The Dying Hours: Tom Thorne Novels 11 - Softcover

Billingham, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0751544086 ISBN 13: 9780751544084

Publisher: Sphere, 2014

Synopsis

'Expertly crafted, with a slam-dunk ending. The Dying Hours is a terrific read' Guardian

A cluster of suicides among the elderly. Such things are not unknown to the police and the deaths are quickly dismissed by the police as routine. Only one man is convinced that something more sinister is taking place.

However, no one listens to Tom Thorne anymore. Having stepped out of line once too often, he's back in uniform and he hates it. Patronised and abused by his new colleagues, Thorne's suspicions about the suicides are dismissed by the Murder Squad he was once part of and he is forced to investigate alone.

Unable to trust anyone, Thorne must risk losing those closest to him. He must gamble with the lives of those targeted by a killer unlike any he has hunted before. A man with nothing to lose and a growing list of victims. A man with the power to make people take their own lives.

Tom Thorne returns in Billingham's most compelling thriller to date - The Dying Hours is a haunting portrait of London's dark heart, and the darker heart of a twisted killer bringing terror to its streets.

'One of the great series of British crime fiction' The Times

'Billingham is a world-class writer' Karin Slaughter

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The outstanding new Tom Thorne thriller, THEIR LITTLE SECRET, is available to pre-order now

About this title

About the Author

Mark Billingham has twice won the Theakston's Old Peculier Award for Best Crime Novel, and has also won a Sherlock Award for the Best Detective created by a British writer. Each of the novels featuring Detective Inspector Tom Thorne has been a Sunday Times bestseller, andSleepyheadandScaredy Catwere made into a hit TV series on Sky 1 starring David Morrissey as Thorne. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.

Review

Praise for The Dying Hours:

Even in the best of times, Tom Thorne, the hero of a well-groomed series of police procedurals by Mark Billingham, is a moody chap. But he’s hit rock bottom in The Dying Hours . . . The joy here comes from watching Thorne work under the radar while on the hunt for a killer who proves to be extremely clever and really, really mean.” New York Times Book Review

The Dying Hours is British author Mark Billingham’s 11th novel about Thorne, a prickly loner who is a relentless investigator, often at the cost of his personal relationships . . . Billingham is fiendishly clever about subverting our expectations, the book’s two-page prologue being a bravura example. He’s also adept at sketching believable characters very quickly, so that each of the killer’s very different victims are real to us, not just corpses after the fact. Thorne’s friends and colleagues are even more vivid . . . But the hunt is what drives The Dying Hours, and it comes to a breathtaking and surprising climax, with the last sharp twist saved for the final page.” The Tampa Bay Times

The Dying Hours’ relentless pace doesn’t slow down until the last word, proving why Billingham continues to be a best-seller in Great Britain.” The Sun Sentinel

It takes but two short pages for the first twist to be revealed in Mark Billingham’s latest Tom Thorne mystery, The Dying Hours, and a very good twist it is. . . . Thorne is an exceptionally well-drawn character, ably supported by a cast of complex colleagues and truly disagreeable villains, although at times you will have some question as to which is which. The Dying Hours is a fine addition to what is already one of the best crafted police procedural series in contemporary fiction.” BookPage

No one currently working the British scene tops Billingham for mordant intensity, whether Thorne is surveying the latest scene of an apparent suicide or just trying to explain why he called in sick.” Kirkus Reviews

Mark Billingham’s troubled detective inspector is one of those riveting characters who is almost likable in spite of himself, somewhat dour in personality but possessed of a dry sense of humor, seemingly unable to close the deal on a long-term relationship, an aficionado of American country music. Yes, complex would be the word, just like a great number of us. It is these personality elements of Thorne’s, combined with Billingham’s sharp plotting and extremely interesting murderers, that keep readers on both sides of the Atlantic coming back again and again. . . . The Dying Hours may be my favorite Thorne book to date. . . . And the ending? Let’s just say that there is good news and bad news for newcomers and longtime fans alike. Strongly recommended for both.” BookReporter

Praise for Mark Billingham:

Morse, Rebus, and now Thorne. The next superstar detective is already with us don’t miss him.” Lee Child

Billingham is one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today.” Gillian Flynn

Billingham is a world-class crime writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.” Karin Slaughter

With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” Michael Connelly

Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers.” Harlan Coben

"Billingham is one of the best crime novelists working today." Laura Lippman

Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” George Pelecanos

Billingham leaps to the upper echelons of crime fiction in one bound.” John Harvey

Edition details

• Publisher: Sphere
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0751544086
• ISBN 13: 9780751544084
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512