Phantoms of Breslau by Marek Krajewski

 

Phantoms of Breslau is the third in a series of books following the investigations of Eberhard Mock, the delightfully unorthodox Criminal Assistant with a suitably murky past. It is 1919 in the Polish city of Breslau, and four unnamed sailors are found brutally murdered. Mock is put on the case, and it seems this is entirely expected by the killer, because he taunts Mock in messages which demand a confession. The perpetrator is intent on getting hold of Mock’s acknowledgement of some past indiscretion, but the detective is unable to make the link between the victims and his own past. Mock explores the city’s labyrinthine underworld for answers, but his actions are being closely monitored, as his witnesses soon become the killer’s victims. The narrative is dogged by Mock’s phantoms – intense and overbearing. It is only by drinking heavily that Mock can keep them at bay, but unfortunately it is only by confronting these shadowy demons that Monk can attempt to regain control and gain some understanding of the killer’s motives. Atmospheric and laced with dark humour, this tale of corruption is edgier than the usual crime fiction, and especially good for readers looking for something a little different. [Megan Agnew]