Ash and Bone by
John Harvey
pbk out April 05
(Heinemann)
at £10.99
Following the success of 'Flesh and Blood', Harvey brings back retired DI Frank
Elder and introduces black detective Karen Shields in a dark novel with police
corruption at its core. DS Maddy Birch, who had a close but brief encounter with
Frank way back, takes part in a raid which leaves both a young constable and a
gangster dead. Not long afterwards, Maddy herself is brutally killed and, much to
Karen's initial displeasure, Frank lends a hand with the investigation. He also has his
hands full with the misadventures of his daughter Katherine, rape victim a year
earlier, who has become involved with a drug dealer. This is not really a mystery
novel, nor even a police procedural – it is, quite simply, a gripping, intensely readable
and occasionally poignant novel about what crime does to people who become
involved with it. Harvey's characters live and breathe and he has the priceless ability
to conjure up scenes that are immediately believable. A hero from the past, Charlie
Resnick, plays a small but important part in the story and it is good to meet him again.
But centre stage belongs to Frank and Karen and at the end we are offered a hint that
this unlikely detective duo may reunite in the future. All Harvey's fans will be hoping
that they will.
(
Martin Edwards
- author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries)
Ash and Bone by
John Harvey
