- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Constable (3 May 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0094795703
- ISBN-13: 978-0094795709
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.5 x 2.5 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,166,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
In this, the 8th novel to feature Laura Ackr oyd and her lover Chief Inspector Thackeray, a young African is murdered in front of Laura''s eyes. The subsequent cover- up and lack of police interest paints a terrible portrait of contemporary Britain. '
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5 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Yorkshire mystery deals with big world issues
31 Mar 2006
Format:Hardcover
I haven't run across many people who have read Ms. Hall's books and that's too bad. This author writes a very good "British" police procedural while being topical. In this, the seventh Thackeray/Ackroyd/Mower mystery, DCI Michael Thackeray and Detective Sergeant Kevin Mower deal first with the disappearance of a young female student and then the murder of a successful businessman - both Muslim - in Bradfield. Laura Thackeray, ace reporter, witnesses the brutal beating to death of a Somali youth in the London subway by skinheads. The author treads her way through police apathy/racism, the "political correctness" of the political community in dealing with the solving of these crimes and the anger/fear within the immigrant community resulting from these crimes, extremely well .... all while maintaining the threads of the mystery in an engaging manner.
Now here's the but - character development. Initially in this series Thackeray,(dark past, brooding, man of few words), and Mower, (shallow womanizer), had the potential to become extremely predictable, one dimensional characters. Not so. Interestingly, and ironically perhaps, considering the author's background, Laura Ackroyd is the one who seems out of place/left behind as this series progresses - we spend a lot of time reading about her "outfits", shopping sprees, nail-polish selection, hair-dos, etc. - as well as her needing to be rescued on a fairly regular basis much like a B-movie actress. In a sense Laura has become extraneous or even a hindrance to the plot - hence the three star rating.
Now here's the but - character development. Initially in this series Thackeray,(dark past, brooding, man of few words), and Mower, (shallow womanizer), had the potential to become extremely predictable, one dimensional characters. Not so. Interestingly, and ironically perhaps, considering the author's background, Laura Ackroyd is the one who seems out of place/left behind as this series progresses - we spend a lot of time reading about her "outfits", shopping sprees, nail-polish selection, hair-dos, etc. - as well as her needing to be rescued on a fairly regular basis much like a B-movie actress. In a sense Laura has become extraneous or even a hindrance to the plot - hence the three star rating.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
a poignant and compelling read
9 April 2001
Format:Hardcover
This is probably one of the most disturbing and poignant of mystery novels that I've read in quite a long time. "Dead On Arrival" deals with the whole issue of illegal immigration -- the horrors that people go through in order to enter another country when they lack the appropriate papers in order to start a new life, and of the people who exploit the situation. This novel pays especial attention to the plight of asylum seekers, in the wake of England's (and Europe in general) tightening of the asylum seekers laws.
Having broken up with DCI Michael Thackeray once again, journalist Laura Ackroyd is in London, looking into job options and trying to decide what to do about Thackeray. On her way home one night, she witnesses in horror a gang of skinheads beating up on two African teenagers. One of the teenagers escapes, but the other one dies. Angry and horrified, Laura is further put off by the investigative officer's dismissive attitude of the crime and of her eye witness account of the incident and culprits involved. And when she is offered the opportunity to do an investigative article about the incident and the social and cultural implications of the crime, Laura jumps on it. Menacing 'phone calls to give up her crusade and to go home only fuels her determination to persevere.
In the meantime DCI Thackeray still reeling from the breakup is called in to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl. On the surface of it Safi Haque seems to be the dutiful Muslim daughter, hardworking, intelligent and obedient. Where then could she have disappeared to? Could she have runaway? Her parents claim that she has not, but seem reluctant to provide any useful information. And then an account from a witness points to the possibility that Safi may have been kidnapped. But the Haques are not a wealthy family, and seem to have no enemies. Thackeray cannot help but wonder exactly what is going on within the Haque family even as he begins to fear that the search for Safi may end with the discovery of her dead body.
How these two events are connected is what makes this mystery novel such compelling reading. I was able to figure rather early on how these two seemingly different investigations were connected, but even I ws not prepared for the poignancy that the connection would bring. Laura's quest for justice for the dead boy and her outrage at the plight of the asylum seekers resonates through the pages. While Thackeray's quiet anguish at their separation is almost too painful to read. Will Laura and Thackeray finally put all their differences and issues aside and move on together, or will this rift be a permanent one? (Well, I won't go into that as that would be telling, as well as why this novel is really so agonizing.)
"Dead On Arrival" is a very sad and touching novel, but one that is well worth reading.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Prejudice
3 April 2001
Format:Hardcover
Patricia Hall always gives the reader something to think about. Journalist, Laura Ackroyd, witnesses a murder. She becomes involved by wanting to write about it and thus places herself in danger when she identifies one of the attackers. Prejudice rears its ugly head as she searches for clues and uncovers the hate given to those immigrating to the UK. The tale of how people are smuggled into other countries, the horrors they endure, and those who profit gives the reader insights not often discussed in the news. Her relationship with DCI Thackeray continues on its rocky road. As always, a very interesting mystery!
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