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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
Some
Multiple murders including of characters close to the protagonist; some crime scene descriptions
Language
Some
Some strong language in police procedural context
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief romantic content; Pascoe and Ellie's relationship deepens in response to tragedy
Substance Use
Barely any
Social drinking in various settings
Emotional Intensity
A lot
Sustained psychological weight as Pascoe investigates the murders of people he loved
What this book is about
The third Dalziel and Pascoe mystery is a pivotal and emotionally charged entry: Pascoe arrives at a Cotswold cottage for a weekend reunion with old friends to find them murdered. Thrust into the impossible position of being both investigator and grieving witness, Pascoe must work through his anguish to find who killed people he loved. Hill handles the personal dimension with enormous care, and the novel marks a turning point in the series' emotional depth. The working-out of Pascoe's grief alongside the investigation is among Hill's finest sustained writing.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Multiple murders including of sympathetic characters
Grief as sustained theme
Some mature language
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