Jacks and Jokers by Matthew Condon

Matthew Condon, Jacks and Jokers (St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press; Kindle edition, 2014), 466 pages.

Jacks and Jokers is the second book in a three book series about police corruption in Queensland, Australia from the 1960s through the late 1980s. This book covers the mid 1970s through the mid 1980s. It provides exquisitely detailed accounts of various illegal and criminal activities in Queensland during that time and the manner in which some of these activities proceeded without police or State government interference. The numerous stories of illegal and criminal behavior demonstrated various degrees of police (and at time government) complicity, co-operation, approval and involvement. The author goes beyond explaining the scope of the crimes and the level of police corruption to show how elements of the Queensland became a law unto themselves, having changed from being a tool in the administration of justice to being a political arm of government and an organizer or overseer of various protection rackets involving narcotics, prostitution and illegal gaming.

Crime has been around for a long time, since the times of Cain and Abel, or if you prefer, Romulus and Remus. Baring some dramatic shift in human nature, its likely to continue. We shouldn't be surprised then to read of it in its various forms, including murder, bribery, corruption, prostitution, drugs and gambling. THis book covers a lot of these sorts of crimes. What surprises this reader is the scale of these activities the in one region of Australia, and the extent of police involvement and government blindness to the police force's involvement in its operation, control and management. This book does very well in documenting these activities. Some of these crimes have been reported in other book and publications, and others have come to light by involved persons disclosing them to the author following the publication of the author's first book in this series. This second book by Condon shines a light on these troubled time in Queensland, Australia. Its well written, but readers should be cautioned that after a while they may tire of continuos chapters of illegal and criminal activities with no opportunity for catharsis of the emergence of an heroic figure. For this, we will have to wait for the third book in the series to be published.

The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly, The Gods of Guilt (New York: Little, Brown and Company; 2013), 400 pages.

  

Gods of Guilt is a Michael Connelly crime novel. The story is based around a Los Angeles based criminal defense attorney called Michael Haller, a recurring character in Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series. This book is about Haller defending a man accused of killing one of his former clients, a prostitute that Haller tried to reform or help leave the business. Haller’s defense investigation reveals that his new client was set up, and that the victim may have been killed because of her role as a witness in another case, an appeal against a conviction by an incarcerated drug cartel member. The deceased prostitute was a witness in a case that could free the cartel member if she acknowledged her role as an informant to the Federal Government’s Drug Enforcement Agency (“D.E.A.”). Her testimony could reveal criminal activity by a corrupt D.E.A. agent, including planting evidence that led to the conviction of the cartel member. For Haller to free his new client, he has to show in court the part played by his deceased former prostitute client in assisting the corrupt D.E.A agent commit a crime. This act would introduce to his defense the element of reasonable doubt through the identification of an alternate killer with both opportunity and motive.

This book is a typical Connelly book. It is a fast moving story that maintains the reader’s interest with generous doses of court room drama, suspense, official corruption and troubled relationships. As seems to be the case with most Connelly books, the principal characters are less than perfect and have paid a high price for their success, namely, marriage failures and alienation from their children. Gods of Guilt is an interesting book that would be enjoyed by Connelly’s regular readers, or persons that enjoy realistic crime fiction that accurately portrays the prosecution of crimes in Los Angeles. If the story is truly realistic, Connelly seems to be warning the reader, though his main character Haller, to never talk to police when they are investigating a murder without having a lawyer present because the police will most likely try to pin it on you.

Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief by Bill a Mason and Lee Gruenfeld

Confessions of a Master Jewel Thief by Bill Mason and Lee Gruenfeld, (New York: Villard Books; 2005), 365 pages.

Confessions always make good reading. From the times of Saint Augustine we've read them in great number. Those of us that live quiet lives seem always willing to pay for the confessions of Saints and sinners. Bill Mason fits into the sinner camp. He was an exceptional jewel thief that plied his specialized craft in Cleveland and South Florida. During the day, Mason worked a a successful property manager and real estate investor. On the side, he was a jewel thief that over his career stole more than $35 million worth of jewels from wealthy industrialists, actors, show business personalities, and wealthy socialites. This book reflects on his early life and early crimes, his growing confidence as he successfully completed more dangerous robberies, his relocation to Florida and fresh crop of new targets, his embarrassment of the Florida police, the five years he spent as a fugitive, his time in jail and prison, and the events that led to him retiring from a life of crime.

Mason's confessions show how the life of crime does not pay. We read of his excitement of successfully completing a succession of heists, and the highs of completing a range of jobs. But we also read of his brush with death after being shot by a security guard, the dogged pursuit of him by the Florida police, the misery he caused his family by long absences in jail and being a fugitive from the law for five years, as well as the stress and strain he caused his wife by her not knowing whether he will come home from a job. Mason paints a pretty good picture of the highs and lows of his criminal life and appears genuine when he apologizes for all the misery and pain he inflicted on his wives and children. He regrets the life that he lived, but shows that even though he had a lot of fun for a while, in the long run his live as a master jewel thief was not worth the suffering he inflicted on himself and those he loved. Let's hope that any potential criminals that read this book learn from Mason's experience and heed his advice.

Persuader by Lee Child

Lee Child, Persuader (New York: Dell Books; 2003), 480 pages.

Lee Child's "Persuader" is another book featuring Child's signature character Jack Reacher. Reacher is a former military policeman who is now retired and spends his time travelling incognito around the United States. He prefers to keep to himself, but situations and circumstances arise that work against this. In this book, Reacher finds himself in New England helping federal agents infiltrate a criminal organization that has taken a federal agent hostage. Reacher's motivation in personal: he recognizes a member of the criminal organization as someone he and his team failed to kill ten years ago. With this second chance, Reacher successfully works "off the books" with the federal agents and infiltrates the criminal organization and systematically goes about doing what he does best, namely kill bad people without remorse.

As a work of fiction, "Persuader" is adequately entertaining. It’s well written by a prolific author that has built a successful writing and now movie franchise around the character of Jack Reacher. "Persuader" is not a work of art and it’s a good bet that the author will not be recommended for a Booker or Nobel Prize based on this work. The book however does enough to keep the reader turning the pages. I'm not sure this is Lee Child's best book. At times it’s formulaic and riddled with violence. I didn't enjoy it, but did not dislike it so much as to want to put it down. A book about a self-righteous, live for the moment nihilist who operates simultaneously in co-operation with the law and above the law and intent of a killing spree motivated by revenge is enough to contain my curiosity for the duration. The down side of this book is that it breeds familiarity and sympathy for such a character who acts simultaneously as enforcer, judge, jury and executioner. I'm not certain that this is what we want in all of our popular fiction, but acknowledge that Lee Child has built a career on serving an audience that wants exactly that. Perhaps this reader has read enough of the works of Lee Child for the time being. Perhaps it is time for this reader to move onto other authors and come back to the works Lee Child at a later date.

Three Crooked Kings by Matthew Condon

Matthew Condon, Three Crooked Kings (St. Lucia: University of Queensland Press; 2012), 352 pages.

This book, the first of two by the author on the subject, details the corruption in the Queensland (Australia) Police Force from the post-World War Two era through to the 1970s. The corruption is centered on three ambitious but corrupt policemen: Terry Lewis, Tony Murphy and Glen Hallahan who through intimidation, guile and other various means operated as a protected but corrupt core of officers throughout the police force. Condon writes about their rise from their positions as raw recruits, patrol officers, detectives and (in Lewis's case) management positions including ultimately the office of commissioner. Condon's book accounts for their rise through the force, their role in various illegal activities and protection rackets, the mentoring and protection they received from other corrupt officers, in particular, former Commissioner Francis Bishoff. The book concludes with Lewis's ascendancy to the position of Police Commissioner. The pending second book in the series is expected to cover his time in this office, and his eventual downfall and prosecution.

Many of the facts in this book have been covered in other books, most recently by Steve Bishop in "The Most Dangerous Detective." Many of the facts are repeated, but in less detail than in Bishop's book. The biggest innovation or revelation in this book are the facts revealed by Condon’s access to Lewis's personal diaries. Lewis kept detailed diaries throughout his entire career. Condon's exclusive access to these records enabled him to give a broader accounting of Lewis’s career. For example, Condon details Lewis’s impressive record as an ambitious patrol officer, Lewis's record in securing convictions, and his success as a detective in clearing cases. Condon also writes about Lewis's meeting with other important police and political figures, providing accounts of what was discussed. These facts enable Condon to confirm facts alleged by others, and point to contradictory or differing accounts of various events in the careers of the three principal officers (Lewis, Murphy and Hallahan).

Condon's book is aimed at a wide audience. It covers most of the subject matter in sufficient detail; however, it lacks the depth of Bishop's book. Nonetheless it is an excellent primer into the extent of police and political corruption in Queensland in the post-World War Two era. This book would best be read prior to Bishop's more detailed and scholarly work, and Condon's forthcoming second book in the series.

The Bat by Jo Nesbo

Jo Nesbo, The Bat, translated from the Norwegian by Don Bartlett (Originally published in Norway as Flaggermusmannen by H. Aschehoug & Co., Oslo, 2997; this edition New York: Vintage Books, 2012), 369 pages.

This book is apparently the first of a crime series featuring a character known as Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad. In this first book of the series, Harry Hole is dispatched to Sydney, Australia to observe a murder investigation into the death of a Norwegian tourist. Harry Hole initially observes the local detectives and offers assistance, but eventually becomes immersed and involved in the case by helping the local detectives and their investigators, and ultimately running the investigation. His willingness to get involved before asking for permission help to get results by solving not only the case of the deceased Norwegian tourist, but also other murders that occur during the investigation. Harry’s actions succeed despite his self-destructive alcoholism. He uncovers what appears to be a series of related murders, and solves them.

The Bat is a well written crime novel. The translator’s efforts made the book very readable, and combined with Nesbo’s gift for storytelling, produce a very good crime story. Nesbo’s command of the crime story idiom is strengthened by the exotic setting of Sydney. Nesbo’s knowledge of local customs and history enhances the story. Some features of the story stretch the bounds of reality: in practice I think it highly unlikely that Sydney’s police force would allow anyone from outside their force run a major homicide investigation. Observer status is believable, but running the case seems highly unlikely. This does not matter because this is a work of fiction where the story is limited by the author’s imagination. This quibble aside, Nesbo’s The Bat, is an entertaining story in a city I know that is not New York, Los Angeles or London. For entertainment value, this book succeeds on every level. It is no wonder that Nesbo sold many books.

The Most Dangerous Detective by Steve Bishop

Steve Bishop, The Most Dangerous Detective, (Amazon Create Space Books, 2012), 369 pages.

Corruption occurs in all sorts of places, and manifests itself in different ways. This book exposes the police and political corruption that occurred in the Australian state of Queensland from the late 1950s through the late 1980s. According to Steve Bishop, a core of official corruption existed in Queensland, from police on the beat all the way through the state police force through to two separate police commissioners, judges, politicians, barristers, and members of the executive branch of government. This systemic corruption was eventually exposed in a judicial inquiry that exposed the extent of the corruption that forced the prosecution and eventual conviction of numerous police and politicians including a police commissioner.

Bishop’s book is a roughly chronological treatment of the growth of police and political corruption in Queensland in the second half of the 20^th century. He initially focuses on the activities of a detective Glenn Hallahan, a man of considerable reputation earned by his work on solving a triple murder. Hallahan’s detective work led to the arrest, conviction, and eventual execution of the alleged murderer. According to Bishop, the conviction was won through false evidence, perjury, and a forced confession. Following this successful prosecution of an innocent man, Hallahan’s career took off under the initial guidance of corrupt detective Francis Bishoff, who later became Police Commissioner. Hallahan regularly colluded with two other officers, Tony Murphy and Terry Lewis (himself later elevated to Police Commissioner), to profit from their positions of authority. Hallahan used perjury and illegal actions to frame people for crimes. Bishop shows how Hallahan regularly committed perjury to win convictions and close cases and therefore be considered for promotion. Hallahan’s illegal activities did not stop there. He also committed and conspired with others to commit a variety of crimes, including the following:

• Running protection rackets for illegal bookmakers.
• Running protection rackets for brothels and prostitutes.
• Arranging armed robberies, including in some instances, hiring felons from other states to commit the robberies.
• Arranging for the importation of illegal narcotics from South East Asia.
• The murder of potential witnesses.

Proceeds from various protection rackets were shared with other members of the so-called Rat Pack, namely detectives Tony Murphy and Terry Lewis with approval of their mentor Francis Bishoff, who eventually was made Police Commissioner. Bishop writes in great detail how for over two decades Hallahan and his Rat Pack colleagues neutered multiple judicial inquiries into police corruption, and fought internal affairs investigations started by a new incorruptible Commissioner appointed from outside the Queensland Police, and found a battle to rid the force of this Commissioner.

Bishop’s book is a damning inditement of the political accommodation of corruption in the Queensland Police Service from the late 1950’s through to the later 1980’s. Bishop does not condemn all police and he is quick to acknowledge the work of honest police. We should not think that corruption doesn’t occur. To think that it can is naïve. People in positions of authority, such as police and their political overseers, can sometimes be tempted to act illegally, or turn a blind eye to graft and corruption. This book shows the consequences of such corruption becoming systemic, where the corrupt obtain political protection so that they brazenly carry on their illegal activities in the open, seemingly above the law. Bishop’s book shows how it was done in Queensland, and the impact of this corruption on the police and their political masters.

This is a detailed book, much more so than a regular non-fiction book. Bishop’s research is conclusive and damning. He writes with an almost prosecutorial zeal to expose the truth with the overwhelming weight of evidence. With all the previous act of perjury, cover-ups, judicial inquiry white-washes, it at times, appears that Bishop is going to do what so few have done before, namely, tell the truth about all the scandals, all the corruption, and all the lies. Bishop names names, and point fingers, and pulls no punches. So effective is he that I was left shaking my head over how bad things were. Given the impact of this book, particularly the range and scope of corruption it reveals, this book should be widely read in Australia (for obvious reasons) and in other places by people interested in the impact of unchecked police and political corruption.

"The Drop," by Michael Connelly

Michael Connelly, The Drop, (New York: Hachette Book Group; 2011), 483 pages.

The Drop is another book in the Harry Bosch series written by Michael Connelly. Bosch is an uncompromising Los Angeles Police Department detective of retirement age, who stays on the job because he must;. Solving murders is what he does, and he does it well. Bosch is a character with a single-minded pursuit of justice on behalf of the murder victim. He is determined and single-minded in pursuit of the murderer, often to the detriment of his family relationships, his work partner and his boss. His motto is everyone matters, or no-one matters.

Bosch is in familiar surroundings in The Drop, namely, the open unsolved or cold case unit, although with a twist. On the same day, Bosch is assigned two new cases, one open-unsolved, and another a new case. In the new case, Bosch and his work partner were chosen by the Commissioner for the new case, the murder of the son on an old Bosch nemesis now in politics. The plot involves Bosch and his partner working the case while negotiating the rocks and shoals of Los Angeles Police Department   and Los Angeles City Council politics. Bosch's second case is a cold case that became active due to a positive finding from a DNA test. A problem is revealed with the DNA test when it is positively matched to a person aged 8 years at the time of the murder. Bosch's relentless pursuit of the killer in light of this unusual DNA evidence reveals a startling and gruesome killer that had been operating in Los Angeles for more than 20 years.

Connelly displays all his writing talent in The Drop. He has a gift for the seemingly accurate and realistic portrayal of police procedure. He combines his eye for detail, knowledge of police procedure and gift for storytelling to write a fine book. This combination gives us an entertaining and fast-moving story consistent with Connelly's previous work of police mystery writing.

"Back Story," by Robert B. Parker

“Back Story” by Robert B. Parker, (New York: Berkley Books; 2003), 290 pages.

Back Story is a crime novel, a “whodunit” where the murder is investigated by a private investigator called Spenser. The format for a murder mystery is well known, in that it takes the form of a murder being revealed, and the remainder of the book being devoted to the solving of the murder. This general model is followed here, with a slight variation with the murder occurring 35 years ago. The case has long been marked as un-solved; however in this book the deceased’s daughter brings the case to Spenser who agrees to solve it. The challenges normally present in a murder case are therefore made more complicated by the passage of time, and the associated memory lapses, missing documents, and long forgotten or buried facts, reports, and grievances. Before he solves the case, Spenser escapes two attempts on is life, makes a couple of trips across the country to interview witnesses, dispenses lethal violence on some thugs, and become associated with colorful business identities involved in some questionable and illegal businesses. As we expect, Spenser solves the crime, but in doing so, reveals secrets the client did not expect nor want to hear, as well as discovering the reasons for a cover-up during the initial murder investigation 35 years ago.

Back Story is light and breezy reading. It would appeal to fans of Robert Parker’s writing, particularly fans of the Spenser series of books. The book provides very good entertainment for the lover of crime faction. If you are looking for fast-paced entertainment, this could be a book for you. Its numerous short chapters make it easy to read in multiple sessions and make it the perfect book to keep on you while waiting in line at the doctor or dentist.

"9 Dragons," by Michael Connelly

9 Dragons, by Michael Connelly (New York: Hachette Book Group; 2009), 469 pages.

In 9 Dragons, Michael Connelly gives the reader another Los Angeles-based fictional crime story, centered on Connelly’s always intriguing character, Vietnam veteran and formerly retired Los Angeles Police Department Detective Harry Bosch. In 9 Dragons, Bosch is once again confronted with murder and death, and once again shows rare fortitude in the face of a rising tide of indifference among his fellow detectives who seem too willing to accept easy solutions and an easy way out. Not Bosch.

In 9 Dragons, the story unfolds in three parts. In the first part, Bosch and his distracted partner investigate the murder of an ethnic Chinese male store owner. Bosch follows some leads, interviews witnesses and the surviving family members at their other place of business, and follows up on some leads with other units of the Los Angeles Police Department. At the same time, Bosch explores the possibility that the murder is related to Chinese organized crime.

Bosch’s ex-wife and daughter live in Hong Kong. When his daughter goes missing and is later conformed to have been kidnapped, Bosch thinks her disappearance is related to his murder investigation and immediately flies to Hong Kong to find her. In Hong Kong he joins with his ex-wife and her boyfriend to commence the search. This search forms the second part of the story, and is made notable for two notable events: the death of Bosch’s ex-wife, and Bosch’s righteous killing rampage pursued in his successful quest to find his daughter and return her to Los Angeles with him. The third part of the story is Bosch’s solving of the murder. He realizes that his daughter’s disappearance and kidnapping is unrelated to the murder investigation, and, that the murderer had been leading him astray all along with a series of lies that started at the start of his investigation.

Connelly’s 9 Dragons is another fine addition to the growing collection of Harry Bosch murder novels. The story has Connelly’s regular account of the difficulties faced by police officers that are married to their job: they often loose their families, and wives to the demands of being a police officer. Harry Bosch is such a police officer: he is married to the job; he never gives up, and is often the last and only person who cares about finding justice for the dead victim.

This book is not great literature – it would be hard to claim that it was. Rather, it is exceptional crime fiction, or murder mystery fiction ideal for consumption on a long plane flight, or in front of a fire on a cold, wet afternoon, while waiting in the dentist’s office, or any other moment you have a spare bit of time for a fast-paced and gripping story that’s both authentic and well told. Read it and you won’t be disappointed.

The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly

In The Brass Verdict, Michael Connelly gives the reader another Los Angeles-based fictional crime story, this time its one that brings together two of Connelly’s most intriguing characters, veteran Los Angeles Police Department detective Harry Bosch and “Lincoln Lawyer” Mickey Haller. The two are (naturally) brought together by a crime, the murder of Haller’s acquaintance and fellow lawyer Jerry Vincent. Following Vincent’s murder, a Judge orders Haller to take over Vincent’s caseload, which includes a high profile murder trial where a prominent movie studio owner is accused of murdering his wife and her lover. While Haller attempts to familiarize himself with his new clients and their cases, Bosch investigates Vincent’s murder. Both Bosch and Haller suspect that Vincent’s murder is related to his representation of the movie mogul, suspicions that prove well founded. Haller’s trial preparations reveal evidence of bribes, jury tampering, and eventually, a judicial jury rigging conspiracy. In telling the apparent small story of a murder and a trial, Connelly reveals a larger story a legal and judicial conspiracy. Haller’s discoveries are not disclosed to Boschs due to attorney-client privilege, but Bosch, we’re led to believe, somehow knows already, but is seeking proof. To add further intrigue, Haller’s movie mogul client is murdered, and an attempt is made on Haller’s life, an attempt foiled only through the intercession of the vigilant no-nonsense Bosch.

The Brass Verdict again demonstrated Connelly’s skill as a natural storyteller of crime thrillers. He engages his readers by bringing together two engaging but believable characters in Bosch and Haller. He takes nothing for granted and provides sufficient back-story for new readers of his fiction, as well as regular readers of his past works. Connelly knows Los Angeles, and knows how it courts and police department operate. In typical Connelly fashion, the story is fast-paced, engaging, and peppered with numerous twists and turns, and surprise detours. Even though this book is engaging, it is somewhat bleak in that it’s regularly punctuated with death, crime, corruption, violence, cynicism, and the hard-nosed characters that seem comfortable with the grime of crime. The book is somewhat notable for its absence of joy, humor, fun or delight. Such are the live of Connelly’s stern committed, driven principle driven characters. But this should be expected in any crime novel; anything other than this would be unusual at least, if not inauthentic. Nonetheless, The Brass Verdict is very well written, and is a fine example of crime writing and legal/court room storytelling, that is further proof of the assertion that Connelly is one of America’s finest crime fiction writers.