An Advancement of Learning: #2 Dalziel & Pascoe (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) [Paperback]

Reginald Hill (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries | Publication Date: April 14, 2008

The second book in the Dalziel and Pascoe series sends the two mismatched Yorkshire policemen among university students-a group for which Andy Dalziel has no great love. In fact, when he hears a dead body has been found on the grounds of Holm Coultram College, he thinks of it as a rather good start. This is 1971, and the police force does not enjoy the warmest of relations with the Ivory Tower. Nevertheless, Dalziel takes himself to college, where the single corpse is followed by another and then another, until even Dalziel is forced to admit that someone is going after the academic community with rather excessive zeal. As the investigation grows more complex, help arrives from some unexpected corners, Dalziel's callow young sergeant proves surprisingly insightful, and everyone involved gets some useful education. About the Author Reginald Hill has written more than 50 novels, including the Dalziel and Pascoe series and 24 stand-alones. Three of the stand-alones - Who Guards a Prince, Death of a Dormouse and The Spy's Wife - are available from Felony & Mayhem. Hill's many awards include the prestigious Cartier Diamond Dagger award for Lifetime Achievement in Crime Fiction, as well as an Edgar award and a Golden Dagger award for Best Crime Novel of the Year. Dalziel and Pascoe has been made into an enormously popular TV series, broadcast in both the U.S. and the UK.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hill may be our finest living crime writer" -- Sunday Telegraph(UK)

"Hill stands head and shoulders above other writers of British crime fiction" -- The Observer(UK)

"In Dalziel and Pascoe, Hill has created the most remarkable duo in the annals of crime fiction" -- Toronto Star

"What makes Hill's series different is its literacy and suave style, its real humor and often, even wit. Reginald Hill creates real characters, and he has raised the classical British mystery to new heights." -- New York Times

From the Publisher

'Their double act is one of the delights of English Crime Fiction' - The Times

'Retire Morse and hire any deft whodunnit by Reginald Hill' - Boyd Tonkin, Independent

'Here is an author at his formidable best' - Francis Fyfield, Mail on Sunday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: Felony & Mayhem (April 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934609080
• ISBN-13: 978-1934609088
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Reginald Hill has been widely published both in England and the United States. He received Britain's most coveted mystery writers award, the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, as well as the Golden Dagger for his Dalziel/Pascoe series. He lives with his wife in Cumbria, England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the gems from the early days, December 24, 2002

By 

RachelWalker "RachelW" (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Advancement of Learning (Dalziel & Pascoe Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

Some of Hill's earliest novels don't really compare to some of his later ones, but this is one of a couple of absolutely cracking exceptions.

It's got a wonderfully complex plot, some brilliant characters, a great setting, some surprising twists, and it is written wonderfully. Plus, Franny Roote is one of the best villains Hill has ever created. This one, indeed, is essential reading for those who intend to read the later books in the series, because it is Roote's first appearance, and he goes on to appear in quite a large role in all three of Hill most recent books ("Arms and the Women", "Dialogues of the Dead", and "Death's Jest Book"). It's also pivotal in that here Pascoe is first re-united with his former friend, and future wife, Ellie.

A body is found buried in the grounds of Holm Coultram College, and the police arrive, settling themselves in on campus. They meet a wonderful array of interesting and well-drawn interesting characters (students and lecturers alike), but then a new body turns up, and then another...

This is a wonderful crime novel, realistic and strangely chilling, that explores the underbelly of that bastion of the education system, the College, with its strong-willed students, and with it's lectureers all too ready to give in to temptation...

I would reccomend this novel to anyone, especially fans of the police procedural which not only entertains but challenges the intellect. The character, story, writing and setting are all marvellous. Fantastic. Certainly one of Hill's best.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 19, 2006

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advancement of Learning (Signet) (Paperback)

This second entry in the Dalziel and Pascoe series is a winner. It's got a good complex plot, and a very complicated murder. We also get to know our two detectives a bit more, as they work together to solve an old homicide at a College. Dalziel finds himself a bit out of his element in this scholarly setting, but his mind is still razor-sharp and he does manage to make sense out of the puzzle, but not before another body is found. Pascoe provides more of his truly insightful theories which helps them get to the answer. This is a great series - intelligent and well-written.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Early Dalziel and Pascoe - Murder, lust and academic politics potboiler, June 4, 2008

By 

Blue in Washington "Barry Ballow" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: An Advancement of Learning: #2 Dalziel & Pascoe (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) (Paperback)

"An Advancement of Learning" is the second Dalziel and Pasco mystery republished under the terrific Felony and Mayhem label. The revival of these early classics is a major service to readers who can't get enough of the D&P duo and other excellent mysteries from the 70s and 80s.

"An Advancement of Learning" takes the intrepid detectives to a small English college to investigate the appearance of a body that turns up when a campus monument is moved. The uncovered corpse turns out to be that of woman memorialized by the sculpture under which it had been resting for several years. With that novel beginning, the story moves on to explore the complex characters and relationships of the faculty members and antics of the student body. The latter component of the story feels a little dated--the book was written in 1971--but otherwise, the plot is intricate enough to provide a very entertaining read.

The Dalziel/Pascoe relationship was already well established by author Reginald Hill at this early date and their prickly but productive interaction is, as always, more than half of the reading fun. There are a number of other broadly defined characters here that bring piquancy to the book, including the appearance of Ellie Soper--lusty, outspoken and beautiful--who will eventually become Pascoe's wife and figure in several future books.

This is an excellent read that suffers only slightly from its 38-year old context. Well worth the money and time.