One of the most erudite, funny, brilliant writers in today’s world of empty sentiments and repetitive story lines, Reginald Hill, has passed away. For those who have not read his work under his real and pen names, you have missed something very special. I was one who almost missed the boat. I attempted to read a Dalziel and Pascoe novel–featuring the two Yorkshire detectives- and wasn’t caught up the way I thought I should be. But, interesting enough, his series with Joe Sixsmith, a black man navigating the wilds of the UK, I found enjoyable and well worth reading. I also read one he wrote under the pen name, Patrick Ruell, Death of a Dormouse, but I remember being disappointed, because in my silliness, I
pictures of perfection Archive
I’ve revamped, redone, reorganized and generally changed the way I’m going about listing and writing up the Best 100 Mysteries of All Time. Although these titles are still in the list–they no longer are numbered. I have put the entire list up, in alphabetical order, thereby keeping what book comes in at what number, undisclosed, until all synopsis are up. This way I’m hoping to satisfy those who want the entire list, without reveling the top picks. So, here are ten that have been reviewed: Pictures of Perfection–Reginald Hill–94–Delacorte Press– IP To read a synopsis and review go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/29/no-80-pictures-of-perfection-best-100-mysteries-of-all-time/ The Black Paw–Constance and Gwenyth Little–1941–Doubleday Crime Club–IP To read a synopsis go here: http://bookshopblog.com/2011/10/23/no-81-the-black-paw-best-100-mysteries-of-all-time/
Pictures of Perfection–Reginald Hill–1994–Delacorte Press I came to Reginald Hill’s Peter Pascoe and Andy Dalziel Yorkshire detective novels late. At least 10 books worth late. For reasons that escape me now, I didn’t like his work–or put in another way, I only made it halfway through the first page of the one book I tried to read. I did read his other series with Joe Sixsmith and enjoyed them, so I gave Pascoe and Dalziel another shot. I couldn’t be happier I did. If not familiar with Hill’s two detectives, suffice to know that Dalziel is a rude, sometimes crude larger than life policeman, while Pascoe is thoughtful, somewhat sensitive, married to a once politically radical woman he met in college. The two work perfectly