Customer Reviews

Pictures of Perfection: Complete & Unabridged

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

*****
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.
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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 my favorite mystery novel. Period.

Seriously, just take my word for it. DO NOT read any reviews. DO NOT read the book jacket. DO NOT so much as glance at a blurb. It wouldn't be any fun if you knew anything (let alone everything) about what happens, right? Right. So Step 1: Start reading the novel. Now, you might find yourself thinking, But this isn't my kind of mystery at all. Which brings us to Step 2: KEEP READING. (Step 3 is completely optional: You can thank me later.)

The story commences with a terrifying and well-written account of a gunman shooting randomly at people in the village of Enscombe - so much more terrifying because we all know so well how events like this have scarred human history. Then the story goes back in time to two days before the shootings and traces the seemingly innocuous events (including fraud, forgery, love requited and unrequited) leading up to the shootings.

As usual, this author can stun and delight, and in this book there are well-drawn characterisations of village denizens. Also, those Hill fans of long-standing might take some pleasure in Wieldy having centre-stage in this one.

Most highly recommended.

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 of Perfection. Our story opens in Enscombe, a picture-perfect Yorkshire village that time has forgot, until now. The vicarage is for sale, the hall is overrun by tourists, and the students are mobilizing for Iwo Jima. No, not really, and no matter how dire these matters seem to the Enscombians there isn't a lot for a practicing policeman to do about them. Then a policeman goes missing. Enter Detective Superintendent Andrew Dalziel, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Pasco, and Detective Sergeant Wield, aka Wieldy (the best nickname in crime fiction) to save the day. More or less. The longest shaggy dog story ever.

Read also Hill's The Wood Beyond, another Dalziel and Pasco novel in a much more serious vein which achieves the level of art. And all right, since you insist -- the first in the series is A Clubbable Woman.

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 shows the full range and breadth of Mr. Hill's talents. While ostensibly a mystery, there is ample mirth, satire, parody, and guffaws throughout the book. Mr. Hill also has the ability, rare in the field of mystery writers for some reason, to turn a phrase just right and then place it in the mouth of the best character to say that one phrase; as a result, I found myself laughing outright in unexpected moments!

Character development is finely tuned here and, for once, the book allows a fuller sense of Sergeant Wield and for me fills in the piece of how Wield met his partner who is included in later books. In fact, I feel Hill writes as if picturing all this on stage or on the screen. Yes, that's how well timed and placed characters, dialogue, and plot are. (Mr Hill: If you are reading, please release your books to the larger screen! I can't wait to see who's cast as Andy Dalziel!)

Whether this be your first Hill novel or not, you will not be disappointed by this page-turner!

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 madman. A 'berserker'...and Hill seamlessly sews up a story that not only has the reader come in after or as the crime is being committed, but one that leads the reader to the wrong conclusion about the crimes committed and as to whom is committing the crimes.

Of course, 'Fat Andy' is all there in his sartorial wonder, so is a younger Pascoe and a much more involved Wield. This book has Wield meeting his rather 'stuffed shirt' mate, Digweed, so that is one social mystery reconstructed for me. Have they put this series on in England. If not, someone should hurry up and do it, so we Americans can laugh ourselves out of our misery concerning our politics and the war...

Karen Sadler

Hill's Dalziel & Pascoe novels cover the range from light-hearted whimsy to dark and savage psychological studies. This one starts with what appears to be something straight out of the dark end of the range, but is actually one of the gentler books in the series, a true English village cosy -- though with Hill's own unique slant on things. It's a good book for fans of Detective Sargeant Wield, who not only gets to be the lead character for once, but has some interesting developments in his personal life by the end. No previous knowledge of the series is required, although you'll probably enjoy the book even more if you already know these characters.

As always, the beautifully crafted language is a delight, and the sly humour had me laughing out loud much of the time. Jane Austen fans should love this homage to her dissection of English village life. This is a mystery book that is well worth reading for the sheer joy of the story, whether or not you can follow the plot the first time around -- and the plot is sufficiently convoluted that I didn't follow it in places. There's more than enough there to make for satisfying subsequent readings, even when the mystery is solved.

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 ironic, and almost all are beautifully plotted and character rich.

"Pictures of Perfection" is something else again. It certainly shares the virtues of other Hill mysteries, but this book is a comedic tour de force that has elements of Shakespearean farce, Dickensonian characters, Carl Hiiasen bizarreness and Marx Brothers energy and wildness. The story is pure fun from page one on.

Not everyone will agree, but I swear, that the author's description of a mass shooting incident early on in the book transcends horror and causes belly laughs even as the reader tries hard to keep some perspective on what a terrible thing is transpiring.

The characters in this novel are so well drawn that it's hard not to suspect that the author must know each and every one of them personally and intimately. Dalziel and Pascoe are certainly present and in very rare form, and so is the redoubtable Sgt. Edgar Wield, the copper who is trying to maintain his professional pride and dignity while trying to develop a personal life as a gay man. The novel contains dozens of other characters who do, indeed, rise to Dickensonian qualities and behavior at times.

So do whatever you can to get a copy of this book; then sit down, fasten your seat belt and settle in for a very wild ride. Also, warn your significant other(s) in advance that you will be reading passages to them that are too delicious to be savored alone. Enjoy.