Stonekiller [Hardcover]

J. Robert Janes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Paired in an often uneasy alliance in Nazi-occupied France, a French detective and an investigator for the German gestapo take up the case of the murder of a woman whose archaeological discoveries supposedly confirm the Nazis' Aryan pretentions."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Canadian writer J. Robert Janes's series of mysteries set in occupied France in 1942 are very popular in his native country and in England, and it's not hard to see why. Jean-Louis St-Cyr and Hermann Kohler--an elegant, acerbic French policeman and a massive, lumbering, surprisingly compassionate gestapo agent--are an unlikely but extremely effective team of detectives. Here, they investigate the murder of a woman who discovered a historic art treasure of extreme importance to the Nazi cause--and whose death might be a dangerous embarrassment for everyone involved.

From Library Journal

Janes's World War II series continues, as detectives St. Cyr (Surete Nationale) and Kohler (Gestapo) decide whether to investigate the murder of a woman who once discovered a prehistoric art trove. Since Hitler and Goebbels plan to exploit the find for propaganda, an investigation might embarrass the wrong people.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Soho Press (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569470839
• ISBN-13: 978-1569470831
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,555,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!, July 2, 2000

By 

Lee F. Bonaldi (Warwick, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stonekiller (Paperback)

I chanced upon this title while browsing through Amazon.com. The premise sounded interesting, so I thought I'd take a chance. This book is marvelous! The author takes you through all sorts of nooks and crannies until you are shocked at the end by the actual stonekiller. The setting (Vichy France during WWII) and the interplay between the two detectives (one French, one German) adds spice to a fine storyline. I have to disagree with the reviewer who complained about too many merde's and Gott in Himmel's. They do not get in the way of the story at all. The author realistically portrays Vichy France and the interplay between the French police and the Gestapo and SS. You are quickly drawn in and you will breathlessly follow St. Cyr and Kohler all the way through to the exciting climax. If you are looking for something a bit off beat, but yet thrilling and exciting, pick this one up.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You'll feel like you are there, but it takes some effort, February 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Stonekiller (Paperback)

I have read 6 books from this series and each one can stand alone and each one describes the environment to the point that you feel you are there. However, these are not the easiest books to read. Janes feels little need to identify who is speaking on every line. He also injects a character's thoughts in with the dialogue. This takes some getting used to as Character A may say something without being identified, followed by B thinking something (unidentified), then maybe B says something, A says something, then A thinks something and after awhile you find yourself starting over trying to figure exactly who said what. I don't say this to dissuade anyone (with reading 6 of these I obviously think these books are worth it) but you should be warned that these might not be your taste.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writer!, October 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Stonekiller (Hardcover)

J. Robert Janes is a very underappreciated author. As you read his novels, you come to appreciate the character development, and above all, the accurate depiction of time and place. Very well worth reading.