The Death of Dalziel

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

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Exploitative - Rated
Bit of a rip-off. I read the Dalziel & Pascoe series mainly for the interplay between the main characters so to have Dalziel in a coma for most of the book was a disappointment For me, Pascoe only works as a foil for the Fat Man and Ellie gets annoyingly in the way, though Wieldy is usually good value for money. Am not a fan of the TV series but would be interested to see how they try to bring this one to the screen.

Has the Fat Man Sung his Last Song? - Rated
Another book in the superb Dalziel & Pascoe series written by the prolific Reginald Hill

The plot and humour are superb and keep the pages turning

Hard going - Rated
Perhaps because I over anticipated the new book, ordering it as soon as Amazon began to list its publication date, but I was hugely disappointed.
Hill is a tremendous author, but in this book I constantly felt he was trying to be too clever, too literate, and it lost my attention.
I really had to work hard to finish the book, and was pleased that it did seem to come into its own in the final quarter of the tale, however I am used to much more gripping tales from Hill and felt this was nowhere near as good as his previous outings for the characters. Dialogues of the Dead gripped me from page to page and I finished the book in days. With this story I had to force myself to read it and it took me nearly a month to work my way through it.
Whilst I would recommend Hill to anyone keen for a good read, this would not be the book I would suggest they read first.

Hill returns with another thriller! - Rated
It's the 22nd installment in the highly successful Dalziel and Pascoe police procedurals by Reginald Hill. Perhaps the title gives it added interest, but "The Death of Dalziel" is perhaps the most absorbing, even mesmerizing, episode in this highly successful series set in Yorkshire. Hill's books sometimes run the gamut, from the highly exciting (such as this one) to some that, frankly, seem, somehow, lacking, to be kind.

Lacking in characterization, however, is not one of Hill's weaknesses, as over the course of this series he's made us comfortable with his unforgettable players, from "the Fat Man" (Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel) and his educated and precise Det. Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe through the regulars, Ellie Pascoe, Sgt., Wield, and Sgt. Hector.

In the latest book, Dalziel lies comatose, following a bomb explosion iN a suspected terrorists house, in which he and Pascoe were called to investigate. Although also injured, Pascoe survives to pursue the case, seconded to the British anti-terrorist unit (CAT). This time the terrorists perpetrating the bombing are a group of loyal Brits who align themselves with the historical Knights Templar, but complete with modern techniques and agendas, using the "an eye for an eye" thinking to fight what they believe is the Islamic menace.

As ever, Hill's storyline is filled with complications (as well as commentary on some of the social events of today). This is no ordinary investigation, although it does carry with it some of the ordinary characteristics: murder, intrigue, duplicity, deceit. And all at a very fast pace. This may not be Hill's best work, although it's one of my favorites (the others being "Exit Lines," "Child's Play," and "The Wood Beyond"), but fans of the intrepid duo (D&P) certainly won't want to miss this one.

Overshadowing all else in the book is the unnerving condition of Dalziel. While not a physical character in the investigation, his presence prevails as the story progresses, from his own unconscious thoughts to his influence over his staff and loved ones. "The Death of Dalziel" is a fitting tribute to the bigger-than-life Dalziel and Hill makes us love him all the more, warts and all.

Reginald Hill - The Death of Dalziel - Rated
The Death of Dalziel is the first Dalziel and Pascoe novel for three years, so it's hugely welcome, even after the career-highlight that was the glorious interlude "The Stranger House". It begins when our intrepid due are called to the site of an incident outside a shop that's being monitored by the CAT (Combined Anti-Terrorism unit). Brought to attention by the hapless Constable Hector, Dalziel is thus inclined to dismiss it (given Hector's track record), and it's an inclination that may prove fatal: as a result he is caught in the blast of a huge semtex explosion that decimates the shop and much of the surrounding street. Partner Pascoe is only saved by the protection of Dalziel's bulk.

As Dalziel's life hangs in the balance in hospital, Pascoe bullies his way into the CAT investigation, taking the vaguely unconscious step of filling his bosses shoes (and at the same time taking on some of his more brusque characteristics!) He vows to track down whoever is responsible for the explosion and bring them to justice. Soon after, more crimes start piling up: for starters, a Muslim extremist is beheaded and videoed in his own home, the footage released to the media. A group calling themselves the Knights Templar claim responsibility for this, and further events. It appears that their campaign is against Muslim extremists who have escaped their own view of "justice", and they always seem to be one step ahead...

Thank God for Reginald Hill. There is, without a doubt, no crime-writer like him. I would like to make a bold statement now: he is the best male British crime writer that there is. I can honestly think of no one to best him (even Ian Rankin). For so many reasons: his supreme abilities with character, the tendency to see the humour in everyone, his levels of empathy and compassion. Then there's his plots which, even when not out of the ordinary like this one (after all, everyone is writing terrorist novels these days; I find it irritating), just shine with every scene because of his sheer style. It is, quite obviously, his style which makes him stand out primarily, and the one thing everyone is guaranteed to comment upon. Hill has more verve and fizz, more witty life spring in his writing than any other crime novelist. He is certainly one of the few I can think of (the only other is Michael Dibdin) who has real wit. He is worth reading for that alone, for the bawdy, headstrong humour exemplified by Dalziel alone.

It's a risky choice, to as good as remove your star character from the entire novel. And, we must admit, Dalziel *is* the star character: Pascoe may actually be more subtle, but he is, let's face it, also more boring. However, Hill employs nice tricks to get over this: the first is to present occasional glimpses of Dalziel's dreamy consciousness as he floats somewhere between life and death, and thus we get snippets of his character. It's odd, that these moments provide some of the most moving (and also humorous) in the whole novel. The other way Hill counteracts having Dalziel unavoidably AWOL is to gradually transplant some of Dalziel's more headstrong character traits into Pascoe. Pascoe, with the beloved boss and friend out of action, feels he must become the man of the house, must step into Dalziel's shoes (and it's a thought that he only half consciously acknowledges). Thus, as Pascoe barrels around and bullies his way through an investigation he really should only have a very peripheral role in, we see Dalziel's shadow all over the book, and we also get to realise quite *how* strong the bond between the two men is, even if Pascoe doesn't entirely realise it himself. This illumination of the central relationship is one of the most touching aspects of the book.

Other draws? Hill's refusal to let even the most minor of characters seem cardboard, or dull. The issues tackled in a sensitive, sensible way, from a different angle to how many would tackle them. To be fair, the plot isn't exactly believable, but that's never really been the point in these novels. They are unfailingly original contrivances, always entertaining, and they make complete plausible sense in the world of the books. His wit and wordplay seem to create this world where, if words can be so wonderfully and originally toyed with, then the plots can be similarly playful and eclectic.

The Death of Dalziel has it all. It is fun, it is clever, it is moving, it is above everything written with such a pyrotechnic flair for language that every page contains lexical gems, whatever it's about. There's a nice final-page twist but, even without that, this is a most satisfying piece of fiction indeed, and one of the best of the series.