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Category: Literature

Published on Wednesday, 09 March 2016 16:13

The first book about the cases of the Greek inspector Costas Haritos was published in 1995 in Greece and was translated into several languages. It got mainly positive critiques and was written by the famous Greek author Petros Markaris. The book is also called “Deadline in Athens”.

The brutal murder on two Albanians leads into the story. It seems to be an open crime of passion and so Costas Haritos who is the inspector in charge wants to finish it fast. He changes his opinion when the vigorous reporter Yanna Karayoryi asked him whether the couple had children and shortly after gets murdered. When her successor as well is found dead the interest and ambition of the nostalgic inspector is completely awakened and he starts to dive more and more in the international crime scene of child trafficking. Not only the main crime is subject in this novel, also the relationship between police and journalists, the regulation of Greek democracy and politics and a decent criticism on Greek society found their way in this book.

Costas Haritos is a stubborn inspector who seems to be a good follower and to obey his chief’s orders but when it matters he has his own head and follows his instinct and what he thinks is right. People who live in a black and white world will not get fine with him, since he is a grey-scaled person. Costas is a typical Greek civilian, who has to fight with everyday problems and represents the Greek mentality what makes the story realistic and a pleasure.

The author and screenplay-writer Petros Markaris was born 1937 in Istanbul, where he lived until he finished the St. George’s Austrian High-School. After his studies in Vienna and Stuttgard he moved to Athens where he lives until now. He writes his novels in Greek, Turkish and German and his books have been translated into 13 languages. He got several prices in his life and today he is the president of the national Book centre EKEBI.

The novel moves you in the modern capital of Greece and offers an interesting and exciting crime around the places of Athens. It has a good and surprising ending, but it can take a little bit time to come into the story. For a nice and relaxing evening journey to Athens it is the perfect choice for you!