About
Reviews
Search
Submit
Home

Mystery Books for Sale

[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]


  

THE JUDGEMENT BOOK
by Simon Hall
Accent, September 2009
320 pages
7.99 GBP
ISBN: 1906373736


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Simon Hall's pleasantly quirky series featuring TV reporter Dan Groves and his cop mate Adam Breen returns with more puzzles and upheavals for its main characters.

This time out, an MP commits suicide after his guilty secret is revealed. This is no ordinary case of blackmail, though – these are out to unearth sex, murder and corruption. And they have both Dan and Adam in their sights. Our heroes must find the mysterious and deadly Judgement Book before their careers are wrecked.

Where this series has always scored highly is in the portrayal of the fast-moving world of journalism – hardly surprising, given Hall is the BBC's crime correspondent in the south west of England. You get the distinct feeling that Hall has come across a lot of the cameo roles during his career. Editor Lizzie teeters on the edge of being OTT, as does the photographer El, but Hall keeps them just the right side.

The police angle has always been the least convincing in the books, and Hall always has to work to convince the reader that Dan would be allowed such unrivalled access to the investigation. And Adam never quite emerges as a fully-rounded character, with his tendency to declamatory speeches and tantrums.

Dan's another matter, though. He's not a conventional dashing hero. He's ruthless in the pursuit of a story, has few qualms about fibbing in said pursuit, and isn't great at conveying his emotions (which is a problem in THE JUDGEMENT BOOK when it comes to his relationship with detective Claire). But he's also engagingly human, haunted by the spectre of depression, and devoted to his dog Rutherford.

THE JUDGEMENT BOOK is a pleasantly diverting read. You may have to suspend disbelief now and then (namely when Dan cracks the case), plus Hall does have a tendency to signpost clues clearly. But where the series wins for me is its setting and its unconventional lead character. It provides some interesting food for thought on the ethical behaviour – or otherwise – of journalists and cops.

This isn't the best in the series – it lacks some tension as Dan and Adam battle to save their careers – but there's a truly heart-breaking scene, coupled with the promise of uncertain days ahead for Dan in his next outing.

Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, December 2009

[ Top ]


QUICK SEARCH:

 

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]