odd book by noted british writer of murder mysteries
Since I am a fan of Reginald Hill's Dalziel & Pascoe police procedural series as well as his standalone, The Woodcutter, I thought I'd enjoy A Fairly Dangerous Thing. For the most part, I didn't. What part did I enjoy? The caper itself. I've always liked a good heist/caper book or film, and Hill's book fulfilled this particular requirement.
What didn't I enjoy? Once, just once, I'd like to see someone who's being blackmailed say, "Damn the consequences, I'm turning these buzzards in!" I know. Then there wouldn't be much of a book. (It would, however, be quite refreshing.) I found Joe's dithering-- which only wrapped him tighter in the blackmailer's web-- tiresome, and even more wearying was his almost open drooling over women's breasts. Put a good-sized pair in front of certain men and you can do anything you want with them. But guess what? It's boring. Dolly Parton isn't the only woman who's happy that Dolly Parton jokes are a thing of the past.
So... a very good heist story involving an exasperating main character. Written by almost anyone else, I would not have finished it. Of course, your mileage may vary.
What didn't I enjoy? Once, just once, I'd like to see someone who's being blackmailed say, "Damn the consequences, I'm turning these buzzards in!" I know. Then there wouldn't be much of a book. (It would, however, be quite refreshing.) I found Joe's dithering-- which only wrapped him tighter in the blackmailer's web-- tiresome, and even more wearying was his almost open drooling over women's breasts. Put a good-sized pair in front of certain men and you can do anything you want with them. But guess what? It's boring. Dolly Parton isn't the only woman who's happy that Dolly Parton jokes are a thing of the past.
So... a very good heist story involving an exasperating main character. Written by almost anyone else, I would not have finished it. Of course, your mileage may vary.
