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Sunday 22 February 2015

‘Confusion’ by Peter de Vos



Published by Troubador.co.uk, 
28 August 2014.
ISBN: 978-1-78306-401-4                                                                             

Philippines, 1978. Resort manager Robert Delsey is in love with his boss’s beautiful daughter, Elena – until she announces that her father wants her to take over the management of the resort. Then she’s found murdered ...

This book warns you clearly on the cover: Book One of the ‘Nothing is what it seems’ series, and that’s exactly what it is: the first part of the story, ending with the murders unsolved and a ‘To be Continued.’ The Philippines setting is vividly evoked in the opening chapters, and we’re introduced to the characters: Robert, who has a shady past, wilful Elena and her new flirt, Juan. The third-person narration starts with Robert, but after the murder it moves to follow Mr Sy, the genial detective from Manila who has been sent to solve the crime, with the help of local police officer Daniel Arozo. Soon the story is moving swiftly, with heroin trafficking, a criminal gang, interviews with suspects, several murders and a high-octane shoot-out. The story is told in the present tense throughout, and I found the prose a bit formal.

An action novel in an interesting setting, so long as you don’t mind it being only part of a story.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Peter de Vos was born close to Rotterdam, Netherlands, Peter graduated at the University of Groningen with a degree in History and International Law. After having acquired a business degree, Peter started his first job in telecommunications. Within this field, he covered various positions within product management, marketing and sales in various countries before he changed to consumer electronics. His last ‘normal’ job was as managing director for a large optical company.  After 18 years as an employee Peter decided to turn one of his passions (writing being the other one) into his job and opened his own dive resort in Asia. To stay in contact with friends and family Peter wrote extensive mails with small stories he experienced in his new home country. His audience became more and more interested in reading the local stories and urged Peter to write it all down in a book. In 2014 he finally gave in and published some of the stories in a novel - “Confusion”. Three additional sequels of the quartet “Nothing is what it seems” will follow later. Peter is married and has two grown-up children.



 Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  Marsali also does a regular monthly column for the Mystery People e-zine.



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