before, is fantastic, but I thought maybe I had missed some books somewhere.
Budapest is described in all its glory, both tragic and beautiful. It's a city so rich in cultural history that is trying to rebuild itself. I could actually re imagine myself taking the tram, or sitting on a bench in the plaza soaking up the sun. That was very well done.
The storyline was interesting but perhaps at times, there was just too much going on and some of the plots got lost.
Overall though, it was an interesting read, and I'd recommend. I'm looking forward to another installment to this series in the future.
I received an advance copy of this through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
As well as being a mystery/thriller, this novel was also really rich in both the history and description of Budapest and the Roma people. Coincidently, I was in Budapest briefly during the time that this novel took place and it definitely brought back memories, especially of the Terror Museum.
The lead character, Balthazar is both cop and Roma and he uses this to his advantage in investigations and also gaining access to the criminal underworld. His character is complex and I found myself wanting to know more about his past. There are many references to his family life, past cases, and love affairs and at one point I thought perhaps that I had missed some books and that this was a series. I'm hoping that he author will continue this series and expand a bit more on Balthazar.
I was a bit overwhelmed and confused at the beginning of the novel. I felt bombarded with all of these characters at once and different storylines. It was was hard to keep straight. Each character also seems to have an elaborate back story as well, which as I said before, is fantastic, but I thought maybe I had missed some books somewhere.
Budapest is described in all its glory, both tragic and beautiful. It's a city so rich in cultural history that is trying to rebuild itself. I could actually re imagine myself taking the tram, or sitting on a bench in the plaza soaking up the sun. That was very well done.
The storyline was interesting but perhaps at times, there was just too much going on and some of the plots got lost.
Overall though, it was an interesting read, and I'd recommend. I'm looking forward to another installment to this series in the future.
November 15, 2017
This book was provided free of charge by Head of Zeus
My thoughts
This book is a cleverly written crime thriller set during the Budapest migrant crisis of 2015, when Keleti Station was closed down to transport for migrants due to the vast numbers arriving there to try and make there way to West Europe.
The characters are brilliantly written and fleshed out with our main character the police detective Balthazar both believable and sympathetic.
The plot is cleverly woven around the true events of people smuggling and political corruption and intrigue. Lebor wastes no time in getting his characters into the thick of things, with secret police, crime bosses and reporters all after the same thing.
Fast paced and with man twists and turns as Balthazar investigates the death of a migrant that the authorities are trying to cover, threats to his life and that of his family ensure that this is a real page turner that you will not want to put down until you reach the end.
This appears to be book one in a series and if Lebor, like most writers gets better with each book, the crime reading public is in for a treat as District VII satisfies every need on a crime story, heroism, villains, corruption and justice, even if that justice is not exactly the justice that would ideally take place.
You won't regret picking this book up!!!
My thoughts
This book is a cleverly written crime thriller set during the Budapest migrant crisis of 2015, when Keleti Station was closed down to transport for migrants due to the vast numbers arriving there to try and make there way to West Europe.
The characters are brilliantly written and fleshed out with our main character the police detective Balthazar both believable and sympathetic.
The plot is cleverly woven around the true events of people smuggling and political corruption and intrigue. Lebor wastes no time in getting his characters into the thick of things, with secret police, crime bosses and reporters all after the same thing.
Fast paced and with man twists and turns as Balthazar investigates the death of a migrant that the authorities are trying to cover, threats to his life and that of his family ensure that this is a real page turner that you will not want to put down until you reach the end.
This appears to be book one in a series and if Lebor, like most writers gets better with each book, the crime reading public is in for a treat as District VII satisfies every need on a crime story, heroism, villains, corruption and justice, even if that justice is not exactly the justice that would ideally take place.
You won't regret picking this book up!!!
July 18, 2020
This was a very good foray into the political and cultural aspects of Budapest. This is a work of fiction, but I could not help feeling that some of the names of the top present politicians were changed to protect the guilty! The writer is very familiar with Budapest and then, on top of that, he has seemingly done his research on the Gypsy population there, and in other countries as well. That made his representation of the Gypsy (Romani) Detective Balthazar Kovacs quite believable. A lot of information is crammed into the book's 356 pages, but I would say that LeBor organized it pretty well. The book ends in an open ended fashion, meaning that, though some major challenges presented in the book are satisfactorily resolved, the ongoing corruption, scheming, greed and power mongering that allowed all those bad things to happen are still there. I assume that those are further explored in book two of this series, Kossuth Square.
On perhaps more of a minor note, at least in the book that I got, there appeared to be very little involvement of a good Copy Editor and or Proof Reader. There were many instances of missing words, articles, misspellings, and other basic things that left me shaking my head.
On perhaps more of a minor note, at least in the book that I got, there appeared to be very little involvement of a good Copy Editor and or Proof Reader. There were many instances of missing words, articles, misspellings, and other basic things that left me shaking my head.
November 20, 2018
District VIII is the first in a new mystery series by Adam Lebor featuring Detective Balthazar Kovacs, a man caught between his Gypsy heritage and his crime family on the one hand, and his law enforcement career and American ex-wife and their son on the other.
Talk about a novel ripped from the headlines!
District VIII is set in the hot Hungarian summer of 2015 when refugees who had fled Aleppo are held up by the Hungarian government at the train station in Budapest and not allowed travel on to Germany.
Lebor explores corruption in the Hungarian government, the criminal underbelly of Budapest, and how communism and even nazism still resonate in this East European country that is now such a draw to tourists from around the globe.
Read my full review over on Criminal Element -- https://www.criminalelement.com/revie...
Talk about a novel ripped from the headlines!
District VIII is set in the hot Hungarian summer of 2015 when refugees who had fled Aleppo are held up by the Hungarian government at the train station in Budapest and not allowed travel on to Germany.
Lebor explores corruption in the Hungarian government, the criminal underbelly of Budapest, and how communism and even nazism still resonate in this East European country that is now such a draw to tourists from around the globe.
Read my full review over on Criminal Element -- https://www.criminalelement.com/revie...
November 16, 2017
A ten a penny thriller involving lies, deceit, political shenanigans and people smuggling. The only aspect that makes it stand out was being based in Budapest. Looks like the start of a series. Doubt I will be back.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
November 20, 2017
A well written book that i enjoyed. It is the first time that i have read any books by this author and hopefully it will not be my last. Recommended.
I won this book in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I won this book in a recent Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Read
January 2, 2018An interesting read but with a number of stalls, preventing it properly flowing.
March 30, 2018
Sometimes long-winded but packed with real-sounding detail about a genuinely foreign place - a good read.
December 10, 2019
Hungary for more
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and hopefully there will be more of the same.Not often Hungary warts and all appears in many books,made a refreshing change.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and hopefully there will be more of the same.Not often Hungary warts and all appears in many books,made a refreshing change.
July 24, 2018
I'm always up for crime fiction set in interesting places, and this first in a projected series to feature Hungarian police detective Balthazar Kovacs sounded interesting. It takes place in Budapest (where the author has spent a number of years) during the summer of 2015, as the city is flooded with refugees from Syria and elsewhere, trying to get to Germany. Hungary lies outside the Schengen Area of Europe, where people can pass freely over borders, so there's a lucrative trade in getting refugees across the Hungarian border.
In the midst of this crisis, a body turns up and Kovacs investigates. So far, so good -- but it turns out the murder may be tied to the highest levels of government. So rather than a contained police procedural, the story blows up into a political thriller, complete with a CIA agent and more. There are some elements that are successful, such as Kovacs background as a Roma and his family connections to organized crime, and his relationship with a gung-ho investigative journalist. It's possibly worth checking out for the portrayal of Budapest, but the main storyline's drift into high-level corruption and international terrorism just wasn't what I signed up for.
In the midst of this crisis, a body turns up and Kovacs investigates. So far, so good -- but it turns out the murder may be tied to the highest levels of government. So rather than a contained police procedural, the story blows up into a political thriller, complete with a CIA agent and more. There are some elements that are successful, such as Kovacs background as a Roma and his family connections to organized crime, and his relationship with a gung-ho investigative journalist. It's possibly worth checking out for the portrayal of Budapest, but the main storyline's drift into high-level corruption and international terrorism just wasn't what I signed up for.
July 23, 2018
Adam LeBor is a serious journalist whose journalistic work (and serious books) has told us much about Hungary over the last twenty-five years. His fiction carries the same heft, centered as it is on Balthazar Kovacs, a Gypsy detective on the Budapest murder squad. Kovacs lives between two worlds: that of his Gypsy family and that of the police. He is not trusted completely in either because of his ties to the other. And he is in constant danger because his stubborn investigation of the death of a Syrian refugee puts him in the crosshairs of the Hungarian Militia (a paramilitary body with a political purpose) and of the government itself, which has a strongly anti-refugee stance.
Kovacs is an interesting character as are many others in the book (his boss, his almost-girlfriend journalist friend, the prime minister, a British diplomat-spy, etc.) The portrayal of Budapest seems accurate and highly informed, and I look forward to more. Whatever occasional defects in plot propulsion are offset by the layers of that interesting portrayal.
Kovacs is an interesting character as are many others in the book (his boss, his almost-girlfriend journalist friend, the prime minister, a British diplomat-spy, etc.) The portrayal of Budapest seems accurate and highly informed, and I look forward to more. Whatever occasional defects in plot propulsion are offset by the layers of that interesting portrayal.
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