Detective [Import] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "At 10:35 P.M. on January 27, Malcolm Ainslie was halfway to the outer door of Homicide when a phone rang behind him..." (more)
Key Phrases: Elroy Doil, Malcolm Ainslie, Cynthia Ernst (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 570 pages
• Publisher: Corgi Books; New Ed edition (January 1, 1998)
• ISBN-10: 0552143766
• ISBN-13: 978-0552143769
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,120,327 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The writing is much better than formerly, September 6, 1998

By	Karlis Streips (Riga, Latvia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Detective (Paperback)

I've been a fan of Arthur Hailey's books since I was a teenager, especially "Airport" and "Hotel". Many reviews have been written here on Amazon about "Detective", and I'd just like to write one observation. I found the writing in "Airport", "Hotel" and other Hailey books to be somewhat leaden at some points. It brought to mind Rita Mae Brown, who is another of my favorites and who tells magnificent stories, but whose writing seems clumsy at points. "Detective" is written much more smoothly, with more highly believable dialogue and plot structure. I read the book in one afternoon and most of a Sunday, and I recommend it very, very highly.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GRIPPING AND DIFFERENT POLICE PROCEDURAL, January 26, 2003

By	Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Detective (Paperback)

I am NOT a police dispatcher as one of my fellow reviewers,but I found Hailey's "Detective" a rather engrossing and compelling novel. Known for his grand style of writing, employing several different storylines at once, he brings this to the police procedural genre and overall, I think, brings it off well. The characterizations are well developed, and Malcolm Ainslie is a flawed hero; his bitterness over the Catholic faith, however, is never fully rationalized, and I was sad when at a point where his life was about to end, he still refused to admit God's existence. However, this is what makes Ainslie so complex. He also seems to have a hard time stifling his urge to "roam" in his marriage, and it is his affair with one Cynthia Ernst that propels him into a dark, and complicated vortex. A strong debate about capital punishment also enters the picture as Ainslie is called to a death row inmate's execution for a final confession from a despicable nasty character called "Animal" Elroy Doil. There's some other subplots including the mysterious murder of a wealthy woman's husband; a lot of background into Cynthia's youth; and many other goings on that contribute to the breadth of the novel.
This was Hailey's first attempt at this type of novel, and although as a mystery/thriller, it sets no new territories, it does come off as well-developed and interesting character study about the life of a detective; the wealthy; and the religious.
RECOMMENDED.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, March 1, 2004

By	R. H Porter (indianapolis, indiana USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Detective (Hardcover)

I was really drawn into this book. I like the dynamics of the characters. I really liked how the main character went on a spritiual as well as a personal journey to discover his convictions. However, I really felt bad for the Commander having to endure her Fathers foul behavior and not even her Mother stand up for her. I agree with reviewer who stated that this book is not an attack on christianity or catholicism. This character simply lost his faith and had a find it again.