A killer with more than one face… A cold heart, a conniving mind, and something more. One of my favourite villains!

Controversial Scottish reporter Neil Bannerman is sent to Brussels, ostensibly to cover the developments following the European Union, but also because his new editor wants him out of the way while he decides what to do with him. Although Bannerman is a good reporter, he isn’t a team player. He’s on the lookout for any scurrilous stories he can dig up. He’s a complex protagonist, with issues from his past impacting on his present life and choices.a b c d Bauder, Bob (March 10, 2007). "Charlie No Face: The Life and the Legend". The Beaver County Times. Beaver, Pennsylvania: GateHouse Media. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. One victim is a journalist, the other a Cabinet Minister: the double-assassination witnessed by the former's autistic daughter. This girl recalls every detail about her father's killer - except for one. This was an interesting read, occasionally slow in parts, it did hold a unique atmospheric, Brits being abroad, did give you a somewhat fish out of water feel, and the style of writing was very direct and the characters engaging, while not a classic, it was enjoyable, and I would be interested in following more of Mays work.

Lo único que me disgustó es, ¿Por qué todos los villanos tienen que estar obsesionados con exterminar a parte de la población de la tierra? (ya se está poniendo cliché) Además, ya sabemos que eso no soluciona nada. Antes, cuando la población era mucho menor, la pobreza era mucho mayor, al igual que las diferencias sociales. ¿por qué? MY THOUGHTS: This is the second book I have read by this author in a short period of time. Peter May is a man who paints pictures, gloriously detailed pictures, with words. I could 'see' as I read. And although I did not enjoy this story as much as my previous read by this author, the writing remains superb. In the introduction again, May says that the portrayal of Tania’s autism is “a reflection of prevailing opinion at the time”. I must say I think it’s stood the test of time very well, and still reads to me as far more authentic and less sensationalised or mawkish than many of the more recent fictional portrayals of people with autism. The reader is occasionally allowed inside Tania’s mind where we see her frustration at her inability to express herself, and that helps to explain her sometimes extreme behaviour. It’s a sympathetic and somewhat understated picture, and I found her entirely credible. Now then, Kale our antagonist – he’s a gun for hire! He’s meticulous in his work and he’s built a damn good reputation on being the best….but will Brussels be his down fall as he leaves a witness to his crime?! Set in Brussels in the late ’70s, this intricately plotted novel has a rather dark atmosphere and a bit of a Noir vibe to it. The reader finds themselves in the middle of a murder investigation, through the eyes of Scottish journalist, Neil Bannerman. He’s been sent to Brussels by his editor, who really just wants him out of the way. But when Neil’s host, a fellow journalist, is found dead alongside a British Cabinet minister, Neil finds himself in the middle of a bit of a mess.The organization actually predates Braavos itself. They started out by giving the "gift" of death to slaves who were suffering particularly horribly in the mines, to ease their pain, and in time they learned to surreptitiously give the "gift" to some of their Valyrian masters as well, becoming skilled assassins. Many centuries later, the surviving Faceless Men relocated to Braavos, which was founded by ex-slaves who had escaped from Valyria (though whether this was after or slightly before the Doom is unclear). Edinburgh Post journalist Neil Bannerman is sent to Brussels to dig up dirt in the run up to a UK general election. He doesn’t want to be there and certainly doesn’t want to spend time with the Post’s man in Brussels, Tim Slater and his autistic daughter, Tania but when Slater and politician Richard Gryffe are murdered, a murder Tania witnesses he changes his mind and starts investigating ferociously. The Man With No Face is a political thriller with clandestine intrigue and conspiracies, suspense, murder and just the merest hint of a romance. As Bannerman slowly unearths information surrounding the murdered men, he has no idea of the danger he’s putting himself in as his investigation gains momentum. The edges of his world-weary cynicism are being systematically worn away by the feelings awakened in him by Tania’s carer and his anxiety over Tania herself. This secondary thread of Bannerman’s connection with Tania, and her characterisation, is very well done. Much less was known about autism and the treatments available weren’t particularly helpful at the time of this story. It’s obvious the condition has been well researched. I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the publisher and Agnes for inviting me to be part of this blog tour!