Death's Jest-Book

Dalziel and Pascoe Series, Book 20

By: Reginald Hill

Narrated by: Shaun Dooley

Three times Detective Chief Inspector Pascoe has wrongly accused dead-pan joker Franny Roote. This time he's determined to leave no gravestone unturned as he tries to prove that the ex-con and aspiring academic is mad, bad, and dangerous to know. But over his investigation looms the huge form of Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel.© Reginald Hill; (P) W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Clever, involving, and admirably resolved. No one does it better than Hill." (The Guardian)
"Reginald Hill is probably the best living crime writer in the English-speaking world." (The Independent)

confusing without the back story

I did enjoy this, as do all the Dalziel & Pascoe novels, but here it feels like the sequel to a storyline I haven't read, something about an unresolved serial killer (?), and the previous book of the series is unavailable from audible.

"Fetch the cow."

When Peter Pascoe receives a long letter from an ex com shortly before Christmas, he is both angry and troubled. Then more arrive. This is an intricately woven, lengthy book about relationships, far more than that of just Pascoe and his letter writer, involving families and friendship, lovers and obsession, much of which is founded on an historical book and an unfinished later work by a murder academic. It is a magnificent read, fascinating, sometimes funny, at times breathtakingly sad as the superbly crafted characters become living, acting beings not just protagonists in a book. Plus, running through it all is the mystery..
A very fine addition to the Dalziel and Pascoe series (number 20), performed by Sean Dooley and definitely recommended.

Hill IS addictive

One of the reviewers who posts here has said repeatedly that listening to HIll's books is addictive and I have come to agree with him. I love listening to these books which continue to have delightful characters. They are also well plotted, humorous, suspenseful and intelligent. The reader of the last three Hill books is one of the VERY best. I wish he would redo some of the books about which other readers have complained. Evelyn

engrossing attention-getter

Riveting, excellent character development. Engrossing with well-written literary story line. DI Pascoe and his family, relationships with friends and many questions I've had over the years are finally clearly delineated. Entertaining and satisfying, no loose ends, but an avenue for a continuation.

Pure pleasure

I've now "read" several Dalziel and Pascoe novels and have enjoyed every single one. This one was no exception. The character development was seamless and gave me an intimate sense of each character. While complex, the plot was effectively told. Shaun Dooley is a perfect narrator for these stories - using a unique tone for each character, like watching a play unfold. Kudos to both author and narrator!