The Death of Dalziel

Dalziel and Pascoe Series, Book 22

By: Reginald Hill

Narrated by: Shaun Dooley

Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Caught in the blast of a huge Semtex explosion, the only things preventing Superintendent Andy Dalziel from stepping through Death's door might be his own size and indomitable willpower. As he lies on a hospital bed, it falls on DCI Peter Pascoe to seek justice for Andy. The security services have written it off as an accident: the terrorist suspects have paid for their clumsiness with their lives. Who, then, are the Knights Templar, a shadowy group exacting summary public justice on their enemies? Pascoe is certain of a conspiracy and the attempted murder of Yorkshire Police's most inept officer only convinces him further.

©2007 Reginald Hill (P)2007 W F Howes Ltd

Great Entry in a Great Series

What I love about Reginald Hill's Dalziel books is that they flout the usual conventions of British police procedurals. Usually, it's the brilliant/world weary DCI and the young/bumbling/earnest partner. In this series, though, it's the partner, Pascoe, who's thoughtful and refined and the mentor, Dalziel, who's coarse, two-fisted and (seemingly) lazy.

But THE DEATH OF DALZIEL takes this series to a new level. Here, Pascoe gets to be center stage as his partner lays dying. But Dalziel stills looms large (both physically and spiritually). Though Dalziel remains comatose, we are invited into his inner world, and we find it's a much more complex place than we imagined.

As always, Shaun Dooley's narration is impeccable; this book is less active than others in the series, yet Dooley manages to keep the pace moving.

If you haven't had the Dalziel experience, this is a fine place to start.

Intriguing and captivating

Enjoyed the writing and turn of phrase. The down to earth characterisation was appreciated. The book was funny, tense, exciting all mixed together. Well worth a listen.

"A drunken giraffe."

An explosion puts both Andy Dalziel and Peter Pascoe into hospital but the Fat Man is still in a coma when Peter leaves and resumes work. On life support in intensive care, it seems unlikely that Andy will regain consciousness.

Another excellent book from Reginald Hiil, narrated by the TV series' Pascoe, Colin Buchanan. Great characterisation, clever plot : a good detective thriller. Recommended

Another fan pleaser

If you are a fan of this series then this is a story you will enjoy. The narration is excellent as usual and the characters contain all their usual 'charm'. The plot is fast moving although it may not contain as many strings as is usual. The terrorism topic is dealt with in both a human and sensible way. As a new reader of this series it would not be a bad place to start

Great Writer and Great Reader

Shaun Dooley expresses the nuance and style of Reginald Hill in this excellent audio reading of 'The D of D'.
With Dalziel at Death's or maybe God's door conversing with the meaningful breeze inviting him to cross the threshold and Hector under attack, Pascoe seeks the facts of the bomb blast and what looks like a cover up within the Combined Anti Terrorist Services.(CATS).

It is with the delightful humour of Reginald Hill that the plots unfold. Peter Pascoe learns the great value of Andy's training in the benefits of bullying when invisibile red tape tries to hide the facts. When Rosie sees an opportunity to avoid her Mum's wrath, she uses her childlike innocence to assist her Dad and gain his protection.

While not essential. it does help if a listener is familiar with the series, the force of the Big Man and the 'respect' he has amongst Police and Crims alike. It helps too to understand Peter Pascoe's quiet internal turmoil with Andy's wisdom and methods to appreciate a good few of the challenges he faces in this story.

Good Story, but a Tough Listen at Times

This is a great story and well written. All previous reviews are accurate in that there are a lot of good dimensions to this book and R Hill brings them together nicely.

However, I am surprised by all the stellar ratings from US listeners.

This book is FILLED with Brit slang and the narrator at times uses such a heavey gutteral accent that I had a tough time figuring out what he was saying - at times had no idea what a lot of the slang even meant.

Anyway, it's a good story and recommended, but if you think the strong brit accent and brit slang will bother you, be advised.

The story is 5-star, but overall between a 3 and 4 rating for me because of the slang and narration, so I rounded up.

interesting story, characters and great narration

interesting contemporary tale - fab dialogue - great characters and amazing narration!

Reginald Hill almost at his best

I have enjoyed Reginald Hill mysteries for many years - some are better than others. The very last ending (he puts the ending in two steps) was just downright annoying, which is the only reason this book doesn't have 5 stars. The reader is excellent and very listenable - not trying out for an academy award, just presenting a good book well. Would that others would follow his lead. I like the main characters and like very much that they are consistent and act the way you would expect them to act. That may sound picky, but series characters become people you feel you know after years of following them, and I don't like it when authors fiddle around with the characters in order to further a plot device. Overall, I say if you like British mysteries, you'll thoroughly enjoy this one.

Excellent

This book is very well written and narrated. I am ever so happy to have listened to it.

superb

The narration of this audiobook is wonderful. Shaun Dooley has the local accent down perfectly and reads with great energy and an excellent sense of pacing. Highly recommended.