The most obtuse Aurelio Zen thriller
“Cabal,” by Michael Didbin. The third in his Aurelio Zen series How could I have missed it? Possibly his most obtuse. It involves dirty Vatican machinations, even dirtier Italian politics embroiled in bluff, double bluff and triple trompe l’oeil all the way down the line. Throw in Zen’s lack of confidence in his love affair with a […]
Riperian countries agree on level of dam across Blue Nile
Ministers have agreed to meet in Washington later this month to finalise agreement between Sudan and Egypt with Ethiopia which is building a dam across the Nile. If successful it will obviate the need for President Cyril Ramaphosa to broker further negotiations in his capacity as chair of the African Union. Minister sfrom the three […]
Migrant numbers escalate to post Salvini Italy
A combination of escalating conflict in Libya and a more accommodating attitude by Italy’s leftist coalition is sending thousands of migrants across the Mediterranean. NGO’s monitoring this traffic say 22 boats carrying 1500 people cast off from Libya this week. The tough, anti-migrant line of right-winger Matteo Salvini is thing of the past in Italy. […]
Le Carré brings in Brexit
“Agent Running In The Field,” by John Le Carré.Bringing the Brexit process and election of Donald Trump into the equation, we have a British veteran spook Nat in the twilight of his career. He’s put in charge of a crumbling substation in London. A maladroit young man challenges the aging spy, who remains Badminton champion […]
Compelling Nordic Noir legal, psychological thriller
“A Nearly Normal Family,” by M.T. Edvardsson. A compelling legal, psychological thriller in the best Nordic Noir tradition, It examines how far one goes to protect one’s family. Stella Sandel, a headstrong 18-year-old finds herself accused of killing her lover who she has been warned against for being psychopath. He pastor father and lawyer mother […]