The Burn Card product reviews

There is nothing like the prospect of a good whodunnit to entice a reader into checking out a new crime novel. The Burn Card does not disappoint. It offers two strong protagonists (O'Malley and Claire) who spark off each other as they join forces to solve a murder, each contributing different skills to the investigation. Claire is actually the better amateur sleuth, something which O'Malley is forced to admit despite his reluctance to do so.

The title - The Burn Card - is a direct reference to the practice of removing a card from a pack to minimise opportunities for cheating. Poker is the way O'Malley makes his living, and the events that unfold in the course of the story are the result of his involvement in gambling, whether directly or indirectly.

I was impressed that author Simon Lendrum addresses the multiracial aspects of Auckland's population. As one of the Pacific's most cosmopolitan cities, it is often cited abroad as an example of how a city with multiple ethnic groups should function. While it is true that Aotearoa New Zealand has its share of racism and crime, this story presents a generally positive image in terms of racial and ethnic cooperation without descending into tokenism. As for the criminal underworld, this is a fact of life in most countries today.

Lendrum's use of wry humour adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the book. Some of his original observations are quite memorable. For example. he has no time for mercenary religious organisations, explaining that all are welcome in Wells' church as long as they have perfect teeth (courtesy of a dentist!). He further explains that promotional videos issued by the church do not actively entice new members because, in the secular world, cat videos rule supreme!

There are references to many issues, both local and worldwide, which shape society today and form a backdrop to the story. The rise of charismatic organisations that challenge traditional forms of worship, with their EFTPOS terminals in entrance foyers to enable "effortless political donations to God" and the emphasis on wealth, is presented as a negative influence on impressionable young people. Drug smuggling and arms misuse are both seen as contributing to a growing culture of crime. Recent events in Aotearoa New Zealand such as the Christchurch mosque attacks help to position the narrative in contemporary Aotearoa. Issues in the wider world like the role of internet chat groups in spreading misinformation are also referenced to add to the contemporary feel of the story, making the narrative more relevant to a modern reader.

I found once I had started reading that I could not put the book down. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I read it a second time just in case I had missed something. O'Malley is a rogue but a likeable one, and Claire's character is a perfect foil to his. I now look forward to a sequel featuring the same protagonists, and am also inspired to track down the earlier book (The Slow Roll) which introduces O'Malley and Claire.