Saturday, January 14, 2012

Death of an Icon

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Reginald Hill--British writer of crime novels featuring Daziel and Pascoe, a fat blustering chief inspector and his young subordinate. The stories are multi layered and written in exquisite prose that sometimes takes my breath away.  He has been one of my literary idols for years.

About ten years ago he wrote a book called On Beulah Height, a story about a year of drought, when the water levels drop in a reservoir to reveal a drowned village and evidence of an old crime that ties in with a current vanished child and a traumatic situation in his own family. This book ranks in the top ten of all the mystery books I have read, maybe THE best mystery novel. I hope you will go out and read it in tribute to Mr. Hill. I just hope I can write one book like that in my literary life.

5 comments:

  1. I love Daziel and Pascoe, one of our best crime series. A very sad loss.

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  2. I have never read one of his books- but it sounds like I am missing out! I just added his name to my list. I love mysteries- so I will pick one of his books up this year. Sorry to hear about his passing.

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  3. Thanks for another recommendation. I will check out this author also. I have read all your Evan books and all the Murphy ones, with the exception of the latest one. I've got a plan to read it while my husband is out of town, (me with a good book, a cup of strong tea with milk, the house to myself. :O))

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  4. I loved the Joe Sixsmith books he wrote & frequently looked for more. Joe's character was unique--and he sang in his church choir.

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  5. I'm late in commenting, but thanks for reminding me of the title - I loved that book and it has stayed with me to a much greater extent than most fiction I read. Agree - it's one of the very best.

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