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Readers > Devil's Feathers > Comments And Reviews
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Comments And Reviews
"A scorching tale of long-buried secrets and revenge—a page-turner worth losing sleep over."
--- ForemostPress.com
Onur Levent has just begun his annual holiday on the Turkish Aegean coast. Holiday, though, means something different to Levent than it means to most people. Although he genuinely tries to leave his work behind, it follows him like a bloodhound. His holiday in the sunny resort town of Bodrum is interrupted by a phone call, and Levent is handed the task of solving the murder of a man with a murky background, dubious business acumen, and apparent connections deep inside the Turkish shadow government.
A nameless man, or rather one with perhaps too many names, has been burned alive in his car in the bustling coastal resort town. Levent must solve the puzzle of who torched the victim and why, and resist the urge to investigate the victim’s own colorful criminal background. Levent is as intrigued by the victim as he is by the hunt for his killer, but he forces himself to focus on the hunt. Still, he finds himself tugging at threads in spite of himself, even though he knows they will lead him to places he should not go.
Meanwhile, the investigation draws Levent away from the beaches, the dinner parties, and the nightlife that had been packed into his holiday plans. One suspects, however, upon getting to know Levent, that he secretly prefers the investigation to the beaches and the parties.
Well-paced dialog, clear and thorough descriptions, and believable dramatic scenes keep the story flowing nicely. The plot develops well, with a fine balance of action and mystery.
The intrigue and the intricacies of Detective Levent’s investigation held my attention in spite of distractions that periodically kept me away from this solidly written and finely edited book. I returned to the story easily after short periods away, as my interest held the details fresh in my mind. Fine books like this stay with you even when you’re forced to put them down for a time.
David Chacko writes with the ease of a polished storyteller. Ordinarily, I’m not a fan of frequent simile; I prefer that they be used sparingly. But Chacko turns similes like an expert potter turns fine art; I found myself looking forward to his creativity, and smiling when I wasn’t disappointed. Chacko’s style effectively conveys the aura and the mindset of the main character, a skilled veteran homicide investigator who holds his ideals loosely enough that he’s able to swim among personalities and situations that fall far short of them. This solid character’s ability to accept the underside of life without embracing it himself gives him a distinct edge in bringing his investigation to a successful, if harrowing close.
Devil's Feathers is a good mystery, with plenty of intrigue and well-drawn cultural flavor. I felt present in the Aegean resort town, immersed in the essence of Turkish culture and social mores, and absorbed by Levent’s dogged pursuit of elusive facts. A good writer takes the reader along for the ride; Chacko accomplished that admirably with this book. It’s the first of Chacko’s books I’ve had the pleasure to read, but it won’t be my last.
Jack Dixon, author of The Pict
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I really enjoyed this book. It is fast-paced and entertaining, but well written enough to be far from a guilty pleasure. I can see this ending up on PBS' Masterpiece Mystery someday.
I was also excited to find out that there are other stories about Onur Levent, as his character was by far the most interesting part of the story. The plot may or may not be somewhat predictable, I for one was more interested in Levent's process. So while this book is not life changing, it is perfect summer reading for the reader who is bored with chick lit and typical mystery novels.
I will definitely read Chacko again.
Khrystine D. Kelsey, LibraryThing.com
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I really liked this book. It's been a while since I last picked up a murder mystery, and I'm glad this was the one I read. Onur Levent was an interesting character, always juggling the demands of work and his private life. I'd definitely seek out other books that he's a character in.
Meigan Murdock, LibraryThing.com
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I really enjoyed this book. It took me awhile to get into it because of the unfamiliar names, but it was very interesting. (Four Stars)
Stephanie Gates, LibraryThing.com
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This is a good vacation read. The author, David Chacko, took me to Turkey, a country that is in the news more and more, to the resort town of Bodrum for a sun filled murder mystery.
Inspector Levent and his lovely socialite wife are on holiday in the Mediterranian resort town of Bodrum when a local businessman is burned alive in his car. Levent, a seasoned homicide detectve in Istanbul is asked by his chief to assist the local police in their investigation: someone in the national government had taken an interest. From there on the tale unfolds.
Tightly written, Devil's Feathers introduces the reader to modern Turkish culture and to a cast of characters who are entwined by a dark fiery past. Chacko's story is sparsely written, so it moves quickly from point to point, much like the Inspector Levent driving his Honda through the Turkish mountains.
The author enjoys telling his story and leaves well placed clues for the reader to ponder. I wish the author had given more details of Turkish culture and developed his characters a bit more.
Devil's Feathers is a well formed vacation read and I would like to read more of Chacko's work.
Les Phillips, LibraryThing.com
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Devil's Feathers, the second novel in the Inspector Levent series, by David Chacko, takes on more than the usual police procedural. Istanbul Homicide is Levent's usual beat, and murder seldom has to be explained. But this time Levent is on his vacation at the Aegean Coast when he's called to investigate an extremely violent and apparently unmotivated murder at a convenience store.
The victim has deliberately been burnt alive in his Mercedes, as if death was not enough to satisfy the killer's need. Levent is aware of that at once, and becomes more aware as he uncovers the victim's past and the killer's tracks. Gradually, Levent comes to understand that where these two things intersect will correspond with the kill point.
In pursuit of the killer, Levent moves through the glitz and flash of society on the Turkish Riviera at the height of the season. This is where Istanbul summers, and what we see through Levent is a microcosm of that vast city transposed to a much smaller place. It is home to some of the most beautiful waters and vistas on earth, all bent to the weight of a consuming mass tourism.
The natural beauty and its exploitation also become a part of the plot. The trail leads Levent through corrupt construction projects, drug trafficking, the shadow of the Deep State that operates behind Turkey's official government, and forgotten crimes that bear on the present like an echo. The book does these things with a lot of verve in the writing, close knowledge of beautiful people and places, and a main character with remarkable range.
Devil's Feathers runs the risk of being overwhelmed by the past, but accepts the dare and brings the action to a powerful conclusion on a mountaintop outside the city. The name of the devil is finally spoken, but he is opposed by an even more determined angel of death. All the vectors of the plot come together in a giant forest fire that takes nearly everything down. The fire is literally hell and the devils of our making.
ForemostPress.com
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"Be forewarned; you better disconnect your phone before starting Devil's Feathers."
--- ForemostPress.com
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