All My Enemies

Barry Maitland    
Format: Paperback - C format
Pages: 304
AUD $29.99 inc. GST
All My Enemies

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Brock & Kolla join forces in a sinister case of secrets, obsession and murder.

Description

In one of the finest and most pivotal books in the critically acclaimed Brock & Kolla series, DS Kathy Kolla reports to New Scotland Yard and to DCI Brock's Serious Crime Division.
Just before Kolla is to start her new job, a young woman is found viciously murdered in a leafy, well-heeled suburb, and the grotesque details of the slaughter appear to be well rehearsed, even theatrical. Assigned to the case, Kolla's only improbable lead draws her to a local amateur drama group. Once in their orbit, she is lured into a piece of theatre, over which, increasingly, she has little control. In All My Enemies, Brock and Kolla find themselves in a tangled web of secrets, lies and murder.
'Maitland's writing is suspenseful, gripping and frightening. His book is seductive, getting under the reader's skin and staying there. This is a fine example of modern thriller writing. Highly recommended.' Eastern Daily Press, UK
'Maitland is a masterful writer of crime fiction who, like Michael Dibdin, has a remarkable ability to juxtapose genres and create a book that will appeal to fans of both hard-boiled and clue-puzzle fiction. It's a book about deception in marriages, suburban life and the theatre that works sublimely on all levels.' Sydney Morning Herald

Barry Maitland was born in Scotland and brought up in London. After studying architecture at Cambridge, he practised and taught in the UK before moving to Australia where he was Professor of Architecture at the University of Newcastle. He has since retired from the university to pursue his writing. Maitland's first mystery The Marx Sisters was a nominee for the John Creasey award for Best First Novel and The Malcontenta won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction. Bright Air, Maitland's first crime novel set in Australia was published in 2008. Chelsea Mansion, his latest (and eleventh) Brock and Kolla mystery was published in 2011.

ISBN: 9781742376547
Australian Pub.: August 2012
Publisher: ALLEN & UNWIN
Imprint: ALLEN & UNWIN
Subject: Crime & Mystery
Edition Number: 1

Reader reviews

'Tales of serial murders can deteriorate into cliché but Maitland presents the evidence so skilfully that there is no gratuitous horror. DCI Brock, dealing with the stresses of managerialism is again the solid centre around which his team operates. Kolla, rejoining Brock after a course, is keen to impress and makes some mistakes. She is resilient however and learns from them. This is Maitland's writing at its most assured.' - T. Smith, NSW

'All My Enemies is a solid read and kept me entertained even with some of the characters being very unlikeable - much like real life!' - C. Bruce, SA

'All My Enemies is a completely enthralling and well written mystery which I would highly recommend to all fans of this genre.' - M. Korbell, VIC

'Readers coming to All My Enemies for the first time will appreciate the opportunity to become acquainted with Kathy Kolla's back story—how she came to work with Brock, her relationship with him and Bren Gurney, the first hints of an interesting future with Leon Desai, and her family history including the death of her father.

'The theatrical setting is reminiscent of Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn detective novels but Barry Maitland displays little of Marsh’s amusing archness. He treats his characters and the crimes they solve seriously and there is a stronger sense of plot development. His work is ultimately more satisfying because of it.

Barry Maitland never disappoints, whether on a first reading or (in my case) a rereading. This is a superb, well-crafted, intriguing and suspenseful crime novel. Highly recommended.' - K. Alexander, ACT

'All My Enemies is my first introduction to Brock and Kolla and I will certainly be searching out more novels to read in this crime/detective series.  Barry Maitland manages to keep the reader thoroughly engaged from the very first page meaning each night, I'd reluctantly put it on my bedside table... an enjoyable and undemanding read - perfect for a plane trip or reading on a cold winter's night.' - L. Daebritz, WA

'I was lucky enough to discover Barry Maitland with his first Brock and Kolla book, The Marx Sisters, still one of the finest of his novels, in my view. The following volumes have been eagerly awaited, and enjoyed, although not all have reached such a high standard. Maitland is known for his tight plotting and attention to detail, and the ability to absorb a world and successfully convey it to the readers.

'So it is with All my Enemies, which fills in the gaps of their story, telling how Kathy Kolla's professional relationship with DCI Brock began, and establishes other characters pivotal to the stories. The fluctuating relationships and occasional breaches of trust and confidence between these characters, working in this stressful profession, and often in highly charged environments, are a feature of the Brock and Kolla books, and here we see them in their embryonic stage.

'I was particularly taken with the setting, and found the realisation of life in amateur theatre groups especially strong, further evidence that Barry Maitland spends much time in research - in this case, surely of a particularly enjoyable type!' - M. Steinberger, NSW

'Having never read a Barry Maitland novel before, and not starting with the first book in the Brock & Kolla series, I was unsure how quickly I would follow the plot and whether I would enjoy this book at all.

'A few pages and a forgotten tea later, I was warped into Kolla's world. Barry Maitland explores characters in such a subtle way, that slowly you begin to feel attached to characters, especially when they are put in extraordinary circumstances.  

'This was a crime thriller that I would never forget because for once, it wasn't predictable. Each character added depth to the story, rather than confusion, and each time I felt sick in the stomach wondering who the gruesome killer was! I loved the way Barry Maitland was able to steer you in several suspicious directions, I felt rather like a detective myself!

'The only thing to criticise in this story, was the lack of development in Kolla's personal life! Who says crime can't be associated with a little romance?

'Overall, this book gets a 4/5 stars for me. I am truly a Maitland fan now!' - A. Miladinovic, NSW

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