Last Rites: A Novel (Charles Resnick Novels) - Hardcover

Harvey, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805041508 ISBN 13: 9780805041507

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co, 1999

Synopsis

In his final case, Charlie Resnick becomes embroiled in an investigation into the disappearance of a convicted murderer, who abruptly vanishes while temporarily out of prison on compassionate leave to attend his mother's funeral. 10,000 first printing.

About this title

About the Author

John Harvey is the author of nine previous Resnick novels, six of which are now available in Owl paperback editions.

Reviews

Harvey's series about Charlie Resnick, the jazz-loving, melancholy cop in provincial Nottingham, England, has long been one of the finest police procedural series around (Rough Treatment, Cold Light, Easy Meat, others). "Has been," because with this exceptionally good entry, poet Harvey says he is leaving Nottingham and Resnick behind. At least he has quit on a high note. A building turf war between drug lords, and an escape by a prisoner who had murdered his own father, are at the heart of the new yarn, skillfully interwoven in a way that only Harvey at his best can contrive. Michael Preston had gone willingly to jail for his father's murder, and when he escapes on an escorted visit to his mother's funeral, his sister Lorraine, always close to him, is fiercely divided. Only she has a sense of what may have driven himAbut now he is hopelessly lost to a criminal life, and Lorraine has her own husband and children to care for. Harvey's feel for the fearful compulsions of love is as unerring as his ear for the hard-bitten Midlanders whose lives are Resnick's beat. A decent, thoughtful man in a tough job, whose tender instincts are constantly at war with his duty, Resnick is a splendidly conceived character who will be much missed.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Unhappy news for the many fans of Harvey's Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick (Still Waters, etc.). This is the tenth and presumably the last of his appearances. Crime in Nottingham has escalated since the early daysdrug dealing and all that goes with it are major plagues nowbut at the moment the police forces are absorbed by the escape from custody of Michael Preston. Serving a life sentence for the killing of his father, Preston had been allowed, handcuffed and under heavy guard, to attend the funeral of his mother. Guard or not, though, after the rites he escaped, further agitating his sister Lorraine, her husband Derek, and their two teenaged children. Meanwhile, Resnick's division, headed by Helen Siddons of Serious Crimes Department, is struggling to find the on-the-take traitor in their midst while a quiet war ensues between big-time drug dealers Drew Valentine and others. There are robberies, stabbings, shootingsall more or less routine while Resnick tries to sort out his feelings for old love Lynn Kellogg (presently in great need of comfort since her father is dying of cancer) and teacher Hannah Campbell, a newer but not stronger attachment. It all becomes background to the last desperate efforts of Michael Preston to make good his escape, gathering a fortune, getting even with old enemies, and, most urgent of all, taking with him the only thing he ever really wanted. Harvey's characters live; his plotting is many-layered but never impedes a solidly escalating suspense: Charlie Resnickall too human in the noblest waywill be sorely missed. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

This is the tenth and last of Harvey's Charlie Resnick novels (e.g., Still Waters, LJ 8/97), realistic police procedurals set in the often dreary lower social strata of contemporary Nottingham. A convicted killer escapes while under guard at his mother's funeral, and the pursuit leads through drug wars, family struggles, and subplots often involving characters from earlier novels. The focus is on character and dialog, but a vividly wrought sense of place surrounds everything, and, although much is depressing, Resnick maintains a sense of compassion, even hope. Harvey's social realism is Dickensian, without the cynicism of Wahloo and Sjowall; other influences include Chandler, Elmore Leonard, Ross Thomas, and jazz. He makes us know and care about his characters, like Resnick neither judging nor condemning them. Mystery at its best, this is highly recommended. Resnick certainly will be missed by his many fans.ARoland C. Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0805041508
• ISBN 13: 9780805041507
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 312