ONLY THE DEAD - ‘a sinister game of revenge’
The front cover of Malcolm Hollingdrake’s book suggests a ghoulish story. The image of a gas mask, full frontal and historic, with the lenses imitating the unseeing eyes is atmospheric . And all relevant too. It is impressive and the ‘feel’ of the cover is gorgeous to the touch!
You know now that this a crime story, and as the detail unfolds, tales of criminal activities are revealed. Small beginnings take the reader meticulously through to more significant events.. Two major themes interconnect with studious relevance. It is there in detail and it is has layers.
The characters are brilliantly conceived too and several have been ‘well laid’, it would appear! It's the image that matters and the participants attracted me. But not everyone is perfect.
Location is important and the author has excelled here; in this case several of them as events go between Yorkshire and France and back again. These places create images and they become as important as characters. We are blessed with detail given impressions of immense wealth, indulgence and affluence.
I enjoyed the way it moved from decades past to the present bringing into focus the issues that are present today; traumas that we have to live through and we should care deeply about.
As an aside, part of the book could interest a ‘petrol head’ as there are some classy cars referred to. Just something added, but it helps to emphasize power and greed.
I found it was not an easy book to comment upon as the detailed thoroughness gave me plenty to absorb. So I read it twice and enjoyed it more on the second occasion. Thankfully other details were omitted as in the case of legal procedures and investigative means. Also no jargon. But every good crime novel needs some great detectives, doesn't it? You can decide whether you loved them or if they got under your skin.
The DCI Cyril Bennett Harrogate Crime Series was published by Bloodhound Books and Malcolm Hollingdrake has recently notified us that from 28th February the rights of the seven books in the series will revert to him. They will still be available as audio books and will be available later on Kindle. His latest CROSSED OUT will be here soon.
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