Last Rites - 1st UK Edition/1st Printing

Harvey, John

ISBN 10: 043400328X / ISBN 13: 9780434003280

Published by William Heinemann, London, 1998

About this Item

A handsome first UK edition/first printing in unread Fine condition in Fine dust-jacket. Signed by author John Harvey directly on the title page; This novel is about a man who has terminal cancer and is given a few months to live. He decides to take his time exploring the world before he dies. He travels to different places and meets different people. He also writes a book about his travels.; 8vo; Signed by Author.

Seller Inventory # 16982

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Last Rites - 1st UK Edition/1st Printing
• Publisher: William Heinemann, London
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 043400328X
• ISBN 13: 9780434003280
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition; First Printing.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Fiction::Novels
  • First Editions
  • Collection Starter::Hundred Dollars or Less
  • Signed First Editions
  • By Year Of Issue::1990s

About this title

Synopsis

hardcover fiction mystery book

Review

"Back outside, walking away from the hospital toward Old Lenton, Resnick's step was springier, lighter. He couldn't remember the last time he'd struck a blow outside of self-defense; couldn't recall when he'd last used force of any kind. And although he knew that later his conscience would be giving him gyp, right now he felt one hundred percent better."

That, of course, is Nottingham's own Charlie Resnick, a smart British policeman of Polish origins who would rather eat a sausage sandwich or listen to a Duke Ellington record than threaten a criminal. But threaten a drug dealer is exactly what he has just done; times are changing, and this will be Charlie's final case. John Harvey says he's ending his distinguished series because he no longer lives in Nottingham.

Resnick's last stand involves a prisoner named Michael Preston, who was incarcerated for murdering his father, but absconds while he's out on compassionate leave. He vanishes into the streets of Nottingham and begins to torment his family. Meanwhile, rival drug gangs are shedding blood on Resnick's turf, and a corrupt copper is at large in the department. This is typical John Harvey fare: Charlie's sporadic affair with social worker Hannah is more off than on; dozens of greasy sandwiches are consumed; Charlie's many cats nap while Art Tatum and Thelonius Monk play quietly in the background. It's a fine, rich atmosphere, now so familiar that it's hard to say good-bye. Although there have been stronger, more spectacular entries in the Resnick series, Last Rites has enough of the familiar ingredients and the gritty street poetry to make a satisfying finale. --Dick Adler