There is a serial killer in Amsterdam, killing young women in an unspeakable manner. The body of the elderly tramp, found in a rain soaked park, is covered in scarring of all types, so police assume that he is the latest victim, despite the differences in the manner of his death. All Detective Ronald van Hijn has as a clue to the victim's identity is a name and a phone number, written on the inside of the book of poetry found in the tramps pocket.Jon Reed knew the old man – Jake Colby – because he had recently been overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility for this quiet, homeless man. Some strange impulse had made him invite Jake into his flat, where they had spent time together talking about their backgrounds and their respective fathers.Summoned to Amsterdam to identify Jake, Jon finds himself drawn to the city; to the investigation into Jake's death; to the Jewish quarter and to Suze, an American student writing her thesis on a little known Jewish artist, killed in Auschwitz. Jake had recently discovered he wasn't who he had thought he was. Jon is aware that he is not who he really is, and that his own father had denied their Jewish history totally. Whilst he is searching for Jake's past and what it was that led to his death, Jon finds himself pulled into a strange twilight world of drugs, alcohol, Jewish History, Nazism and fetishes.THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND is a thriller. The action is almost non-stop and there's lots and lots of sex and drugs; a bit of rock and roll; Nazi's; pornographers; shadowy Internet auction sites; body piercers; cruelty; secret societies and a huge dose of despair. Whilst there is a lot of action and always something new happening, there are also some short reflective moments whilst Jon tries to work out what being Jewish means to him. Van Hijn is another rumpled, slightly maverick Detective. What makes him different and interesting though is that he's actually not bullet-proof, he also sticks with this investigation, despite the powers that be wanting him anywhere else. And he's addicted to cheesecake – the seriously nice sounding variety and some really weird sounding varieties (chilli and chive or liquorice cheesecake anyone?) . Suze is not just your typical love interest or token female, she's got some very challenging behaviours of her own.THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND is dark. Much of it's subject matter is revolting, many of the characters just appalling, the violence is extreme and people behave badly – frequently. The sex and the drug taking are graphic and brutal. The cruelty of the murders is reflected again and again in cruelty at all levels – to each other and animals; historical and current day. But the pace of the book is sharp and the storyline is taut and well written. THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND is not a comfortable read, but it is a great thriller.
Having recently read the first Carrigan and Miller novel by Stav Sherez, I was determined to read his back catalogue and so obtained a copy of "The Devils Playground". This was brilliant - I would have to say even better than "A Dark Redemption" if I'm honest even though I loved both. Detective Van Hijn is an extremely interesting character and the search for a serial killer in Amsterdam was both intriguing and a little frightening. This is also an atmospheric novel - at one point while reading it I realised that I was taking extremely deep breaths and had perched myself right on the edge of my chair, quite literally. The portions of the book dealing with the Holocaust are well written and extremely sensitive whilst at the same time conveying the horror of it. The book is not without its humour - dark humour, granted, but humour none the less and this in conjunction with an extremely complex and intriguing story makes this a must read for anyone that loves a great tale in any genre. I have been lucky lately with my book choices - and I was extremely lucky with this one.
What do You think about The Devil's Playground (2015)?
Not a bad book so far but I'm hesitating to finish it. Both for the premise (So tired of Nazis) and characters that I'm not particularly fond of even halfway into the book. What really bothered me is something no one else seems to notice..or maybe I'm just been overly picky. Sherez has his American character Suze think in british terms. Several times he has Suze think of her mother as mum.. and has her call a trashcan a bin. It throws me out of the story. Will put the book aside and read something else..for now.
—Dena
The Devil’s Playground – It Really Is!The Devil’s Playground was Stav Sherez first novel originally published back in 2004 this paperback edition is from 2014. Having read this book and enjoyed it, it is very easy to understand why this book was shortlisted for a CWA Award personally I would have awarded it! Set in Amsterdam this book as a thriller not only examines the dark underbelly of this city where anything and everything is available for a price it also examines one of the darkest periods in recent European history the Holocaust. This book also is able to question how much we really know about ourselves and how deeply we look back at our own families and cities. As a historian I often point out the Germans alone did not march Jews to the cattle trucks they had local help. Yes that means you France and you Netherlands large numbers of Jews were sent east with your citizens help. It also makes us examine what happened at the end of the war when some Germans and Ukrainians took on others identities to escape the allies and live out their days.A body turns up dead in a park in Amsterdam and he has a book belonging to Londoner Jon Reed in his pocket along with his telephone number. Detective Van Hijn asks him to come and identify the body of Jake Colby who may have been part of serial killers known kills. He had taken Jake in as a house guest after taking pity on him and found that they were both Jews who knew little or next to nothing about their Jewishness. Jake went to Amsterdam to find out more and it is in that search that kills Jake and draws Jon in to an investigation that could end in his own death or that of those around him.As he digs deeper he finds that the mystery is about 49 reels of film from Auschwitz that are up for auction and the hunt is on to find them. These reels are wanted by all sections but those that want them the most seem willing to kill to get them. With the help of his American girlfriend Suze he is able to uncover the truth about what has been going on, will it be enough to keep him and Suze alive is a different matter.For a debut novel this thriller packs a punch and has a terrific pace about it there are no wasted sentences or descriptions. This is a wonderfully structured novel that has been well researched, written with understanding some reverence and not afraid to deliver the knock out blows when required. A great deal of intelligence and care has been taken and the clear prose used makes it a delight to read. This is a powerful novel worth every minute you spend reading and it is almost a shame to finish it. Worth the time worth the money and leaves you wanting to read more from Stav Sherez.
—Paul
