Reviewed By: Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM
Monstrum
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Donald James
Class/Genre: Mystery Theater Serial Killer
1997, Villard 437 pages/ $24.95
Over the years different authors have given a glimpse to the future. Not the actual future, but a future that might be. Orwell did it with 1984 (and actually came pretty close to the truth). Paul Johnston has given us a look at what might happen if cities become their own countries and the world order changed.
Donald James ha a bit of a different look at the possible future, one that is very conceivable. The first of what so far is a trilogy, Monstrum is set in Russia. A Russia in 2015 that has seen war and a country changed by it. The main character is Inspector Constantin Vadim, and through his cynical detective eyes we see a Russia that has just defeated anarchist rebels.
Vadim is tracking down a serial killer who is called Monstrum. Hampered by a lack of any real budget the police department isn’t what it once was. The only thing Vadim really has working in his favor is his relentless pursuit of the killer. While dodging through political red tape and other restrictions Vadim follows the trail.
Monstrum is a book that kept me thinking long after I finished reading it. The mystery aspects are beautifully done, but done in conjunction with the telling of how Russia got to be what it is in 2015, it’s a knock out punch.
Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jon Jordan - Crime Spree Magazine - RAM
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