A Simple Act of Violence - Softcover

Ellory, R.J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752891898 ISBN 13: 9780752891897

Publisher: Orion, 2008

Synopsis

Washington, embroiled in the mid-term elections, did not want to hear about serial killings. But when the newspapers reported a fourth murder, when they gave the killer a name and details of his horrendous crimes, there were few people that could ignore it.

Detective Robert Miller is assigned to the case. He and his partner begin the task of correlating and cross-referencing the details of each crime scene. Rapidly things begin to complicate. The victims do not officially exist. Their personal details do not register on any known systems. The harder Miller works, the less it makes sense. And as Miller unearths ever more disturbing facts, he starts to face truths so far-removed from his own reality that he begins to fear for his life.

This is a novel about trust, loyalty, and beliefs that are so ingrained which, when challenged, they leave people with nothing. Vast in scope, A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE is an exposé of the brutality of covert operations, the power of greed and the insidious nature of corruption. It is also a story of love and trust that somehow managed to survive the very worst that the world could throw at it.

About this title

Review:

An awesome achievement - a thriller of such power, scope and accomplishment that fanfares should herald its arrival (GUARDIAN (01.11.08))

Dramas gratifyingly evoked by Ellory's perfect portrayal of a city held captive by a serial killer. So skilful is his use of dialogue and the Washington location, in a thriller that propels the reader along and offers shocks and suspense in equal measure, that one never doubts the authenticity of his American credentials... At 500 pages, this is a long, substantial novel. Yet had it been twice as long this reviewer would still have wanted more. (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY)

A Simple Act of Violence is an expose of the brutality of covert operations, the power of greed and the insidious nature of corruption. It is also a story of love and trust that somehow managed to survive the very worst that the world could throw at it. (DEADLY PLEASURES (Oct 08))

Ellory brings a new psychological and moral tension to the genre, mixing Washington politics with serial killings. (SAGA (Oct 08))

A 600-page blockbuster that twists two stories together into a real headache for harrassed homicide detective Robert Miller, and it confirms Elloy's breakthrough book, A Quiet Belief in Angels, was no fluke. 9/10 (PETERBOROUGH EVENING TELEGRAPH (11 Oct))

A fast-paced and wonderfully constucted plot (NEWS LETTER (N Ireland) (17 Oct))

This is a book with everything that a fan of modern mystery fiction could hope for; a labyrinthine plot, unbearable tension, controversy and a social conscience. (CRIMESQUAD)

An ambitious and gripping novel... shot through with a fierce and informed political anger. (MORNING STAR)

As always with Ellory, the canvas is vast and ambitious, with the various human emotions at the centre of the narrative writ large. (GOOD BOOK GUIDE)

Ellory exposes the cynicism, greed and brutality beneath the world of covert operations and high-octane politics... This 500-pare generally delivers a lot of bang for your buck... Fascinating. (IRISH EXAMINER)

Book Description:

Washington has a new menace... a serial killer whose victims don't exist...

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0752891898
• ISBN 13: 9780752891897
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512