German crime fiction set in Hamburg – Mexico Street by Simone Buchholz
Bookreview of Mexico Street
Cars are burning all over Hamburg and Chastity Riley, Public Prosecutor wants to know why. It’s a tough case and where do you start?There doesn’t seem to be any motive, any pattern or any reason for the blazes. This is happening night after night and the city is scared. Things are about to become worse however, as a body is found in one of the burnt-out wrecks. It’s the corpse of the prodigal son of a notorious Bremen gang member.
First there was Blue Night, Beton Rouge and now it’s time to head down to Mexico Street…
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Setting: Inner city Hamburg and Bremen
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Welcome to Mexico Street. Well, there’s not much chance for a stroll or wander as cars are on fire everywhere. The smell of burning is in the air.Chastity has a very tricky and sensitive case to solve as a body has been found in the wreckage. Detective Stepanovic comes on board and together, the two try to get under the skin of this case. It’s tough from the off, not to mention dangerous.
The two leads of Chastity and Stepanovic are a good team. They are good for each other and have a rapport that is easy to listen to and even better to work with I imagine! They have a sad investigation to deal with, with is both emotional and sensitive.
The novel looks at two young immigrants through whose eyes we see what life, inner-city life is like for their community. This is a look at inner-city gangs, struggles and the way that some people end up stateless. It’s an interesting look at the inner workings of a community few of us know much about. Needless to say, the women in such groups are the worst affected and the ones who suffer the most. So, this story soon takes on a Romeo and Juliet vibe – the star crossed lovers against the world etc. Don’t be tempted to think this is all there is to it however…
Who was the man found dead in the car exactly and what does this all mean? When going along that road of discovery, Simone crisscrosses across the lives of the Romeo and Juliet of their day, Nouri and Aliza and then wraps it all up with Chastity revelations, personal asides and sharp acidic writing. There’s a side to Chastity in this novel I found very interesting indeed.
BookTrail Travel to the locations in Mexico Street
Hamburg really shines here. Well, I say shines, it’s more of a stain. You might not want to visit this side of the city! It does come across loud and clear however. Getting underneath the skin of this city that has been torn, ripped off the bone and then shredded.
This is a dark, gritty novel with heart. There are some soul-searching scenes, some Chastity moments of epiphany almost and a gritty knot tied around it to keep it all in a choke-hold.
Dark and disturbing which showcases two German cities and their inner communities. One chapter is titled: ‘Bremen needs Batman’. I would take a guess and hope that Robin is not far behind in Hamburg as this book flings you from one direction to the other. Only a tight-knit team can cope with the complex issues in this criminally complex read.
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Twitter: @ohneKlippo Web: simonebuchholz.com/
