Customer Reviews

Deadly Friends

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Stuart Pawson had a career as a mining engineer He followed this with a spell working for the probation service, before he became a full-time writer. He lives in the pleasant waterside village of Fairburn in Yorkshire. The author's writing is gritty and to the point added to which he has a likeable sense of humour that he usually incorporates into his books, all of which I have found enjoyable.

This book published in 1998 is the fifth book in the DI Charlie Priest series. For those new to the virtually all of the action takes place in Yorkshire and Charlie Priest is a no nonsense, down to earth copper. A refreshing change from the smash, bang , shoot anything that moves type of book (I like some of those too) that are currently the fashion and are being written in their droves.

When a bullet ends the life and the career of Dr. Clive Jordan, his friends and colleagues are devastated, particularly, it seems, the female ones. If the good doctor had not been discreet in his affairs the first thing Detective Inspector Charlie Priest would have suspected would have been a jealous husband, or lover. Surely it is not going to be that simple?

Charlie Priest is such a likable, realistic character, and Mr. Pawson's writing so good, I found myself forgiving him for committing multiple mystery sins. The detective has information not given to the reader, the villain is a character who is not part of the story as a whole, and there's a tad too much coincidence holding the story together. Still, any novel that can make me laugh aloud was worth my time in the reading.

If you've not yet discovered Stuart Pawson's "Charlie Priest" series, I urge you to do so today! A campaign should be started to bring this to the airwaves because it would make a great TV series. Priest is likeable, authentic, competent, and interesting. Pawson's style of writing is succinct and shot through with humor that will leave you chuckling. I've read several in the series and have not been disappointed. I'm off to order another installment now!