One Last Breath by
Stephen Booth
hbk out July 04
Published by HarperCollins
at £10
The fifth book in Stephen Booth's series about Diane Fry and Ben Cooper takes us
into the Peak District's underworld. Literally so, as the network of caves in the
Castleton area plays an important part in the story. The bargain hardback price sticker
proclaims a comparison between Booth and his fellow Harper Collins author,
Reginald Hill, but in truth this seems like a publicity gimmick dreamed up in a
London office, for although the two men are doughty Northern crime novelists,
neither their literary style nor their story-lines have much in common. Booth's writing
lacks Hill's razor wit, but has a reassuring solidity. His descriptive skills are a
particular strength, as is his delicate depiction of the slowly developing relationship
between his two main characters. This book follows the misadventures of Mansell
Quinn, released from prison after he has served time for a crime that he may not have
committed. The plot is neatly elaborated, with some clever family complications and a
play on words ('you too') reminiscent of Christie. The book is so long that there is a
certain dissipation of the tension; perhaps a little judicious cutting might have lent
extra pace, but this is a quibble. Booth's series is a notable example of the traditional
crime story and his legion of fans will not be disappointed by this soundly constructed
mystery.
(
Martin Edwards
- author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries)
One Last Breath by
Stephen Booth
