The Burnings
by Julian Lees
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Pub Date 3 May 2018 | Archive Date 19 May 2018
Little, Brown Book Group UK | Constable
Description
'Lees' strikingly descriptive writing transports you directly to the streets of Jakarta... this will make you want to book a flight right now' Independent
A killer hides in plain sight on the crowded streets of Jakarta . . .
When a woman's scorched remains are discovered in her burnt-out car, Ruud Pujasumarta and his team are brought in to investigate what appears to be a routine homicide. But when another woman's charred body is found a few days later, Ruud also finds a banner unfurled by the corpse's feet. A verse from the Quran is scribbled across it, calling for unbelievers to be burned. Suspicions that the team have a religiously-motivated serial killer on their hands seem to be confirmed when a third body turns up with the same MO.
But who is responsible? Is it the Australian diplomat who was obsessed with the first victim? The imam who preaches Sharia law? Or the military general taking backhanders and living a life of luxury in Jakarta? Despite the many possible suspects, Ruud is suspicious that the killer may actually be someone much closer to home, someone he has trusted for many years. What unravels next is a terrifying chain of events . . . And what Ruud discovers puts his life, and the lives of those around him, in danger.
Praise for Julian Lees
'Lee's striking descriptive writing transports you directly to the streets of Jakarta' Irish Independent
'A darkly compelling tale of family secrets, lies and murder' Crime Review
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781472123138 |
| PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Featured Reviews
Elaine T, Reviewer
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a review copy of The Burnings, the second novel to feature Inspektur Ruud Pujasumarta of the Jakarta police.
Ruud and the team are called out when a burning body is found in a burnt out car. The body is identified as Jillian Parker, an Australian yoga teacher, so the team swing into action, looking at Jillian's life, but when more burning bodies of western women are discovered they have to re-assess their approach.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Burnings which is a pulse pounding read with plenty of action, twists and turns and never a dull moment. The plot widens from a "simple" murder investigation into the hunt for a serial killer as more bodies and information are uncovered. The motive is elusive until Ruud has a eureka moment towards the end, although it is probably the least convincing moment in the novel for reasons I can't go into without spoilers. Still, the novel is well paced with a steady flow of reveals, excitement and action. It is a fairly violent novel with Ruud's team suffering injuries in the course of the investigation, never mind what is done to the victims.
Ruud Pujasumarta is a fairly stereotypical detective protagonist, determined, dogged, smart and unafraid to get stuck in. He also has an issue with authority, particularly his superiors at work, but the setting, somehow, makes it seem different. The novel has a wonderful atmosphere from the food to the overwhelming heat and it really makes the reader feel that they are in Indonesia. Policing is different there as it is not well resourced or technologically advanced, although some would say it's not so different in the UK nowadays, and politics seem to influence the decision making.
The Burnings is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
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