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Death Comes for the Fat Man
A Dalziel and Pascoe mystery # 22

by Reginald Hill



      When the local constable reports a man with a gun at a local abandoned video store that had been under suspicion by the antiterrorist unit, Pascoe and Dalziel go to investigate. As they approach the store, they are caught in a violent bomb blast. Andy Dalziel is seriously injured, but Pascoe, though injured, is saved by Dalziel’s bulk.

Dalziel (The Fat Man) lies in a comatose state, hovering between life and death with a stream of out-of-body excursions. Pascoe is determined to discover the source of the bomb and inserts himself into the team of anti-terrorism specialists who are looking into the accident. The terrorist link to a branch of the historic Knights Templar, who take the law into their own hands, murdering men they believe to be terrorists. Some of the villains seem to be connected with the Yorkshire Constabulary.

Familiarity with the previous Dalziel / Pascoe adventures adds to the understanding of the story. The dialogue is clever and witty. The character descriptions are excellent. The characters both good and bad are thoroughly engaging.

You must read the book to determine the fate of Andy Dalziel. I refuse to spoil the book for you.

This is a highly literate thriller written in Hill's usual erudite style. He has a great command of the English language. I must confess that when I read a Hill novel, I keep a dictionary nearby. I always learn a few new words. Reginald Hill is both enjoyment and education.

The Book

Harper Collins
February 2008
Mass Market paperback
9780060821432
Mystery
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2008
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