Dark Dreams

Commander Jana Matinova #2

by Michael Genelin

Prudent Jana and impetuous Sofia were best friends when they were schoolmates. One day Sofia approached a man in a car when she shouldn’t have and ended up being raped by a nefarious Communist Party bigwig. Jana pursued the culprit’s car, identified him, and vowed someday to bring him to justice.

Now Jana is a commander in the Slovak police force and Sofia, having made her name as a reformer, is a member of Parliament. Jana has fallen in love with an upright government prosecutor and Sofia is carrying on a notorious affair with a suave, married fellow MP.

One day Jana finds an enormous diamond dangling from a string fixed to the ceiling of the living room of her house. Was it put there as a present? Or, more likely, to entrap her? Where did this magnificent jewel come from? And why was it left for her to find? The answer leads Jana across Europe to unravel a criminal conspiracy involving multiple murders which has entangled her hapless, impulsive friend, Sofia, in its web, and ultimately to the criminal mastermind, the onetime Communist Party boss.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Procedural, Police

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Michael Genelin, a graduate of UCLA and the UCLA Law School, has served in the LA District Attorney's Office and the US Department of Justice in Central Europe. He has written for film and has been an adviser to television series. He now lives with his wife and daughter in Paris.

Series:
* Commander Jana Matinova

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third of the four Commander Jana Matinova mysteries is a police procedural set in Slovakia. The book opens with two crimes--a murder in Nepal and a mass bombing of a religious assemblage in Mumbai, India, but other crimes soon follow in Slovakia and the Ukraine.Jana's childhood friend, Sofia, a rising political star, is in the middle of a political scandal, a group of hardcore criminals is being stalked by professional killers, and Jana is in the middle, both as a police investigator and as a target. Matinova is relatively high-ranking for a woman cop in central Europe, and is totally determined and fearless. Her conversations with a local art thief, Giles, are pretty interesting, as are her conversations with her superior, Colonel Trokan, a wily piece of work. Her private life is messy and not as interesting as Genelin thinks, but her professional life is pretty entertaining.

[Scott Kalas · Rating 4 out of 5]

My interest in reading 'Dark Dreams' the 2nd in the Jana Matinova was low to say the least but when I saw the books on the top of my list were unavailable from the library I decided to go with it. I'm glad I did. I really felt more connected to Jana's character and enjoyed the relationship she had with her superior Trokan more so then I did in 'Siren of the Waters' the first in the Matinova which was one of the few positives I found in the 1st book.

The setting in mostly Eastern European countries and the dialogue amongst the various characters was a positive.

I have to confess with 'Dark Dreams' my interest n reading the 3rd book 'The Magician's Accomplish' will be much higher

[Catherine Woodman]

This is the second book with Jara as the protagonist--she is very appelaing in that she is a post-Soviet Eastern Europe realist that you can beleive in. Having been briefly to Bratislava, I so not think the bleakness is over sold, and the startk difference between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is really amazing, and I think well represented here--the proximity to Vienna and Buda pest is remarkably close but the scene is remarkably different. So the backdrop is appealingly different and convincingly different--the story itself has a Soviet flavor to it, and is well done.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am on a tear reading mysteries/thrillers etc. that are often set outside the United States. Dark Dreams is the 2nd in the Jana Matinova series and is just as compelling as the first book. If you have any passion for or interest in Central Europe you will find this series good reading but that is not a prerequisite for enjoyment.

[Alesia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the main character Jana Matinova who is a woman police commander in Bratislava. Good setup of a fairly complex plot but a little messy tying up things in the end. Second book of the series.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While another quick and interesting read, it did not captivate my attention as The Magician's Accomplice did. Commander Jana Matinova is involved in a case of smuggling and government corruption. Unfortunately, her best friend from childhood is also involved and making things very difficult. However, the beginning was rather disjointed to me and it took quite while to get hooked into the case. I've also been amazed at the amount of shooting and deaths that happen in these books. Even from Matinova there is so much shooting.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Commander Jana Matinova and Sofia were best friends in school. However, when Sofia tries to recruit Jana to campaign for her party, disregarding the likelihood that Jana would be fired, the friendship becomes more than a little strained. The title is apt for a very dark story with a number of murderous villains. Jana’s subordinate, who should be helping her, is not only incompetent but is spying on her. Probably a bit too dismal for me to continue with the series.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

More assured than the first Jana Matinova novel; still with the complex large scale conspiracies and twists, still with the complex personal elements and back story. Stylistically similar to Deon Meyer's early mysteries

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well paced and enjoyable

As with the first book, the protagonist is relatable, the surrounding characters interesting, the story well organized and fun. More sedate thriller than mystery. Highly recommended.

[kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging female detective, setting and characters. I'll be reading the series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Michael Genelin and Commander Jana Matinova.

[Marika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming from Slovakia and knowing a real person (kind-of) resemebling Jana, I must say it was a good read. The story had a good pace and even though it seemed to be very fictional in some parts, it was entertaining and made me consider reading other Genelin's books with Jana.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

** spoiler alert ** Based in Bratislava,Slovakia.Jana Matinova, a commander in the Slovakian police force is investigating murders across Europe.Jana childhood friend Sofia had in affair with Ivan, a high ranking government official who is also married. Sofia finds a diamond and thinks Ivan gave it to her so, she wears it to a party were a picture was taken, and put in the news. Ivan told her that he did not gave her the diamond. Sofia gets scared and hides it in Jana's house. Jana finds the diamond but doesn't know where it came from. Jana also finds out that her house is bugged.Jana started to date peter,a prosecutor, who is investigating her in the murders. Jana discovers that Sofia puts the diamonds in her house and that Ivan's wife was the one that planted the diamond to make it look like Sofia is corrupt. Ivan's wife stole the Stolen diamond from a package that she was suppose to shipped out. Giles, Jana's informant, was the one who set up the network of smuggling stolen diamonds. Jana arrest Giles,and Ivan because he knew about and Ivan wife was shot from Ivan.The murders and the smuggling ring was solved.
There are several things different culturally between Slovakia and America. Slovakia allows prostitution, and people of Slovakia are scared of high ranking officials.there is a huge difference in social status in Slovakia.
The author's purpose in writing this book is to inform us that the post communist government is as corrupt as the communist government. The book tells us when Jana and Sofia were young in the communist era and how the government officials were corrupt they would take money and some would rape kids and get a way with it and when Jana is older there is some embezzling money that is a high official.
The theme of this book is the corruption in Slovakia government.Sofia always wanted a government without corruption and thought the when she sets into office when will fight for that. Later the book tells us how a government official raped Sofia and got away with it. Later Ivan and his wife is involved in smuggling diamonds.
I would recommend this book because it is suspenseful and have plot twisting.
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[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jana Matinova is my hero! A fearless seasoned police detective who approaches her job professionally, dealing with department politics, incompetent and subversive co-workers and evil scary villains. Unlike so many fictional detectives she calls for backup when she goes into a dangerous situation. She doesnt depend on a boyfriend to rescue her. She's the one that solves the crises with insight, logic and compassion.
Matinova also happens to be a grandmother with complex family and personal relationships. In this book she gets to spend time with her young granddaughter, although the visit is interrupted by her job.
Sometimes Genelin's dialogue is stilted and unrealistic, but his main characters are real flawed people. And the plot is complex and fast moving.
With his background as an international law enforcement consultant I expect that there is truth in his situations. His books give insight to the challenges of Eastern European societies.

[Gary Van Cott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I am a little more critical than most people who have posted about this book. Yes, Jana, the main character is likable and that is a good thing. However, the timeline for her life that was presented in the first book and alluded to here, doesn't make sense any time after about 1998. (She would be too old if these books took place when they were published.) The criminal conspiracy that was the basis of this book is improbable and many aspects of it were never really explained.

[Doug]

Political mystery that takes place in Slovakia but finds action in Nepal, Switzerland, Hungry, Ukraine, Vienna and other locations. Jana Matinova, a commander in the Slovakia police force. I liked the characters and the description of the interaction between the police agencies of the various countries and the problems encountered between them.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying the series written by Michael Genelin about has main character, Jana, who you can't help but like. Interesting also is the setting - eastern europe. I read his third book in this series and so enjoyed that went back to the beginning. And yes the next book I will read is his most recent, Requiem for A Gypsy. Can't wait to find out what Jana confronts next!!

[Peter A]

The Soho Mystery series is mostly great! This book is no exception. In fact it is one of the better mysteries I read this year. The situation is an honest, hard working cop in a partially corrupt system. This was well written, very fast paced, with some nice twists

I look forward to reading another book by this author, which is on the bookcase by the bed

[Dana Woodaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cracking good mystery set in Slovakia - interesting characters and exotic locales. Another great piece of mystery fiction that also gives a great sense of place, in a part of the world I know little about

[John Machata · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more could one want in a crime fiction? Engaging characters. Corrupt politicians. Brutal criminals. Infighting among police. Plausible plot twists. Interesting settings. One negative- Genelin occasionally chooses words proving English is not his first language.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't always worry about whether a male has created a female lead or vice versa but I suspect that this might be what's behind my failure to engage with this novel. It's an unusual police-procedural - set in Slovakia - but it felt somewhat forced and therefore unbelievable.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got used to the pacing and writing style of the author I really enjoyed the story and main character.