Through the Ruins of Midnight by
Colin Campbell
pbk out June 06
(Pen Press Publishers)
at £6.99
Through The Ruins Of Midnight may very well have created a new sub-genre – True-
Fiction Crime – as it relates individual tales that bypasses serial killers, bank heists and
kidnappings, but crimes those that nonetheless devastate peoples lives on a daily basis; the
domestics, the suicide attempts and the tragedy of loss. Colin Campbell's second novel – but
debut in the world of crime – is like a breath of fresh air. Having been a serving police officer,
the author draws characters and situations so well it makes The Bill look even more pedestrian
than it actually is.
Mick Habergham – Ham for short, because his colleagues think his surname sounds like
"Hamburger" – likes working the nightshift. The world is generally asleep and police work is
easier, especially on Sundays. Well, on any other Sunday than this one, apparently. As he
contemplates the future of his marriage and of his impending retirement, Mick also confronts
so many dilemmas on this patrol it is possible to believe that the night will never end.
The pace is relentless and the scenarios are so credible it is almost possible to see the
events take place. Ham is such a likeable character that a reader might actually enjoy being
pulled up by him so that they could pass the time of day. That Campbell has drawn from
experience is obvious, but he has done so with such clarity and precision it never enters the
realms of being a lecture on morality.
This is an excellent book that both informs and entertains, but never preaches and should
be read by anybody with an interest in the pressures faced by the modern day copper.
(
C. H
Chris High - Author Multi-media Promotion Service www.chrishigh.com)
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Through the Ruins of Midnight by
Colin Campbell
