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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: World Literature
The Oxford Murder – by Guillermo Martinez (Author), Sonia Soto (Translator)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Mathematicians collide with murder and mayhem in Guillermo Martínez’s thriller, The Oxford Murders. An un-named young Argentinean graduate student goes to Oxford University to study mathematics. One evening, he returns to the house where he’s renting … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Latin American Literature, World Literature
Tagged Pythagoreanism, world literature
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The Black Spider – Jeremias Gotthelf (Translated from the German by Susan Bernofsky)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “And now the people where gripped by the ancient fear that the spider might carry off an unbaptized infant, the pledge of their old pact. The woman was beside herself, she had no trust in God, … Continue reading
Posted in Dark/Sordid/Bizarre, Lost and almost forgotten, World Literature
Tagged German literature, horror, short books
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The Stonecutter – Camilla Läckberg (Translated by Steven T. Murray)
(reviewed by Renée Kay) I came across The Stonecutter by Camilla Läckberg while at the library picking up another book I had reserved. What caught my attention was that is was yet another Swedish mystery, which I can’t seem to get … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Scandinavian Literature, World Literature
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3 to Kill – Jean-Patrick Manchette(Translated by Donald Nicholson-Smith)
Reviewed by JD Jung Acheter ce livre! Shit happens. OK, that’s probably an understatement as it relates to Georges Gerfaut. Then again, maybe not. Gerfaut, a rather ordinary 30-something businessman, discovers how twisted life can get in the late Jean-Patrick … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, French Literature, Lost and almost forgotten, World Literature
Tagged French literature, noir
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Mygale – Thierry Jonquet (Translated from the French by Donald Nicholson-Smith)
Ah, revenge can be so sweet. Now mix it with obsession and a touch of madness, and it turns utterly twisted and bizarre. Such is the case with the intense and fascinating novel, Mygale, written by the late French crime … Continue reading
The Big O – Declan Burke
Check it out! Have you ever stumbled across a novel that contains such an implausible plot and a vague setting—and it doesn’t even allow you to feel for any of the characters? Believe it or not, I did—and I ate … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Humor & Satire, Irish Literature
Tagged anti-hero, Irish literature, satire
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Sanctuary – Ken Bruen
Check this out! P.I. and former guard Jack Taylor isn’t the most likeable guy. Through the years, he’s managed to make more enemies than friends. In fact, he’s known more for being a drunk than an investigator. That means that … Continue reading
Dancing to “Almendra” – Mayra Montero
Comprar este libro It’s October 1957 in pre-Castro Cuba, and Havana is filled with gangsters, casinos, and corruption. Twenty-two-year-old entertainment reporter Joaquín Porrata is fed up with working for a newspaper where he’s only allowed to interview “comedians and … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Historical Fiction, Latin American Literature, World Literature
Tagged Cuba
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