- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st ed edition (5 Mar 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007194846
- ISBN-13: 978-0007194841
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 405,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Death of Dalziel
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
It’s not so much Reginald Hill’s productivity that is amazing (although producing novels for nearly four decades is impressive enough); it’s the unassailable quality of his writing that takes the breath away. With barely a misstep over the years, Hill’s chronicling of the abrasive (but, of late, more accommodating) relationship between his mismatched coppers, the no-holds-barred Andy Dalziel and the more nuanced Peter Pascoe, has been non-pareil, with the author’s plotting every inch a match for his spot-on characterisation (and not just of his detective duo -- there have been many sharply observed players introduced into the dramatis personae over the years). Of course, a title like The Death of Dalziel will set alarm bells ringing (as much, one assumes, for Hill’s publishers as for dedicated readers), and there's no denying that putting the life of his corpulent copper on the line ratchets up the tension here considerably.
We’re given a taste of Andy’s corrosive wit as he and Peter Pascoe observe a video shop that’s under surveillance by the security services for its supposed terrorist connections, but (before the reader has time to draw a breath), there is an explosion, and Dalziel is left lying unconscious, bleeding heavily and covered with debris, his body having shielded his partner from the worst of the blast. And for the rest of the book, while Pascoe tracks down the reasons behind the explosion (he doesn’t buy the obvious explanation, i.e., would-be terrorists have blown themselves up by accident), Hill tries something radically different: we are taken into the consciousness of the critically ill Dalziel in his hospital bed. These sections (discursive, alternately funny and sad) are among the most successful in a very successful book. --Barry Forshaw
Review
Praise for ‘The Stranger House’:
‘Grim, gory, fascinating, enraging and entertaining.’ Independent
‘A mystery novel but far more than that. It's gripping… Hill is wonderful.' The Times
‘Exhilarating.' Sunday Times
‘You're enthralled by the cunning of the plotting… great.' Observer
‘It's a complex, multi-layered plot… it takes a master like Mr Hill to turn it into such an absorbing and atmospheric mystery.' Sunday Telegraph
Praise for ‘Good Morning, Midnight’:
‘A real treat. The characters are deftly drawn, the plot constantly delivers surprises and the assured narrative demonstrates again what a terrific writer he is.' Observer
‘As absorbing and as enjoyable as anything Hill has produced. The writing is brilliant, witty and erudite.' Evening Standard
‘Probably the best living male crime writer in the English-speaking world.' Independent
Reviews for ‘Good Morning, Midnight’:
'Few writers in the genre today have Hill's gifts: formidable intelligence, quick humour, compassion and a prose style that blends elegance and grace.' Donna Leon, Sunday Times
'Reginald Hill's novels are really dances to the music of time, his heroes and villains interconnecting, their stories entwining.' Ian Rankin
'The fertility of Hill's imagination, the range of his power, the sheer quality of his literary style never ceases to delight.’ Val McDermid
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I tried to read this as slowly as possible to prolong the sheer self-hugging joy of it all but, of course,I was unequal to the task. Swept along by the helter-skelter pace of the story line, I paused only to look up all the words and references with which I was not familiar. (Quite a few, as usual, when reading Mr Hill). To describe the plot would probably render me fit only for a Dalzielesque verbal broadside from other readers, so all I can do is recommend it with all my heart.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this book. I have read every Dalziel and Pascoe book and looked forward to each new one with delight. With Arms and The Woman however I thought Hill had finally lost the plot, and I was so disappointed I have never approached them in the same way since. Luckily this is a classic and a real return to form. Pascoe goes it alone in this one with Fat Andy hovering between life and death caught up in what looks like a terrorist explosion. Having said that, Dalziel dominates the book as usual, leaving Pascoe desperately trying to catch up. Hector gets to shine here too, becoming a much more rounded and interesting character. Fantastic.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Through a succession of ever-better novels, beginning with 'A Clubbable Woman' in 1970 and culminating (for me) in 'On Beulah Height' in 1999, Reginald Hill estabnlished himself as one of the finest crime writers in the business and his heroes Dalziel and Pascoe as amongst the most believable and likeable detectives. After the superlative 'On Beulah Height', however, subsequent books (and especially 'Arms and the Women') seemed to lose their way somewhat.
Not so 'The Death of Dalziel', which brings a triumphant return of the very best qualities of the Dalziel and Pascoe series - a complicated plot (which I shall not, of course, reveal), well-paced writing, excellent characterisation and a blend of subtle wit and incisive commentary. Where crime novels are concerned, it doesn't get better than this - very highly recommended!
Not so 'The Death of Dalziel', which brings a triumphant return of the very best qualities of the Dalziel and Pascoe series - a complicated plot (which I shall not, of course, reveal), well-paced writing, excellent characterisation and a blend of subtle wit and incisive commentary. Where crime novels are concerned, it doesn't get better than this - very highly recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Death Dalziel
Excellent book, as are all Reginald Hill books. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend to other readers who like crime novels.
Published 24 days ago by Delighted Corrie Fan
just so good
I have a big problem with books giving a chapter of the next book at the end of the one you are reading. Sometimes you start reading and then think i have read this before. Read more
Published 12 months ago by A. Browne
Fat Andy "half in love with easeful death"? Not bloody likely!
NOTE: This book was published in North America under the title, "Death Comes for the Fat Man". Buyer beware! Read more
Published 21 months ago by L. E. Cantrell
There's something missing
I don't read many crime novels, but I do love the Dalziel and Pascoe series. They are a wonderful double act that has evolved naturally over a number of years and stories. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by Sulkyblue
Nowt like this writing.
I have enjoyed there stories on TV so now that I switch to reading my forst one my picture of the characters is more influenced by the TV than merely reading the biik. Read more
Published on 5 July 2009 by G. J. Weeks
Death Comes for the Fat Man
Having just read "Death Comes for the Fat Man" here in the U.S., I was thrilled to see "The Death of Dalziel" on amazon. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2008 by Ilene R. London
Still very good, but not his best
Here the pairing of policemen Dalziel and Pascoe is broken early as an explosion at a crime-scene puts Dalziel in a coma and in hospital. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2008 by johnverp
I'm not sure about this book
Andy Dalziel (usually pronounced Dee-elle), a large "common man" type detective and Peter Pascoe, his better educated (and it's presumed, classically better looking) subordinate... Read more
Published on 9 May 2008 by J. Bowen
Ho-Hum!!
I've always enjoyed the D&P novels but have felt a bit let down by the last few. This one follows in the same fashion - just not as good as they used to be! Read more
Published on 29 April 2008 by Kevan James
A gripping read - very hard to put down
In this latest Dalziel and Pascoe offering, Hill combines the interest in Grail related themes in the form of the Knights Templar, and the Muslim terrorist threat to create a story... Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2007 by Stellastar
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