An old friend returns - Rated 
I was disappointed when Resnick disappeared from this authors main characters, but can understand that sometimes a writer has to develop other characters. I found that the Frank Elder books were not as good as I hoped and was therefore glad to see the resurrection of Resnick and to see the old familiar crew there. The book was as good as I hoped for, and did not disappoint.
You can feel the weariness in Resnick as he gets older, and copes with the greatest loss in his life. I wonder if the introduction of Shields and Ramsden, who really take over the second part of the book, and who are developed strongly set the path that author is going to take in the future. I for one think that there is great scope for these two characters in other books and hope that I am right.
Dont miss it - a great read,
One of John Harvey's best to date - Rated 
I am quite a newcomer to this author's books featuring Resnick - I have only read 3 so far but I thought this book was excellent and I shall now buy the rest. It is quite sad in places though - hopefully we won't have seen the last of Resnick. I was quite disappointed with Gone to Ground and prefer the Resnick series or the Elder books. Plenty of detail and the author obviously knows Nottingham very well. Thank you for this book.
Cold in Hand - Rated 
Reading a Resnick novel is like being amongst old friends.
"Cold in Hand" may be the last chance we have to be with Charlie Resnick as he moves nearer to retirement.
The plot, as always, moves well with a surprise or two. John Harvey really does deserve his reputation as a great British Crime Writer.
If you haven't read his books, then you must start now.
Cold in Hand - John Harvey - Rated 
The first half of the book moves at a pace which leaves the reader feeling comfortable and confident that all will be put right by the reliable DI Resnick, brought back to the frontline and the competent, DI Lynn Kellogg, who has quickly achieved promotions. Lynn who has learnt a lot from Resnick when she was a young DC on his team and is now his partner personally.
However, this is snatched away by a totally unexpected event. The pace speeds up in the second part of the novel with the introduction of 2 officers from the Met.
Throughout the novel is the theme of the changes that are taking place in society. There is a reference that stuck in my mind when Harvey states the Sunday church bells were ringing summoning people to ... Homebase, B&Q! More seriously, Mike Ramsden is a voice that Harvey uses to explore changes to Britain in the way of gun crime, gangs, people trafficking and the constant changes that the Police service have to deal with in ensuring political correctness/observance of human rights.
Harvey is excellent at conveying human traits and the description of Resnick's emotions in Part 2 are powerful and heart-rendering.
A Long Awaited Return - Rated 
D.I. Charlie Resnik has been away too long and this latest outing in a more than welcome return to the streets of Nottingham. This book is like a football match - there are two halves. In the first Resnik and his partner - both professional and personal - are investigating cases that overlap. And, if I being honest, the storyline and narrative doesn't flow too well. Halfway through the book there is an earth shattering incident, that I wasn't expecting and didn't want to accept. The second half of the book changes gear with the introduction of a female DCI from London being drafted in. The second half of the book becomes unputdownable and flows very smoothly with Harvey's writing back to full form. The only reason I give it four stars is that Resnik has too much of a background role as far as the investigations are concerned, though he does, becaus eof the storyline, become very personally involved, and as he's fast approaching retirement, I did wonder whether this is his swansong, I so hope not.
|