Paromjit
3,080 reviews25.6k followers
This is a book, Hidden Faces, that was written at the beginning of Peter May's writing career, set at the end of the 1970s in Brussels, Belgium. According to May, he has lightly revised the novel that begins with Edinburgh Post's cynical and lauded investigative journalist, Neil Bannerman, aware that the cuts at the newspaper with its move into more tabloid territory under the ruthless new editor, Wilson Tait, might lead to him having a limited future at the paper. To get rid of him temporarily, Tait sends him to Brussels to report on the EU, staying with Tim Slater, the reporter based there. Less than happy with his latest assignment, he finds Slater less than welcoming, but surprisingly connects with Tim's autistic daughter, Tania, and her carer, Sally Robertson. Ex-army soldier Kale is a ruthless assassin for hire, known for his abilities and rewarded accordingly. He is travelling to Brussels to make meticulous preparations for the planned killing of two men, one of whom is a British Minister thought to have a glittering future in front of him, popular within the party as it prepares for a general election. Amidst the dreary drabness of the rain and snow, the author gives us an atmospheric picture of this bygone era, the apathetic bureaucratic and political circles in Europe, the journalists that co-exist to report on what they are fed, worrying about their careers, hungry for an exclusive. The British Minister and Tim Slater are discovered dead in a tableau that appears to suggest the men killed each other. Tania Slater had the misfortune to be at the scene of the deaths, glimpsing the killer, left traumatised and placed in a children's psychiatric hospital in the city. As the British authorities and the EU collude to shut down the story, the Detective du Maurier forges a relationship with Bannerman and informs him that the men were definitely murdered. Forced to make an alliance with an ex-colleague, Richard Platt, a man he dislikes, Bannerman scrabbles to find leads that might explain why the men were killed. However, he has little idea of the danger he is in or the powerful forces that will do anything to get him to stop investigating. This was an engaging thriller with issues in the EU that resonate today in our contemporary politics. Bannerman makes a interesting protagonist with a past that haunts him. As a younger and more arrogant man, he found himself in a position which he could not cope with and dealt with badly, but the repercussions have followed him through the years, eating into his confidence and abilities to sustain a long term relationship. His connection with Tania is what makes him seem so much more human than the ruthless and ambitious reporter that he is, he has sufficient self awareness to dislike this aspect of himself and its requirements in his profession. Definitely an entertaining, tense and suspenseful novel with well drawn characters that captures that period of time in history well. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
- crime-fiction mystery netgalley
Phrynne
3,679 reviews2,488 followers
A rerelease of a book written early in his career and apparently lightly revised by the author, The Man with No Face is not just a mystery, but also a piece of historical fiction. Peter May takes us to Brussels in the 1970's when the European Common Market was thriving in all its political and manipulative glory. I loved all the little details - milk in bottles, people smoking everywhere and anywhere, leaving a few pennies as a tip for the waitress under a plate or saucer, door to door vacuum salesmen, telephone boxes that needed piles of coins in order to have a conversation. The way things were. I enjoyed the whole book very much. My heart broke for Tania whose autism would have been so little understood back then and I was on tenterhooks while the assassin was out to kill her. All of the characters were realistic and Bannerman was a worthwhile hero. All very entertaining and an indication of the excellent books Peter May would produce later. Definitely worth a read! My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Sandysbookaday
2,339 reviews2,310 followers
EXCERPT: She gave a slight start as a door slammed somewhere in the depths of the building. Not everyone was asleep. A light came on downstairs, throwing a broad wedge of light out across the snow on the terrace. Something was moving down there, something dark and huddled that froze as it was caught in the sudden light. The shadow of a man fell away from the house, long and thin. A face turned up towards the window, sickly pale, whiter than snow. Tania did not move. It was a face she knew, a face in which she saw a reflection of her own fear. Eyes in which she recognized the same hunted look she had seen in the Rue de Pavie. Then the light went out and she could no longer see him, but knew he was still there. And knew, too, that he had come for her. ABOUT THIS BOOK: There are two men on their way to Brussels from the UK: Neil Bannerman, an iconoclastic journalist for Scotland's Daily Standard whose irate editor wants him out of the way, and Kale--a professional assassin. Expecting to find only a difficult, dreary political investigation in Belgium, Bannerman has barely settled in when tragedy strikes. His host, a fellow journalist, along with a British Cabinet minister, are discovered dead in the minister's elegant Brussels townhouse. It appears that they have shot each other. But the dead journalist's young autistic daughter, Tania, was hidden in a closet during the killings, and when she draws a chilling picture of a third party--a man with no face--Bannerman suddenly finds himself a reluctant participant in a desperate murder investigation. As the facts slowly begin to emerge under Bannerman's scrutiny, he comes to suspect that the shootings may have a deep and foul link with the rotten politics that brought him to Brussels in the first place. And as Kale threatens to strike again, Bannerman begins to feel a change within himself. His jaded professionalism is transforming into a growing concern for the lonely and frightened Tania, and a strong attraction to a courageous woman named Sally--drawing him out of himself and into the very heart of a profound, cold-blooded, and infinitely dangerous conspiracy. MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book I have read by this author in a short period of time. Peter May is a man who paints pictures, gloriously detailed pictures, with words. I could 'see' as I read. And although I did not enjoy this story as much as my previous read by this author, the writing remains superb. This book was first published in 1981 as Hidden Faces but, having read it, I think The Man With No Face a far better title. It seems odd to me to classify The Man With No Face, set in the winter of 1979 in Brussels, as historical fiction, but it is set in very different times from which we live today. There are no mobile phones, or computers, much less Internet. Airport security is lax compared with present times. Milk bottles are still put out on doorsteps, and secretaries use typewriters, take messages and make coffee. South Africa is still in the grip of apartheid, and Zimbabwe is still known as Rhodesia. This story kept me turning pages for the most part until almost the end, when my interest waned a little. But only a little. đđđđ THE AUTHOR: Peter May (born 20 December 1951) is a Scottish television screenwriter, novelist, and crime writer. He is the recipient of writing awards in Europe and America. The Blackhouse won the U.S. Barry Award for Crime Novel of the Year and the national literature award in France, the CEZAM Prix Litteraire. The Lewis Man won the French daily newspaper Le TĂ©lĂ©gramme's 10,000-euro Grand Prix des Lecteurs. In 2014, Entry Island won both the Deanstonâs Scottish Crime Novel of the Year and the UKâs ITV Crime Thriller Book Club Best Read of the Year Award. Mayâs books have sold more than two million copies in the UK and several million internationally. (WIKIPEDIA) DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Man With No Face by Peter May for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
- 2019 3-star crime
Brenda
4,630 reviews2,886 followers
Originally published in 1981 with the title "Hidden Faces", The Man with No Face by Peter May is a slow burning, detailed thriller which saw investigative journalist Neil Bannerman head to Brussels from Edinburgh to follow a political investigation. Little did he know a colleague plus a British minister who had a meeting together would be found dead, a matter of hours after his arrival, with the autistic daughter of his colleague distraught nearby. Bannermanâs determination to unlock answers in the investigation went against the Brussels police, who were willing to shut the investigation down â but Bannerman continued with little help. His concern for Tania and her suffering; his horror at what he was gradually uncovering; and his certainty there was a cold-blooded killer out there â all led Bannerman into danger for his own life. The detailed sketch Tania drew of the man she saw â but who had no face â meant the killer was also aware heâd been seen⊠The Man with No Face is intriguing, slightly long-winded, but ultimately fascinating with the lack of technology making everything so much more difficult than investigations are in this day and age. I always enjoy Peter Mayâs work; this one is different because of when it was written â he has much more experience today. Highly recommended. With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
- 2019-release arc crime
Don
92 reviews26 followers
The Man With No Face, my first journey into the novels of Peter May, got this in a good deal in a cheap bookstore and snapped it up as it looked good. The other perspective is told from the dogged and respected journalist with the Edinburgh post, Neil Bannerman, a man who seemingly plays by his own rules, but as he gets results, is allowed a bit of leeway. He is sent to Brussels to try and get a bit of info on the scandal. As Bannerman settles into Brussels, he seems to be at odds with other Brits their, including an old colleague who is not too pleased to see, though he does seem to take a shine to young Tania, the poor mute girl who is terrified after what she witnessed, and seems to have a brilliant talent for art, which may help find her Father's killer, Bannerman seems to have Fatherly feelings for her, and things from his past, hold a lot of guilt for him, as he once fathered a child when he himself was a young lad, and wonders what become of his long lost daughter. The assassin Kale, is also still in Brussels, and is under instruction to take care of unfinished business, following the assassination, we get to know about his past too, and his own fears come into play. This was an interesting read, occasionally slow in parts, it did hold a unique atmospheric, Brits being abroad, did give you a somewhat fish out of water feel, and the style of writing was very direct and the characters engaging, while not a classic, it was enjoyable, and I would be interested in following more of Mays work. âââ2/3 Stars (rounded up to 4), recommended.
Wrote in 1981 and set in the late 1970s, this is a political scandal, set from the UK to Belgium after a double assassination, only a young autistic child is the witness as her Father is one of the victims, and the story is told from two perspectives, one being Kale, the hitman himself.
Carolyn
2,494 reviews698 followers
Originally published with the title "Hidden Faces" in 1981 at the start of his writing career, Peter May has edited and re-released this thriller. Set in the early 1970s as Britain is joining the European Union, this is still very topical for today. Neil Bannerman, an Edinburgh journalist has been sent to Brussels to cover the political news. To save costs his newspaper has billeted him in an apartment with a fellow journalist, Tim Slater, who is a widowed father with a young autistic daughter called Tania. One Sunday when his usual babysittter is unable to work, Slater is forced to take his daughter to a meeting with a British government Minister. While playing in the cloakroom of the Minister's house, Tania witnesses an assassination and sees the assassin leaving the house. As Tania is not verbal, she can't tell the police what she saw but with a gift for accurate drawing, she gives the police a drawing of the man she saw but stops short before drawing his face. Concerned for Tania, Bannerman finds himself getting caught up in the investigation, trying to find out why Slater was meeting with the Minister and who ordered the assassination. It's interesting to be back in a time when there was no internet and no mobile phones. Journalists had to find out all the facts for themselves and hope they would be the first to break an exclusive story. A little slow at first, the action soon ramps up as Bannerman follows up clues and the assassin hunts for Tania, realising he has left a loose end. The novel is well written, the characters well drawn and Peter May's talent for describing dark and icy landscapes is also evident. Overall, an enjoyable and gripping read. With thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for a digital ARC to read
- 2019 murder-mystery netgalley
Gary
2,829 reviews403 followers
I enjoy reading Peter May books and really enjoyed his China Thrillers and the Lewis Trilogy so I was really looking forward to this one. The book was originally released in 1981 under the title 'Hidden Faces' but re-released next year as 'The Man with no face'.
This novel is about Scottish reporter Colin Bannerman who is sent to Brussels to write a series of articles about the Common Market. His editor asks him to stay at the home of a man named Slater, a newspaper colleague who Bannerman dislikes for the duration of his visit. While staying at Slater's home Bannerman gets attached to Tania Slater's young, autistic daughter and a strange relationship is made. Not long after Bannerman's arrival , Slater and a junior minister at the EEC, Robert Gryffe, are assassinated and Tania witnesses the crime resulting with the murderer been given instructions to kill her. While the local police are instructed to cover-up the double murder for political reasons, Bannerman is determined to find out and reveal the truth.
Well written with a well thought out plot.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Quercus books for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede
1,975 reviews846 followers
The Man With No Face was first released around 40 years ago. This political thriller is a wonderful retrospective novel to a bygone time. Sure, 40 years ago doesn't sound that long ago, but as Peter May wrote in the intro, so much has changed. Just think about the hassle of trying to phone someone back then, no quick SMS to anyone. The political landscape is the same with backstabbing and money being the goal. Peter May is a favorite author of mine and I'm glad to say that this book is really good! I found the story to be very interesting and really liked how Bannerman bonded with the Tania, the autistic girl of the murdered journalist. To have Kale, the killers POV especially when he started to have some doubts about his mission felt like a great addition to the story. How far would Kale go? The Man With No Face may be 40 years old, but it has aged well. It's a strong book and I really loved reading a book set at the end of the 70s. I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
- read-2019
8stitches 9lives
2,853 reviews1,692 followers
The Man With No Face, a story that originally went under the title Hidden Bodies and written at the beginning of Mr May's career, is a fantastically crafted thriller; just like the rest of May's books. Based in 1970s Brussels, Belgium and so very much in the political sphere, with EU politics being a key component of the plot, Neil Bannerman becomes our protagonist. He becomes one of the targets in a highly murky world of conspiracy and the activities of shady organisations as he suspects that some recent suspicious deaths were actually murders and plans to find the evidence to prove it. This is a thoroughly gripping, entertaining and suspenseful book with intriguing characters and an authentic sense of time and place. Recommended. Many thanks to riverrun for an ARC.
Rose
277 reviews141 followers
3.5 Stars
- suspense thriller
Eva
907 reviews525 followers
The Man With No Face is my first introduction to Peter Mayâs work and itâs easy to see why heâs an internationally bestselling author. This novel was first published in 1981 and itâs quite surprising (or maybe not) to see the political landscape has changed very little and The Man With No Face has stood the test of time quite brilliantly in that respect. Set in Brussels in the late â70s, this intricately plotted novel has a rather dark atmosphere and a bit of a Noir vibe to it. The reader finds themselves in the middle of a murder investigation, through the eyes of Scottish journalist, Neil Bannerman. Heâs been sent to Brussels by his editor, who really just wants him out of the way. But when Neilâs host, a fellow journalist, is found dead alongside a British Cabinet minister, Neil finds himself in the middle of a bit of a mess. Albeit it rather on the slow side, for me personally, I still found The Man With No Face intensely gripping. Although at times, also somewhat depressing. These are not happy characters and they all carry a ton of issues to deal with. Or not as most seem quite happy to drown their sorrows. And in the midst of all this, is a young girl who may actually know what really happened. Unfortunately for investigators, sheâs autistic and doesnât talk. Greed, money, blackmail, murder, intrigue, conspiracies and power. This political thriller has it all. The Man With No Face is tense and suspenseful, with fantastic and complex characters, even if some come across a tad stereotypical. Of course, some things do feel rather dated. Gone are the days of smoking on trains or in bars, for instance. But thereâs also that good old-fashioned pounding the pavement type of investigation. No internet, no cell phones, no nifty gadgets to rely on. I do so quite enjoy that from time to time. I dare say my first introduction to Peter Mayâs novels went down well and I may need to find some time to catch up on some of his most recent work. If, like me, you are unfamiliar with his novels, then this is definitely a good place to start.
Cathy Ryan
1,234 reviews77 followers
Originally written in 1981 the story is set in the winter of 1979 and is a story of its time, encompassing the culture, attitudes and politics of the era and highlighting the lack of technology which makes information sharing a lengthier process. We take mobile phones and the internet so much for granted, itâs an interesting reminder of how things were accomplished back in the day. Peter May has painted an atmospheric picture with well defined characters and a dark thread running through the narrative. Controversial Scottish reporter Neil Bannerman is sent to Brussels, ostensibly to cover the developments following the European Union, but also because his new editor wants him out of the way while he decides what to do with him. Although Bannerman is a good reporter, he isnât a team player. Heâs on the lookout for any scurrilous stories he can dig up. Heâs a complex protagonist, with issues from his past impacting on his present life and choices. Also travelling to Belgium is Kale, a hired assassin and a man hardened by his experiences to the extent he has no feelings of guilt or remorse about what he is being paid to do. Itâs been arranged for Bannerman to stay with Tim Slater, another reporter based in Belgium who lives with his young autistic daughter, Tania. Bannerman hasnât been in Belgium any length of time before there is a double murderâSlater along with a British Cabinet Minister are shot and killed, the murder witnessed by Tania. The powers that be claim they shot each other but Bannerman has serious doubts, based on Inspector du Maurierâs considerations and a drawing by Tania, showing a man with no face where the murder took place. The Man With No Face is a political thriller with clandestine intrigue and conspiracies, suspense, murder and just the merest hint of a romance. As Bannerman slowly unearths information surrounding the murdered men, he has no idea of the danger heâs putting himself in as his investigation gains momentum. The edges of his world-weary cynicism are being systematically worn away by the feelings awakened in him by Taniaâs carer and his anxiety over Tania herself. This secondary thread of Bannermanâs connection with Tania, and her characterisation, is very well done. Much less was known about autism and the treatments available werenât particularly helpful at the time of this story. Itâs obvious the condition has been well researched. Peter May always brings his characters and settings to life with detailed, colourful, easy to read and engaging writing. I chose to read and review The Man With No Face based on a digital copy kindly supplied by NetGalley and the publisher.
- crime-suspense crime-thriller
Raven
772 reviews224 followers
Originally published in 1981 as Hidden Faces, and with a little polish here and there, but remaining by and large faithful to the original text, has reissued it for a new generation of readers as The Man With No Face. Written in the 1970s when May himself was a journalist reporting on the upheaval and consternation of Britain aligning itself with the EU, (oh happy days in the light of the current political debacle) the book is based on real life events, amid the corridors of power in Brussels⊠Rich with political intrigue, as a slippery politician and a scheming journalist meet their respective murderous ends, I was fascinated by how little politics and political power changes over the course of decades, and responds significantly little to shifts in society. May conveys this world of corruption and power perfectly throughout as jaded, but tenacious Neil Bannerman starts to dig deeper into the outwardly appearing case of murder-suicide that sends shockwaves through the political community in Brussels and London. Of course, there are darker forces at work and with it a deepening sense of danger as Bannerman launches his own investigation, and forms deep attachments to the nearest and dearest of one of the victims. I think what struck me most about this book is the sense of resistance to change in political circles, and that the story that May constructed over four decades ago is so easily interchangeable with the current political climate, and the groundless fears that being aligned with Europe had then as well as now. Equally, and sadly, that political corruption is something that never goes away, where the self inflating egos of men (predominantly) become even more avaricious with the heightened status and power they attain, and their increasing distance from those they are meant to represent the best interests of. In addition to this May also shines a rather unflattering light on those members of the fourth estate in this wilfully backstabbing and competitive atmosphere, where the copy is all, and professional allegiances are manipulated to get the column inches. Itâs an altogether scurrilous world, and May imbues it with colour, tension and a dry wit that resounds with the reader. Itâs a real world of dog eat dog, and a lot of them with their eyes on the juiciest bone⊠Neil Bannerman is a wonderfully rounded character, beset as he is with the cynicism inherent in his profession as a journalist, but also the way that he reveals another side to his character in his interactions with the daughter, Tania, of his murdered friend. May builds up a superbly empathetic connection between the two of them, particularly in his sensitive portrayal of Tania cast adrift in a world that her autism complicates further, and this is a real standout feature of the book. Refreshingly, May casts an almost empathetic light on the perpetrator of the crimes, and reserves a good degree of bile for some of the less than savoury characters that inhabit the world of journalism and politics so thereâs a great mix of heroes and villains. I am seldom disappointed with Peter May and The Man With No Face proves once again Mayâs versatility as a writer whichever world his characters are inhabiting. A strangely prescient read with a good dollop of dramatic tension, and yet underpinned by some real heart-warming interludes. Recommended.
Ăngela Costa
271 reviews10 followers
Juntar um bom enredo com uma escrita envolvente, isso Ă© Peter May. Gosto imenso da forma como ele escreve e este livro Ă© mais uma prova disso. Publicado pela primeira vez em 1981, o cenĂĄrio Ă© Bruxelas em 1979, o tema Ă© uma eleição geral britĂąnica e um debate polĂtico sobre a adesĂŁo da GrĂŁ-Bretanha Ă uniĂŁo europeia e no seio de tudo isto, estĂĄ um assassinato encomendado de uma figura polĂtica e um jornalista. Enquanto lia, sentia como se estivesse a assistir a um filme dos anos 70/80 a preto e branco. Foi uma sensação fantĂĄstica. O Homem sem Cara foi escrito Ă semelhança do cinema noir, sendo um excelente livro para adaptação cinematogrĂĄfica. Cheio de ação e mistĂ©rio, escrito sem qualquer pressa, nĂŁo poupando os pormenores descritivos, dando ao leitor tempo para saborear a ação, as personagens, tudo. Eu prĂłpria nĂŁo senti urgĂȘncia em chegar ao fim.
O Homem sem Cara estå num registo diferente dos que li até hoje do autor. Neste não somos premiados por belas paisagens agrestes, gélidas e sombrias das ilhas da Escócia, mas por um cenårio frio citadino na Bélgica.
Gostei muito!
Siobhan
4,788 reviews591 followers
Iâm always eager to dive into Peter Mayâs next release, and The Man With No Face was no different. However, this is one of a handful of books by the author that I was not crazy about. It certainly had me curious to see how things would play out, but I never felt the connection I had hoped for. I think my big problem with this one was that the emotional impact was lacking. There was the potential for an intense storyline, with certain details promising to hit hard, but things were too blunt for the connection to appear. Sure, the storyline had me curious. However, the aspects that could have made this hit hard were flat. I kept waiting for the connection to appear, but it never did. Instead, I was left watching the events without much of a care. Iâm clearly in the minority with this one, though. Many seem to adore this, but it didnât work for me in the way Peter Mayâs work usually does.
Leah
1,548 reviews263 followers
Hold the front page... When a new editor takes over at The Edinburgh Post and begins to dumb it down in an attempt to increase circulation, top investigative journalist Neil Bannerman makes his feelings only too clear. So he is swiftly banished to Brussels, to the headquarters of the EEC (as the EU was called back then), tasked with digging up some stories in the run-up to the forthcoming British Parliamentary elections. No-one is expecting quite such a big story though. Bannermanâs fellow journalist, Tim Slater, is murdered along with a rising man in British politics, Robert Gryffe. When the story is quickly hushed up on orders from on high, Bannermanâs journalist interest is only more heightened, and he sets out to discover who carried out the killings and, perhaps more importantly, why. This is one of Peter Mayâs earliest books, first published in 1981 and now being republished. In the introduction, May says he carried out a âlight revisionâ of the text, but made only minor changes. When I learned it was such an early novel and long out of print, I lowered my expectations going in, but was intrigued to see how one of my long-term favourite authors started out. Well! No need to make allowances â this is a great thriller, right up there with the best heâs ever done! Mostly we see the story from Bannermanâs perspective though in the third person, but there are also chapters throughout where the perspective shifts to Kale, the hired assassin who carries out the killings. This doesnât in any way diminish the mystery, since Kale doesnât know who has hired him or why â heâs simply doing a job. These chapters give an extra edge of darkness to the story. Kale is a damaged man, unsurprisingly given his profession, and a cold, clinical killer who doesnât make mistakes. Until this time. Unknown to him, Slaterâs young autistic daughter, Tania, has witnessed the killings, but her condition makes her unable to speak. She can draw however, and she draws a detailed picture of the killer, with just one thing missing... his face. Bannerman is an excellent protagonist â hard, uncompromising, relentless when heâs on the track of a story, but with his own vulnerabilities and troubled past. He is drawn towards Tania, and she, sensitive to othersâ feelings and starved of affection, finds herself equally drawn to him. So when it seems she might be in danger because of witnessing the crime, Bannerman has an extra reason to find the killer. Tania has a regular babysitter, Sally, who provides a love interest for Bannerman, but she of course also has a troubled past! I wouldnât describe the book as full-on noir, but thereâs certainly a noirish feel to it with all these damaged characters and corrupt politicians. But May doesnât overplay his hand, and allows at least some of his characters some hope of redemption, all of which prevents the tone from becoming too bleak. In the introduction again, May says that the portrayal of Taniaâs autism is âa reflection of prevailing opinion at the timeâ. I must say I think itâs stood the test of time very well, and still reads to me as far more authentic and less sensationalised or mawkish than many of the more recent fictional portrayals of people with autism. The reader is occasionally allowed inside Taniaâs mind where we see her frustration at her inability to express herself, and that helps to explain her sometimes extreme behaviour. Itâs a sympathetic and somewhat understated picture, and I found her entirely credible. The plot is complex and Bannermanâs search for the truth is again very credible, well within the realism of investigative journalism. May, of course, was a journalist himself back in the day, so itâs hardly surprising that the aspects surrounding the newspaper business ring true. The book is set in 1979, so no internet or mobile phones, and it reminded me how much I preferred thrillers back in the days when the protagonist was a real old-fashioned gumshoe, always on the move, dealing with people face to face. There is some violence, but nothing that felt overly graphic or out of place, and thereâs a real and increasing sense of danger as the story unfolds, all leading up to an excellent thriller climax. I must say I loved this as much as any of his later books, and am now hoping that Quercus dig out his other early thrillers and dust them off. A special treat for fans, but would work just as well for newcomers to his work. Highly recommended! Itâs left me wanting to go back and re-read all his China thrillers, too... NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Quercus.
- 2019 crime thriller
Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com)
1,071 reviews86 followers
âAn explosive crime thriller set between the UK and Europe at the time of Britain joining the EU' The Man With No Face is a book that was originally published in 1981, but now, after getting a âlight revision', has been re-published with Quercus Books. Set amidst the political and social turmoil of the 1970s, in Brussels, Peter May was struck by how the subject matter of the book closely emulated the state of the political play today. Neil Bannerman is tired. A journalist for many years he has seen it all. Now working for The Edinburgh Post, Bannerman is at odds with the newly appointed editor, Wilson Tait, âa hard newspaperman of the old school; a Fleet Street toughened Scot returning to his old hunting grounds and bringing with him his personal hard core of hatchet men whom he was moving into key editorial positions.â Bannerman knows his days with the paper are numbered, as personalities clash and heads roll, but not before Tait gives him one more job. Bannerman is being sent to Brussels for a few weeks to get him out of the way, giving Tait the opportunity to figure out how to deal with him. Brussels is in flux as the political landscape changes and it is up to Bannerman to see if he can uncover any scandals within the party ranks, some juicy newspaper headlines. Bannerman is to bunk up with a fellow Post colleague, Tony Slater, but on arrival in Brussels he immediately feels that he is not welcome at Slaterâs rented accommodation. Slaterâs young daughter, Tania, lives with him. Tania is autistic with, as Bannerman discovers, an incredible talent for sketching. Bannerman and Slater clash from the outset with Bannermanâs journalistic intuition pointing to an unease in Slaterâs countenance. Meanwhile, there is an assassin after arriving into Brussels with an agenda to take out two targets, a journalist and a British Cabinet minister. The journalist is question, being Tony Slater and the minister, a Robert Gryffe. Kale, the individual assigned with this task is a hardened war vet who suffered a very traumatic childhood. His experiences in the army and his difficult childhood left their mark on Kale, now a man with no conscience and no love for any person, not even himself, making him a very dangerous foe. But Kale hadnât figured on leaving a witness behind after he had completed his task in hand. He never knew she was thereâŠâŠbut Tania saw it all. She witnessed the cold-blooded murder of her father and the politician and drew a sketch detailing the scene. The one piece missing off the sketch is the face of the killer. Bannerman is in the right place at the right time and using all his investigative experiences he sets about discovering the truth. He is very concerned for the safety of Tania, now an orphan, but more importantly a vital witness. Always a hard man, he is surprised at the strong protective feelings he has developed for Tania. He fears for her safety and this spurs him on to action. Neil Bannerman is a man of his time. Itâs the 1970s, the world a very different place than it is today, with chauvinistic attitudes toward women quite common place and almost accepted. Did I like Bannerman? At times probably not. He comes across as quite a dogmatic individual, quite sexist in many of his actions but again, when reading a book like this, I do always take into account the era it encompasses. Peter May has maintained the authenticity of those years with the lack of technology available to Bannerman and the delays associated with retrieving vital information, as well as the role of women in the workplace. The Man With No Face is a political thriller with a slice of noir, with a dark brooding atmosphere very prevalent throughout. The men in this book are tough and seasoned. They belong to a different time and for me they are cast exactly as I would have wanted and expected. The Man With No Face is an entertaining read with plenty of suspense and intrigue. There are shadows at play here who wish to remain anonymous, powerful men that will do everything to keep their positions in the political world, a world that may actually not be all that different from today!! [An Aside] Peter drew inspiration for his plotline from real events. The unsolved murder of French MP Prince Jean de Broglie in a dark Paris street in 1976, coupled with reading an article about Nadia Chomyn, the autistic child of Ukrainian science graduates who had settled in the UK, and her extraordinary artistic abilities, served as the basis to Peterâs storyline. Peter did extensive research into autism and visited a clinic for autistic children in Glasgow. Sadly, upon coming to re-write this book for the second draft, Peter discovered that Nadia Chomyn had passed away in 2015.
Susan Hampson
1,521 reviews67 followers
This is a sort of re-release of Peter Mayâs original novel, Hidden Faces published in 1981, but it has a few tweaks to bring it in line with Peter Mayâs current thoughts and writing style. The story follows reluctant reporter Neil Bannerman who is sent out to Brussels to follow the political developments with the new European Union, that will directly and indirectly affect Scotland. Bannerman is a bit of an odd ball that doesnât really play well with others. He soon as a run in with the resident reporters and is not best pleased when he finds out that he will be sharing the home of yet another fellow reporter that already lives in Brussels.
After dinning at Slaterâs home and meeting his autistic daughter Tania he ops to leave and stay at a nearby hotel. He had never liked Slater and the feeling was mutual. When Slater is subsequently found murdered along with a junior minister, at his home, there is a witness to who has done this, his autistic daughter who has a sharp mind and talent for detail and drawing but the inability to communicate which results in outburst of screaming and frustration. Unfortunately she did not see the manâs face, but the killer is already planning to tie up that loose end.
There feels an urgency and unease throughout the book as Peter May makes no cover up of the killer to the reader, you know his thoughts and plans. He is a professional and known throughout the business as being efficient. Bannerman, as journalists go are detectives in their own right, digging and delving into leads, especially where they arenât wanted but they donât normally have to put their own life on the edge. Bannerman had made some sort of connection with Tania and she with him. She had an ease with him that she couldnât make with others and he felt protective of her.
This is a belting story written by an extremely wise and talented young man, that tackled issues that are very relevant in todays political climate as things have come full circle. Another outstanding read from a great author, Peter May.
I wish to thank the publisher Quercus Books for a copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
- netgalley
Bill
1,049 reviews179 followers
Peter May's 1981 novel Hidden Faces is republished here with a new title & a little light revision from the author.
What it sometimes lacks in the depth of characterisation shown in his later work it makes up for with its fast paced & well constructed plot. Sometimes publishers will reprint an author's earlier work, no matter how mediocre it is, to cash in on their current success. Thankfully that is not the case here & this is a very worthy addition to May's output.
If you are a fan of Peter May then The Man With No Face is a damn good read. If you are new to the author then this is a fine place to start.
Elaine Tomasso
3,214 reviews63 followers
I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for a review copy of The Man with No Face, a revised edition of a stand alone thriller set in Brussels in 1979, originally published in 1981. Edinburgh Post journalist Neil Bannerman is sent to Brussels to dig up dirt in the run up to a UK general election. He doesnât want to be there and certainly doesnât want to spend time with the Postâs man in Brussels, Tim Slater and his autistic daughter, Tania but when Slater and politician Richard Gryffe are murdered, a murder Tania witnesses he changes his mind and starts investigating ferociously. I thoroughly enjoyed The Man with No Face which is an unapologetic thriller that proves that not much, apart from technology, has changed in the past forty years, especially Euroscepticism. I must admit that it was a bit strange to read about information gathering without the benefit of the internet or a mobile phone - how quickly we forget the âgood, old daysâ - but on the upside I felt a great nostalgia for the Brussels of the time which is well evoked. The plot had me gripped from start to finish. It opens with a hitman called Kale being contracted for a double murder and then switches to Bannerman being sent to Brussels. Throughout the novel the perspective switches between these two voices as Kale pursues his mission and Bannerman his investigation. I liked the way Bannerman starts with some vague hypotheses and gradually builds up a more complete picture through a combination of ruthlessness and tenacity. There is enough action to satisfy most readers, in fact Bannerman is a bit of a tub thumper (he gets knocked down but gets up again) like all good action heroes, some of it more credible than others and the plotters are suitably Machiavellian. I particularly liked the final twist. None of the characters are particularly likeable with the exception of Tania but even she comes with problems. Mr May states that he was still working as a journalist when he wrote the novel so I have to assume that his descriptions of their character is based in reality. They are uniformly unpleasant and self interested, but this probably shouldnât be a surprise given some of the recent scandals involving their conduct. I do not exempt Bannerman from this as he is equally nasty. His attachment to Tania softens his hard edges slightly over the course of the novel but not enough to make me warm to him. The Man with No Face is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
JĂ©ssica | Chuvadeletras__
233 reviews56 followers
O Homem Sem Cara foi a minha primeira experiĂȘncia com o trabalho de Peter May e foi uma leitura conjunta que fiz ainda em 2021. Começando por falar da escrita, se por um lado gostei do facto de ser muito clara, por outro o detalhe com que toda a histĂłria foi contada diminuiu nĂŁo sĂł a fluidez da leitura, como tambĂ©m o natural desenvolvimento dos acontecimentos. Senti-me entediada em vĂĄrios momentos por estar numa caminhada tĂŁo lenta e isso dificultou a minha entrada na histĂłria. NĂŁo considero que o detalhe nĂŁo seja importante, pelo contrĂĄrio, mas tudo precisa da dose certa. Apesar de a personalidade do protagonista me fazer ter sentimentos um pouco contraditĂłrios, acabei por gostar dele. A sua altivez nĂŁo conseguiu superar o bom coração. Para alĂ©m de Bannerman gostei muito de Tania, uma criança com um papel fundamental nesta histĂłria que tem o diagnĂłstico de Perturbação do Espectro do Autismo. A minha sensibilidade para com problemĂĄticas semelhantes Ă© grande, pelo que muito dificilmente nĂŁo ia criar empatia com ela. AliĂĄs, os melhores sentimentos que este livro despertou em mim envolveram sempre Tania. Ainda assim, nĂŁo me parece que a abordagem feita tenha sido a melhor em muitos momentos, mas nĂŁo posso deixar de ter em conta que este livro foi originalmente escrito na dĂ©cada de 80 e que atĂ© Ă data muitos avanços cientĂficos devem ter sido feitos nesta ĂĄrea. Num cenĂĄrio macabro como o deste livro, o relacionamento entre estas duas personagens aqueceu-me o coração. De uma forma geral esta foi uma leitura com um ritmo constante e lento, onde foi visĂvel o impacto da ganĂąncia, da manipulação e de questĂ”es Ă©ticas e morais. Culminou num final que me surpreendeu e do qual gostei muito. NĂŁo foi inesperado, mas foi tĂŁo bonito! Neste momento sei que este livro foge um pouco ao que mais gosto de ler, mas nĂŁo ler sinopses pode pregar partidas destas. Se o tivesse feito saberia que se tratava de um thriller polĂtico, mas tambĂ©m saberia grande parte dos acontecimentos mais marcantes da histĂłria. Por isso ainda bem que nĂŁo o fiz (e assim vou continuar), pois se hĂĄ algo que me dĂĄ prazer durante a leitura Ă© o fator surpresa. SĂł posso terminar dizendo que se para alĂ©m dos ingredientes habituais dos thrillers a polĂtica for um tema sobre o qual gostas de ler e te dĂĄ gozo saberes todos os pormenores sobre uma histĂłria, entĂŁo este livro Ă© para ti!
- buddy-reads read-2021
Thebooktrail
1,793 reviews331 followers
See the places in the novel here - Off we go to Brussels! This was a fascinating novel. First of all, I used to work in Brussels in the very buildings featured in the book. To say this freaked me out was an understatement. Very apt to be reading this at the very time our position with Europe is almost just as tragic as the murder in the book. Thereâs an added edge to the Brussels intrigue and darkness and this book captures that and more. Itâs full of intrigue about who visits the EU, the type of bubble those working inside are kept in, the visiting journalists, the double dealingâŠyou can tell the author has spent time in the inner circles. Thereâs not many novels set in and around the EU part of Brussels and whilst the city does get to show off its other tourist sites, itâs the focus of the EU what really shines. The Berlaymont is a star from above - apt as what lies below is a mix of shadows and things a lot less sparkly. The mix of the journalists and the diplomats was well done. The journalists often rule the roost in these circles so it was good to see the difficult relations play out. The author has captured a time, a moment and a background story of a real case to really put Brussels in a new light.
- books-set-in-belgium thriller
Rog Harrison
1,932 reviews31 followers
Apparently this book was originally published in 1981 and reprinted in 2019 after (in the author's words) "a light revision of the text" with "very minor changes". This is a very readable book which I read on a long train journey but the story was not up to much being far-fetched and overly sentimental for my taste.
Christine
482 reviews7 followers
Not as good as his his other novels that I've read, but enjoyable all the same
Alice
461 reviews2 followers
A good plot, but didn't succeed in executing it as well as it could have been. Too many feelings that had not much basis. I did enjoy it but it was a fair bit cheesy.
- reviews
Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles
536 reviews107 followers
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the publisher and Agnes for inviting me to be part of this blog tour! Peter Mayâs books are like good Scotch â strong, intense in colour and taste. It is a delight to your eyes and a gift to your mind. Well, I donât drink Scotch but thatâs how I see it, and how Mr Mayâs novel make me feel. The Man With No Face is no exception. I loved the idea of republishing one of Mr May's earlier work, and this revised version is a success! I love novels set in our time. I barely remember a time without a phone, the Internet, all those things that have shaped my life and the world, for the better and for the worst. But I left it all behind as soon as I opened this latest novel from Peter May. The 70s. Edinburgh, Brussels, London. Like a door to another world (or a Tardis), the pages transported me to a time where things were different. The perfect descriptions of each setting had me fell the rain on my face, the wind in my hair, and the adrenaline in my blood. To my opinion, Peter Mayâs novels donât belong to the explosive action category. The action is everywhere, though. In his characterâs brain, in their actions and reactions. In the writingâs pace speeding up before letting you take a break. Unless youâre a spy or a serial killer, thatâs how it goes. You donât go running from page one to page four hundred. The chapters in The Man With No Face are waves. The perfect combination of words setting in motion a movie. This one in black and white (I know TV had colours but let it go!). A retro style that I relished. My imagination took me down narrow roads, with people wearing trench coats passing by, smoked-filled cafĂ©s and dark corners. In a nutshell, this book is a jump in time, and not just because of the magnificent style the author uses to take you to a period you werenât born. Details of political knots and social turmoil give the reader a stronger sense of setting, without ever feeling like youâre reading a history book. Bookish gods know I would have DNFed it had it been the case! No, The Man With No Face, with its mysterious title and beautiful cover, is a cleverly quiet tale of lives in 1979, with everything we knew at that time, and everything we didnât. Old time and politics. A match? YES! After several chapters setting the tone of the novel following the steps of investigative journalist Bannerman, blood gets spilled. Journalism and government blood. Not a good mix if you want my opinion! Itâs bound to make a lot of noise. But poor Brannerman was only in the European capital to dig up dirt⊠Only to find himself at the centre of an intricate web of secrecy and conspiracies. Human, accurate, and dirty indeed, this investigation brings the best of our main character and fully explores a world of scoops, money and corruption. My biggest surprise was to find myself as drawn to the extra given by the author as I was to the case. Autism is still being researched these days, but it is nothing compared to what we knew back in the 70s. Tania touched my heart thanks to the brilliant portrayal made by Peter May. I was blown away that he chose to include such an element within the story, and the case itself, and really happy it didnât use it as a rushed too for the sake of a hint or lead to help the main character on his chase. In a blurry but awesome way, we get into Taniaâs head in the hardest and strongest way. I dare you not to react to this protagonist. Brannerman doesnât escape it either and the relationship between them made my heart ache and burn. To think that many things in this novel have been inspired by real events makes it even better. I like a dose of authenticity around the stories! So many things happen in The Man With No Face it would not be doing you a favour to say more. Just now that youâre in fantastic hands with Peter May, and that this novel is pure delight. A powerful investigation, a seasoned but flawed journalist, and the shape of international politics in the background. Grab your hat, your red lipstick, and get ready for a superb and engaging mystery.
A killer with more than one face⊠A cold heart, a conniving mind, and something more. One of my favourite villains!
Tracy Greer- Hansen
641 reviews70 followers
I love a great Peter May read.
Although this was an updated re-write ; I enjoyed it immensely. He has such a knack for writing his environment that you feel yourself in the very place. Of course, I am partial to Europe. ;)
As my good friend said in her review 2 years ago, the very last sentence was absolute perfection. It took everything in me not to read it before I finished the book.
Thanks again Peter!
Erisa Osmani
5 reviews
Very captivating and beautifully written.
Lorraine
506 reviews16 followers
In reading this book from the 1980's, it's amazing how far we've come with technology. I wonder how this book would have gone had smart phones been in place....
Blasr
331 reviews3 followers
A re-release of an early novel by May. Like all his novels, itâs fast paced and compelling, but I found some parts overly sentimental.