Hammurabi's Code

by Charles Kenney

When Boston's most beloved public figure, Councillor Philip Stewart, is murdered in his home, the city is stricken with grief. As Boston reels from the shock of such a tragedy, newspapers across the city scramble to get the biggest story in this city's recent history. Who would wish harm upon a man regarded as a sainted soul who dedicated his life to helping the poor and downtrodden? The Boston Post has put its best investigative reporter on the case. Frank Cronin has achieved near celebrity status himself as a shrewd, tireless journalist who always manages to get his story - even if it means bending the rules, ignoring conventional wisdom, or bucking political pressures. Before long, while rival papers are still printing their glowing eulogies, Cronin is hunting down the story no one else wants to know about. In death, facts about Councillor Philip Stewart are emerging that raise troubling questions about the true nature of his life, his character, and his deeds. As Cronin persists in stripping back the facade that in life made Stewart such a beloved public figure, the trouble begins. With pressure mounting to leave the dead man's reputation alone, Cronin must put everything on the line - his job, his reputation, even his life - as he decides just how much of the truth to tell. Digging ever deeper into Stewart's past, Cronin moves inexorably closer to unmasking the killer and his motive - but just when you think you know exactly what to expect, the story takes a stunning turn.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent thriller as someone has murdered a distinguished man from Boston with a great reputation. When a newspaper reporter begins to investigate he realizes the gentleman in question was not a nice man. There is a twist at the end of this book which works very well and makes the novel above average. Recommended.

[ashleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely one of those books with a unsuspected killer of a murder homicide that makes you say WHAT?! at the end.

I chose to read this book for one of my history college courses, as we were given different options of many different genres of books to write a review on. Hammurabi's Code seemed interesting as I love watching or reading about crime suspense and mystery thrillers. It took me less than 2 months to read, which is really surprising as there's been no time in my life to sit down and enjoy a book or that's forced upon you to read for a deadline/grade.

Kenney writes really well in some parts, but others felt like it was somewhat slow. There's too much backstory on random characters and not enough of what was actually taking place of investigating Stewart's murder. This was really the only downfall about the book even though it was good. Some quotes I could see being used in today's society for real life purposes that make a powerful statement.

Other than that, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes these kinds of genres (like me!) and cliffhangers at the end that make you want a second book to clarify what actually happened. All I know is there's a bunch of shady people in this book that make you want to arrest them yourselves for being an accessory to the crooked councillor.

[Sonja L.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eerste roman Van deze Ch. KENNEY, voormalige reporter bij de Boston Globe. Hij heeft dus heel wat inside information m b t de dagelijkse werking v e krant.
Hoofdpersonage in deze roman, Frank CRONIN, is dan ook een journalist, meer bepaald een onderzoeksjournalist die reeds enige faam heeft verworven.

Wanneer in Boston op een rustige avond Philip STEWART wordt neergeschoten staat de stad Boston op stelten. Stewart was een algemeen gerespecteerd en geliefd gemeenteraadslid, Grote Weldoener van de stad die zich inzette voor de armen en thuislozen en een twintigtal homes beheerde; kortom een man met een vlekkeloze reputatie.
Cronin wordt door zijn chef ingezet om deze zaak te verslaan. Hij gaat op onderzoek en komt reeds snel tot de bevinding dat Stewart een louche personage was. Hij zou zich schuldig gemaakt hebben aan afpersing, racketing, corruptie, zou connecties hebben met mafiosi en hun witwaspraktijken....Met zijn artikelen in de Globe tast hij diens reputatie aan en dat wordt niet op prijs gesteld. De druk vanuit de kerk (m n de bisschop) en vanuit politieke hoek (niemand minder dan de Kennedy's) is enorm.
Het complete plaatje is nog erger: hij zou links hebben met en beschermd worden door sommige politici, de politie, de pers en de Kerk. Alle machthebbers dus.

Dit is Kenney's eerste boek en -eerlijk gezegd- ik vond het niet denderend. Er zijn veel te veel zijlijnen, subplots en uitweidingen die niet terzake doen. Daardoor leest het boek traag, er zit niet zoveel vaart in. Het ergste is het relaas van een romance die weer opflakkert en die in het lang en in het breed wordt uitgesmeerd; die bovendien zeer ongeloofwaardig is: zijn plotse volte face kon mij niet overtuigen; die romance had hij gerust mogen schrappen, want het voegt niets toe a h boek.

Het einde is min of meer verrassend, hoewel ik het op een bepaald moment wel zag komen...

Het is niet slecht geschreven. Het journalistenbestaan wordt op reële wijze weergegeven; veel details; enige flash backs en zijsporen om het spannend te maken.
Maar van deze auteur zal ik geen boeken meer lezen.

[Deb W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a thriller. Actually kind of plodding, but in a what that kept me interested enough to keep reading. Think of the dance of seven veils in the way Kenney unfolds the story -- all the way to the end. And an ending like no other I've ever read.

I am sorry he didn't write more fiction.