Event News: Dominique Manotti and Joan Smith

I stumbled across this event: Dominique Manotti and Joan Smith on the Political Crime Novel on Wed 17 Mar, 07.30 pm at Médiathèque - Institut français (London):

Dominique Manotti's latest translation, Affairs of State, tells of foreign workers in a landscape where murder has a political meaning. Joan Smith's recent thriller, What Will Survive is political in a broader sense. Both writers see the world as something far removed from the cosy village life of traditional crime fiction, more in common with Nordic authors such as Stieg Larsson than Agatha Christie. The pair will discuss their influences, their aims, and why the crime novel is pre-eminently a political form.

Prices: £5, conc £3

Affairs of State

I'm currently reading Affairs of State by Dominique Manotti, tr. Amanda Hopkinson and Ros Schwartz, which came out last November.

Blurb:

The author of the award-winning Lorraine Connection returns with yet another riveting tale of intrigue and corruption. A call-girl whose black book lists her elite international clients is found murdered, a mysterious plane bound for Iran disappears over Turkey - and the president's closest advisor, Bonard, is manipulating the system with consummate ease. It's up to rookie advisor Noria Ghozali to untangle the threads which bind these events together - and to combat the racism which repeatedly stalls her efforts.

New Reviews on Euro Crime

Here are this week's new reviews and a reminder of March's competition:

Latest Reviews:

Maxine Clarke reviews the latest thriller from Nicci French, Until It's Over, writing, "you won't want to put this book down until you have finished it";

Maxine also reviews the second in the Lorimer-Brightman series from Alex Gray, A Small Weeping, which she found enjoyable with a few caveats;

Geoff Jones was entertained by Mrs Tanner in L M Jackson's A Most Dangerous Woman set in Victorian London;

Norman Price provides several reasons why you should read the new outing for Bernie Gunther in Philip Kerr's latest, A Quiet Flame

and Laura Root recommends the long awaited new book from International Dagger nominee Dominique Manotti - Lorraine Connection - calling it "unusual, stylish and compelling".

Current Competition (closing date 31 March):

Win a copy of A Carrion Death by Michael Stanley (UK & Europe only)

(geographical restrictions are in brackets)