Losing Ground [Import] [Hardcover]

Catherine Aird (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: ALLISON & BUSBY (September 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749080507
• ISBN-13: 978-0749080501
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,068,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Flat and unprofitable, October 20, 2008

By 

S. Saunders (Rocky Mountains USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing Ground (Detective Chief Inspector C.D. Sloan) (Hardcover)

I'm a long time fan of Catherine Aird's police procedurals, and usually enjoy the subtle humor that leavens the scenes as Chief Inspection C.D. Sloan works his way through his cases. But I'm sorry I spent the time it took to read this short book. It brought to mind Hamlet's phrase: "weary, stale, flat and unprofitable."

In "Losing Ground," which I was eager to read as the latest in the series, Aird's subtle wit and humor is displayed. But the Inspector's sardonic thoughts during his conversations quickly became annoying because they aren't accompanied by the development of an engaging story. Not at all. The plot is negligible - literally not very much happens at all. Nor are the characters more than an inch deep.

Bottom line: a disappointment, did not meet my expectations for a book from such an accomplished author.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment, September 9, 2008

By 

P. L. Smith (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing Ground (Detective Chief Inspector C.D. Sloan) (Hardcover)

I am a big fan of Catherine Aird's detective fiction and would have given this book only one star if it were not by her. It is a disappointment to those who love her books and read them over and over again. It is flat; nothing seems to happen except for what we are to read as "cunning" dialogue (something Aird is usually so good with); the characters are shallow and not that funny or involved in the action. It is more a novella than novel and not worth the few hours you'd spend with it. Pass it by.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous English police procedural, June 28, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing Ground (Detective Chief Inspector C.D. Sloan) (Hardcover)

In Tolmie Park near Berebury, a thief stole the eighteenth century portrait of the 4th Baronet Sir Filligee from the wall; the artist Peter de Vesey was a local Calleshire aristocratic portrait painter still well known in the region. Soon after the theft, arson occurred to the somewhat dilapidated yet majestic country house; before the roof caved in bones were seen.

Detective Chief Inspector C.D. "Seedy" Sloan, assisted by Detective Constable Crosby, leads the investigation into what may be a homicide, but art theft and arson for sure. The two cops quickly learn that the historical house and property are part of a major dispute between developers and preservationists while a nouveau riche pop star Kevin Cowlick wants to buy the estate. Sloan wonders who would go so far as to commit arson.

This is a fabulous English police procedural as Seedy works the case by following clues that lead to dead ends. The cast is solid, but it is the lead detective, his junior partner, and the estate make for a fine tale as the audience will obtain a taste of what is happening to the English historical properties. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the latest Calleshire whodunit (see HOLE IN ONE).

Harriet Klausner