The Straw Men

A well thought out and very dark conspiracy thriller about a group looking to undermine modern civilisation itself! It's also peppered some brilliant sub-plots. Such strong conspiracy thriller work from this multi-genre writer. See one of his books, grab it! 8 out of 12.<br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1584798204i/29141962._SX540_.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><b>2009 read</b>

I don't ordinarily read thrillers, but I really enjoyed this. Marshall has an amazingly clever turn of phrase, and the book hooked me so badly that I read the whole thing in one sitting.

5.0 stars. This one might even make it onto my 6.0 star list. This was a great read and is teh first in a series about a "global secret society" of "serial killers" with an agenda to change the world (and kill a lot of people in the process). I thought the description of the "Straw Men" society and its "theory" of human evolution was very clever and put the book a cut above the average thriller. Highly recommended.

THE STRAW MEN, by Michael Marshall is one of the most absorbing, powerful thrillers that I have ever come across! This begs the question of how three entirely separate incidents in the beginning of the novel could possibly be interconnected. Marshall weaves a complex web of mass murders, abduction, and intricate cover-ups into one all-consuming tale.<br /><br /><b> <i>Serial killers were not chilling in and of themselves. The chill was in the realization that it is possible to be human without feeling as other humans do."</i> </b><br /><br />We have FBI agent, Nina, and John Zandt on one case, and Ward Hopkins--accompanied by friend and CIA agent Bobby Nygard--trying to unravel the deepening mystery behind the sudden death of Ward's parents. The depths of conspiracy this novel goes through are breathtaking. <b> <i>"It's not monsters we're afraid of. Monsters were only a comforting fantasy. We know what our own kind is capable of. What we're frightened of is ourselves."</i> </b><br /><br />I won't go into plot details, as this is the first book in a trilogy. Suffice to say, Marshall has created "real" people with his characters--these are personalities that could walk right off of the pages and into life. Everything they do and think remain consistent with the way we are introduced to them. One character makes the observation: <b> <i>"If you can live with yourself, the opinions of others can be withstood."</i> </b><br /><br />This is, simply, a phenomenal example of incredible writing in all areas. The prose flows so naturally, and some of the comments made ring all too true. <b> <i>"If you looked at what our species did to its own kind and to other animals, you had to ask if we didn't deserve whatever we had coming to us, whatever auto nemesis we brought merrily into being; . . ."</i> </b> I have already picked up the other two novels in this trilogy, although THE STRAW MEN can certainly stand on its own. In parting, <b> <i>"Sometimes the truth isn't what you want to know. Sometimes the truth is best left to itself."</i> </b><br /><br />Highest recommendation!

<br /><b> Once you got behind the glamour of their celebrity, Zandt knew that serial killers were not the way they were portrayed in the movie: charming geniuses, slick with evil, charismatic crusaders of a bloody art. They were more like drunkards or the slightly mad. Impossible to talk to, or to get sense out of, sealed off from the world behind a viewpoint that could never be expressed or made accessible to those who lived outside it. </b><br /><br />Michael Marshall Smith knows something about movies, having worked as a scriptwriter, and it shows in his first commercial thriller, written after the success of his science-fiction books ‘Only Forward’ and ‘Spares’. You can see this in the use of multiple point-of-view narration, the way he constructs his scenes, in particular the prologue of a mass shooting inside a fast food restaurant that seems a takeout from a Quentin Tarrantino movie.<br /><br />But the purpose here in not to cast a glamour over the subject of serial killers for cheap thrills and entertainment, but to seriously consider where do they come from and why is our modern society so fascinated by the subject. This is where Mr. Smith’s other training, at Cambridge in the subjects of Philosophy, Social and Political Studies comes in handy because with ‘Straw Men’ you actually get two books for the price of one: <br />- a conventional high-octane criminal thriller about the hunt for a serial killer, with the requisite mix of mystery, danger and a couple of world wide conspiracy theories and,<br />- an essay on the subject of criminal mentality, with examples of past cases and debates about nature vs. nurture in deviant behaviour, including the role of media and of economic or political influences.<br /><br />The combination is generally successful due to the clear prose and obvious talent of the author in creating a complex plot, a multi-layered story. Given the nature of the plot, I believe it’s best to say as little as possible about the characters and the social implications. Briefly, an elderly couple dies in a car accident as they return from a party, and their son returns home to find clues that not everything is as clear cut as the police claims. He starts to investigate the past of his parents based on a home video they have left behind and a couple of cryptic messages.<br />Elsewhere, an FBI agent requires the help of a burnout ex-cop in tracking down an elusive serial killer that kidnaps young girls from very public places.<br />The two main stories eventually converge somewhere in Montana where a secretive group of uber-wealthy people have build a fortified compound of expensive villas for themselves.<br /><br />The novel comes a bit short in my personal rating only because I inevitably compared it with “Only Forward” , one of my top reads last year. The switch between first- and third-person narration wasn’t as smooth as I hoped, and the inclusion of the essays about criminal behaviour slowed down the pace. The thriller part was intriguing enough to carry me forward though, and I liked the inclusion of architecture as a function of social and psychological development, with special notice of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.<br />Also captivating, in a slightly bittersweet trip down memory lane, is the role early internet research plays in the plot, the days of 55k modem lines and flashy Netscape pages, rudimentary photo editing and digital transfers of analogue video.<br /><br />Like many Hollywood inspired serial killer stories, this one ends not only in an explosive, spectacular fashion but also in an ambiguous, open-ended way. I might consider reading the sequels, even as the first one can be read as a stand-alone.<br /><br /><b> I hope it is our future and not our past, that makes the decisions. </b><br />

A thinking person's serial killer suspense novel that blends conspiracy theory with the "Millennium" television series to potent effect. Marshall avoids the more garish trappings of the sub-genre, using subtlety, hints and insinuation rather than blood spatter and posturing to carry the story, allowing the suspense to build slowly, as the dark secret hiding in the shadows of this tale takes shape. <br /><br />Highly recommended.

“AS YOU SOW SO SHALL YOU WEEP”<br /> <br />A well-drawn suspense/thriller with intersecting plots of deception, murder, family secrets, and conspiracy. If foreshadowing is anything, sh*t is going to get even crazier in the next installments.<br /> <br />Written extremely well with thought out plot lines and true depth of character. Solid 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended.

Ward Hopkins returns to his parents home after they are killed in a car accident. Whilst at the house, he discovers a note from his father...and so begins a journey into his past and that of his loved ones, a dangerous journey of discovery that may not end well. Meanwhile a young girl, Sarah, has gone missing and former LA Detective John Zandt, a man fighting his own demons, begins his own journey of discovery. Is it possible that Ward holds the key to saving Sarah from her fate?<br /><br />This is a beautifully crafted story. One part leading to another to another a bit like Russian dolls - as Ward moves ever closer to learning the truth about his life, so John perhaps moves further away from himself and his own conscience....the terrible things they both face draw them together but also tear them apart. The mystery itself is well imagined - Serial Killer Thriller? Yes. And No. Or maybe. You decide. Certainly the author has created a rich mythology here - using real life events that we will all recognise he has woven an intricate tale and its extremely clever. Ward's growing incredulity at what he is discovering will mirror your own as reader and looker on of events as they unfold. The supporting cast all do their bit - but its Ward and John that will interest you. And perhaps The Upright Man....<br /><br />All in all fantastic. This is probably the third time I have read this book and each time I discover something new. Mr Marshall may smile when he learns that I've only just got the point of Sarah's "safety" blanket - how many times have I read the name and it didnt sink in. You know what Im talking about...Don't you Mr Marshall?<br /><br />I'm not waiting. The Lonely Dead is next. Bring it on - what will I discover that I missed this time? You'll have to await my next review.<br /><br />Happy Reading Folks!

Seriously!!? This book was terrible!!<br /><br />I was looking for a good, gripping and gritty book. Stephen King's glowing recommendation labeling it a 'masterpiece' and all the 5 star reviews on here made me think I was onto just the book and was excited to read it.<br /><br />It started out slightly interesting but I was taken aback straight away by the cliche characters and the cheesy dialogue. Really??? The washed out ex cop who is running from his demons... Dragged back on the case of a missing girl by the ex lover/partner. I thought I was reading a bargain bin erotic novel for a second. <br /><br />All these seemingly unrelated events are put forward (each of which are interesting on their own) running parallel leaving the reader to wonder how the hell such unrelatable events will collide.. The way they do is pretty stupid and doesn't really seem thought out.<br /><br />This Bobby character who we know nothing about except was an old work friend of the main character is prepared to put his life on the line time and time again.. For what?! They leave this trail of destruction and no one else gets involved even when they're in the right and could really use some help.<br /><br />By the end you're so use to the continual disappoints it's hard to care about the ridiculous shoot em up rescue which seems rushed and ridiculous. Far fetched and shallow.

Ако има и други хора, които смятат, че „Песента на Кали” е едно от най-дбрите неща, които Симънс е писал, то тази книга е точно за тях.<br /><br />Тук Майкъл Маршъл Смит се хвърля в дебрите на полицейския трилър с размах достоен за фантастичните му произведения. Три сюжетни линии се заплитат и водят читателя до главозамайващ кървав финал, като до последно се чудиш какво става.<br />Самите мистерии не са особено оригинални, но мамка му колко добре е написана тази книг��.<br /><br />Когато бившия федерален агент Лорд отива на погребението на родителите си, даже не предполага, че една видеокасета ще го поведе в шеметна игра за „лов на улики”, която ще разкрие гигантска конспирация и невероятни истини за собственото му минало.<br /><br />Един провален полицай ще получи втори шанс да хване серийния убиец, известен като Проповедника, който преди години е отвлякъл дъщеря му.<br /><br />А през цялото време по земното кълбо се извършват кървави атентати без никакви логични мотиви. На всички записи се появява рус мъж, който наблюдава щетите.<br /><br />Звезда надолу защото се вижда как Смит се е натискал сам да не вкара свръхестествен елемент, а много му се е искало. Според мен, ако беше забил в обичайните си халюциногенни шизофрении, книгата щеше да стане култова (най-вероятно някой друг би дал звезда, точно за това, но всеки има право да кастрира фантазията си колкото болезнено си иска). И все пак има нещо тук, нещо ненаписано, което крещи от белите полета между редовете. Смятам, че книгата ще е доста полезна за хора затънали в тривиалния тиняк на полицейските трилъри на килограм. Поне да видят как се пише с финес.