Flesh Wounds (Inspector Troy Series Book 5)

Interesting plot and engaging characters. Lawton always weaves historical characters and events into his stories; sometimes a fairly accurate rendition as a backdrop/secondary story device (Kruschev's state visit to the UK) and other times a fictionalized version as the main story theme (the Profumo Affair). - You can read the novels as presented without losing any understanding or, if you're a history buff like me, you can do some reseach on characters and events. Either way, Lawton's books are great reads; combining murder mystery and spy novel. This is the fifth in the Detective Inspector Troy series - I've read all five and am currently on number six, Second Violin. Lawton's the best writer since John Le Carre and is his equal. The books in the series don't follow a linear chronology - they skip back-and forth in time. Characters and events in an earlier publication are "introduced" in later books covering an earlier time period - don't worry, they all make sense and there are no spoilers. So, like Star Wars movies, do you read them in the order written or in the chronology of the story arc? If so, Flesh Wounds (book six) is the first episode and his first book, Black Out, is actually the third episode. I prefer to read them in the order written (as I have done with all of Alan Furst's novels) to see how his writing and character development evolve. Either way, you're in for a treat.

Having now read Books 1 though 5 of the Inspector Troy series, I can confidently say that this one is the worst of the lot. What I mistakenly thought was an interesting and different type of protagonist for an interesting and different historically-connected crime series turned out to be a character study of a thoroughly unpleasant man. Inspector Troy as painted in this book has very few admirable qualities. He is arrogant, snobbish, judgmental, lacking in empathy and seemingly capable of (and interested in) connecting with fellow humans (at least of the female variety) only sexually. A draggy and unpleasant story focusing on a man whose only positive characteristic is his ability to dispatch criminals even more unpleasant than he is.

With each John Lawton book I think that besides Alan Furst, or Jo Nesbo, there is not a better writer around. After Flesh Wounds there is no doubt that Lawton is the absolute best writer in terms of character, plot, a myriad of themes, action and the incredible local color of London from pre WW2 to 1959 and beyond. This book is especially powerful in that the villains are especially evil even though we don't see much of them. We see Inspector Troy get blown up and shot all in the line of duty. But more important is the suspenseful way Lawton creates the story with his rich repeating characters who he weaves in and out of his book. Anyone who wants a challenge and joy of reading superb and satisfying crime lit, this is it, the kind you don't want to end, especially so as it is incredibly breath taking. Having said that, anyone interested in this book might try an earlier effort such as Second Violin, A Lily of the Field or Bluffing Churchill. Meeting the characters from these books will explain a lot.

Rather than review this book specifically, let me just say that I have read nearly all of Lawton's work now, and within the space of a couple months (that is, when someone recommended him). It seems that all his books involve the same family of characters, emphasis shifting to one or another as circumstances require. I decided to read them in order of creation rather than chronological order (from the characters' perspective), and I feel good about that. One might have read of the death of so-and-so three or four books ago, and her s/he is alive and kicking in the next one, but it's all part of the immersion in the world of Fred Troy, a world that covers England just before, during, and shortly after WWII, with plenty of trips to Germany in the process.The books are superbly written and awash in detail. A wonderful find for this reader.

I don't usually review back list books because no one really wants to know about a book published five years ago. On the other hand, John Lawton's "Flesh Wounds" is a wonderful piece of his on-going Inspector Troy series, begun ten or so years ago. I reviewed for Vine Lawton's latest, "A Lily of the Field" a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed the book, but felt I had rather entered a story-in-progress. I decided to order Lawton's back list and try to discover who was who, who killed who, who slept with who, and the many other "who", "what", and "when" questions raised by "Lily"."Flesh Wounds", set first in London of 1944 and finishing up in London of 1959. Rather different times for both the city and its citizens. Frederick Troy - a policeman in the last years of the war - has ascended to chief superintendent of "the Yard". (That's "New Scotland Yard" to you and me, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.) The post-war years in England had seen a rise in crime, as well as an almost continuing Tory government. Labour was itching to regain power after two straight electoral defeats, and Troy's brother, Sir Rod Troy was a shadow Labour minister. The Troy's, a family whose father had emigrated from Russia in the early part of the 20th century, were a wealthy family, represented in government, newspaper, and police circles. There are also a set of really crazy twin daughters in the family.There was another crazy set of gangster twins - this pair was male - who were partaking of a crime spree in London. Part of Frederick Troy's job is to arrest the Ryan brothers, suspects in several brutal crimes.But Frederick Troy doesn't have this story all to himself. Complicating his life are several women - both past and current lovers - as well as many police officers and officials working with Troy. Lawton juggles many on-going stories brilliantly. His story-telling and character development is excellent. This is a real winner of a novel, looking back and forward to an England of 50 years ago.

Book arrived in good time - as advertised

Exeptionallly good condition for price.

Enjoyed the book. Good characters to follow.

Disappointing.