A Very Good Hater

by Reginald Hill

First published 1982

Goldsmith and Templewood receive intelligence about a man living quietly among them. The evidence suggests he may have committed war crimes decades earlier under the Nazi regime. The two investigators begin digging into his past, searching through records and following leads that might confirm their suspicions. As they uncover more details about his wartime activities, they face a moral crossroads. The legal system may not deliver justice for crimes so old and difficult to prove. Goldsmith and Templewood decide to take matters into their own hands. They begin planning his execution, convinced that some wrongs demand personal retribution. The investigation becomes a mission of vengeance as they prepare to become judge and executioner. Their pursuit raises questions about justice, revenge, and whether the passage of time can ever absolve certain sins.

Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, crime, thriller

Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, moral-dilemma

Period: Decades Ago, Nazi Regime

191 pages · Hardcover · Foul Play Press

Content warnings: violence, war

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