Duncan Campbell (3) (1944–2025)

Set (mainly) in Calcutta in 1971, this book tells of a time immediately before the Bangladesh Liberation War between India and Pakistan. A number of Western travellers have found themselves at the Lux Hotel, which in reality is a shabby fleapit. Among those who are in Calcutta at this historic time are Anand, the young man who runs the hotel, such as it is; Larry and Gordon, two would-be hippies who spend most of their time smoking dope and in Gordon’s case searching for the elusive show more meaning of life; Britt, an American photographer; Hugh, a philandering English journalist; and Freddie, an enigmatic young eccentric.

Despite the war, life is pretty laid back for most of these characters, with shared histories and complicated entanglements taking up most of their time – that is until two murders shake up their world. It will take more than 30 years for the truth behind the murders to come to light – and in the meantime, life marches on…

This book had been languishing on my shelf for about eight years, and I eventually picked it up more out of curiosity than anything. It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. It depicts fictional characters against a factual backdrop, and while some of the characters might be slightly stereotyped, they are all distinct and interesting (if not all likeable – frankly Hugh was pretty detestable). The story was both interesting and amusing, and I was kept guessing until the very end. I particularly liked how, through a series of letters and news reports, the time frame was brought up to 2003.

The India/Pakistan war was clearly well researched, but while it was almost a character in its own right, it did not dominate the storyline and did not detract from the interaction between the characters.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I would thoroughly recommend it. show less

Every now and then it does a dedicated crime reader's heart good to read something that proves that there's nothing better than not taking yourself too seriously. And if there's ever a fictional character that can't afford to take himself too seriously it is crime reporter Laurie Lane. His wife has walked out on him (he did eventually twig she wasn't there), his daughter's remained at home, somewhat indulgent but equally pointed in her opinions of her father. At the newspaper he's being show more investigated for fiddling his expenses, but there's a distinct smell about that. Especially as his editor seems to be pushing him out of the job because he's not multi-media savvy enough (aka getting too old). When, for some reason, Charlie Hook decides that Lane is just the person to write his autobiography, Lane's not too sure whether he should be disappointed or relieved when somebody shoots Hook.

In an effort to save his job, and to prove the rumours he's being fed are part of his sharp, up-to-date reporting contacts, Lane must find a missing Russian mafiosi, prove who killed Hook, write the scoop, win the pub trivia quiz, and sort out what the attractive young picture editor's real intentions are. Preferably quickly.

Needless to say IF IT BLEEDS is a lot more fun than you'd think the shooting murder of an aging London gangster by Russian mafiosi figures would be. But then it's also not a good idea to believe everything you read in the paper (or on a book's blurb). Okay, so the plot takes somewhat of a secondary role to the pub trivia, deliberate bad jokes, and newsroom shenanigans, but the investigation is there. The tone of the book seems to match perfectly with what you'd expect from an aging newspaper reporter, somewhat bewildered by the way his life has gone, but determined to keep looking until something recognisable pops up.

Often low key, dry and wonderfully observant, IF IT BLEEDS was good fun, with a sneaking suspicion that snippets from the life of an old crime desk warrior were all too real. show less

Not so much shocking but fairly interesting look at crime reporting in the UK. How it's changed over the years, how people have changed it. Some people have corrupted it and some been corrupted by it and others have pointed out the corruption. Neither Journalists or Police are completely innocent but some are more innocent than others.

Crime reporting is a tricky business, selling papers and accuracy are important and also is the assumption of innocence and ensuring that the legal system show more isn't compromised.

Thought-provoking. Makes me want to read more about some of the mentioned cases. show less

Wonderfully researched and gripping from end to end. So many more books I now need to read from the biblio in the back!