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Karl Kane #2

Тъмното място

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Карл Кейн, най-добрият частен детектив в Белфаст, няма представа с какво се захваща, когато приема да работи по случай с безследно изчезнало 16-годишно момиче. Той попада по следите на садистичен сериен убиец, който отвлича, измъчва и убива по особено жесток начин. Скоро Карл разбира, че полицията ще направи всичко възможно, за да не открие убиеца. Той трябва да разчита единствено на собствените си способности, за да спре това чудовище в човешки облик.

Безнадеждно мрачен и безкрайно напрегнат, този роман е пропит от чувство за черен хумор – така, както ако Чандлър беше написал „Мълчанието на агнетата”.

Криминална проза от най-висока класа: с оригинално въображение, с ярки, незабравими персонажи, вълнуващ и скорострелен сюжет и безмилостна развръзка, която ще ви остави без дъх.

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

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About the author

Sam Millar

30 books32 followers
An award-winning crime writer of numerous true and fiction crime books. Dark Souls, On The Brinks, The Redemption Factory, The Darkness of Bones, Bloodstorm, and The Dark Place.



Best-selling memoir acquired by Warner Brothers.

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Criticalmick.
55 reviews6 followers
December 20, 2009

The Dark Place follows Karl Kane, the gritty, gripping detective introduced in 2008's Bloodstorm. This second in the series conforms to the familiar norms of the PI genre: after a teasing, terrifying prologue Kane is seen sitting in his sweltering office on Belfast's Hill Street. In walks a woman in trouble- this time, a teenaged heroin addict whose younger sister, Martina Ferris, has disappeared. The client is deperately worried and the cops are not interested in looking for a recovering junkie with a reputation for running away, so it is down to debt-ridden Kane to take the case.



Kane's investigation takes him through the underbelly of city and society, into peripheral contact with corrupt and outmatched cops, and into his own painful past. As bodies pile up and his enemies circle in, Karl Kane learns what is rotten and terrifying behind the respectable facades of the city's elite and institutions (literally, in certain cases!). Fans of the PI form will be pleased- and be pleased that Millar is not afraid to break conventions. By the climax, there is no predicting which way Millar is going to play it out.



The places that Kane goes on his journey are exceptionally dark. Imagine Philip Marlowe investigating the disappearances from Se7en or Saw. Marlowe would probably take the first flight back to LA, but Kane is a wee harcore Norn Iron man. Graphic and violent with more deviant sex than Val McDermid and the most convincing drug trip since Gene Kerrigan's The Midnight Choir, Millar's Belfast is worlds away from the catchy punk rock jaunt of Colin Bateman's Divorcing Jack.



Like Bateman, Millar leavens his grit with humor. With Martina Ferris missing and other young, violated bodies turning up, Kane cannot sit comfortably back hammering out his own manuscripts and studying the racing papers. Is it because old Karl is a valiant knight at heart? Erm, no. He cannot sit still because he is the only PI in all of crime fiction with raging hemorrhoids.



Piles aside, Millar's dialogue is sharp and fast. The writing has real originality. I had never before heard of the villain's disturbing MO, and the manner in which Kane learns the killer's identity is both plausible and something that would never have come from an American PI novel.



Full review and author interview on criticalmick.com

8 reviews6 followers
April 18, 2010
Terrific crime novel from one of the most underrated crime writers. Dark and totally original, this is the follow-up to the bestselling Bloodstorm which introduced us to Karl Kane. Publishers Weekly hailed it as 'A powerful new crime series.' Although quite gory in places, it was necessary to understand the suffering of the victims. Be warned: not for the fainthearted.
Profile Image for L'ours inculte.
465 reviews8 followers
February 19, 2015
Depuis un petit moment j’avais bien envie de lire du Sam Millar, depuis l’article plutôt flatteur du magazine Chro qui m’a fait découvrir le bonhomme, plus précisément… Du coup, quand j’ai vu « Le cannibale de Crumlin Road » dans la liste (interminable) de la dernière opération Masse Critique de Babélio, j’ai tenté le coup et voilà que ça passe, je reçois le bouquin pour en faire la critique avec un petit mot gentil des éditions du Seuil dedans. Mais comme je suis un gars plutôt consciencieux et que « Le cannibale » est le second tome d’une série, j’ai fait mon bon élève et j’ai pris le premier en bonus pour faire les choses dans l’ordre. En voilà une belle idée à la con : double peine !

Mais commençons par le commencement : Sam Millar nous est présenté comme un dur de dur, c’est un brave irlandais, ancien de l’IRA et prisonnier politique en son temps qui s’est recyclé dans l’écriture. Du coup ça pose un peu le style : du polar poisseux, sanglant, violent, sombre. Le livre qui nous concerne ici est le deuxième tome des enquêtes de Karl Kane, un détective privé officiant dans la ville très ensoleillée de Belfast. Ce héros à tout du détective classique à l’ancienne, le mec fauché, vieillissant, grande gueule et plein d’esprit qui se tape sa secrétaire et résout les affaires sous le nez de flics impuissants. On hésite beaucoup entre l’hommage sincère et le cliché flemmard mais dans le doute, on va dire que c’est volontairement classique et gentiment désuet, sa seule originalité amusante étant sa tendance aux crises d’hémorroïdes.

Au début du roman, une jeune femme sonne à la porte de notre enquêteur pour lui demander de retrouver sa sœur disparue depuis un mois, pour laquelle la police ne veut rien faire. C’est le point de départ d’une affaire bien glauque à la poursuite d’un serial killer, vu que les cadavres vont s’empiler. Rien de très original ici, on a un tueur bien gore et désaxé qui enlève de jeunes demoiselles pour leur infliger des sévices tordus (amis de la gastronomie, bonsoir), la surenchère dans le domaine commence d’ailleurs à faire un peu bizarre, à force… Karl arrive à enquêter surtout grâce au légiste qui est son meilleur pote et lui donne toutes les infos sur un plateau, mais le côté vraiment « investigation » n’est pas exceptionnel, le héros se contentant la plupart du temps de poser des questions à des gens 3 jours après la police et de tomber sur des preuves quasiment par hasard, quand c’est pas la preuve qui vient le trouver (et le rouer de coups). Il se comporte souvent comme un imbécile, et même quand sa famille est en danger il passe une semaine à râler, à se chamailler avec son beau-frère et son ex-femme avant de se décider à faire quelque chose, ce quelque chose étant d’une stupidité effroyable. On remarque également que dans l’univers de Sam Millar, tous les flics sont soit des pourris soit des incompétents, la prison est un symbole du mal et les malfrats sont tous des héros, la ficelle est un poil voyante.

Mais la plus grosse partie du roman est accaparée par les dialogues qui se veulent légers pour compenser l’atmosphère oppressante de l’histoire. Kane est un gros blagueur, et les dialogues en question sont une succession de vannes plus ou moins marrantes, de métaphores, de références et de second degré qui collent à cette image de détective détaché et blasé. J’ai cependant trouvé que c’était beaucoup trop présent, au point que les conversations sérieuses deviennent une espèce en voie de disparition. Le héros sort des blagues toutes les deux lignes, il fait constamment son malin et ça empêche toute empathie pour lui, les vannes sont souvent très capillotractées, une succession de jeux de mots où l’auteur saute du coq à l’âne, rendant tout échange assez pénible à suivre, mais à un moment je me suis simplement demandé si ça venait pas de la version française.

Oui, parce que jusque là j’ai décrit un roman policier gore archi-classique un peu rigolo et sans grande originalité, mais tout ça resterait dans le domaine du supportable s’il n’y avait pas le plus gros défaut du roman qui ne saurait être reproché à Sam Millar : La traduction calamiteuse. Que ce soit dans « les chiens de Belfast » ou ce « Cannibale de Crumlin Road », la traduction est du mot-à-mot digne d’un fansub de Naruto torché par un collégien en échec scolaire, quiconque aura déjà entendu ou lu un peu d’anglais reconnaitra dans ces livres toutes les tournures de phrases et les expressions anglaises directement traduites sans aucune adaptation, rendant chaque ligne au mieux un peu bizarre, au pire carrément ridicule. On part de la classique utilisation de « putain » qui sonne toujours faux quand on transpose les « Fuck » tel quel, ce qui peut donner des phrases comme « C’est une putain de sa mère de serrure ». On a aussi droit à des expressions comme « Je peux pas attendre de trouver le connard qui a fait ça » (transposition littérale du « can’t wait » anglais, qu’on traduit en général par « j’ai hâte »), et le plus joli est quand même le « j’ai tué deux oiseaux avec une pierre » qui apparait dans le premier livre, traduction mot pour mot de l’expression « Kill two birds with one stone », version anglaise de notre « faire d’une pierre deux coups ».

C’est que quelques exemples au pif, je pourrais vous sortir des tartines comme ça. L’avantage c’est que ça a apporté un petit côté ludique à ma lecture, on s’est bien fendu la poire à la maison, mais ça nuit évidemment au ton global du livre qui se passe dans les bas-fonds de Belfast mais où tout le monde parle avec un style plutôt littéraire parsemé de « Putain », « Foutre » ou « Bite » par-ci par-là. C’est bien la première fois de ma vie que je critique une traduction française dans un roman, je suis vraiment pas tatillon sur ce point mais je trouve ça assez scandaleux de sortir un bouquin dans cet état pour un éditeur comme Seuil (si vous pouviez ne jamais donner une traduction de Connelly à Patrick Raynal, ça me ferait vachement plaisir). Et finalement, je me demande bien comment la presse et les critiques sur le web peuvent être aussi enthousiastes devant ces livres sans jamais rien relever là-dessus…

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Profile Image for Any Length.
2,169 reviews7 followers
did-not-finish
November 14, 2020
Why did I discard this book? Well although the author managed to weave a nice little web of his girlfriend being on a vegetarian trip and the murder of your women who have been "stuffed" to get fat fast, I find the extend to which he describes the animal farming ways so annoying and painful and not at all entertaining (which is what I want from a novel - or I would have chosen another book!) that it felt like his intention was to put me off eating meat. I have all the compassion I can muster for farm animals, but I cannot not live without meat. I tried several times, given it a good try, and combined all the right foods to give my body the building blocks of protein and each time I got sick. When I read a book I do not want to be made feel bad unless I pick a book of that persuasion. This book made me feel bad about eating meat - which in my case I need to live and remain healthy. I do not like what is slowly growing into a meat eater bashing vendetta. This is how this book increasingly felt like. In the end I discarded it and with it another one of his books which I won't even try to read.
Profile Image for Elitsa Zhekova.
98 reviews10 followers
August 3, 2019
Boring read, every single character is a cliche (the tough PI, the ex-wife, the police chief with grudges, the sidekick, the killer with childhood trauma (that's not even a spoiler, for the book lterally starts that way). No twists, nothing for the reader to excersize their mind on, just a straight - forward storyline and an obvious ending.
Profile Image for Kateri Stanley.
Author 5 books96 followers
March 23, 2021
The Dark Place by Sam Millar has been a thrilling read. Millar wrote brilliant established storylines, interesting villians (I'm a sucker for serial killer plots) and yet managed to pull off brilliance in the comedy of P.I and leading man, Karl Kane.

Millar is an ace character writer. A recommended read if you want laughs and chills.
Profile Image for Pam Doyle.
176 reviews
September 19, 2021
Graphic. Straight into sex and violence. Think I should have read them in order as it felt like back story kept creeping in.

PI identifies killer almost immediately, then is a bit cat and mouse.

I didn’t feel like there’s was any depth and was a bit contrived - daughter turns up in time to be a target etc.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
January 11, 2011
The Dark Place is even better than Bloodstorm, the first book to introduce us to the legendary Karl Kane. Not only is it a page-turner, but there is some great, dark humour throughout. Very few writers know how to balance humour and dark noir, but Millar has clearly mastered it. This series is quickly becoming totally addictive and compulsive. Highly recommended for those who want something original and very dark, and are totally exasperated with the usual predictable story line of others.

"This is hard-edged crime with a vengeance, but it is handled with a finesse and deftness that Chandler devotees will admire greatly." --Booklist,USA, November, 2009

"Sam Millar is a fascinating guy. One of Ireland's top crime writers, his own past is as gripping as any of his novels. Millar's electrifying memoir, On the Brinks, tells the true story of one of the most audacious robberies in American history. His visceral language, combined with the dark humour of protagonist Karl Kane, make for powerful writing. New tome `The Dark Place' tells the story of an elusive serial killer, prowling the Belfast streets and abducting young, homeless women. An addictive page-turner, like Millar's past work, this is not a book to read alone if you suffer from a nervous disposition." --Irish World, September 2009

"Millar is possibly unique among crime writers, that I know of, and the real world that he experiences. There is a ring of authenticity about the world he depicts and the tone he exudes, which is hard to knock, for very few of us can boast such a past. His writing is very, very dark, and reminds me a lot of Andrew Vachss and the Burke novels. The Dark Place is at the intense end of hard-boiled...a thrilling novel, very well structured, very powerful."
Declan Hughes, best-selling and award-winning crime writer. --RTE 1 Arena, September 2009

Crime Squad: Awarded five stars (top marks) and placed as Author of The Month.
"Millar is a wonderful find who should instantly be placed on top of discerning reader's crime shortlist."
Review:
Every now and then you stumble across a writer and when you are reading their latest offering you wonder how on earth you haven't read their books before. I was instantly gripped when I opened the covers of The Dark Place. In only 256 pages, Millar manages to cram in enough tension compared to most novels that apparently need double the number of pages. There is not a superfluous word nor hint of `fluff' to fill out the storyline. What you get here is gritty, `to the point' writing that doesn't waste it's time going over the niceties - because there aren't any! Millar tells the story like it is and you find yourself holding your breath when captured by the story, especially at the ending when, literally, all bets are off.
But amongst all this, Millar shows Kane the human; the man who has to deal with a daughter who wishes he'd get back to his ex-wife, his ex who hates and loves him in equal measure and his turbulent relationship with his new love, Naomi. In a few phrases this marvellous writer manages to flesh out his characters, bringing them very much to life. As with Ken Bruen, another Irish writer who is a master of less saying more. You won't go far wrong heeding my words."
Chris Simmons, Editor, Crimesquad --Crimesquad.com
131 reviews
July 21, 2014
I was very exited to read the continuing Karl Kane series by Sam Millar and I am thrilled to report that this book delivers in a big way!
Just like the first Kane book of the series (Bloodstorm), this book has a dark edge to it and hits the "hardcore" nail right on the head. Karl Kane is a very intriguing character and reminds me of Jack Taylor from the Ken Bruen series. While there is a resemblance between the characters from the two series, Sam Millar has certainly written a book and created a character that stands on their own merit.
This book has the same dark edge that the first book created and that was what I was hoping for. The first half of the book sets the stage very nicely and the second half had me tearing through the pages.
The final denouement has me already waiting for the next book. Without providing a spoiler, I would have to say that the next book in the series will have even more depth and darkness as it deals with the ramifications of the new layer that has been added to the Karl Kane psyche.
It is a shame that authors such as James Patterson get all the press and coverage for books that are predictable and boring, while authors like Sam Millar have outstanding books and series but seem to be off the radar. Hopefully this book will change that for Mr. Millar. This book highlights that some of the best new hardboiled noir is from smaller presses (such a s New Pulp Press) and these books are ready to take noir fiction to the next level.
The final verdict...buy this book and prepare to be caught up in the dark world that Millar has created. All fans of dark noir will be thrilled with the decision to spend time with Karl Kane. If you have read this book I guarantee you will be looking for more of Millar's books.
Profile Image for Pam.
53 reviews
October 19, 2013
Karl Kane ist auf der Suche nach einem Serienkiller, der junge Mädchen mästet und sie danach tötet. Dabei schreckt er nicht von mehr als ungewöhnllichen Mitteln zurück. Als der Killer sich seine Tochter schnappt nimmt er die Sache in seine eigene Hand.

Der Charakter Karl Kane ist einfach nur genial. Er schert sich nicht um Regeln und Ermittlungsmethoden der Polizei, es geht ihm nur darum seine Fälle zu lösen. Das und die Tatsache, dass die Beziehung von ihm und Naomi so "crazy" ist macht ihn einfach nur witzig und spannend.

Die Story fand ich gut und die Schreibweise des Autors ist sehr erfrischend geradeaus. Es gibt viele brutale Stellen und Kane muss viel einstecken, jedoch wurde mir ein bisschen zu viel um den heißen Brei herumgeredet. Es gab so viele Opfer, aber nur wenige Stellen im Buch, die sich um die Erlebnisse der Opfer drehen.

Da ich Kane als Charakter aber richtig, richtig genial finde gibt es von mir 4 Sterne und Teil 1 wird bald gekauft:)
Profile Image for Clarabel.
3,835 reviews59 followers
May 11, 2016
J'ai encore souffert avec ce livre de Sam Millar, qui est particulièrement dur et glauque, et pourtant j'y retourne tête baissée, le cœur soulevé de dégoût et d'angoisse, mais j'y retourne. C'est terrible. L'histoire nous réserve toujours des surprises, plus ou moins appréciables, entre le portrait attachant du privé cabossé par la vie, ses enquêtes conduites à l'ancienne, mais qui dérivent invariablement vers des sentiers chaotiques, avec le souci du détail sinistre. D'où le malaise. Je prends néanmoins déjà rendez-vous pour le prochain épisode, où il semblerait que Karl renoue avec son passé et le meurtre de sa mère ! Cette série en patchwork ne cesse de m'intriguer.
9 reviews7 followers
December 26, 2010
The follow-up to the critically acclaimed Bloodstorm. As stated in one of my other reviews, Millar is not for those with a weak stomach. If you want good gritty crime story telling, then this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Jer Hogan.
145 reviews
May 20, 2013
A Noir series set in Belfast. Millar really puts his detective (Karl Kane) through hell and I had to put the book down twice before resuming. Kane is Chandleresque and there is plenty of humour amid the bad times.
Profile Image for Claire.
135 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2016
Un petit livre divertissant. Un peu hard sur les bords mais sympathique, ça fait du bien de lire un roman en deux jours, ça faisait longtemps.
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