Customer Reviews

Astride a Grave (Detective Chief Superintendent Colin Harper Novels)

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I came across the author, Bill James, initially because of my love of another author, Peter Turnbull. But unlike his Scottish colleague, James' approach to the police procedural is quite different. Astride a Grave is part of the Detective Colin Harpur series. I must admit, it was the first James' novel I have ever read and perhaps this puts me at a slight disadvantage. But if you are looking for a police procedural that will take you through the nuts and bolts of a mystery - from patrolman, homicide division, forensic pathologist, forensics specialist etc.- this book will disappoint. It will not run you through "procedure" though James is classified in this genre. This particular novel is still a fine read however. It details the aftermath of a bank heist and the parties involved with an extremely compelling criminal, Panicking Ralph Ember, as the main focus. His character drives this novel and as you read you are caught up in his dilemma. Though the book is billed as a Harpur series novel, it is this criminal that is the real main character and James has written a complex character that you will keep your interest and keep the pages turning. I must admit, however, because Ember made for such a fascinating character, the police characters are not as interesting and therefore the book would fail if characterized strictly as a police procedural. The novel would be more accurately described as a crime novel, a very good one at that.

Another very enjoyable intsallment of the Harpur/Isles series. This series is unique in its lack of detail about "procedure" as many other procedural series contain. Instead James focuses on the relationships and personalities involved in the particular crimes in each story.

The story lines are relatively simple, but James presents them in a way that is compelling and unique. What I enjoy the most is James' sense of humor. The various scenarios and perils the villains and police find themselves is often hilarious. In addition to this is the biting humor and biting remarks of ACC Isles.

All of this adds to up to a different and enjoyable read in the police genre.