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tracyjw66's review against another edition
4.0
I can think of only a few authors who can change voice so easily and convincingly for each of their characters. Hill does it so well!!! I love Dalziel. Always have, always will. Scary that I find myself quoting him once in awhile...
jmclincoln's review against another edition
4.0
My first Reginald Hill, and not my last. Not many police procedurals/detective stories successfully incorporate humor. I appreciate those that do. I chuckled often even though the story is a serious one.
I love Mick Herron’s series on the Slow Horses. In an interview, Mr. Herron said his character Jackson Lamb was inspired by Mr. Hill’s Dalziel, so of course I had to read one.
I picked a good one to start with. The story happens in 24 hours, and each chapter starts with the time duration for that chapter’s events. This is a great way to say “meanwhile”. Although it’s the 24th in the Dalziel & Pascoe series, I was not at a loss learning about the different characters and their idiosyncrasies built up over the series.
Looking forward to another Dalziel & Pascoe. And, perhaps I’ll watch some of the series.
I love Mick Herron’s series on the Slow Horses. In an interview, Mr. Herron said his character Jackson Lamb was inspired by Mr. Hill’s Dalziel, so of course I had to read one.
I picked a good one to start with. The story happens in 24 hours, and each chapter starts with the time duration for that chapter’s events. This is a great way to say “meanwhile”. Although it’s the 24th in the Dalziel & Pascoe series, I was not at a loss learning about the different characters and their idiosyncrasies built up over the series.
Looking forward to another Dalziel & Pascoe. And, perhaps I’ll watch some of the series.
sandin954's review against another edition
5.0
Another great entry in the Dalziel & Pascoe series. The action takes place over the course of one very eventful day. I love how Hill always keeps this series fresh and worth reading.
emjay2021's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent final novel in what may be my favourite mystery series. Reginald Hill was a gem--a witty and erudite author who could write a tightly plotted mystery but also liked to play with structure and form. This last Dalziel and Pascoe doesn't disappoint--except for the fact that there won't be any more of them. RIP Mr. Hill.
Note: I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narrator, Jonathan Keeble, did a magnificent job. He does different voices for each character, and it really differentiates them without being silly or cartoonish.
Note: I listened to the audiobook version of this and the narrator, Jonathan Keeble, did a magnificent job. He does different voices for each character, and it really differentiates them without being silly or cartoonish.
marlynb's review against another edition
4.0
A new Dalziel and Pascoe novel is always a cause of happiness for me. This one did not disappoint.
After a severe injury that left him in a coma, Andy Dalziel has decided to return to work sooner than advised. He's sure that everyone will be judging him to see if he's really ready, and thinking that he should just give up and retire. He gets a call from an old colleague, Mick Purdy, asking him to take an unofficial look into the case of a policeman who disappeared seven years earlier.
Dalziel bumbles a bit at first, and when one of his officers is injured, it seems that he should really have taken more time to rest. Pascoe and Wield begin to wonder if they'll continually have to mop up his messes, as is the reader.
This is a complicated tale of greed, mistaken (or maybe not?) identity, and possible police corruption.
Hill's prose is a treat to read, and as usual, I was torn between wanting to find out how the book ended and prolonging my enjoyment. I managed a happy medium, and although I thought the ending was too coincidental, it was nonetheless satisfying.
After a severe injury that left him in a coma, Andy Dalziel has decided to return to work sooner than advised. He's sure that everyone will be judging him to see if he's really ready, and thinking that he should just give up and retire. He gets a call from an old colleague, Mick Purdy, asking him to take an unofficial look into the case of a policeman who disappeared seven years earlier.
Dalziel bumbles a bit at first, and when one of his officers is injured, it seems that he should really have taken more time to rest. Pascoe and Wield begin to wonder if they'll continually have to mop up his messes, as is the reader.
This is a complicated tale of greed, mistaken (or maybe not?) identity, and possible police corruption.
Hill's prose is a treat to read, and as usual, I was torn between wanting to find out how the book ended and prolonging my enjoyment. I managed a happy medium, and although I thought the ending was too coincidental, it was nonetheless satisfying.
gavinsteyn's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lazygal's review against another edition
5.0
One of the things I love about this series is how Hill keeps the relationships fresh, and how the mysteries do not seem to repeat in tone or nature. Don't get me wrong, there are certain moments that you know will come, certain catch phrases (or catch phrasing) that will be there (eg, the fatness of Dalziel, the education of Pascoe, the ugliness of Wield), but they don't bother me as much as constantly hearing of Nero Wolfe's "eighth of an acre of yellow silk pajamas" did.
And unlike in other series I've read, the characters really do grow. I can't remember another series in which the sidekick (in this case, Pascoe) has almost outgrown the master - it's a little like what they're trying to do with the Inspector Morse series, now that Colin Dexter has stopped writing (and Morse/John Thaw is dead). But in that case is feels like trying to repeat the original, while here it feels like natural growth.
As with the Lynley/Havers mysteries, it's not always Dalziel front-and-center. Here, Pascoe's almost an interfering parent figure to Dalziel's teenager, with Ivor having a larger role than usual and Hat and Wield almost totally off stage. One of my friends didn't like the lack of time together between the Unholy Trinity (as they're known), and while I'd like to see more of them I think the book is still very strong and it's only my sentimental attachment that wants that relationship to shine.
They mystery itself is relatively predictable, resolving itself into two different "problems". The solutions weren't completely telegraphed (always a good thing), even though Hill gave the characters one day to figure it all out. What puzzled me is that the "24 hours in which to do it" seems more dust jacket nonsense, as there was nothing in the book that suggested that if this wasn't solved that quickly something worse would occur.
This is a far more filmable book than the previous Dalziel/Pascoe mysteries, but I really hope that it doesn't get made (and not just because I think the roles have been miscast). It's the arc of the relationship between Dalziel and Pascoe that will get lost (having skipped a few "episodes") and that's a pity.
And unlike in other series I've read, the characters really do grow. I can't remember another series in which the sidekick (in this case, Pascoe) has almost outgrown the master - it's a little like what they're trying to do with the Inspector Morse series, now that Colin Dexter has stopped writing (and Morse/John Thaw is dead). But in that case is feels like trying to repeat the original, while here it feels like natural growth.
As with the Lynley/Havers mysteries, it's not always Dalziel front-and-center. Here, Pascoe's almost an interfering parent figure to Dalziel's teenager, with Ivor having a larger role than usual and Hat and Wield almost totally off stage. One of my friends didn't like the lack of time together between the Unholy Trinity (as they're known), and while I'd like to see more of them I think the book is still very strong and it's only my sentimental attachment that wants that relationship to shine.
They mystery itself is relatively predictable, resolving itself into two different "problems". The solutions weren't completely telegraphed (always a good thing), even though Hill gave the characters one day to figure it all out. What puzzled me is that the "24 hours in which to do it" seems more dust jacket nonsense, as there was nothing in the book that suggested that if this wasn't solved that quickly something worse would occur.
This is a far more filmable book than the previous Dalziel/Pascoe mysteries, but I really hope that it doesn't get made (and not just because I think the roles have been miscast). It's the arc of the relationship between Dalziel and Pascoe that will get lost (having skipped a few "episodes") and that's a pity.