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.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Outstanding procedual series."
-- The New York Times
-- 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
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
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
Format: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
Format: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
Format: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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Fun!
Please don't let the violent beginning put you off this wonderful novel. (Thanks to the Amazon reviewer from whom I took this clue! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lily Winter
One of my favorite Dalziel & Pascoe
I've a little completistic tendencies, so I have almost all the books by Reginald Hill,
even those written under a pen name, and I have read all the books in the
Dalziel... Read more
even those written under a pen name, and I have read all the books in the
Dalziel... Read more
Published 16 months ago by john dortmunder
Three Stars, but Only for the Writing Style
I didn't like this Dalziel/Pasco thriller because it was simply too involved. Too many names to remember. Too many rich, imperious heirs. Too many cops. Read more
Published on April 5, 2010 by zorba
Lots of cheek. Lots of tongue in cheek.
Reginald Hill has been one of the best English writers around in any genre for the past 20 years. His Dalziel and Pascoe mysteries range in mood from very dark to moderately... Read more
Published on June 21, 2008 by Blue in Washington
Not like any village mystery you've ever read before!
I've said it many times, and I will say it again - Reginald Hill is one of the best authors out there in this genre today. Read more
Published on April 18, 2007 by S. Schwartz
Do exactly as I say and nobody gets hurt
This is my favorite mystery novel. Period.
Seriously, just take my word for it. DO NOT read any reviews. DO NOT read the book jacket. Read more
Seriously, just take my word for it. DO NOT read any reviews. DO NOT read the book jacket. Read more
Published on March 8, 2007 by brown paper bag
Pictures of Perfection
If you've never read any of Reginald Hill's Dalziel and Pasco series and you're not obstinately set on beginning with the first one, or if you just like belly laughs, try Pictures... Read more
Published on November 9, 2006 by Dana Stabenow
This one starts with several bangs...
Reginald Hill is usually such a funny writer. This time he didn't start with funny; he started with horror as an entire town seemingly is shot by what can only be a deranged... Read more
Published on December 30, 2005 by K. L Sadler
Witty and charming fun
Hill's Dalziel & Pascoe novels cover the range from light-hearted whimsy to dark and savage psychological studies. Read more
Published on November 28, 2005 by Jules Jones
another great mystery with twists a-plenty!
I am a bona fide Reginald Hill fan and have read about a fourth of all he's so far written.
Pictures of Perfection is, without a doubt, one of the best ones I've read and it... Read more
Published on January 24, 2003 by Ann Ueda
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
It is the Day of Reckoning. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
non perfecta, second slip Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Hall, Fat Man, Corpse Cottage, Dora Creed, Justin Halavant, Constable Bendish, High Street, Caddy Scudamore, Sergeant Wield, George Creed, Good Lord, Guy the Heir, Sergeant Filmer, Kee Scudamore, Land Rover, Fran Harding, Green Alley, Guy Guillemard, Eendale Gallery, Jason Toke, Edwin Digweed, Girlie Guillemard, Harold Bendish, Desperate Dan, Andy Dalziel New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
It is the Day of Reckoning. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
non perfecta, second slip Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old Hall, Fat Man, Corpse Cottage, Dora Creed, Justin Halavant, Constable Bendish, High Street, Caddy Scudamore, Sergeant Wield, George Creed, Good Lord, Guy the Heir, Sergeant Filmer, Kee Scudamore, Land Rover, Fran Harding, Green Alley, Guy Guillemard, Eendale Gallery, Jason Toke, Edwin Digweed, Girlie Guillemard, Harold Bendish, Desperate Dan, Andy Dalziel New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 18
books:
See all 18 books this book cites
- On Beulah Height (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) by Reginald Hill in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Wood Beyond (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) by Reginald Hill in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Asking for the Moon (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) by Reginald Hill in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Bones and Silence (Dalziel and Pascoe Mysteries) by Reginald Hill in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- A Pinch of Snuff by Reginald Hill in Front Matter, and Back Matter
See all 18 books this book cites
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
