Far Cry [Hardcover]

John Harvey’s Far Cry moves the author’s output into the treble figures and (thankfully) he shows no sign of slowing down. In this latest novel, Harvey once again airs his skill at fashioning an utterly compelling crime narrative. The protagonist here is DI Will Grayson, a well-rounded and persuasive figure (though, commendably, Harvey eschews the usual police protagonist shorthand of alcoholism and a messy private life): Grayson has two children, a contented marriage and a troubling relationship with DS Helen Walker, his police colleague. She's the one with messy private life, and Grayson ill-advisedly lectures her about her inappropriate choice of sexual partners. The interplay between the two – never overstated – is one of the pleasures of the book, as such interactions were in the author’s recent series of Frank Elder novels. One of the key concerns of Far Cry is the challenging subject of the rights of the individual.

Ruth Pierce and her husband try unsuccessfully to cope with the anguish of their daughter’s disappearance, but their marriage can’t take the strain of their terrible loss, and they separate. Years later, Ruth marries for a second time, but (to her horror) her second daughter, Beatrice, also disappears.

Detective Will Grayson is on the trail of the creepy Mitchell Roberts, a paedophile who has been released from prison, and Grayson makes it clear that he is on Roberts’ case as the latter begins his old tricks by hanging around schools. Grayson and Helen Walker (who is having an affair with an older married colleague) discover that matters at stake here are not just the protection of children from dangerous human predators – and issues such as the freedom of the individual become crucial, as lives are put at risk.

John Harvey, as ever, is able to freight such weighty matters into his narrative without ever obscuring the essential purpose of the crime novel: to compel the attention and to entertain. The entertainment here is of the disturbing variety, as so often with this author. --Barry Forshaw

Harvey is a master craftsman. --The Guardian

Impassioned, at times heartbreaking story… confirms Harvey as one of our most accomplished writers in any genre. --The Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

The stunning new title from Cartier Diamond Dagger winner John Harvey.

Ruth and Simon Pierce's rare romantic break is shattered by devastating news: their daughter, Heather, on holiday in Cornwall with a friend's family, has disappeared... The loss is more than they - or their marriage - can bear. But time does heal and slowly Ruth builds a new life for herself. A new husband, Andrew - even a second daughter, Beatrice.

The chances that history could repeat itself are next-to-impossible - that is until, years later, a desperate phone call launches DI Will Grayson and his partner, DS Helen Walker, into an investigation which will test their professional and emotional resources to the very limit.

Yet as Grayson becomes increasingly obsessed with a recently released child-abuser and Helen is drawn deeper into a destructive love affair with a married colleague, there is a real danger that their most demanding investigation yet will slip fatefully through their hands...

Every parent's worst fear ...

Ruth and Simon Pierce's rare romantic break is shattered by devastating news: their daughter, Heather, on holiday in Cornwall with a friend's family, has disappeared...

The loss is more than they - or their marriage - can bear. But time does heal and slowly Ruth builds a new life for herself. A new husband, Andrew - even a second daughter, Beatrice.

The chances that history could repeat itself are next-to-impossible - that is until, years later, a desperate phone call launches DI Will Grayson and his partner, DS Helen Walker, into an investigation which will test their professional and emotional resources to the very limit.

Yet as Grayson becomes increasingly obsessed with a recently released child-abuser and Helen is drawn deeper into a destructive love affair with a married colleague, there is a real danger that their most testing investigation yet will slip fatefully through their hands...

Praise for Cold in Hand:

'Thrilling and atmospheric' Guardian

'Impassioned, at times heartbreaking story ... confirms Harvey as one of our most accomplished writers in any genre.' Sunday Telegraph

'Brilliant and unnerving' 'The Ten Best Crime Novels', Independent

'Expertly crafted' Sunday Times

'This book is quite possibly Harvey's most authoritative in years: visceral, engaged and yes, unputdownable.' Independent

'Harvey is as excellent on human relationships as he is on police procedure' The Times

'Cold In Hand reveals modern England in all its most depressing messiness while engaging the reader with characters whose warmth and humanity give real pleasure.' TLS

'If anyone deserves to nudge Ian Rankin from his post as Britain's bestselling crime writer, it's Harvey' Kirkus Review

JOHN HARVEY is the author of the richly praised Charlie Resnick novels, the first of which, Lonely Hearts, was named by The Times as one of the '100 Best Crime Novels of the Century.' His first novel featuring Detective Inspector Frank Elder, Flesh and Blood, won the CWA Silver Dagger in 2004, and a Barry award for the Best British Crime Novel published in the US in 2004. He is also a poet, dramatist and occasional broadcaster. For more visit www.mellotone.co.uk