Reginald Hill’s best-selling duo, Dalziel and Pascoe, return in this brilliant, complex and ultimately moving crime ‘Reginald Hill is probably the best living crime writer in the English-speaking world’ — Independent In T.L. Beddoes’ play Death’s Jest-Book, the dead won’t lie still in the grave and the living often wish they could. And Reginald Hill’s novel is much the same — except perhaps for a few more jests. The dead-pan joker, Franny Roote, is working on his dead friend’s unfinished biography of Beddoes, and with unfinished business between himself and DCI Pascoe to deal with as well. Three times Pascoe has been wrong about Roote. This time he’s determined to leave no grave-stone unturned as he tries to prove that the ex-con and aspiring academic is mad, bad and dangerous to know. Meanwhile, Edgar Wield, Quixote-like, rides to the rescue of a child in danger, and finds he’s got a rent-boy under his wing. In return, the boy tips him off about the heist of a pricesless treasure, and soon Wieldy’s torn between protecting the boy and doing his duty. His superiors might have worries, but DC Hat Bowler’s looking forward to a blissful New Year with the girl of his dreams.The trouble is that that girl is Rye Pomona and her dreams are filled with a horror too terrible to tell — even though Charley Penn throws all his energies into trying to do exactly that. And over all this activity broods the huge form of Mid-Yorkshire CID’s First Mover, DS Andy Dalziel. As trouble builds, the Fat Man discovers (as many deities before him) that omniscience can be more trouble than its worth, and that sometimes all omnipotence means is that you can have any colour you like, as long as it’s black.
Dive into the complex and compelling world of Reginald Hill's *Death's Jest-Book*, a gripping installment in the acclaimed Dalziel and Pascoe series. This New Ed edition paperback, published by Harper Collins Pb, presents a multifaceted crime narrative that will keep you guessing until the very end. Prepare to be enthralled by Hill's masterful storytelling, praised by the *Independent* as "probably the best living crime writer in the English-speaking world." *Death's Jest-Book* draws inspiration from the play of the same name by T.L. Beddoes, echoing its themes of restless spirits and desires for escape. The story unfolds with the dead-pan humorist, Franny Roote, delving into his deceased friend's unfinished biography of Beddoes, all while grappling with unresolved tensions with DCI Peter Pascoe. Pascoe, having misjudged Roote in the past, is determined to uncover the truth about the ex-con, suspecting him of being more dangerous than he appears. Meanwhile, Edgar Wield embarks on a Quixotic mission to rescue a child in need, unexpectedly taking a rent-boy under his wing. The boy, in turn, provides Wield with a crucial lead on the theft of a priceless treasure, forcing him to choose between protecting the boy and upholding his duty. Adding to the intricate web of intrigue, DC Hat Bowler eagerly anticipates a blissful New Year with Rye Pomona, the girl of his dreams. However, Rye's dreams are haunted by a terrifying secret that Charley Penn desperately tries to unravel. Presiding over this intricate tapestry of events is the formidable DS Andy Dalziel, the "Fat Man" of Mid-Yorkshire CID. As the situation escalates, Dalziel discovers that his omniscience comes at a price, realizing that even with omnipotence, choices can be limited. Reginald Hill expertly weaves together these seemingly disparate threads, creating a rich and layered narrative that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the deceptive nature of appearances. *Death's Jest-Book* is not just a crime novel; it's a profound exploration of human nature, filled with dark humor, unexpected twists, and moments of genuine emotion. This is a must-read for fans of classic British crime fiction and anyone who appreciates intelligent, thought-provoking storytelling. With 400 pages of suspense and intrigue, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final, satisfying conclusion. The book weighs approximately 346 grams and was published in 2003.