Part of Dalziel & Pascoe, book 23
First published 2008
Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel is recovering from a brush with death when he finds himself drawn into the deadly affairs of a coastal community. The seaside town appears peaceful on the surface, but Dalziel discovers that beneath the tranquil exterior lies a web of murderous politics. As he regains his strength, the veteran detective must navigate local tensions and uncover the truth behind violence that threatens to tear the community apart. Working without his usual partner Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe, Dalziel relies on his instincts and experience to piece together the dangerous puzzle. The investigation forces him to confront not only the criminals he pursues but also his own mortality and what it means to return to the work that defines him.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-detective, returning-to-work
Setting: Coastal Community
Period: 20th-Century
528 pages · Hardcover · Harper