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Balthazar Kovacs, a detective on Budapest's murder squad, is on the trail of a dead man. Minutes ago, Kovacs received an
anonymous SMS showing a body and an address: 26 Republic Square - the former
Communist Party headquarters and once the most feared building in the country. But now, amid the ruins of the demolished building, Kovacs finds
no dead body, just six members of the Gendarmerie - an elite police force reporting directly to the prime minister - and an invitation to hand over his phone and
cease his investigation.
Kovacs has taken his
first step on a journey deep into Budapest's dark heart, towards a
deadly intersection of the criminal underworld, the corridors of power and the ghosts of history. A journey that will force him to choose between
the law and family loyalty.
About the author
Adam LeBor was born in London and read Arabic, International History and Politics at Leeds University, graduating in 1983, and also studied Arabic at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He worked for several British newspapers before becoming a foreign correspondent in 1991. He has reported from thirty countries, including Israel and Palestine, and covered the Yugoslav wars for The Times and the Independent. Currently Central Europe Correspondent for The Times, he also writes for the Sunday Times, the Economist, Literary Review, Condé Nast Traveller, the Jewish Chronicle, New Statesman and Harry's Place in Britain, and contributes to the Nation and the New York Times in the US. He is the author of six books, including Milosevic and Hitler's Secret Bankers, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. His books have been published in nine languages. Visit him at www.adamlebor.com.
Adam LeBor is the thriller critic of the Financial Times and a veteran former foreign correspondent who lived in Budapest for many years. He is the author of seven novels and eight non-fiction books, including Hitler's Secret Bankers, which was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize. He is an editorial trainer and writing coach for numerous publications and organisations and also writes for the Critic and The Times. He lives in London with his family.
Summary
Balthazar Kovacs, a detective on Budapest's murder squad, is on the trail of a dead man.
Minutes ago, Kovacs received an anonymous SMS showing a body and an address: 26 Republic Square - the former Communist Party headquarters and once the most feared building in the country. But now, amid the ruins of the demolished building, Kovacs finds no dead body, just six members of the Gendarmerie - an elite police force reporting directly to the prime minister - and an invitation to hand over his phone and cease his investigation.
Kovacs has taken his first step on a journey deep into Budapest's dark heart, towards a deadly intersection of the criminal underworld, the corridors of power and the ghosts of history. A journey that will force him to choose between the law and family loyalty.
Foreword
A gripping police procedural, taking the reader on a journey into the dark heart of Hungary.
Additional text
An excellent thriller, entwined with plenty of topical issues... Kovacs gives the reader insights into an alien culture that is by and large reviled, and adds an exotic note to a gripping tale'
