- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; New edition edition (4 Dec 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 000651362X
- ISBN-13: 978-0006513629
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11.2 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 559,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Peter Turnbull's P Division novels have gleaned a considerable following, with their depiction of Glasgow's mean streets. With Fear of Drowning, we are in the superficially more sedate city of York. However, Detective Inspector George Hennessy soon discovers that murderous intentions can lurk beneath the most placid of exteriors. When a middle-aged couple, Max and Amanda Williams, disappear and are later found murdered in a shallow grave. Although no-one appeared to wish them harm, when Hennessy digs deeper into their lifestyle and heirs, he discovers some startling facts: both of the partners appeared to have illicit liaisons with other people; one of a sexual nature, the other financial. And as the investigation fastens on the disturbing behaviour of the Williams' son, Hennessy is soon encountering a host of suspects and dark mystery from the past. Retaining the salty authenticity of his P division novels, Turnbull ensures that his tightly-plotted narrative moves with considerable speed towards its satisfyingly astringent finale.--Barry Forshaw
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
‘I can think of no other writer who so vividly captures the atmosphere of hopeless urban menace’
The Times
‘Engrossingly readable’
Guardian
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
I cannot really recommend this police procedural. While the plot isn't that bad I suppose, and the police detectives characters could have been quite interesting, I thought the quality of the writing was pretty poor. The dialogue in particular was very stilted, and chunks of his research and weird facts seem to be just dropped in for no reason. It was also very short (possibly a good thing!) I certainly won't be reading any more!
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This idiosyncratic detective novel was my first Turnbull but it will not be my last. I came to Amazon to find out what else he had written.
If you like english whodunnits then you will like this one. It reminded me a bit of Wingfield or maybe Dalziel and Pascoe. But it has a unique style of serious detection and dry humour.
And unlike the aforementioned this has one plot thread. Nothing wrong with that because the others can be confusing at times (deliberately so?).
Nor is there a lot of gore even though the central crimes are horrible enough.
Rather shorter than many these days but condensed storytelling and light enough to carry around with you! Well the paperback is.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5 reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Excellent polcie procedural
15 July 2000
Format:Hardcover
In Yorke, England, the neighbor felt something seemed off kilter within the Williams bungalow. The neighbor called the police who conclude that Max and Amanda Williams apparently disappeared. Detective Inspector George Hennessey begins to trace the trail left by the Williams although his gut expects the worse.
Not too long afterward, the murdered corpses of the Williams couple is found in a shallow grave. George picks up the pace of his inquiries, especially since no one seems to gain anything from the death of the duo. As he digs past their serene surface, he begins to uncover darker secrets involving Max and Amanda that they probably never shared with each other.
Peter Turnbull, already renowned for police procedurals, introduces a new series that will garner the author new acclaim. The story line in the opening Hennessey tale, FEAR OF DROWNING, is superb as the plot centers on the police struggling with a difficult case to solve. Hennessey is an intriguing protagonist suffering from his own demons while the support cast, especially his partner, provides local flavor. Mr. Turnbull has another triumphant tale that will thrill sub-genre fans.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Not in the same league
24 Dec 2000
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Peter Turnbull's Glasgow series has been one of my special favorites since the first book. That said, Fear of Drowning, introducing a new series and new characters, simply doesn't compare. While the writing is as good as ever, and the characters are well-drawn, there's an air of fatigue hovering over this slim tale--as if the author has run out of energy. It's very disappointing. There are no surprises, the solution to the murders of Max and Amanda Williams is pretty well telegraphed, and then the book simply ends. Clunk.
If you're expecting the intensity and quality of Turnbull's previous books, you won't find it in this one. It reads almost as if it were written by someone else, someone lacking the compulsion to look at the dirt in the cracks the way the old Peter Turnbull did.
Fear of Drowning~*
20 Jan 2005
Format:Hardcover
FEAR OF DROWNING by Peter Turnbull grabs the reader attention right away. In this suspenseful mystery novel, Detectives Hennessy and Yellich, investigate the strange disappearance of the Williams'. While investigating their disappearance, Hennessy and Yellich find themselves piecing together evidence and connecting clues, finding that the worst thing that the worst thing that could have happened to them happened. Unlike most mystery novels authors, Peter Turnbull takes you behind the scenes at the police station. He shows the reader what the police have to do while investigating the crimes, reading the evidence, and finding the person who committed the crime. I really enjoyed reading this book. The author had a way of pulling the readers into the story and making you want to know what happens next. One thing about this book is that it is really slow moving, meaning there isn't a lot of action. I would recommend this book, to anyone who enjoys reading mystery books, or anyone who would enjoy a good read.
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