Lovely Mover (Thorndike Press Large Print Mystery Series) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Bill James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999 | Series: Thorndike Press Large Print Mystery Series

It was tragic. There was no other word for it. Eleri ap Vaughan, sixty years old and still Keith Vine's best dealer, had turned for her supplies to other drug wholesalers: she had to die. For the threat of invasion by rival syndicates from other cities cannot be ignored, particularly as rumors reach Keith that an elegantly dressed spy from London, nicknamed Lovely Mover, is in the area. Eleri's death must serve as a warning to others to stay loyal. It's at times like these that Vine's new partner, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Harpur, will prove invaluable --for example, in sweeping the murder scene for incriminating evidence. Harpur, however, is playing a dangerous undercover game, and he now finds himself in the precarious position of both covering up a murder and investigating it. Only one person suspects what Harpur is up to --his sneering superior, ACC Desmond Iles. And Iles is not always someone he dares trust.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The prolific James returns with another well-crafted Harpur and Iles mystery. Like the excellent Top Banana , this novel examines the drug scene in contemporary Britain, but here it is mostly from the point of view of Detective Chief Inspector Colin Harpur, who goes undercover as partner to a local drug lord. Assistant Chief Constable Desmond Iles, Harpur's fascinating superior who always seems to walk a fine line between brilliance and psychosis, plays a brief but memorable role in the story. Although similarities to the previous installment in the series do exist, this one offers a unique look at Harpur as a person, including his relationships with his young girlfriend and two daughters. Once again, James brilliantly blurs the lines between good and evil, showing a sympathetic side to the pushers and a morally questionable side to the cops. Another winner from a master of dark wit and ambiguity. See "A Hard-Boiled Gazetteer to the British Isles," on p.1456 for more about James. Jenny McLarin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

When she seems to be looking toward an alternative supplier from London, Keith Vine regretfully murders Eleri Vaughan, the aging drug pusher he's got working aboard a ship-turned-restaurant, but then he insists on doing his level best for her corpse. Eleri's exequies at the hands of caring Keith and Chief Superintendent Colin Harpur, whom he's recently put on his payroll, are a perfect introduction, for readers who missed the earlier installments (Top Banana, p. 27, etc.) to this dark soap opera of crooked cops and self-respecting crooks. Keith just wants Harpur to hold his hand as he fights off the London source dubbed Lovely Mover; club owner Panicking Ralph Ember, worried about his own future in these uncertain times, just wants some security for the bond Keith's asking him to float to underwrite a proper house for Keith, his love interest Becky, and their son Charles; Harpur, whose undercover assignment seems to be secret only to Chief Constable Mark Lane, just wants to get the goods on Keith's own suppliers without getting his own hands too dirty. The characters waste scarcely a syllable in clarifying the tangled plot, but they stand always ready to expatiate hilariously on the decline of personal loyalty, the value of classical literature in translation, and of course those questions of funeral etiquette. James has perfected a style of ironic blather that makes nearly every scene a classic, though the resolution of Keith's problems doesn't do justice to James's central conceit. Only the full series can do that. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 343 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786216808
• ISBN-13: 978-0786216802
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,393,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite up to the earlier entries in this fine series, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lovely Mover: A Harpur & Iles Mystery (Hardcover)

I have read every entry in the Harpur and Iles series and James is one of the finest writers in the trade. His dialogue has no equal, anywhere and I compare him favorably to the great Elmore Leonard. His villains, just a bit more immoral than the coppers who are after them, are definitely the best in the business. This latest entry is just a bit below the best he has done and I think I know the reason. I miss Iles and his rapier and brutal wit. He takes a back seat here and I think he adds the perfect touch to the less cynical Harpur. Even then, James at less than his absolute best, stands heads and shoulders over most in this genre. I am dying to see a movie made of one of this series. I see Bob Hoskins and Michael Caine at each others throats trying to outwit the other. I might add that I am glad to see "Panicking Ralph" back in the series. He is one terrific character!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, February 20, 2001

By 

Thomas Edsall "Serial Mystery Reader" (Wash, District of Columbia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lovely Mover: A Harpur & Iles Mystery (Paperback)

Bill James is one of the greatest discoveries for consumers of myrsteries since the early Elmore Leonard or the early Michael Connolly. All James' books are top class, and some are just superb. Tom Edsall

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars London is coming, London is coming, December 18, 2003

By 

lvkleydorff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lovely Mover: A Harpur & Iles Mystery (Hardcover)

Eleri ap Vaughan is murdered by Keith Vine. She thought of switching her supplier from Vine to a London Gang. An example was needed and a point made. But now there is a vacancy in the setup and this vacuum needs filling.

A suave scout appears from London, dressed metropolitan-like and walking like a Lovely Mover. Our old acquaintance Panicky Ralf Ember enters the melee and big supplier Barney wants things cleaned up in his favour. Before that can happen, Vine kills two associates, and somebody (Lovely Mover?) kills Vine.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Harpur is busy as always, straddling a multitude of fences. He actually is paid handsome money by Vine, calling it essential undercover work.

The story slouches along. Progress is made by intuition and gut feeling, and knowledge is obtained by osmosis. This makes for an unsatisfactory procedure. Pity.