| 
 enlarge | Author: Stephen Booth
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (31) Used (41) from £0.01
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 16280
Media: Paperback
Edition: New title
Pages: 608
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7 x 4.3 x 1.6
ISBN: 0007172087
EAN: 9780007172085
ASIN: 0007172087
Publication Date: February 1, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Creased and marked on cover and spine, edges are scuffed but overall in good condition.
|
| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-9 of 9 | | « PREV | | |
 Darkness and Intrigue! April 2, 2006
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
I know full well, that the title of my review sounds like an ad for a brand of choc ice, but please rest assured dear readers that this novel is nothing even remotely similar to anything nice and tasty! But it is infact, very dark and full of intrigue. It is one of a series of the Peak murder mystery series featuring detectives Diane Fry and Ben Cooper. It is the first of the series that I have read. Although the first novel (Black Dog) currently sits upon my bookshelf unread I was immediately attracted to this one. The story is based upon a series of murders within the Derbyshire Peak District and a quite complicated investigation carried out by the aforementioned detctives and their team. If you really do like a bit of morbidity and you are not afraid to delve into the daily workings and the 'goings on' in the funeral parlour and crematorioum industry then this novel will be right up your street! To give you an idea of the subject matter, by chapter two alone we are already onboard with two undertakers as they proceed to perform a 'removal' (collection of a recently deceased person). All the gory details are provided even to the extent of the procedures which are undertaken within the 'cremation suite'.
I did find the investigation side of things a bit on the heavy side but then thats me, not the book. Those of you who like a good puzzle will appreciate that. I also enjoyed the characters involved not only the Detectives but also the characters that we happen upon as the investigations proceed.
Whilst primarily very dark throughout there are also one or two rays of sunshine where Mr.Booth does demonstrate that he can easily and skilfully inject some humour. Not to forget of course the wonderfull descriptions of the wild but beautiful peak district. Oh and by the way, the book does include some very grizzly websites including something called the Deathclock which following the input of some of your personal details will predict how long you'll live. What more could you ask for?! Enjoy the book!
 Quality Crime Writing March 6, 2006
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
Bought on a whim for the sake of having something (anything) to read. I was immediately hooked. The writing is excellent, characters well developed pacey enough to keeop you turning the pages without having to resort to ridiculous and contrived plotlines. Well worth a look.
Peak thrillers keep getting better February 21, 2006
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
Another Fry and Cooper mystery set in and amongst the world of undertakers. Very morbid but still fascinating. The chemistry between the two leads in there for all to see, except the leads! The descriptions of the Peaks are evocative and imaginative, they feel claustrophobic and engulf everything and anything - excellent. Cant wait for the sixth volume in the summer
Another strong novel December 6, 2005
16 out of 22 found this review helpful
This is a worthy addition to Booth's Cooper & Fry series, set in the Peak District. The plot, as usual, is very dark, and Booth's vivid descriptions of the geography of the story are almost a further character in themselves. Unsurprisingly, this book is about death- the study, the actuality, the fear, to consequences, the desire. It's supremely well-researched, as one has come to expect of Booth, and the range of characters, and their attitudes towards death make a fascinating whole. The personal lives of Cooper and Fry take a slighlty less prominent role here, which is a welcome repose after the last two novels in the series. My only (mild) complaint is the very last sentence of the book - sentimental beyond belief!
|
|
|
