No Lovelier Death: Joe Faraday, Book 9 (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

Graham Hurley's Joe Farraday series goes from strength to strength. If you haven't read them, you've missed a real treat. Although this novel is strong enough to stand on its own, my advice is to start with the first one , "Turnstone", and work forward - I'm sure any fan of British crime fiction won't be disappointed.

My favourite character throughout the series has always been (slightly) maverick, and now ex, detective Paul Winter and I'm delighted that the front of this book is headed 'A Faraday and Winter Novel'. Winter features heavily in this book, as does his new boss, the slightly dodgy, Bazza MacKenzie.

It's not giving anything away by saying the story starts with a party gone wild at the house next door to MacKenzie's .... and he's not happy about it!!

A marvellous addition to the series! More please Mr Hurley!!

It seems rather banal to repeat the main comments of other reviewers but the fact is that these books to feature DI Joe Faraday and ex-DC Paul Winter do get better and better. I've read and reviewed the lot so far and am just about to complete the last remaining story until next year so I really do suggest that newcomers to this series start with 'Turnstone' and move on from there. That isn't to say that new readers will not enjoy this one as a stand alone story but it does mean that they will have missed a great feast of crime writing.

As ever, there are two detection stories running alongside each other but now that Winter is working for Bazza Mackenzie, it gives the author a little more scope to move away from police procedures and delve into the nitty-gritty of the social structure of his, I hope, favourite city, Portsmouth. I'm sure this area must have some nice spots but Hurley has yet to convince me.

Once again, Faraday's social life plays a role in the circumstances through his relationship with his live-in lover and his deaf/mute son. But the author does not let these get in the way of a thoroughly rewarding investigation of three murders, each connected, of course and each as a result of the breakdown of other social relationships.

Winter is, as before, excellent. Though working for 'the enemy', it seems that his decision to do so may well be backfiring and I look forward to learning where the author will take him in the latest book, 'Beyond Reach'. By contrast, Faraday, who seemed to have a strong relationship with Gabrielle is once again facing a solitary life. He appears to be drinking more and I wonder, too, if this will be developed. However, that's for the future. 'No Lovlier Death' is a great read. All credit must go, obviously, to the author but the more so in the manner in which he successfully maintains, if not improves, the storytelling, sufficient for this reader to say that, at present, there is no better writer of police procedural crime thrillers than Graham Hurley. The writing, the character development and the social mores are first class. I wonder what I shall do for an encore once I've finished, 'Beyond Reach'.

Throughout the recent years I have appreciated every start of the year as I knew a new Faraday / Winter book would emerge from one of the very best crimewriters - Graham Hurley.

They are all better than good, but surely they are getting better and better and 'No lovelier Death' would deserve a fullblown '10' if possible.
The police procedural stuff is accurate, the characters are all vivid and still developing, the whole environment is thrilling and the whole plot is great.
Super