| Title | : | Murder In The Library (Detective Jim Ashworth, #5) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published January 4, 2001 |
The victim is found dead in the library, book still in hand, with a .38 bullet wound in the centre of his forehead.
Detective Jim Ashworth and DS Holly Bedford’s search for the killer leads them into a twilight world of gangsters and drug dealers.
So many questions, so few answers.
Then another murder. This time a frenzied knife attack leaving a bloody mess.
Murder In The Library (Detective Jim Ashworth, #5) Reviews
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DCI Jim Ashworth and his team investigate the killing of an antiques dealer and get mixed up with mobsters.
There are writers who have a gift for writing easy flowing prose which not only serves the purpose of telling the story, but is also a joy to read. The late Brian Battison was one of these. His was a naturally smooth and crisp style that betrays no hints of striving for effect.
I first read the eight Ashworth books about fifteen years ago and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I’m glad upon re-reading to find that they’re every bit as good as I remember. I decided on this re-read as I recently discovered that all eight of Battison’s Jim Ashworth books (plus a standalone) are being reissued - but under different titles. This one is called ‘Murder In The Library.’
Apart from the spare and clear prose and speedy telling of the story, it’s the likeable characters that draw you in. The gruff, middle-aged Ashworth, the sensitive Josh, and the flighty and opinionated sex-seeking Holly. They’re a good mix, with their relationships to one another adding a warm depth to the book, but not impinging upon the pace of the storytelling.
On re-reading my notes from when I originally read this series I’ve just discovered that this one is the one I considered to be the weakest. I recognise the issues I had with it fifteen years ago – a straying into action territory pushes Holly’s character excitingly, but unconvincingly into the realms of James Bond; and despite a speedy telling of the story, the end feels a touch drawn out and relies upon a coincidence. But despite these minor quibbles I would highly recommend this, or better still, start from the beginning with ‘The Christmas Bow Murder’ (reissued as ‘Tied To Murder’). The second book, 'Fool’s Ransom’ (reissued as ‘The Price Of Murder’) is even better.
I hope the reissues are a success and Brian Battison gets a new audience. He was far too good a writer to be forgotten. -
Vivid and intriguing
DI Jim Ashworth had a case that was strange and complicated. His team, Holly and Josh , were working hard to sift through the clues too. One murder started off a chain of events that seemed unstoppable. This book was incredibly exciting and intriguing. The characters were complicated and believable, but remarkably vibrant. -
Very entertaining. Some nice characters and some nice twists.
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A really good book with lots of twists and turns, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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I tried to read this. Read maybe 80 or 100 pp then skipped to the end and read backwards. I've given it 3 stars because I think it is quite a good story, just not my kind of book. Characters seemed to be less well-drawn than the rather convoluted plot.
