Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Reginald Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1995 | Series: Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries

Reginald Hill's ironic humor, polished prose, and keen insight have placed him squarely alongside such great mystery writers as P. D. James and Ruth Rendell. In his latest novel his much-appreciated team of detectives, the incomparable Dalziel and Pascoe, find themselves in the pretty village of Enscombe, which is steadfastly trying -- though somewhat in vain -- to repel the advances of both tourists and developers. When a policeman is discovered missing, Pascoe is immediately worried, but Dalziel thinks he's overreacting... until the normally phlegmatic Sergeant Wield also shows signs of changing his first impressions of picture-perfect village life. Over two eventful days a new pattern emerges: one of lust and lying, family feuds and ancient injuries, frustrated desires and unbalanced minds. Finally, inevitably, everything comes to a bloody climax at the Squire's Reckoning, where the villagers gather each Lady Day to feast and pay old debts. Not even the three lawmen's presence can change the course of history... though one of them is to find the course of his own personal history changed forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Outstanding procedual series."
-- The New York Times

From the Publisher

Reginald Hill's ironic humor, polished prose, and keen insight have placed him squarely alongside such great mystery writers as P. D. James and Ruth Rendell. In his latest novel his much-appreciated team of detectives, the incomparable Dalziel and Pascoe, find themselves in the pretty village of Enscombe, which is steadfastly trying -- though somewhat in vain -- to repel the advances of both tourists and developers. When a policeman is discovered missing, Pascoe is immediately worried, but Dalziel thinks he's overreacting... until the normally phlegmatic Sergeant Wield also shows signs of changing his first impressions of picture-perfect village life. Over two eventful days a new pattern emerges: one of lust and lying, family feuds and ancient injuries, frustrated desires and unbalanced minds. Finally, inevitably, everything comes to a bloody climax at the Squire's Reckoning, where the villagers gather each Lady Day to feast and pay old debts. Not even the three lawmen's presence can change the course of history... though one of them is to find the course of his own personal history changed forever. "Outstanding procedual series." -- The New York Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Dell (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440218004
• ISBN-13: 978-0440218005
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #294,284 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

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Fun!, August 24, 1999

By 

Diane Davis (San Ramon, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

In "Pictures of Perfection" Reginald Hill gives us both the terrific Daziel/Pascoe mystery we've come to expect and something totally unexpected as well.

The village of Enscombe has changed only superficially since the days of Jane Austen whose words just happen to introduce each chapter. One of the residents, Caddy Scudamore, is a talented artist given to painting over much of her crowded canvases. This is done, we are told, not so much to obliterate as to "relegate it to a kind of misty otherworld where it still continued to exert its existence."

Hill, too, offers us one thing - a contemporary mystery - beneath which lie all the sense and sensibilities of Austen. Social dynamics and entailments. Misunderstandings and love matches (at least one of which in its `90s incarnation might take even Jane by surprise!) But most of all, insight and humor and a joyous way with words that can make a reader laugh out loud. Austen could do it and so can Reginald Hill.

He leads us into the story through a scenario that we find all too easy to accept and ushers us out again with a reminder that appearances can be deceiving. Jane would have agreed.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of wit and illusion., March 29, 1998

By 

"sissylue" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

For those of you who prefer the cozy British mystery, like myself, you will be promptly dismayed, perhaps even repulsed, by the first gruesome chapter. Persevere. Like the magician who saws the lovely lady in half its not about gore but smoke, mirrors and not one, but several, well drawn characters finding their heart's repose. Giving you a synopsis of the plot simply isn't possible, because what you think it is, it simply isn't. But this can be said: The book is full of satirical humour, fascinating characters and an actual mystery. Add to this that the author does wonderful things with the English language and the book is a winner all the way around.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great:***wickedly Funny Twisted plot,and Happy SGT Wield!, September 7, 2002

By 

"lynkfri13" (Waltham, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pictures of Perfection (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

*****
This is a Dalziel/Pascoe mystery, with the usual careful plotting and great dialogue. However, this book is above and beyond even Reginald Hill's great usual: there's a bizarre shock in store for the reader. (Who will enjoy it later, very much) It has wickedly funny plotting, some of the most unusual characters, and to my delight an unexpected chance at happiness for poor sweet Sergeant Wield. Wield has suffered through plenty of Dalziel's bossiness and the dismay of "coming out" to his fellow detectives. In this story he meets a man he initially finds very annoying, but as the story develops, we can see the promise of love on the horizon.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
I thought this mystery was wonderful as a kind of "fun" romp with the characters. Hill is showing us he cares very much about them all.