- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: McClelland & Stewart (Mar 4 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0771088973
- ISBN-13: 978-0771088971
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.9 x 3.2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 726 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #228,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. This bracingly original mystery from the pseudonymous Wolfe opens with the grisly slaying of an elderly cancer sufferer in Port Dundas, a remote Ontario town that has gone years without a homicide. The murder hits at a particularly tough time for 61-year-old Det. Insp. Hazel Micallef, who's struggling to come to terms with a surprise divorce and battles daily with her acerbic 87-year-old mother. A serious staff shortage and an injured back add to the department commander's woes. A second, even more disturbing killing raises the ante for Micallef, who's already doubtful she can solve the first case. As Micallef marshals her forces, Wolfe fans the already high suspense by cutting between them and their elusive quarry. With the body count climbing, the detective puts herself increasingly at risk in a desperate attempt to foil the grand, demented plan that the killer regards as a mission. Billed as a prominent North American literary novelist, Wolfe convincingly lays claim to a new mantle as a first-rate crime writer. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Review
“The Calling is a wonderful, creepy and suspenseful serial killer novel with enough twists and compelling characters to make you want to devour it all at one sitting.” —Peter Robinson
“A superbly written novel with a brilliantly conceived and realized plot, featuring an aging Ontario Provincial Police officer who is unforgettable.” —Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
“I couldn’t put the damned thing down. . . .” —Los Angeles Times
“You’re in the hands of a master storyteller. The Calling is a stunner – dark, surprising and utterly compelling.” —Mo Hayder
“Hazel Micallef is a Canadian original. . . . You can’t help loving the woman.” —Toronto Star
“Wolfe creates a compelling, unlikely hero and delivers hair-raising thrills. A–.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Had me from the first page and never let me go.” —Kate Atkinson
“A superbly written novel with a brilliantly conceived and realized plot, featuring an aging Ontario Provincial Police officer who is unforgettable.” —Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
“I couldn’t put the damned thing down. . . .” —Los Angeles Times
“You’re in the hands of a master storyteller. The Calling is a stunner – dark, surprising and utterly compelling.” —Mo Hayder
“Hazel Micallef is a Canadian original. . . . You can’t help loving the woman.” —Toronto Star
“Wolfe creates a compelling, unlikely hero and delivers hair-raising thrills. A–.” —Entertainment Weekly
“Had me from the first page and never let me go.” —Kate Atkinson
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why didn't I read this one sooner!?,
By
This review is from: The Calling: A Hazel Micallef Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)
You know, when The Calling first came out in hardcover last year, I heard nothing but rave reviews. It was voted one of the best mystery books of 2008 by Publisher's Weekly. Well, the paperback releases today from McLelland and Stewart and I'm kicking myself that I didn't grab a copy sooner. What a fantastic read!The book opens with Delia, a terminally ill woman, letting the mysterious, cadaverous Simon into her home. She has been communicating with him for a while now. As she willingly takes the herbal tea he offers and falls asleep, he chooses between the gun, hammer and knife he has also brought along, finally deciding on the knife. Delia lives in Port Dundas. The wonderfully different protagonist is Inspector Hazel Micallef of the Port Dundas, Ontario Police Department. Hazel is 61, newly divorced, her elderly mother lives with her, she suffers from excruciating back pain and medicates herself with whiskey every now and then. The Port Dundas department is woefully underfunded and understaffed. The Ontario Police Services is hoping to close them down and amalgamate with a larger force. With the discovery of Delia's body, Hazel launches her investigation. When she discovers that Delia is not the first victim and that the killer may be operating Canada wide, she chooses not to involve the Mounties - a decision that may have serious repercussions. Her rogue methods may backfire. Hazel herself is a flawed, realistic character. I also loved the supporting police team - the enigmatic Wingate, crazy Sevigny as well as Hazel's feisty mother Emily. (Her response to someone who offers help to the 87 yr old - "Piss off, I'm not crippled.") The killer Simon is explored in detail as well. Is it love or madness that drives him on his missions of mercy? I wanted to stop and make notes as I read, but literally didn't take the time. I couldn't put the book down - a pager turner that I took everywhere for two days! Now who is Inger Ash Wolfe? There has been great speculation about the true identity of this pseudonymous author. Me - I don't care, I just really want another Micallef mystery!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
All Night Page Turner,
By
This review is from: The Calling: A Hazel Micallef Mystery (Mass Market Paperback)
The Calling sets a new bar for Canadian crime fiction. I found it very original with extremely engaging characters. Hazel Micallef and her mother, Emily along with an amazing supporting cast are highly believable. My wife is from Renfrew, a true Ottawa Valley Girl, so it was also fun to catch references I have become familiar with throughout (a Deacon's bench, Algonquin Park, Renfrew police). But the story is all Canadian - a coast to coast thriller that maintains a fantastic pace from start to finish.A small complaint is that the author has thrown in so many woes for poor Hazel (medical, divorce, political pressures at work, alcoholism, family history shame) that it strains a bit too much. The actual crime plot is well constructed and twisted. I loved the small town versus big city tensions present throughout. Perhaps that will allow the author to explore the fact that Canada is a little more diverse in future books. No matter what province you may live in if Canadian you will recognize fictional Port Dundas, Ontario. And another fine mystery is who really is the pseudonymous Wolfe? Lastly, you do not have to be Canadian to enjoy The Calling - the mystery and police procedures will engage and entertain.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent,
By Lee McGill "Reviewer" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Calling (Hardcover)
This is an excellent gripping novel. Very psychological and well written with good character development.
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