Books matching: complex character relationships
100 result(s)
- #1
Carter Dickson introduces Sir Henry Merrivale, a fat, lazy, garrulous, and brilliant sleuth with a flair for elaborate staging, in "The Plague Court Murders." The plot revolves around a con man murdered in a locked stone house, with a group of believers in the occult waiting for the spirit of a loved one to appear. As Detective Inspector Masters of Scotland Yard investigates the baffling case, the eccentric and brilliant Sir Merrivale steps in to catch the clever murderer with a penchant for elaborate staging. The story unfolds as a puzzling locked room mystery with an ingenious solution, a thread of history adding to the feeling of menace, and a surprise ending.
- #2
'Captive' by Jex Lane in the series 'Beautiful Monsters' tells the story of Matthew, a vampire captured by incubi, particularly focusing on his complex and tumultuous relationship with Tarrick. The plot involves a dark and erotic exploration of the supernatural world, with themes of captivity, forbidden attraction, and intricate character dynamics. Lane's writing style captivates readers with its action-packed narrative, creative world-building, and complex character development, leaving them eager to delve deeper into the story.
Matthew grabbed his chest as a wave of ecstasy washed through him. Every part of him had been on edge since he had first felt the strange sensation a few moments ago. He ran his hands through his dark... - #3
'The Etched City' by K.J. Bishop is a dark fantasy novel that follows the journey of two former revolutionaries, Gwynn and Raule, as they escape a failed rebellion in the Copper Country and make their way to the city of Ashamoil. In this phantasmagoric city, the two characters embark on separate paths - Gwynn becomes an enforcer for a criminal gang while Raule works as a healer for the poor in the slums. The book weaves a complex and dark narrative, exploring themes of art, religion, crime, and the fantastical, creating a world where beauty and horror coexist.
The writing style of 'The Etched City' is described as baroque, extravagantly descriptive, and wonderfully imagined, with elements of magic realism and surrealism. The novel features compelling characters moving through a possibly post-apocalyptic world that is both familiar and dreamlike, offering a mix of action, introspection, and fantastical elements that keep readers engaged throughout.
There were no milestones in the Copper Country. Often a traveller could only measure the progress of a journey by the time it took to get from each spoiled or broken thing to the next: a half day’s wa... - #4
"The President" by Miguel Angel Asturias is a grim and satirical portrait of life under a totalitarian regime in an unnamed Latin American country. The story revolves around the President's favorite, Angel Face, who is tasked with handling the disappearance of General Canales, a close associate of the President who has fallen into disgrace. The plot unfolds with intricate political schemes, betrayals, and a deep exploration of the brutal realities of the political system, set against the backdrop of a dictatorship characterized by terror, deception, and secrecy.
Asturias's writing style captures the lushness of the scenes, the sufferings of the characters, and the ominous mood that pervades the country under the dictatorship. The narrative is filled with surreal effects, dream sequences, lyrical descriptions of nature, and terrifying portrayals of the prison experience. delves into the insanity of dictatorship at various levels, exploring how it affects individuals psychologically and how propaganda and misinformation are used to maintain the President's iron control over the country.
- #5
Devices And Desires by P.D. James is a murder mystery novel in the Adam Dalgliesh series set in the late 80s in Norfolk, England. The story follows Commander Adam Dalgliesh as he becomes entangled in a series of murders by a serial killer known as The Whistler, against the backdrop of a rural community dominated by a nuclear power station. The book intricately weaves together multiple plot threads, including the murder of a career woman, the safety concerns of nuclear power, and the personal lives of the characters. P.D. James skillfully crafts a remote setting and a cast of well-developed suspects, creating a dark and atmospheric mystery with unexpected twists and turns.
The Whistler’s fourth victim was his youngest, Valerie Mitchell, aged fifteen years, eight months and four days, and she died because she missed the 9.40 bus from Easthaven to Cobb’s Marsh. As always,...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Adam Dalgliesh ) - #6
This book revolves around crime, a news story, and an unpredictable group of characters. It is a spare, gritty depiction of the unpleasant nature of journalism and the depths of immorality to which some of its practitioners will sink in an effort to win recognition. The story delves into the underbelly of investigative journalism in Florida, focusing on the characters' flaws and the consequences of their actions.
THE MAN SHERIFF CALL stomped to death in Lately was a former Chrysler/Plymouth salesman at Duncan Brothers Motors named Jerome Van Wetter, who was discharged finally not for being a drunk—which he was... - #7
'Dear Mr. M' by Herman Koch is a novel filled with dark humor and unlikable characters, reflecting the author's contempt for self-centered writers and fans with trite questions. The story follows the disappearance and possible murder of a teacher named Jan Landzaat by his students, with a complex plot and numerous twists and turns in the narrative. The book weaves together multiple themes and perspectives, creating a degustation-style reading experience that requires time and patience to fully appreciate.
The narrative of 'Dear Mr. M' is set in The Netherlands and delves into the lives of students in a summerhouse near the Belgian border, while also exploring the egocentric world of writers and publishers. The book challenges readers to think and question, offering an unforgettable journey that leaves them pondering the unexpected twists and turns. With a mix of first-person narration and multiple viewpoints, the novel keeps readers engaged as they piece together the mysteries surrounding the characters and their interconnected lives.
In your books you often describe faces, but I’d like to challenge you to describe mine. Down here, beside the front door we share, or in the elevator, you nod to me politely, but on the street and at ... - #8
Set in a newly independent and still unstable Central African country, the story follows an Indian man who uproots his existence and becomes a shop owner in a remote African village situated at the bend in the river. Through his eyes, readers witness the changes the country undergoes during post-colonial times, depicting a life filled with exotic, dangerous, and corrupt elements. The novel provides a vivid portrayal of the struggles faced by individuals trying to survive in an ever-changing and unfamiliar world, all narrated by a character who sits at the center of events without having much impact on them.
The book delves into themes of uprootedness, the constant jockeying for security, and the generalized fear that settles over the residents of the community. It offers a reflection on the existential dilemmas faced by the characters, the tension between family acceptance and alienation, and the transient nature of human experience amidst political upheaval and turmoil in Africa.
Nazruddin, who had sold me the shop cheap, didn’t think I would have it easy when I took over. The country, like others in Africa, had had its troubles after independence. The town in the interior, at... - #9
"The Gates of Ivory" by Margaret Drabble unfolds through the viewpoints of a psychologist and three women friends, along with the writer himself and individuals he encounters during his travels. The narrative is described as very British, with intricate language usage that captivates readers. The story is set against the backdrop of a mist that gradually lifts, revealing a complex and mysterious plot that involves a psychologist in London receiving a package linked to her missing writer friend.
This is a novel—if novel it be—about Good Time and Bad Time. Imagine yourself standing by a bridge over a river on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Behind you, the little town of Aranyaprathe... - #10
'Brimstone' in the Agent Pendergast series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child follows FBI agent Pendergast as he investigates a series of murders with devil-like trappings such as fire, sulfur, and hoofprints burned into the floor. The plot is described as having a good pace, a thrilling storyline that keeps readers hooked, and intricate details that make the writing exquisite. The novel introduces new characters like Vincent D'Agosta and Laura Hayward, adding depth to the story and setting the stage for future story arcs.
The authors, known for their meticulous research and authentic locations, blend elements of the occult, espionage, international assassins, and history in this complex and richly woven narrative. is praised for its dark and malevolent tone, the fresh take on the genre, and the character development of Pendergast, leaving readers eager for more mysteries to be unraveled in the Pendergast Mythos.
Agnes Torres parked her white Ford Escort in the little parking area outside the hedge and stepped into the cool dawn air. The hedges were twelve feet high and as impenetrable as a brick wall; only th...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Agent Pendergast )