Reginald Hill
The Wood Beyond
HarperCollins (0 00 232525 X) £14.99
Reginald Hill's superb latest novel
breathes renewed life into old crimes, and delves into the complexity of human life, loves
and suffering. In so doing he illustrates how the present is never as straightforward as
it seems, but is held constant captive to the past. The plot of The Wood Beyond centres around a number of seemingly disparate threads: the unlawful exploits of a group of animal rights activists, the unearthing of human remains of indeterminate date in the grounds of Wanwood House and the appalling atrocities and injustices experienced by the men fighting on the battlefields of WW1.
The voices of past and present begin to merge almost imperceptibly as Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe's preoccupation with the death of his great-grandfather who fought in the Passchendaele Campaign spills over into his working life. Peter's grandmother died with an intense hatred of the army, but was this merely her way of coping with her loss? As executor of the will, Peter can't bring himself to ignore the implications of what he discovers.
Meanwhile, at Wanwood House, Mid-Yorkshire's finest need to unearth the significance of the bones in the wood and find out if the activists are connected with the death of a guard at a similar raid earlier in the year. However, Pascoe's not the only one who's mind isn't fully on the job (in a manner of speaking!) But at least the blunt, bluff and brazen Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel's in control of his relationship with Amanda `Cap' Marvell, the leader of the animal rights activists. Or is he? Has the advancement of age and the need for female company led to an uncharacteristic lack of judgement? Just one more puzzle to solve!
This novel is more than just a highly skilful merging of personal and official, new and old investigations. In The Wood Beyond, Reginald Hill's inimitable style has produced a highly complex and entertaining story which is tempered with perception, wit and compassion.The ties of history are strong between the players (they have after all appeared in 13 previous books). Relationships are complex and constantly evolving and it's a real treat to witness events through the eyes of Dalziel, Peter, Ellie and Rosie Pascoe and Detective Sergeant Edgar Wield. Reginald Hill's ear for Yorkshire dialogue and the character of its people is without fault. The wit is unrelenting and hilarious (Pascoe's daughter Rosie's grip on the intricacies of the English language is not to be missed!) but the serious undercurrent is never far from the surface. This is no slapstick humour.
The creation of Andy Dalziel is one of the great inspirations of all time. Underestimate him at your peril! Pascoe, Ellie and Wieldy are all equally capable of carrying the story, engaging and holding the reader's interest - the combination is rich, rewarding, and unbeatable!
There's only one thing left to say - "Grand!" (EAL)
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