Vincent Calvino

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Vincent Calvino is the name of a series of detective novels in which the private detective of the same name plays the leading role. It was written by Christopher G. Moore . Calvino is a Jewish-Italian ex-lawyer from New York . He gave up his original job and became a private detective in Bangkok . The name first appeared in 1992 in the book Spirit House . This was the first book in the series and was later launched on the German-speaking market as the House of Spirits . The eleventh case of Vincent Calvino hit the English-speaking market in 2010 as The Corruptionist . In German published by 2010: House of the Spirits ( Spirit House ), Zero Hour in Phnom Penh ( Zero hour in Phnom Penh ) and Nana Plaza ( Cold Hit ).

The Vincent Calvino detective series

Christopher G. Moore's Calvino series is crime fiction in western tradition, but reinvented in exotic and realistic Southeast Asia. The series is one of the first English language crime novels to introduce elements of Roman noir to the world of Southeast Asian crime fiction. The series is dark and realistic, intertwined with timely international and local events. Novels from the series are available in 12 languages, including French, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Turkish. In German is House of the Spirits , Zero Hour in Phnom Penh and Nana Plaza available. Zero Hour in Phnom Penh won third place in the German Crime Prize in 2004 in the International category.

The main person

Calvino shares many of the traits of traditional die-hard detectives, such as excessive alcohol consumption and a passionate sense of justice. Calvino has also been compared to Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe , Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade, and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer . But his detective investigations take place in unusual surroundings. Instead of solving criminal cases in his home country, his investigations take place in an environment with extreme cultural and linguistic differences from his home country. He mainly works in Bangkok, Thailand, but occasionally he also moves to the Southeast Asian neighborhood such as Cambodia (Zero Hour in Phnom Penh / Zero Hour in Phnom Penh) or Vietnam (Comfort Zone). More of an antihero than a hero, Calvino is a difficult character. As a good detective, he has an eye for detail and penetrating intelligence. At first glance, he looks raw and cynical. In reality, however, he is caring and has a keen sense of fairness and right and wrong. He doesn't hesitate to put himself at risk in order to do the right thing. As a farang in Bangkok, Calvino finds himself in a labyrinth of local politics, fraud, and fleeting relationships. Calvino adapts very quickly, is interested in Thai culture and learns quickly. Calvino admits that he would probably never survive without his best friend Colonel Prachai or Pratt, an honest and well-connected Thai police officer. Pratt is distinguished by his Shakespeare quotes and his saxophone playing. He regularly saves Calvino from tricky situations.

Calvino's environment

Calvino lives on the fringes of Thai society and mostly accepts cases from farangs. He mingles with the shady characters that can be found on the shady side of society. His world is a world of foreign correspondents, diplomats, English teachers, adventurers, drunks, con artists, prostitutes and Kathoeys . The influential family and business culture in Thailand is also dealt with in addition to numerous insights into the Thai language and culture.

Press reviews

“It is a great achievement to bring the complicated social structure of Thailand, the exotic mentality, the seemingly strange life of the Thais so close to the reader that he could almost feel at home in Thailand. The other, not to be underestimated, great achievement: Christopher G. Moore saved the classic Private Eye novel into the 21st century and brought fresh blood to it with a new location and current plot. Great class! "(Krimi-Couch.de)

"Moore's Vincent Calvino novels ... are fresh, atmospheric entertainment in a Bangkok Noir." (The Guardian)

"Christopher G. Moore understands the local mentality as well as the Thais themselves ... He tirelessly analyzes their customs, their beliefs and superstitions, their attitudes and actions." (The Bangkok Post)

The individual books

1 - Spirit House . 1992. ISBN 974-8495-58-2

German translation: House of Spirits ISBN 978-3293201682

2 - Asia hand . 1993. ISBN 974-87171-2-7

3 - Zero Hour in Phnom Penh (Original title: Cold Cut ). 1994. ISBN 974-87116-3-3

German translation: Zero hour in Phnom Penh . ISBN 978-3293202603

4 - Comfort Zone . 1995. ISBN 974-87754-9-6

5 - The Big Weird . 1996. ISBN 978-974-8418-42-1

6 - Cold Hit . 1999. ISBN 974-92104-1-7

German translation: Nana Plaza ISBN 978-3293202047

7 - Minor Wife . 2002. ISBN 974-92126-5-7

8 - Pattaya 24/7 . 2004. ISBN 978-974-8418-41-4

9 - The Risk of Infidelity Index . 2007 ISBN 974-94840-0-2

10 - Paying Back Jack . 2009. ISBN 978-974-312-920-9

11 - The Corruptionist . 2010. ISBN 978-616-90393-3-4

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 20th German Crime Prize 2004
  2. ↑ Vincent Calvino Created by Christopher G. Moore
  3. ^ Raves for The Vincent Calvino Series ( Memento from February 10, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
  4. ↑ Christopher G. Moore: The Official Website
  5. ↑ Lars creates in Krimi-Couch.de in a review of Nana Plaza
  6. ^ Guardian
  7. ↑ Reviews on Christopher G. Moore
  8. ↑ Spirit House / Haus der Geister: Review by Krimi-Couch.de
  9. ↑ Asia Hand: table of contents
  10. ↑ Zero Hour in Phnom Penh / Zero Hour in Phnom Penh: table of contents
  11. ↑ Comfort Zone: table of contents
  12. ↑ The Big Weird: Synopsis
  13. ↑ Cold Hit: Synopsis
  14. ↑ Minor Wife: table of contents
  15. ↑ Pattaya 24/7: Synopsis
  16. ^ The Risk of Infidelity Index: table of contents
  17. ↑ Paying Back Jack: English table of contents
  18. ^ The Corruptionist: English table of contents