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BLOOD ON THE TONGUE
by Stephen Booth
Scribner, October 2002
384 pages
$25.00
ISBN: 0743236181


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Slowly, bit-by-bit, piece-by-piece, the American reading public will discover one of the best British police procedurals in the market today. Stephen Boot is well known in the United Kingdom as a great writer and his popularity continues to grow. After finishing his latest novel, you will see why.

In this third book of the series, the past and the present collide and shed light of two recent murders being investigated by Detective Constable Ben Cooper and Detective Sergeant Diane Fry. Canadian Alison Morrissey has arrived to Edendale to try and figure out the fate of her grandfather, Danny McTeague, who was a pilot that disappeared during World War II. During the Second World War, a Lancaster Bomber crashed in the Peak District killing the entire crew except for Zygmunt Lucasz and the pilot. McTeague was never found and an octogenarian Lucas refuses to cooperate on the investigation, then and now. Alison recently received a package leading her to believe that her grandfather is still alive and she wants the Edendale police to help. No one is willing to assist her, but DC Cooper is intrigued. He will do his own unofficial investigation and try to see if he can help Ms. Morrissey. Little did he know that his investigation of two separate murder victims would be related to the plane crash.

One of the strong elements in this series is the character development. Just as in Dancing With The Virgins, every participant in the plot will play an important role in the book. It will not be until the very end that the complete picture will be assembled leaving the reader with a sense of awe. This is not an easy feat to accomplish but Booth makes it all seem like childís play. The relationship between Cooper and Fry is still strenuous due to his own personal naivete and her own stubbornness. They both continue to make up stories in their head about each other leading them to still have animus towards each other. One of these days, they are going to have to sit together and have a frank discussion in clearing up their messes. No one is expecting them to ever become lovers, but maybe they might learn to respect each other and become a better investigative team. Until that day comes, enjoy what you have. If you have yet to try out one of Stephen Boothís novels, now is a good time as any. You will be left surprised.

Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, April 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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