Book Title: Chase: The Hunt for the Mute Poetess
Genre: Crime Thriller
Pages: 116
Author: Thomas Dellenbusch
Date Published: 31 August 2016
Synopsis:
Enrique "Rique" Allmers runs a security firm in Hamburg, Germany. When he encounters a young woman fleeing from pursuers through the local fish-market, he takes her under his wing. They get away, but the same men - now with reinforcements - are still on their tail. Rique doesn’t know
who she is, or the identity of those who are after her. Because she doesn’t speak a word to him…
Review:
Chase: The Hunt for the Mute Poetess by Thomas DellenbuschMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a crime thriller that has been translated from German into English. I really enjoyed it!
Enrique "Rique" Allmers is a wonderful character. I liked him a lot. He runs a security firm called CHASE, which investigates mostly business related espionage and crimes. When a deaf mute young woman literary runs into his arms, his protective instincts kick in. As he investigates, danger is never very far behind. Can he keep Katja from the clutches of an extremely evil man?
I must admit that I may not have read this book if the author had not contacted me. I have so many books on my reading list that I originally turned him down. However, after thinking about it, I changed my mind and purchased a copy to read in my own time. I'm glad I did because once I started to read it, I didn't put it down until I'd finished it.
Set in Germany, this book takes the reader on a thrilling adventure of danger, suspense, mystery and romance. Mostly told through Rique's point of view (although some scenes are through Katja's eyes), it is a pulse pounding ride, with chases, gun fights and several twists that keep a reader hooked. There are several interesting characters in this story. Katja is a deaf mute, so there is very little in the way of dialogue from her, but the author has written her in a realistic and expressive manner that makes you forget that she can't hear or speak. She can, however, lip read and use sign language, and is an author of poetry. Then there are Rique's work colleagues. They seem like a rag tag bunch at first, but they all have their own specialty and are highly professional. I love Dr. Liang. Although he's an octogenarian, he is well versed in martial arts and owns a gym where Rique and the rest of the team train. Chen Lu is his granddaughter and part of Rique's team, which also consists of: Jerome, Ben, Maik, Nikolai, Hannes and Andree. I must admit that I would have loved to know more about CHASE, as they seem to skirt pretty closely to the edge of the law at times to get things done. Speaking of skirting the edge of the law, I took an instant dislike to Lorenzo Marone, who is not a very nice man. He runs a prostitution ring and is more a mafia don than businessman. As to why he was after Katja, you'll just have to read the book to find out.
I reached the end of the book with mixed feelings, sad that it had ended but happy at the way it concluded. I am not sure if I would call this a movie-length story though, as it felt too short. However, maybe I'm just being difficult by wanting to read more.
Thomas Dellenbusch has written an intriguing crime thriller. I love his fast paced writing style. However, whether it was because it had been translated from German to English, I found some of the story didn't flow smoothly in places (other readers may not be of the same opinion). Nevertheless, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of it. I would definitely consider reading more books by this author in the future.
Although there are no explicit scenes of a sexual nature, I do not recommend this book for younger readers due to some violence. However, I highly recommend this book if you love crime thrillers/mystery/suspense genres. - Lynn Worton
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Author Interview:
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was 9 years old. I asked my parents to gift me a typewriter instead of toys for Christmas, I got one and I wrote my first short stories on it.
2. How long does it take you to write a book?
Oh... that lasts long, because I need a long time to plot. Almost all of my books contain closing circles or surprising turning points or something like that. Even they are in comparison short novels, to me it is important that they are special. That point needs the most of the time. But when the plot is ready, it takes only a few weeks to write them down. For example: “The Nobel Prize” (only available in German) is the shortest one, but it became a palindrome. It needed the longest time for research.
3. What do you think makes a great story?
It's a combination of a.) excitement b.) emotions c.) writing class (text quality) and creating pictures in your mind.
4. How do you balance family and writing?
I do not have any family. So, no problems...
5. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Mostly it's a kind of stuff I am interested in. “The Weichensteller” (only available in German) is about time travelling. “Love is not an Emotion” (only available in German) is about philosophy. And “Chase” (also available in English) is about a mysterious puzzling thriller.
6. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book/s?
Learning how to write like being in the position of a film-director.
7. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
Seven single stories (and 2 anthologies). My favourite is “Verstecktes Herz” (Hidden Heart, only available in German).
8. Are your characters based on anyone you know?
No, except of one exception, which I will not reveal.
9. Do you have a favourite place you love to write?
My desktop at home or with pencil and paper in a wood.
10. How hard is it to get published?
In Germany? Very hard. I never tried it, I founded my own publishing company with 7 authors meanwhile.
11. What do your family and friends think about your books?
They are enthusiastic about them. Of course. What else?
12. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Playing Boardgames and reading books
13. Do you have any suggestions to help aspiring writers better themselves and their craft? If so, what are they?
a.) reading good books b.) reading bad books c.) reading books about what the difference is.
14. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
At first I want to be a philosopher, then an author, then an actor. I became a police officer. But finally now I am an author :-)
15. What are your favourite books and which authors inspire you?
First of all Alice Munro.
16. For an aspiring writer what do you feel are certain do's and don’ts for getting their material published?
Finding a good editor. It's crucial. You definitely need another's view who knows what to look for.
17. What are you working on now?
I am working on a plot for the second “Chase” - I think, the subtitle will be “The Hunt for a Scottish King”.
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