A Letter of Mary: Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes Series # 3

What would you think if you have lived in London in the 1920s, and heard news that the famous retired detective Sherlock Holmes has just married? ‘Awkward’ would be the first word pop up in my head. But interestingly, in A Letter of Mary, King has written it such that it seems normal—interesting but normal.

A female archeologist, Russell’s friend, visited the Holmes’ residence, and placed a small box containing an old papyrus under Russell’s care. It is believed to be a letter from the first century written by Mary Magdalene. Yep, it’s THE Mary Magdalene, the Saint. Few days later the Holmes found out that Ms. Ruskin has died in a hit-and-run accident in London. It turned out, of course, to be a murder. King develops several leads of suspects, including a sexist colonel who was disappointed that the archeologist he was about to sponsor was a woman; a Palestinian man who have visited Ruskin; and her nephew who would have had benefit from her death. Then a group of men ransacked Holmes and Russell’s house, and most probably wanted to get to the old papyrus. So Russell translated it (originally written in Hebrew), and found in it that Mary Magdalene has called herself the apostle of Jesus, which, if the letter was published in today’s world, would have huge impact, both historically and theologically.

[spoiler] Actually, the papyrus would have been an interesting point to dig on, and I have imagined some journeys to the east, tracing over historical facts, etc; but apparently King had another plan. In the end, it was just a usual lust-of-money kind of crime. [spoiler end] Again, there is the feminist theme all over the book (Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ apostle, Dorothy Ruskin the female archeologist among her male colleagues, and the misogyny Colonel and his son). However, concerning our detectives, King made Holmes won over Russell in solving this mystery. Maybe it was meant to be a balancing aspect against the feminism topic? And what about Russell’s feeling over the Colonel, considering his misogyny ideas? I think here in this story, Russell has fully grown up as a woman—she sees feminism not only as ideology, but the way a woman sees her opposite sex.

Speaking about feminism, one of the most interesting parts of this third book of Mary Russell-Holmes series is Russell-Holmes relationship—now as husband and wife. Russell said to Holmes that she thought they are not a romantic couple. But I disagree; I think they are romantic…in their own way. I think romantic isn’t about flowers, candle-lit dinner, etc. Romantic is when you know details about your partners; their habits, their likes and dislikes, their feelings and reaction over something; things you only share with your partners. And above all, they respect each other. Russell and Holmes are like this. I think the marriage life of two genius detectives with acute pride and high ego would be just like Russell and Holmes’s.

And sometimes there are indeed several ‘romantic’ scenes throughout the story. My favorite is when Holmes must leave Russell to her undercover at the Colonel’s house; and at the door before he left, he stopped, looked at Russell with unread expression, and said: “I feels like Abraham…”. This he refers to Abraham, when he took his family to Egypt, and told Sarah—his beautiful wife—to lie to Pharaoh that she was his sister, lest Pharaoh will kill him to take her as his wife. Isn’t it sweet? Or when Holmes confessed to Russell that now his heart controlled his mind (he was worried about Russell); to me that’s romantic—romantic in Sherlock Holmes style! :)

In short, this book might be my other favorite so far from the series, besides The Beekeeper Apprentice. Now, I can’t wait to read the fourth book, The Moor, which was set in Dartmoor, the setting of Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. Super interesting, eh? ;)

Four stars for A Letter of Mary, I liked and enjoyed the whole story. It’s been an oasis during the hectic month of December!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré

During the Cold War—when Sovyet was building its influence in the world—‘Control’ was the head of British intelligence called ‘Circus’. He suspected that there was a Sovyet’s mole (enemy’s secret agent who infiltrated intelligence) within the highest level of Circus. He secretly sent an agent to buy information from a defected Czech General, but Sovyet blew the operation, and the agent was shot on the back. The mole did exist!

About ten years later, an eccentric teacher, Jim Prideaux, arrived at a prep school in the suburban London. His body was military-built, and he liked to be alone. A student named Bill Roach maintained a close relationship with Prideaux, who praised him as a very good observer. One mysterious aspect which Bill observed from his new teacher, was that Mr. Prideaux often sent letters to himself and one of the teachers. He also saw Mr. Prideaux was maintaining a weapon which he hid underground his caravan.

Far away from the prep school, George Smiley—once a close assistant to Control, but was suddenly forced into retirement—got a surprise visit from an old friend. Peter Guillam, his ex-colleague in Circus brought him to a secret investigation of their old adversary: the secret mole—code name: Gerald, which must have been within the highest level of Circus. And so Smiley must take a thorough interview and patient investigation from his former friends and colleagues, whom he used to have personal relationship, and perhaps, even, whom he used to admire.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy turned out to be a great-genius spy thriller! I love how Carré opened the book with the school teacher Prideaux and Billy Roach; it made me wondering whether the spy things would happen in a small prep school. Billy Roach might not have any relation with the intelligence world, but his existence—and how he saw things through his eyes—built a solid difference between the real world and intelligence world, and it emphasized how smooth the spies work among us that we won’t suspecting anything. It makes you think, are people who are close to us all these times are really what they told us?

*spoiler alert*

One small problem with Tinker is how we must be groping in the dark for at least the first third of the book, before slowly beginning to understand what was happening. It is because Carré ‘played’ with mystery, and only after that lifted the veil little by little. But the final—and probably the second most important mystery—was not revealed until the end of the book. And we are left with big question mark: who murdered Haydon? When I came to think it over, maybe the biggest mystery is not the identity of the mole Gerald, but who has killed him; another enemy for Circus; another mole?

With puzzles on my mind, I tried to do small research on the internet; and found analysis which suggested that the murder was Jim Prideaux, to revenge the betrayal, and maybe, the people he was working with in Czech—whom were all killed. If that was true, then Carré has cleverly ended the book in an ironic-tragic-but genius way. It was ended just like it has been started, with Jim Prideaux and Bill Roach. It seemed so normal, but what about the gloomy atmosphere which Roach observed on his teacher’s face after his return from “his mother’s-funeral-absent”? Did it pointed out to his real feeling after murdering his best and closest friend? Oh, if that was true, then it became more tragic. And really, Bill might think he knew his teacher very well at the end, while actually there were much deeper and darker secrets in him. What do we really know about people’s untold secret? None…perhaps!

Four and a half stars for such a brilliant story!

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I read Sceptre mass-market paperback edition

This book is counted as:

8^th book for 2014 TBR Pile Challenge

75^th book for 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

The Silkworm: Cormoran Strike #2

About one year after finishing The Cuckoo’s Calling, I was once again taken by Robert Galbraith to the office of C.B. Strike, the private detective. However, in contrast to the glittering show-biz aspect of a model’s murder in the first book, this time Galbraith took me to a grotesque macabre atmosphere of a writer’s mysterious death.

One day in his fatigue and lack-of-sleep condition, Cormoran has made a rush decision. He has dumped a rich potential but arrogant client to make way to a poor afflicted woman. Eleanor Quine asked his help to find his missing husband, a writer Owen Quine, and to bring him home. Quine was missing right after finishing his latest novel, which he boasted as his masterpiece: Bombyx Mori (the Latin words for ‘silkworm’). The manuscript has been spreading all over the town before Quine’s agent, Elizabeth Tassel, realized that many literary key people were pen-portrayed in this mythical-gothic thriller, including Tassel herself, an editor, a publisher, and Quine’s girlfriend (a writer); an element which stirred anger and, in some, fear in the literary world.

Several days later Cormoran found Quine’s death body in an empty house, tied, disemboweled, and putrid. The murder was performed theatrically, neatly, and cold heartedly, that the Police had no other lead to take than suspecting Leonora Quine of killing her own husband. If Cormoran, at the murder of Quine, might regarded that his job to locate the writer was done, now he took personal responsibility to save the unjustly accused wife from being wrongly convicted. This is what I love about Rowling aka Gailbraith. Her story is not just about crime and detective, there is also a touch of humanity. Cormoran’s decision might not always be wise or logical for a detective, but that is what made him distinguished: he has heart. This single aspect warmed Rowling’s detective story, which is usually cold.

Cormoran and Robin’s personal struggles are also interesting. Although I feel the excessive passages about Cormoran’s ex-fiancé is wasteful and boring; it is interesting though to see how both Cormoran and Robin—logical and intelligent as they are—picked the wrong partners for themselves. We can easily see that Charlotte and Matthew are selfish and narrow-minded people who could never understand Cormoran and Robin. But still, our detective and his assistant love them blindly. Well, maybe love is, sadly, blind indeed…. Particularly for Robin, I still don’t understand how a clever and sensible girl like her could have liked a guy like Matthew. Sometimes, girls can be so foolish when it comes to boys. *sigh*

Compared to The Cuckoo’s Calling, this one is less engaging. The idea is brilliant (but very ‘Rowling’, in her fondness of mythical elements), but it lacks the grotesque atmosphere around the murder. It feels more like a staged act than grotesque. I liked the idea of hiding parts of Cormoran’s actions when we were approaching the climax (and left us in the dark of what was actually happening), which was a bit like Agatha Christie’s; it made us groping and curious, which added the mystery. And I also liked how Cormoran’s and Robin’s relationship developed further; she proved herself capable of being Cormoran’s assistant. And of course, with Cormoran’s lack of physical fitness, their collaboration would be much more interesting in the next series. But apart from those aspects, the crime story itself is not prominent.

Three and a half stars for The Silkworm.

The Racketeer

[rack-e-teer] is one who obtains money illegally, as by fraud, extortion, etc. From the beginning I’ve been curious, who the racketeer is. The story is told from two point-of-views; the first is from Malcolm Bannister’s—an African-American lawyer who has involved in a case which turned out to be a crime, and got imprisoned under RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. The second is from third point of view, the narrator. Malcolm must serve ten years in prison for a crime he was not guilty of; losing his career, his family, his future—in short, he is ruined. When five years has elapsed, a Federal judge is murdered, and Malcolm proposes to FBI to swap his knowledge of the murderer, with his freedom and immunity.

As the FBI doesn’t have any clue about the murder, they give Malcolm freedom and immunity after he gives them the name of the murderer: Quinn Rucker, his ex-friend in jail. Malcolm changes his appearance and gets new name and new life, as well as the money prize as the informant; while Quinn is imprisoned after his under-pressured confession. However, FBI still could not find any solid evidence to indict Quinn; while Max—the new Malcolm—manages to slip away from their surveillance, and begins to busy himself with some strange things. The FBI is now restless, and we—the readers—start asking these questions: Is Malcolm the poor victim or the ruthless villain? If Quinn is not the murderer, who is?

One thing that I love mostly from Grisham, is the variation of his styles. One time he would make a struggling lawyer heroically fighting a huge law firm; another time he would highlight a victim of corrupted judicial system. But once or twice he might make the villain triumphantly outdo the law. In fact, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate the protagonist from the antagonist. But whichever way Grisham takes you, you wouldn’t be able to resist his masterful style of narrating his stories.

This book looks promising on the earlier few chapters, but it gets rather slow after Malcolm is easily freed from jail, and we already got the murderer. Well….in cases like this, we know that the story isn’t over, and things might get twisted to a surprising ending. And so I go on reading, and yes, it gets more and more thrilling, and I was so excited to know the outcome…and the real killer! I thought first that this is about corrupted system, which was punishing an innocent victim, but of course, I was wrong—at least half wrong… :)

Four stars for The Racketeer, another unusual law thriller from Grisham. Love it!

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I read Dell Mass Market Export edition

Buku ini adalah hadiah dari Secret Santa #BBI 2013 -- thanks Santa!

Siapa Secret Santaku? Aku buka kedoknya di sini… :D

A Monstrous Regiment of Women: Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes Series # 2

In one week Mary Russell would be 21 years, when she would inherit property and a lot of money. She is preparing an essay for her study in Oxford, and in boring mood she goes to London in search of her intimate friend, partner and mentor: Sherlock Holmes. On top of a hansom cab—one of Holmes’ disguises—Holmes tells her that he knows why she has searched for him; it is because she wants him to marry her. Mary is offended by this, and she runs away. In her confusion, she meets her friend from Oxford, Lady Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Beaconsfield, whom introduces her to The New Temple of God and its charismatic preacher Margery Childe.

Margery turns out to be a feminist, who in her preaches criticizes male preachers for impeding women to study and discuss religion; she believes that God created men and women equal. Russell is interested in Margery, and agrees to teach her about her research in theology, that God was also referred in feminine (not only masculine) in original bible manuscript. Then some events take place; from a mysterious murder of a rich woman from the inner circle of The New Temple of God, to Ronnie’s accident. Is Margery involved in all that? What she is after if it’s true? Or is it something else?

The second installment of Mary Russell series saw Mary Russell growing up to be a woman. Out of the criminal mystery, it is about how Russell became a woman in particularly the 1920s era. The sparks of attraction between Russell and Holmes, which has started in Beekeeper’s Apprentice, now reaches its momentum. I can feel how restless Russell is when she is separated from Holmes, but it gets even more intense whenever she is with Holmes. And I see the same thing in Holmes, he seems to lose his coolness more than before everytime Russell is in danger.

Apart from the mystery—which I don’t find very special—and the romance, this book is still interesting because of the religious and historical feminism aspect in 1920s. Many men had died during World War 1 and left their wives widows, but they who survived came home as different men. They became more savage after witnessing the cruelness at war, and many of them could not get jobs. These problems increased women’s involvement in the society. There were many social organizations focusing in women education, health care, and shelter, just like what Margery Childe in this story does.

King framed the feminism issue with theological discussion on women involvement on the bible. This is revealed in Margery and Russell’s discussion based on Russell’s major in Theology she studied at Oxford, about how God has actually been referred in Old Testament.

While speaking of feminism, I could not but thinking about Russell-Holmes’ partnership, which I believe a good example of what women should practice. There is equality in it, in terms of making decision and job description; and I like how Russell emphasizes this to Holmes on many occasions, and Holmes—despite being reluctant or just isn’t yet familiar with the idea—fully respects Russell’s initiatives. However, in some circumstances, where Russell is helpless and in danger, she puts trust in Holmes to save her. I disagree with a feminism-essay writer who was disappointed with the ending because Russell needs Holmes to help her. I believe the focus of feminism should be to get the same rights as men, not to be superior. God has created us equal, men and women, to become partners, because they have their uniqueness and thus could fill what lack in the partner. From the first series it has been clear that Russell and Holmes are made for partners, because only with both qualities, they could beat their enemies.

This second book is less entertaining, but more intriguing, so I think three and a half stars would be fair enough.

~~~~~~~

*I read the translation edition from Qanita (part of Mizan Publishing group)*

*I read this for:*

Laurie R. King Readalong – January 2014

The Accused: Theodore Boone #3

The trial of Peter Duffy—the accused of a murder in Strattenburg—is being held; and of course, Theo Boone, the teenage lawyer, won’t miss the chance to watch it, although it is happening during school hours. Really! I would be delighted to go to school like Theo’s, where they have debate class and all, and when we could discuss and analyze cool stuffs like a real murder case! :) Anyway, Pete Duffy’s is a case from Theo Boone #1: The Kid Lawyer. It is a small surprise that Grisham picks it to open the story.

Returning to school, Theo realizes that it’s not his lucky day at all. Not only that Pete Duffy was suddenly missing, so that the trial is cancelled, Theo now finds his locker has been burglarized, his baseball cap was stolen, and in the parking lot he finds that his bike’s tyre has been cut. There has to be someone who hates him or wants to upset him, but who? But instead of reporting the burglary (it’s only a baseball cap anyway) to the school, or telling his parents about his tyre (he has spent two tyres this month, and one more will annoy his dad), Theo tells himself that it’s just another bad day. But, is it?

When someone stoned his office window, things begin to get serious. However, before Theo can think what he should do next, two detectives who searched his locker, found stolen gadgets Theo has never seen before. Theo is accused, and he can be jailed in teens’ prison if he cannot prove himself innocent. Now, things get super serious!

Just like two previous series, Theo Boone always provides light and enjoyable reading. John Grisham is really genius to aim teenage market for his legal novels, as years later they would be a delicious market for his more serious legal thriller. And what’s more, Theo Boone can also satisfy us, adult, his loyal readers. Serious or not, light or tough, it’s still Grisham, and everyone knows he is a very good story teller.

What I like from The Accused is how Grisham reminds us that Theo Boone is an ordinary teenager. Although he is the main protagonist, it doesn’t mean that he is perfect. He’s not a hero, he’s just a teenager whose parents are lawyers, and so it’s normal if he has a lot of interest in legal stuffs. He understands laws (perhaps more than most of those real lawyers), but sometimes he can make mistakes too. Like now, when the sky is like falling on him, when the teenage lawyer is threatened of being jailed.

As usual, there are a lot of ‘whys’ and ifs’: why didn’t Theo reported the burglary right away? If so, the police won’t suspect him, and so on. But, as in real life, things go wrong, and it is like the universe is conspiring against us. It looks like stupidity from the outside, and we do feel stupid after that, then our mind is going numb as the result. The same happens to Theo. His cleverness seems evaporated, but thanks to Ike Boone’s clear observation, the case meets a clear path.

And Theo’s unwise decisions here only show his typical teenage character, the want to manage everything by themselves, feeling capable to handle everything, and don’t need adult’s interference. Yep, it is very understandable, and I’m glad Grisham created Theo Boone like who he is in this series; and please don’t change it, Mr. Grisham! It’s so relieving to read natural humane story like this. Now I’m only wondering, will Theo develop more in the upcoming series? Can’t wait to read the next one!

Four stars for Theo Boone....

~~~~~~~

I read Gramedia Indonesia-translation edition

*This book is counted as:*

7^th book for 2013 TBRR Pile Mystery Reading Challenge

The Cuckoo’s Calling: Cormoran Strike # 1

Before the news about J.K. Rowling writing a crime-detective novel under pseudonym Robert Galbraith leaked, I didn’t have any idea about this book. But, the combination of ‘crime-detective’ and ‘J.K. Rowling effect’ has instantly tickled my curiosity. Years ago, before delving into classics and literary fiction, crime-detective has been my passion—Agatha Christie was my first acquaintance with adult fiction. So, knowing that J.K. Rowling writes a crime novel, I knew right away that it would have been a combination of detective investigation and psychological conflict of the characters, just like Agatha Christie. But, knowing J.K. Rowling now too well, I also guessed that the characters and the conflicts would be much more livid than Agatha Christie’s. Not only that my prediction turned out to be quite accurate, J.K. Rowling slipped another surprise at the end too!

Lula Landry (sounds too similar with Luna Lovegood, eh?) is a celebrated young model; she is half black and adopted by a rich white family. One night she fell from the third floor balcony of her apartment. Considering her problematic background, testimonies and several evidences, the police, the press, and even most of her adopted family have concluded that it was a suicide. Everyone but John Bristow, a lawyer, Lula’s adopted brother.

Far from being celebrated, Cormoran Strike is a war veteran who—although the son of a celebrity—chooses to build his own career as a private detective. He is on the verge of collapse—with zero prospective client, and not even a residence—before colliding (literally) with a pretty secretary named Robin Ellacott, a temporary secretary whom Cormoran could not afford to pay. However, five minutes after Robin sits on her new desk at her new office, a client comes bringing a solid case. Of course, it is John Bristow, bringing the case of Lula Landry’s death, which he believes is a murder.

I don’t know exactly how I should describe this novel, other than…I just love it! It is very “Rowling”—if you know what I mean. It’s not like Agatha Christie, whose crime fictions are pure crime and detective stories, with a trace of psychological analysis aspect (especially in Poirot’s). With Rowling, we know she has never been focusing in one genre in particular. Harry Potter—after we finished reading the series—turns out to be a story about human nature; what one would have become when he grows up is determined not only by society, but more importantly by his own choices. We call it fantasy novel, but the fantasy is merely the setting.

The same thing applies with The Cuckoo’s Calling. If you are a fan of crime-detective stories (hi there, Sherlockians!..), you might find this Cormoran Strike bloke far away from what an ideal detective would be. I myself am quite disappointed with his records. Strike is not a superhero, he has too many weaknesses, he’s not even charming (far from that!). I even find Strike’s method is similar to Hercule Poirot’s methodical order; letting every one talking, taking seriously every small evidences, and put them all to complete a puzzle. Yes, I tasted a bit of Agatha Christie here, and so there’s nothing new in it.

But more than that, Strike is very humane. And this is what I love from this book. It’s not just about Strike’s investigation of the case, it’s also about Strike’s own struggles to be released from his past, and to rearrange his life. Although Rowling doesn’t give too much portion to Robin here, she is also in search of her own life. I predict that in the next series, she would be much wiser to make the right decision of her future. And I very much hope that she would not be like Batman’s Robin who appears only in a few stories. I really like her intellectual (another Hermione??) and her interest in detective works; while besides that, she is just an ordinary girl who likes beautiful dresses, and gets up-to-date with celebrities news. Yes, I like someone ordinary who has a unique interest that makes her distinguish from others.

*spoiler alert* And I am very curious of this boss-secretary relationship, would Rowling keep those sparks of attraction between them in the next series?... *spoiler ends*

Last but not least, Rowling’s surprise at the ending makes this novel becomes more than just a detective story. I might even say, it is a literary novel with crime-detective theme. Near the end of the story, ‘who the murderer is’ is no longer important for me, because I am much more touched by what happens in our own society. How often it is, that people put judgment to other just because of our backgrounds. It’s like: if you come from certain background, you must have the typical bad qualities that others from your ‘kind’ share. So, if something bad happen to you, well….it’s just that, no one surprised, and you just deserve that. Luckily, there are sometimes people like Strike, who comes from a high background, but has enough wisdom and conscience to seek only the truth. So, in a way, Strike is a new hero!

Five stars for the first title in the Cormoran Strike series, and I would wait patiently for the second title Rowling will write; because you know….the long waiting would be much worth in the end!

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*I read e-book version*

*This book is counted for:*

6^th book for 2013 TBRR Pile Mystery Reading Challenge

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice: Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes Series # 1

What do you think Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes detective stories lack of? I might say: a feminine aspect. Of course, Sherlock Holmes is very ‘masculine’ with his astounding logical reasoning talent. Most of his stories are about how to solve a complex mystery using logic, knowledge and some brave maneuvers. In short, it’s about brain and some muscles, which made it very masculine. But what about adding a small (just a small) portion of feminine touch in it? Wouldn’t it be interesting? Aren’t you wondering, how Holmes would react if he ever met a female who matches his talent? He has found one, Irene Adler, in Doyle’s stories, but she was his adversary and her appearance is less than sufficient to be paired with Holmes.

Now, Laurie R. King seems to know what few of us (including me!) have been wishing; she brings an orphanage Jewish-American teenage girl named Mary Russell to accidently meet the retired Holmes in a quiet little village of Sussex. Already passing the age of fifty, Holmes now busies himself with beekeeping when Mary Russell stumbles across him on a hill. At that instant Holmes realizes Russell’s rare intelligent brain, and decides to make her his apprentice as well as friend. When Russell does not go to Oxford to study theology and mathematic, she does her education and training with Holmes. During this apprenticeship, Russell and Holmes solve several cases, starting the partnership of their detective career.

Reading this book is immensely entertaining. The first book in the series acts as an introduction to Mary Russell’s personage—which I like instantly—and her apprenticeship with Holmes. It is of course quite awkward for Holmes—and for us too, who follow his actions in Doyle’s stories—to be in the friendly presence of a girl, but that actually makes this story more interesting. I always like characters from books that are presented humanly with emotion, and sometimes make mistakes. Holmes here seems to me more human, not a genius man-robot as Doyle wrote it.

Instead of writing another Holmes story; King writes how Holmes influences Mary Russell in her memoirs. It is how Russell sees Holmes from her point of view. Watson’s approach has been much influenced by his worshipping of Holmes’ genius talent, something that he doesn’t possess; but in Russell, she shares Holmes’ talents and that gives her a wider point of view of Holmes, because she can look at things beyond his genius brain. Or, is it simply because women can look deeper into men? :)

Besides the cases Russell and Holmes must solve—in fact they are not very interesting, except for the last one—King put more of her focus in building personal relationship between Russell and Holmes. And I must say that this is actually the most interesting part of this book. At their first meeting, Holmes even mistakenly think that Russell is a boy—which is not surprising, considering Holmes’ view on his opposite sex (and also because Russell dressed like a boy at that time). Before Russell entering his life, Holmes takes female as brainless creature. However, dealing with Russell forces him to make an exception; certain female actually HAS brain, and slowly but surely Holmes can see that Russell possesses a unique talent he had never seen before (except in himself).

It is also interesting to see Holmes’ way of accepting Russell into his life. He takes Russell as Russell, not as a female, by ignoring every aspect of her sex. It is simple at first, because Russell was 15 years old girl with boyish appearance at that time; but it becomes more complicated when she grows up to be a young woman. Then Holmes is forced to take her as a woman, and…really….it’s quite funny to see Holmes’ awkwardness with Russell feminine aspects, not mentioning that a man and a woman in the early 20^th century could not spend much time alone without creating scandals.

Anyway, time flows, and I can see that Russell-Holmes relationship is leading to a more affectionate one. The question is now, what kind of love they are sharing? As friends? Father and daughter? Or more intimate than that, as lovers? From Russell, it is more clearly, for she confesses that her love for Holmes is growing. But what about Holmes? One thing is clear, his sharpness is slowly fading. After a bombing that wounded him, Holmes is disturbed by two things. First, that he is facing an enemy who knows him very well while he doesn’t have any clue of  him/her. Second, that this time, his brilliant logic is beaten by his emotion. Knowing that Russell is now in danger, his instinct could not follow his brain; and although his brain instructs him to stay, he rushes to Russell’s apartment. And this is happened to Sherlock Holmes! Who would even guess? So, what else can change him like that if not the power of love? It becomes more interesting, eh?.....

Apart from the sparkle of romance, I was touched too by the struggles Russell and the child she rescued must have shared. It’s lovely to see how Russell could cure Jessica because of her own struggle, but more than that, I was glad and relieved that it is Holmes who helps Russell with his wisdom and experiences. When one blames oneself for a tragedy, people keep saying that it’s not his/her fault. It’s true, of course, but it doesn’t work to confront when one is wounded. Perhaps Holmes’ approach is the best way, to make one accepts that it’s one’s fault, but it’s all over now, it’s time to move on and do better things to pay for the fault already done. I just realize, that might be the best argument. And that makes me love Mary Russell’s series more, because it is very entertaining and exciting, yet sometimes touching.

So I guess, Russell and Holmes deserve to earn four stars from me for their first collaboration. Special thanks to Melisa who gave me this book for my birthday last year, and of course, a bunch of thanks for Laurie R. King for bringing Mary Russell into my life :) Now I can hardly wait to read the whole series!

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*I read Qanita translation edition in Bahasa Indonesia for:*

9^th book for 2013 TBR Pile Challenge

8^th book for New Authors Reading Challenge 2013

5^th book for 2013 TBRR Pile Mystery Reading Challenge

The Abduction: Theodore Boone 2

Theodore Boone, si pengacara cilik, kembali diajak beraksi oleh “ayah”nya, maestro kisah-kisah thriller hukum favoritku: John Grisham. Setelah berhasil memecahkan misteri sebuah kasus pembunuhan di buku pertama: Theodore Boone: Pengacara Cilik, kali ini Theo menghadapi sebuah kasus penculikan.

Masih ingat teman cewek Theo yang bernama April? Di buku pertama, April yang tumbuh di keluarga yang tidak bahagia, sempat dimunculkan oleh Grisham. Kali ini ia menjadi salah satu tokoh utamanya. April diceritakan tiba-tiba menghilang pada suatu malam, hanya beberapa jam setelah mengobrol di telepon bersama Theo. Minggatkah ia? Tapi ia tak membawa barang-barangnya. Diculikkah ia? Tapi rumahnya tak menampakkan tanda-tanda pengrusakan. Bisa jadi April diculik oleh seseorang yang ia kenal. Siapa?

Hampir bersamaan waktunya dengan menghilangnya April, seorang narapidana yang kabur dari penjara, sempat terlihat di Stattenburg, kota tempat Theo dan April tinggal. Kebetulan sekali si narapidana adalah sepupu jauh April yang pernah menjadi sahabat pena si gadis. Diakah penculiknya?

Sebagai sahabat terdekat April, menghilangnya gadis itu membuat Theo sedih dan tak bersemangat. Di sekolah ia menggagas gerakan pencarian terhadap April di seluruh kota. Suatu hari, Theo dan beberapa temannya menyaksikan evakuasi seonggok jenazah dari dalam sungai oleh polisi. Runtuhlah pertahanan Theo, tertusuk hatinya, yang membuatnya menangis tersedu-sedu di depan sketsa coretan April yang tergantung di kamar kerjanya, sambil tangannya menelusuri tulisan nama “April” di sketsa itu. Sebuah momen emosional dan personal dari Theo. Sungguhkah April sahabatnya telah pergi selamanya? Seisi sekolah, teman, guru, kepala sekolah Theo semuanya mendadak sedih.

Di tengah kesedihan itu, Ike Boone (masih ingat Paman Ike?)-- paman Theo yang mantan pengacara dan memiliki banyak “koneksi” di “jalanan”, tiba-tiba memanggil Theo. Ia menyampaikan kabar bahwa mayat yang ditemukan polisi bukan mayat April. Berarti ada kemungkinan April masih hidup. Lalu di manakah ia? Benarkah si narapidana menculiknya? Kalau bukan, lalu siapa? Di saat polisi sibuk sendiri dengan si narapidana, Theo Boone lah yang harus memecahkan teka-teki di balik penculikan sahabatnya, April.

Boleh dibilang, The Abduction ini lebih banyak menampilkan petualangan daripada proses hukum. Theo si Pengacara Cilik, sepertinya berubah menjadi Theo Si Detektif di buku ini. Peran Theo sebagai “pengacara” hanya muncul pada waktu ia membela burung beo milik teman sekolahnya yang digugat karena mengganggu. Adegan di Pengadilan Hewan ini mau tak mau membuatku terpingak-pingkal saking lucunya, saat Peter si burung beo tampil sebagai “terdakwa”. Ulah lucu Peter mau tak mau membawa keceriaan sejenak, setelah nuansa sedih yang kental karena hilangnya April.

Meski tak terlalu “hukum” seperti kakaknya (Theodore Boone 1), namun The Abduction ini lebih emosional dan lebih menyentuh. Dengan penculikan April, kurasa Grisham mau menggaris bawahi pentingnya hubungan yang harmonis dan kasih sayang dalam keluarga. Bagaimana kemesraan hubungan dalam keluarga berperan sangat penting bagi pertumbuhan emosional dan kejiwaan bagi seorang anak. Sekali lagi, John Grisham berhasil menyentuh hati kita dengan buku-bukunya, tak peduli lewat cerita yang “berat” seperti The Chamber, atau lewat kisah yang sederhana seperti The Abduction ini. Empat bintang untuk Theo Boone!

Judul: Theodore Boone: The Abduction

Penulis: John Grisham

Penerjemah: Monica Dwi Chresnayani

Editor: Dini Pandia

Penerbit: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Terbit: Juni 2011

Tebal: 230 hlm

Arsene Lupin

Mari sejenak mengamati cover buku ini. Topi tinggi, kacamata pince-nez, kumis. Kira-kira bayangan apa yang terbersit di benak anda melihat gabungan ketiga komponen itu? Seorang gentleman? Berarti anda sudah menebak setengah benar. Gambar cover itu sendiri menyiratkan sesuatu yang kocak. Di Goodreads, beberapa orang meletakkan buku ini di shelf misteri, kisah detektif. Apakah itu berarti ini kisah detektif yang kocak? Tiga perempat benar. Yang paling tepat, Arsene Lupin adalah kisah tentang seorang pencuri!

Bukan sembarang pencuri, Arsene Lupin yang tinggal di Prancis adalah pencuri terhebat di dunia. Sesosok karakter yang diciptakan Maurice Leblanc dan mulai diperkenalkan pada tahun 1905 dalam bentuk cerita pendek berseri yang terbit di majalah dan diberi judul Je Sais Tous. Arsene Lupin yang diterjemahkan Penerbit Bukune ini merupakan karya Edgar Jepson, yang menggunakan tokoh ciptaan Maurice Leblanc. Jadi buku yang judul aslinya adalah Arsène Lupin: The Book of the Play ini bukanlah murni karya Maurice Leblanc.

Keunikan Arsene Lupin adalah ia mencuri hanya dari orang-orang kaya yang serakah, kemudian hasil curiannya ia bagikan kepada orang miskin, mirip tokoh Robin Hood. Modal utama Arsene Lupin adalah kepiawaiannya dalam menyamar dan kecepatan tangannya. Modal lainnya adalah seleranya yang tinggi terhadap benda-benda seni dan buku, sehingga ia bisa menilai lukisan mana yang bernilai tinggi, mana yang tidak. Di buku ini banyak bertebaran karya-karya para maestro dunia seperti Rembrandt, Velasques, dll.

Kisah diawali di chateu milik Duke Jacques Charmerace. Sore itu undangan perkawinan sang Duke dengan Germaine, putri jutawan M. Gournay-Martin, sedang dalam pengerjaan. Saat itulah pertama kalinya Germaine dan Sonia, pengurus rumah tangganya, menyadari adanya keanehan di chateu itu. Patung perak yang berpindah tempat, kaca jendela yang dipotong, keanehan-keanehan kecil yang sepele.

Lalu masuklah ke dalam kisah ini, Duke Charmerace yang eksotis dan tampan, baru saja pulang dari petualangan Kutub Selatan. Malam itu ia menghadiahkan kalung dengan bandul mutiara kepada Germaine, tunangannya yang judes dan manja. Namun di sisi lain sang Duke malah mulai memperhatikan Sonia-si pengurus rumah tangga cantik yang rapuh, dengan ketertarikan yang lebih daripada seorang majikan kepada pelayan…

Malam itu pula pertama kalinya Duke mendengar kisah tentang seorang Arsene Lupin, yang pernah merampok lukisan dan benda berharga milik M. Gournay-Matin tiga tahun lalu. Tepat setelah itu datanglah bapak dan anak-anak keluarga Charolais yang ingin membeli mobil yang diiklankan oleh M. Gournay-Martin. Salah satu anak laki-lakinya tertangkap basah ketika menyambar kotak berisi kalung berbandul mutiara yang dihadiahkan Duke untuk Germaine. Untungnya usaha pencurian itu digagalkan sang Duke.

Namun, ketika M. Gournay-Martin lagi-lagi menerima surat dari Arsene Lupin yang mengatakan dirinya akan datang ke rumahnya di Paris untuk “mengambil” lukisan-lukisan sekaligus mahkota Princesse de Lamballe yang amat bernilai, otomatis para Charolais yang pernah mencuri itu patut dicurigai. Apakah salah satu dari mereka adalah Lupin?

Sesungguhnya Arsene Lupin memiliki musuh bebuyutan. Seorang Kepala Kepolisian bernama Guerchard telah sepuluh tahun lamanya selalu gagal meringkus Lupin, yang membuat Guerchard akhirnya terobsesi pada Lupin. Sebagai reaksi surat terakhir Lupin, Duke mengajukan diri untuk bermobil ke Paris dan memanggil polisi untuk melindungi rumah M. Gournay-Martin. Sementara itu calon mertuanya, Germaine dan Sonia akan menyusulnya kemudian.

Betapa terkejutnya Duke, Hakim Pemeriksa Formery dan Guerchard sendiri ketika menemukan bahwa mereka datang terlambat. Rumah M. Gournay-Martin telah dijarah oleh Arsene Lupin! Belum puas ia mempermalukan polisi, Arsene Lupin pun mengirim telegram yang mengatakan bahwa ia akan datang keesokan harinya pukul dua belas malam untuk mengambil mahkota yang berharga itu.

Kini para polisi dan Guerchard beradu kecerdikan dengan Arsene Lupin. Penyelidikan terus berlangsung, namun keberadaan Lupin belum jua ditemukan, sementara jarum jam semakin merambat ke arah pukul dua belas malam. Siapakah yang akan menang, Guerchard atau Arsene Lupin? Dan siapakah sebenarnya Arsene Lupin yang menurut Guerchard memiliki kelemahan terhadap wanita? Akankah ia akhirnya tertangkap?

Arsene Lupin di beberapa film, pencuri yang ganteng seperti ini lebih tepat mencuri hati ya?

Begitu banyak kisah detektif yang telah kubaca, sungguh menarik bisa membaca kisah seorang pencuri. Dari biasanya “mengejar”, kini pembaca diajak menikmati sensasi “dikejar”. Dan kisah ini menjadi lebih berwarna karena hadirnya sepercik romansa di tengah serunya pengejaran.

Terus terang saja, aku masih penasaran dengan versi Arsene Lupin yang asli, karangan Maurice Leblanc. Kisah yang kubaca ini kurang tepat disebut kisah misteri, karena dalam kenyataannya aku –mungkin anda juga—langsung bisa menebak sosok Lupin ini ketika masih di pertengahan cerita. Endingnya tak menyisakan misteri, hanya tegangnya pengejaran dan duel Lupin vs Guerchard saja. Bagaimana pun ini kisah yang unik dan nikmat dibaca. Tiga bintang kusediakan untuk dicuri Arsene Lupin!

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Sedikit catatan untuk penerbit Bukune, aku suka dengan desain sampul yang ringkas tapi lucu ini. Hanya saja aku agak terganggu dengan banyaknya typo yang bertebaran di sana-sini. Semoga Bukune tak berhenti menerbitkan kisah Arsene Lupin lainnya, yang pastinya akan jauh lebih baik dari yang sekarang.

Judul: Arsene Lupin

Penulis: Edgar Jepson & Maurice Leblanc

Penerjemah: Sissy Jaslim

Penerbit: Bukune

Terbit: Juli 2011

Tebal: 304 hlm

Angels Fall

Mengapa Angels Fall menjadi judul buku ini? Dari awal aku membaca hingga akhir, aku masih tak menemukan titik terang jawabannya. Namun, mari kita telusuri kembali kisah karya Nora Roberts ini, yang pernah memenangi Quill Award untuk Book of The Year 2007. Dan mungkin akhirnya kita bisa menebak, mengapa Angels Fall…

Angel’s Fist (bukan Angels Fall) adalah sebuah kota kecil nan tenang yang terletak di daerah pegunungan Grand Teton di Wyoming, USA. Anda bisa mencari kota itu di peta sampai 100x, tapi anda pasti takkan menemukannya, karena kota itu memang rekaan Nora Roberts belaka. Meski begitu, penggambaran Nora tentang keindahan kota beserta pegunungannya begitu detail dan memikat. Menurutku, itulah daya magnet buku ini yang sanggup mencengkeram minatku membacanya. Itu dan masakan-masakannya. Tak ada hubungannya ya? Tunggu sampai anda memahami kisahnya…

Seorang gadis memasuki kota Angel’s Fist dengan mobilnya. Tanpa rencana, begitu saja. Tertarik dengan pemandangan dan ketenangan kota itu, dan terutama karena mobilnya tiba-tiba menolak meneruskan perjalanan, ia akhirnya singgah di sana. Sebuah rumah makan menarik perhatiannya. Tentu saja, karena dulu ia adalah seorang chef berbakat dengan karir cemerlang. Itu dulu. Karena kenyataannya ia sekarang berkendara tanpa tujuan dan takut untuk tinggal di suatu tempat terlalu lama. Sesuatu sepertinya membuatnya takut…

Reece, nama gadis itu, tiba-tiba saja memiliki pekerjaan baru sebagai tukang masak di Joanie’s. Meski tertutup dan pendiam, ia jadi mengenal penduduk yang, seperti biasa terjadi di kota kecil, senang bergosip. Karena masakannya memang enak, Joanie pun berbaik hati menyewakan apartemen di atas rumah makan untuk Reece. Sementara kisah bergulir, perlahan-lahan Nora Roberts membangun karakter tokoh-tokohnya, sambil menebarkan masakan-masakan nikmat yang membuat pembacanya ngiler! Tak butuh waktu lama, anda akan mudah menebak bahwa yang menjadi tokoh utama adalah Reece dan penulis fiksi bernama Brody. Reece wanita yang rapuh dan paranoid, pernah menjadi saksi kejahatan yang merenggut nyawa 12 temannya, menyisakan dirinya sendiri selamat secara fisik namun sempat mengalami halusinasi dan masuk RS jiwa. Ia berada di Angel’s Fist untuk menata hidupnya kembali. Dan kini ia bahkan menemukan seorang pria yang menarik.

Suatu kali Reece sedang melakukan pendakian di salah satu tebing yang ada di sekitar Angel’s Fist. Ketika sedang meneropong burung-burung, tiba-tiba sebuah adegan memenuhi lensa teropongnya. Adegan perkelahian seorang pria dan wanita yang berbuntut pembunuhan! Si pria membunuh teman wanitanya. Adegan itu berlokasi amat jauh di kerimbunan hutan di seberang lembah. Ditemani Brody, Reece pun melaporkan kejadian itu pada sheriff setempat. Seperti biasa, gossip langsung menyebar dengan cepat. Dari awal nampak bahwa warga, termasuk sheriff tak mempercayai kesaksian Reece karena di lokasi kejadian tak ditemukan jejak sedikitpun. Tak ada juga kasus orang hilang atau lainnya. Pendek kata, di kolam kehidupan Angel’s Fist, tak tampak riak di permukaan air yang tenang yang menandakan ada batu yang dilemparkan ke sana.

Tak lama setelah pembunuhan itu, terjadi hal-hal aneh dalam keseharian Reece. Peta yang tiba-tiba tercorat-coret spidol, penggorengan yang tiba-tiba berpindah ke gudang, cucian yang tiba-tiba berpindah tempat. Hal-hal kecil yang sering kita alami, yang biasa kita sebut pikun. Ditambah kenyataan bahwa Reece pernah mengalami kejadian traumatis yang membuat mentalnya tak stabil, membuat orang-orang berpikir semua itu hanya bayangan atau halusinasi Reece, sama sepert pembunuhan yang ia saksikan.

Untungnya Brody tak terpengaruh. Ia percaya pada Reece, dan mereka mulai berpikir bahwa tampaknya ada seseorang yang ingin membuat Reece menyadari kegilaannya, sekaligus mematahkan kesaksiannya tentang pembunuhan itu. Kalau begitu….pembunuh itu pasti ada di Angel’s Fist. Sang pembunuh yang bisa keluar-masuk apartemen Reece dan mengetahui kesehariannya. Seseorang yang mereka kenal. Lalu siapa? Si dokter, si pemilik toko, si sheriff, si playboy putra bos Reece, si pelayan rumah makan? Reece dan Brody tak memiliki waktu banyak untuk mengungkapkan kebenaran, karena makin lama si pembunuh makin nekat…

Untuk digolongkan sebagai kisah misteri rasanya kisah ini kurang “greget”. Aku sudah dapat menebak pelakunya bahkan pada awal-awal penyelidikan. Cukup dengan memperhatikan sikap atau pembicaraan orang yang tak sesuai kapasitasnya, atau yang sebenarnya tak perlu. Lagipula, seharusnya penulis memberikan kesimpulan di akhir bagaimana si pembunuh menghilangkan jejaknya. Meski kita sendiri sudah bisa menebak, tapi rasanya ada yang kurang. Untuk dibilang thriller, lebih tidak pas lagi karena si pembunuh baru “tampak mengancam” di bagian akhir kisah. Karena Nora Roberts spesialis kisah romantis, mungkin buku ini lebih tepat digolongkan sebagai romance? Hmm..mungkin saja, tapi menurutku kisah percintaan Reece dan Brody juga terlalu lancar dan tak ada konflik sama sekali.

Jadi?

Menurutku, ada tiga kekuatan buku ini. Pertama penggalian karakter Reece yang rapuh dan paranoid. Namun ada juga bagian yang tak perlu, yaitu cerita tentang Joanie dan sejarah hidupnya. Mengapa bagian ini perlu disisipkan? Apakah untuk membangun kecurigaan pada sosok si pembunuh? Jelas tidak, karena pembunuhnya jelas-jelas pria. Kekuatan kedua buku ini adalah keindahan pemandangan yang telah berhasil menggiring imajinasiku ke sebuah kota kecil di dalerah pegunungan. Setelah browsing di internet, aku menemukan sebuah landscape pemandangan di pegunungan Grand Teton:

Kekuatan ketiga buku ini adalah pada masakan-masakannya. Karena Reece adalah chef, di seluruh kisah anda akan menemukan deskripsi tentang makanan dan masakan yang (aku bayangkan) lezat dan menggugah selera. Bahkan kadang diselipkan juga proses memasaknya. Pokoknya, bagi anda yang hobi masak, buku ini lumayan menghibur. Jadi…3 kekuatan = 3 bintang.

Kembali lagi…mengapa Angels Fall? Aku tetap tak mengerti. Kalau “angel” mengarah pada sosok Reece, jelas bahwa alih-alih “fall”, ia justru sukses bangkit dari keterpurukan traumanya, dan siap memulai hidup yang baru. Mungkin saja Angels Fall itu mengacu pada air terjun (waterfall) yang banyak terdapat di pegunungan? Aku menemukan sebuah foto air terjun yang sedang membeku saat musim salju di pegunungan Teton, yang menurut pemilik foto namanya Angels Fall. Amazing ya?

Tapi..tetap saja..tak ada hubungannya kan dengan kisah di buku ini? Lalu mengapa Angels Fall? Yah…terserah interpretasi anda sendiri, dan mungkin hanya Nora Roberts saja yang tahu. Bagiku pribadi, buku ini tetap bisa aku nikmati, meski aku takkan repot-repot memberinya sebuah award apapun, karena masih banyak buku yang jauh lebih baik daripadanya.

Judul: Angels Fall

Penulis: Nora Roberts

Penerbit: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Terbit: Mei 2008

Tebal: 651 hlm

The Beach House

Walau tetap tak bisa disandingkan dengan sang maestro thriller-hukum: John Grisham, tetap saja James Patterson patut diacungi jempol untuk terobosannya di novel The Beach House ini. Sejak awal, narasi Patterson sudah terasa nikmat untuk dibaca. Sepertinya misteri sudah mulai dibangun sejak saat si tokoh “aku” datang terlambat ke sebuah pesta musim panas kaum elite di beach house mewah milik keluarga Neubauer. Menunggangi motor sport BMW, tentulah kita mengira si “aku” adalah salah satu bocah kaya yang gemar pesta. Namun, kejutan pertama telah dipasang Patterson di akhir prolog: si “aku” ternyata hanyalah seorang petugas valet di pesta itu! Petugas valet tunggangannya motor BMW??

Kejutan kedua. Si “aku” yang ternyata bernama Peter dan berjuluk “Rabbit” punya “pekerjaan” sampingan yang berhubungan dengan orang-orang kaya dan berpengaruh. Pekerjaan sampingannya tidak hanya membuat Peter kaya dari bayaran atas “jasa”nya, namun juga celaka. Pada malam pesta itu, mayatnya ditemukan di pantai dalam keadaan babak belur…

Cerita kini berpindah ke tokoh “aku” lainnya, yang bernama keluarga sama: Mullen. Kali ini si “aku” adalah Jack, kakak kandung Peter. Jack sedang magang di sebuah biro hukum besar. Saat pulang ke rumahnya di Montauk, East Hampton, Jack disambut dengan kabar buruk kematian Peter. Seolah kehilangan kakak masih kurang buruk, kepolisian tampaknya mengabaikan fakta-fakta yang menunjukkan keganjilan pada mayat Peter. Malahan kasus kematian Peter dianggap sebagai kecelakaan atau bunuh diri, dengan modus Peter nekat berenang di laut berombak keras, lalu tenggelam dan mayatnya terhempas ke pantai dalam keadaan babak belur.

Sadar bahwa pengaruh kekayaan sedang berusaha menutup-nutupi fakta bahwa Peter dibunuh, membuat Jack bersama Mack kakeknya, dan beberapa sahabatnya berusaha mencari keadilan. Sepak terjang mereka tercium oleh si pembunuh, dan beberapa ancamanpun ditebarkan. Yang terparah adalah ketika saksi kunci bagi kubu Mullen dalam persidangan tiba-tiba mengubah kesaksiannya. Jack pun menyadari peliknya situasi mereka. Keadilan telah dibeli dan melacurkan diri. Apakah yang mungkin dilakukan oleh orang-orang lemah seperti keluarga Mullen? Haruskah mereka menyerah kalah, padahal perlahan-lahan bukti demi bukti telah mereka dapatkan?

Membaca The Beach House sedikit menggelorakan emosi kita akan ketidak adilan hukum bagi orang lemah. Ketidak adilan itu selain diwakili oleh pembunuhan Peter, juga oleh vonis hukuman mati bagi “Mudman”, yang kasusnya ditangani oleh Jack sebagai kasus pro-bono sewaktu magang di biro hukum. Orang lemah dan kecil sering kali diremehkan oleh sistem. Mungkin karena keberadaan atau ketidakberadaan mereka dianggap tak punya pengaruh apapun pada dunia. Di sinilah Jack Mullen mencoba untuk menjadi pahlawan, meski untuk itu ia harus mempertaruhkan segalanya.

Meski greget pengadilan dan hukum kurang terasa di sini, namun The Beach House tetap menawarkan sesuatu yang lain. Gabungan antara intrik-intrik hukum, ketidak adilan, romansa, juga percikan misteri di sana sini mampu menyuguhkan bacaan yang tak terlalu berat namun tetap membuat penasaran hingga lembar terakhir!

Judul: The Beach House (Rumah Pantai)

Penulis: James Patterson, Peter De Jonge

Penerbit: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Cetakan: Oktober 2009

Tebal: 416 hlm

Shakespeare's Landlord

Buku ini bukan tentang William Shakespeare, sang pujangga dunia itu. Shakespeare di sini adalah nama sebuah kota kecil nan tenang di Arkansas, Amerika. Shakespeare menjadi kota pilihan Lily Bard untuk menjadi tempat tinggalnya selama empat tahun terakhir. Lily adalah seorang wanita muda pembersih rumah, atau orang yang dibayar warga kota Shakespeare untuk melakukan pekerjaan membersihkan rumah mereka. Meski kubayangkan wajah Lily lumayan manis, namun gaya tomboy dengan rambut berpotongan pendek, jins longgar dan kaos, kesukaannya berlatih karate, serta pekerjaannya yang tidak menarik, membuatnya kurang menonjol di Shakespeare. Apalagi Lily jarang sekali bersosialisasi dengan warga, meski ia tahu sangat banyak tentang detail pribadi mereka, berkat pekerjaannya sebagai pembersih rumah. Ketertutupan Lily itu bukanlah tanpa sebab, ia memang sengaja membuatnya begitu, dan selama empat tahun ia berhasil mempertahankan irama hidup yang membosankan namun menenangkan itu. Hingga malam itu....

Malam ketika Lily memutuskan ingin berjalan-jalan dalam sepi, saat seisi kota telah mulai terlelap. Atau begitu sangkanya pada mulanya. Karena ternyata ada orang lain juga yang belum naik ke tempat tidur malam itu. Lily memperhatikan dalam gelap ketika orang misterius itu mendorong sesuatu menggunakan gerobak sampahnya (gerobak sampah Lily maksudnya!). Orang itu mendorong gerobak hingga ke sudut gelap di taman, lalu kembali lagi dengan gerobak kosong. Merasa curiga, Lily memeriksa 'bungkusan misterius' itu, dan mendapatinya berisi mayat seseorang yang ia kenal!

Hingga tiba di bagian ini, Charlaine Harris--penulis buku ini, juga menyisipkan beberapa 'clue' yang mengindikasikan adanya sebuah masa lalu yang tersembunyi pada diri Lily, yang ingin ia kubur agar tak menghantuinya lagi. Masa lalu itu jugalah yang membuat Lily enggan melaporkan peristiwa pembunuhan itu langsung pada polisi, dan hanya membuat panggilan telepon anonim tengah malam saja pada Kepala Polisi: Claude Friedrich. Dengan begitu, Lily sudah merasa aman bahwa masa lalunya tak akan terkuak, yang akan terjadi jika ia terekspos sebagai penemu mayat, namun sekaligus ia juga memuaskan tanggung jawab moralnya sebagai penemu tindak kejahatan. Setelah malam itu berlalu, ia ingin kembali menjadi Lily sang pembersih rumah dengan rutinitasnya yang membosankan dalam denyut kehidupan kota kecil Shakespeare. Oh, betapa salahnya ia....

Setelah itu cerita bergulir dalam tempo sedang, meski kadang diselipi kejadian-kejadian yang lumayan seru seperti ketika Lily diserang dan harus memamerkan jurus karatenya. Namun sebagian besar kisah ini menceritakan dengan detail keseharian Lily yang hidup sendirian di sebuah rumah kecil. Bagaimana ia berlatih karate (yang dengan cerdiknya dihidangkan juga menjadi bagian pembuka buku ini oleh Charlaine Harris), bagaimana ia bersiap-siap untuk berangkat bekerja, bagaimana ia bekerja dengan semangat dan dalam profesionalitas tinggi, meski pekerjaannya sesederhana: mengepel, mengelap perabot, membersihkan kamar mandi dll. Alih-alih membosankan, bagian ini justru menjadi urat nadi keseluruhan cerita yang membuatnya unik, menarik, lain dari kisah misteri lainnya. Siapa bilang pekerjaan pembersih rumah itu membosankan?....

Kita seolah membaca diary atau blog seseorang yang menceritakan kesibukannya dari bangun tidur hingga tidur malam. Apa yang ia masak, caranya melakukan pekerjaan bersih-bersih, jadwalnya setiap hari: jam sekian untuk rumah siapa, latihan karatenya, latihan angkat bebannya, kebiasaan tetangganya, dan sebagainya, hingga ehm...kehidupan cintanya. Kadang kala, hal-hal rutin yang membosankan bagi seseorang, justru menarik bagi orang lain, kan? Apalagi bila budaya dan kebiasaan mereka berbeda dengan kita. Begitu asyiknya aku menikmati membaca keseharian Lily ini, hingga ketika halaman yang belum terbaca telah semakin menipis, aku merasa sedih, karena aku pasti merindukan membaca lebih banyak lagi tentang Lily Bard dan kota Shakespeare. Sepertinya, malah kehidupan Lily Bard ini yang paling menarik bagiku, lebih daripada menemukan misteri pembunuh salah satu warga kota itu....

Sosok Lily Bard sendiri memang karakter yang menarik, pemberani dan lugas. Sejarah kelamnya (yang akan terungkap juga di pertengahan buku ini) membantunya membangun sosoknya saat ini. Yang menggembirakan, Charlaine Harris membuat kisah Lily Bard dan kota Shakespeare ini sebagai serial, yang diberi judul: The Lily Bard Mystery, dan hingga saat ini telah terbit 5 serial. Shakespeare's Landlord ini merupakan yang pertama dari kelima serial tersebut. Semoga Penerbit Kantera, yang menerbitkan versi terjemahan buku ini segera menerbitkan seri ke 2 dan seterusnya. Karena, terus terang saja, aku sudah terlanjur jatuh cinta pada Lily Bard dan kawan-kawannya di kota Shakespeare.

Shakespeare's Landlord adalah sebuah kisah misteri, namun menurutku Charlanie Harris telah memberi sentuhan warna baru pada genre "kisah misteri". Bukannya memasang seorang detektif atau jagoan untuk mengupas misterinya, namun justru menampilkan sosok yang sering kita anggap tak berarti: petugas pembersih rumah. Kalau dipikir-pikir, para pembersih rumah ini adalah orang-orang yang paling mengenal kita dan keluarga kita, lho. Lihat saja cara Lily Bard menemukan kunci misteri pembunuhnya, bukan dengan penyelidikan ala polisi, namun justru dari pengalamannya sehari-hari di berbagai rumah warga Shakespeare. Ah...aku jadi tak sabar menantikan seri selanjutnya terbit. Jangan lama-lama ya, Kantera...!!

Judul : The Lily Bard Mystery #1: Shakespeare's Landlord
Pengarang: Charlaine Harris
Penerbit: Penerbit Kantera
Cetakan: Desember 2010
Tebal: 288 hlm

Dongeng Ketiga Belas

"Semua anak memitoskan kelahirannya sendiri. Itu karakteristik umum. Kau ingin mengenal seseorang? Hati, pikiran, dan jiwanya? Tanyakan padanya tentang saat dia lahir. Yang akan kaudapatkan bukanlah kebenaran: kau akan mendapatkan sebuah dongeng. Dan tak ada hal yang lebih menggugah selain dongeng..." ~Vida Winter

Dan memang, seperti kutipan di atas yang membuka kisah ini, dongeng jualah yang akan kita santap dalam buku ini. Bukan dongeng untuk anak-anak yang berpoles dan selalu berakhir indah, namun dongeng gelap kehidupan seorang manusia. Lebih tepatnya dongeng tentang seorang pendongeng: Vida Winter.

Sepanjang karirnya yang cemerlang, Vida Winter telah menelurkan banyak novel. Ia menjadi salah satu penulis besar dunia yang karyanya mungkin bisa disejajarkan dengan Charlotte Bronte atau Jane Austen dalam kehidupan nyata. Mengapa ia begitu disenangi pembaca? Selain karena karyanya, juga karena misteri yang selalu melingkupinya. Tak ada yang tahu siapa sebenarnya Miss Winter, selain sebagai penulis. Tiap kali ia diminta untuk menceritakan tentang dirinya sendiri, selalulah sebuah dongeng baru akan tercipta dari mulutnya. Dongeng yang akan dipercayai pembacanya, hingga wawancara berikut dengan dongeng berikutnya yang berbeda isinya. Dan di puncak semuanya itu, terbitlah karyanya yang berjudul asli Dongeng Ketiga Belas. Ketika buku itu sudah terbit, ternyata hanya duabelas dongeng yang dapat ditemukan pembacanya. Bahkan salah satu edisi aslinya yang tidak sempat ditarik kembali oleh penerbit, berisi halaman-halaman kosong pada bab yang seharusnya memuat dongeng ketiga belas ini. Apakah Miss Winter sengaja mengosongkan dongeng ketiga belas ini? Karena suatu hari nanti ia akan mengisinya dengan kisah hidupnya yang sebenarnya, yang bahkan jauh lebih menarik, lebih gelap dan lebih misterius ketimbang dongeng-dongeng asli yang diceritakannya kembali dengan nuansa brutal dan dingin? Mungkin saja begitu.

Kini saat pengungkapan kebenaran itu telah tiba, yaitu saat penyakit berat tengah menggerogoti tubuh Vida Winter di usia tuanya. Maka dipilihnya seorang penulis esai biografi bernama Margaret Lea untuk menuliskan kisah kehidupannya itu. Margaret adalah putri seorang pemilik toko buku antik yang sangat mencintai buku dan suka membaca sejak kecil. Ia sendiri memiliki sebuah rahasia kepahitan dalam hidunya. Terlahir sebagai anak kembar, saudari kembarnya meninggal saat lahir dan dipisahkan darinya, dan membuat hidupnya sebagai manusia dewasa tak pernah terasa utuh. Hal inilah yang akan membantunya memahami Vida Winter. Karena ternyata kisah kehidupan Miss Winter juga mengenai anak yang terlahir kembar...

Keluarga Angelfield memang keluarga yang aneh. Anggota-anggotanya tak suka bersosialisasi dengan tetangga, hidup terkungkung di rumah, dan beberapa di antara mereka memiliki masalah mental dan moral. Bukan hanya itu, rumah mereka pun sama sekali tak terawat, kotor berdebu, banyak lubang di atap, bau karena sampah menggunung tak terbuang. Kisah sejarah kehidupan mereka benar-benar bak dongeng yang suram. Dimulai dari Isabelle yang liar dan kakaknya, Charlie, yang mencintai Isabelle bukan sebagai adik, dan terutama kesukaan keduanya pada sadomasokisme. Tak berhenti hingga disitu, kedua anak kembar yang dilahirkan Isabelle: Adeline dan Emmeline juga tumbuh tak normal. Tapi memang, kalau anda tinggal bersama ibu yang abai, paman eksentrik, rumah tua yang jorok dan nyaris ambruk karena tak terawat, dan hanya diasuh pembantu rumah tangga dan tukang kebun, bagaimana anda akan tumbuh normal? Adeline si gadis liar nan kejam, dan Emmeline si gadis bodoh yang memuja Adeline. Keduanya tak terpisahkan satu sama lain, dan sering membuat keonaran bagi keluarga dan tetangga mereka, bahkan sering membahayakan jiwa.

Seiring pertumbuhan si kembar menuju kedewasaan, banyak peristiwa menghampiri silih berganti, makin lama kehidupan mereka makin suram setelah hampir semua penghuni rumah pergi dan tak kembali. Lalu terjadilah sebuah kebakaran yang bukan saja meluluh lantakkan rumah besar Angelfield House, namun juga mempengaruhi kehidupan mereka yang masih tersisa di sana.

Semua kisah panjang ini diungkapkan sedikit demi sedikit oleh Vida Winter pada Margaret. Sedikit demi sedikit selubung misteri hidup Miss Winter terkelupas, namun tetap saja banyak potongan-potongan kisah yang seolah tak cocok dengan kisah Miss Winter, bagaikan potongan-potongan puzzle yang tercerai-berai, menunggu seseorang menempatkan mereka di tempat yang benar agar keseluruhan gambar bisa mewujud. Tak puas dengan cerita Miss Winter saja, Margaret melengkapi tulisannya dengan melakukan penyelidikan baik lewat data sejarah maupun berkeliling Angelfield sendiri. Di sana ia bertemu dengan Aurelius, seorang pria kesepian yang terus mencari asal-usulnya dan sering berkeliaran di antara bobroknya Angelfield House karena ia merasa itulah rumahnya ketika dilahirkan.

Kisah keluarga Angelfield yang suram ini ditingkahi dengan kisik-kisik orang tentang "hantu" yang ada di Angelfield. Bagaimana kau akan tiba-tiba melihat sekelebatan bayangan menghilang di pojokan dinding, atau sosok bayangan di cermin. Dan banyak lagi potongan-potongan kisah lainnya yang tak dapat dijelaskan, namun tetap terjadi. Di luar semua itu, kisah keluarga Angelfield ini begitu mempengaruhi Margaret secara psikologis hingga ia merasa dihantui juga oleh almarhumah saudari kembarnya. Sama seperti keterikatan Adeline dan Emmeline yang begitu kuat hingga keduanya bagai bunga yang layu dan mati saat terpisah, begitu juga Margaret menjadi makin lemah dan kuyu saat mendekati hari ulang tahunnya, karena sekali lagi ia akan diingatkan pada sakitnya jiwa saat dipisahkan dengan kembarannya yang mengisi sebagian dirinya.

Ketika cerita Miss Winter mendekati akhir, demikian juga kesehatannya. Kejutan demi kejutan akan menghadang anda termasuk pembunuhan, namun kunci dari semua misteri ini terletak pada karakter unik dari Adeline dan Emmeline sebagai anak kembar. Kita akan diajak untuk menyadari akibat buruk dari ketiadaan kasih dan pengabaian pada anak-anak, dan bagaimana -seperti digambarkan Vida Winter di kutipan pembuka- situasi kelahiran seorang anak akan banyak mempengaruhi bagaimana ia kelak akan bertumbuh sebagai manusia dewasa.

Ada dua hal yang membuatku jatuh cinta pada buku ini. Pertama, kecintaan Vida dan Margaret pada buku. Vida adalah pengagum buku Jane Eyre karya Charlotte Bronte. Ia memiliki satu rak khusus di perpustakaannya yang memajang semua edisi Jane Eyre yang pernah diterbitkan, dalam banyak bahasa dan dari banyak edisi serta penerbit. Bayangkan, satu rak khusus untuk satu judul buku saja! Kebetulan pula, Vida dan Margaret berbagi kecintaan pada novel Jane Eyre dan novel-novel klasik lain seperti Wuthering Heights dan The Woman In White. Bahkan penggalan cerita Jane Eyre berperan besar dalam pemecahan misteri tragedi Angelfield ini! Sedangkan kecintaan Margaret pada buku jelas sekali terlihat dari bagaimana ia memperlakukan buku-buku di tokonya dengan kelembutan seorang penyayang binatang pada hewan peliharaannya.

Kedua, aku juga suka pada cara penjabaran Diane Setterfield (penulis buku ini) yang sangat pas mengenai sensasi membaca buku:

"Tahukah kau perasaan yang muncul saat kau mulai membaca buku baru sebelum pelapis buku terakhir sempat menutup? Kau meninggalkan ide dan tema buku sebelumnya --bahkan karakter-karakternya-- terperangkap di serat-serat pakaianmu, dan ketika kau membuka buku baru, semua ide, tema, dan karakter buku sebelumnya masih melekat bersamamu."

Selain itu, seperti karya-karya klasik yang banyak disinggung di buku ini, gaya penulisan Diane Setterfield juga tak kalah cantiknya, dan membuat keseluruhan isi buku ini menjadi sebuah hiburan yang komplit, kendati nuansa muram dan sesekali gelap tetap terasa. Seperti efek cerita Vida pada Margaret, Diane Setterfield juga telah berhasil membetot perhatian dan seluruh perasaanku pada Dongeng Ketiga Belas ini. Kalaupun ada kekurangan pada buku ini, seperti layaknya pada setiap karya, aku pasti tak menyadarinya karena begitu membaca dari halaman pertama pun, seolah aku telah pindah dari alam nyata ke alam nyata lain bersama keluarga Angelfield dan Vida Winter....

Judul asli: The Thirteenth Tale
Pengarang: Diane Setterfield
Penerbit: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Cetakan: November 2008
Tebal: 608 hlm