Voices of the Dead by Peter Leonard

Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Publisher: The Story Plant
Buy the book: Book Depository
Source: I received a copy from the publisher

The year is 1971. The place is Detroit. Harry Levin, a scrap metal dealer and Holocaust survivor, has just learned that his daughter was killed in a car accident. Traveling to Washington, DC to claim the body, he learns that the accident was caused by a German diplomat who was driving drunk. This is only the beginning of the horror for Harry, though, as he discovers that the diplomat will never face charges – he has already been released and granted immunity. Enraged and aggrieved, Harry discovers the identity of his daughter’s killer, follows him to Munich, and hunts him down. What Harry finds out about the diplomat and his plans will explode his life and the lives of everyone around him.

This was a story which was hard to put down and I read it in a day. Harry Levin wants to get justice for the dead of his daughter. But the drunk driver who killed her is a German Politician named Hess and is granted immunity. He follows Hess to Germany. This also brings back memories of the Holocaust which Harry barely survived. In the pursuit of his daughters killer he finds out something even more disturbing about Hess that will put his own life and that of the people around him in danger.

The moment I started this story I kept flipping page after page, I was unable to put it down. This is a fast read, but due to the subject not really an easy read. This story does not only get into the pursuit of Harry for his daughters killer, but also the events that took place 30 years earlier when Harry escaped from ending up in a mass grave, literally. 

Eventhough Harry and Hess form the major players in this story, the story is told from many points of view. This gives you a great overview of everyting that is happening. Peter Leonard makes sure all these different characters have their unique voice and you don't get confused by all these different points of view. 

Because of all the different points of view, you can see some of the twists coming, but due to the fast pace of this story it did not bother me and takes nothing away from the plot of this story.

The story takes place in 1971 and Peter Leonards writing style suits that time really well. And this together with a wel written story makes this a novel that will appeal to any-one who can enjoy a good thriller.

Voices of the Dead is a fast paced and action packed novel full of unique characters, which will keep you flipping the pages.

My rating: 4/5

Peter Leonard’s debut novel, QUIVER, was published to international acclaim in 2008 (“A spectacular debut...you will be holding your breath until the final page.”– The New York Sun). It was followed by TRUST ME in 2009 (“TRUST ME is fast, sly and full of twists.” – Carl Hiaasen, New York Times bestselling author). The Story Plant will publish Leonard’s newest novel, ALL HE SAW WAS THE GIRL, in the spring of 2012.
Visit Peter Leonard over at his WEBSITE