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bethany_jane_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
Body and Soul is the last book in the series that features Frank Elder. Despite being the first that I have read I could follow it very easily.
When a relationship between Frank’s daughter Katherine and an artist ends in murder Frank is determined to stand by his daughter even though that help isn’t really wanted. Their relationship is strained, most of Frank’s are, but he does try his best.
Whilst his role in the novel is important there is also a lot of focus on Katherine and the officer who is investigating the murder, Alex Hadley.Alex is under pressure, because of the victim’s fame, the mental state of Katherine and Frank, who has a very short fuse most of the time.
I had a lot of sympathy for Katherine, I don’t think I will be alone in this. What she experienced when she was younger was horrific and some of what takes place in this novel makes life very difficult. Frank was a strange character. A loner, who could be very aggressive and who never seemed to have any control in any situation. Katherine appeared to handle what was happening a lot better than he was. Maybe it was guilt, I’m not sure. Hadley could also be a little abrasive, a little cold without much empathy.
I enjoyed the art world setting, I could easily imagine the models posing for hours, experiencing cramp and nausea, and having to put any feelings of embarrassment or misgiving to one side.
I feel quite sad that this is the last book, but at least I can go and read the earlier books in the series. John Harvey is an author who I will happily read again.
Body and Soul is the last book in the series that features Frank Elder. Despite being the first that I have read I could follow it very easily.
When a relationship between Frank’s daughter Katherine and an artist ends in murder Frank is determined to stand by his daughter even though that help isn’t really wanted. Their relationship is strained, most of Frank’s are, but he does try his best.
Whilst his role in the novel is important there is also a lot of focus on Katherine and the officer who is investigating the murder, Alex Hadley.Alex is under pressure, because of the victim’s fame, the mental state of Katherine and Frank, who has a very short fuse most of the time.
I had a lot of sympathy for Katherine, I don’t think I will be alone in this. What she experienced when she was younger was horrific and some of what takes place in this novel makes life very difficult. Frank was a strange character. A loner, who could be very aggressive and who never seemed to have any control in any situation. Katherine appeared to handle what was happening a lot better than he was. Maybe it was guilt, I’m not sure. Hadley could also be a little abrasive, a little cold without much empathy.
I enjoyed the art world setting, I could easily imagine the models posing for hours, experiencing cramp and nausea, and having to put any feelings of embarrassment or misgiving to one side.
I feel quite sad that this is the last book, but at least I can go and read the earlier books in the series. John Harvey is an author who I will happily read again.
harmless_old_lady's review against another edition
5.0
John Harvey's Frank Elder series masterful noir, a police procedural, a family (or two) in dysfunction "are any families happy?" and magnificent plotting. The atmosphere, music, landscape, food, and grit of the island are brought into focus. I can't get enough. Will read these books again.
annc's review against another edition
4.0
Very late to this party and so sorry to have missed what I am sure is an awesome series
Unfortunately this book- though a great read on its own- tells you everything that has happened
Good standalone, loved the characters and settings
Unfortunately this book- though a great read on its own- tells you everything that has happened
Good standalone, loved the characters and settings
annc's review against another edition
4.0
Very late to this party and so sorry to have missed what would I am sure is an awesome series
Unfortunately this book- though a great read on its own- tells you everything that has happened
Good standalone, loved the characters and settings
Unfortunately this book- though a great read on its own- tells you everything that has happened
Good standalone, loved the characters and settings
flogigyahoo's review against another edition
4.0
The 4th and last book in the Frank Elder series. I say last because John Harvey now in his 80th year will probably not be writing another. The first 3 novels in the series were excellent. Full of atmosphere and Frank Elder, retired detective living in Cornwall, a fine and admirable character. In his final mystery Elder seems to lose his cool too many times and appears to be shunted aside by various members of the police in a case involving his daughter Katherine who was abducted and raped at age 16. Elder managed to rescue her then but is plagued by worry and guilt that he cannot help her get her life back together. When her abductor escapes from prison, he wants revenge and exacts it from Elder after a chase by the cops all over England. A little disappointing since there is little police procedural which was Elder's strong point.
rainierbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I have read all the Elder novels of John Harvey and a few others, among them the last two Resnick novels. Good old Mr Harvey himself is 80 years old now and it seems that he wants to finish lose ends. His former detective Frank Elder lives in Cornwall, his daughter Katherine in London where she has worked as a model. Katherine is still haunted by experiences long ago when serial killer Adam Keach kidnapped and raped and almost killed her to get to her father who was hunting him. Elder has never been clear of his feeling of guilt towards his daughter.
Then, the painter Anthony Winter gets killed, Katherine having been one of his models.
Harvey is an exceptional crime writer, delivering us a lot of feelings between father-daughter-ex-wife, new detectives and victim and his relatives. He is very good in depicting people in short sketches and really giving them a lot of color and individuality. A craftsman, so to speak.
Then, Elder gets the news that Adam Keach is at large again.
No spoilers here, another good read and hopefully not the last by John Harvey.
Then, the painter Anthony Winter gets killed, Katherine having been one of his models.
Harvey is an exceptional crime writer, delivering us a lot of feelings between father-daughter-ex-wife, new detectives and victim and his relatives. He is very good in depicting people in short sketches and really giving them a lot of color and individuality. A craftsman, so to speak.
Then, Elder gets the news that Adam Keach is at large again.
No spoilers here, another good read and hopefully not the last by John Harvey.
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